diff --git a/content/_index.md b/content/_index.md
index 26f472f9912e8..135a28538b8e0 100644
--- a/content/_index.md
+++ b/content/_index.md
@@ -3,9 +3,18 @@ title: emilyyao.me
 ---
 
 # hey, it's squeak!
-Welcome to my pothole of the internet. I'm Emily! My nickname is "*squeak*" — from which most of my usernames on the web are derived. I'm currently a first-year at UW-Madison studying CS. I'm interested in puzzles and robotics, among various other topics like computer networks, competitive coding, and digital privacy. In my free time, I like listening to audiobooks and [copyrighted Nintendo music](https://youtu.be/HL9_xm5HwrE).
+Welcome to my pothole of the internet. I'm Emily! My nickname is "*squeak*" — from which most of my usernames on the web are derived. I'm currently a first-year at UW-Madison studying CS. Right now I'm on winter break working on a large list of projects I've accumulated over the semester.
 
-I like meeting interesting people! If you want to say hi or grab lunch with me, send a message at `hello` `at` `emilyyao` `dot` `me`!
+My main hobby is puzzle-solving, which is where all my other interests stem from. I enjoy combinatorial math and competitive coding, among other topics like computer networking, robotics, and signal processing. In my free time, I like reading books from the [Booker Prize](https://thebookerprizes.com/the-booker-library/books) archive, binge-watching *Survivor*, and listening to [copyrighted Nintendo music](https://youtu.be/HL9_xm5HwrE).
+
+I like meeting interesting people! If you want to say hi or grab lunch with me, send an email at `hello` `at` `emilyyao` `dot` `me`!
+
+# ongoing
+By no means a comprehensive list of what I'm working on:
+- Newer, cooler websites
+- Battlecode '23
+- TCP/IP stack concept map
+- LC-3 simulator
 
 # pages
-[classes](/academics) | [ubuntu vm](/utm-ubuntu) | [stream](/stream)
\ No newline at end of file
+[uw courses](/academics) | [stream](/stream) | [coding shortcuts](/coding-shortcuts)
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/content/academics.md b/content/academics.md
index 4d8dea0570262..e8d6a5cf8ea2b 100644
--- a/content/academics.md
+++ b/content/academics.md
@@ -1,15 +1,97 @@
 ---
 title: Classes
+enableToc: false
 ---
+<!-- List of all the courses I've taken along with my thoughts on them. At a quick glance, starred classes are ones I enjoyed and would recommend.  -->
 
-## fall 2022
+All courses were taken at UW-Madison unless otherwise specified.
+
+# spring 2023
+- CS 354: Machine Organization and Programming
+- MATH 431: Introduction to the Theory of Probability
+- PHYSICS 202: General Physics
+
+# fall 2022
 - CS 475: Introduction to Combinatorics
 - CS 252: Introduction to Computer Engineering
 - ECE 537: Communication Networks
 - PHYSICS 201: General Physics
 - MSE 299: Independent Study (ML4ER)
 
-## summer 2022 (self-studied)
-- CS 220: Data Programming I
-- CS 61A: Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs `almost finished!`
-- 6.042J: Mathematics for Computer Science `barely started`
\ No newline at end of file
+# summer 2022 (self-studied)
+- [CS 220](/notes/cs220): Data Programming I
+- [CS 61A](/notes/cs61a): Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs `UC-Berkeley`
+
+# previous
+- CS 300: Programming I (SU '20)
+- CS 400: Programming II (FA '20)
+- MATH 20804232: Calculus and Analytic Geometry 2 (SU '21) `Madison College`
+- MATH 234: Calculus - Functions of Several Variables (FA '21)
+- MATH 341: Linear Algebra (SP '22)
+
+<!-- ## CS 475: Introduction to Combinatorics*
+**Professor:** Aleksandra Sobieska, Fall '22
+
+Taught me about all of those vague competitive-coding/math problems I never knew how to solve. How many ways can you traverse an $n$ by $n$ grid without crossing the diagonal? How many unique necklaces can I make with 4 different colored beads? What's $5\choose 2$? This class will teach you. Incredibly biased personal take, but I loved this class and the professor was amazing; if you get a chance to take any of her classes, take it. Computational math, not a lot of emphasis on proofs; ten homeworks and three exams total.
+
+$\phantom{-}$
+
+## CS 252: Introduction to Computer Engineering
+**Professor:** Jim Skrentny, Fall '22
+
+$\phantom{-}$
+
+## ECE 537: Communication Networks*
+**Professor:** Bhuvana Krishnaswamy, Fall '22
+
+Goes through each layer of the TCP/IP protocol stack. If you zone out for a second, you'll wake up 10 lectures behind. Super interesting but very fast paced. I really enjoyed the content and the professor was extremely knowledgeble about the topics. 
+
+$\phantom{-}$
+
+
+## PHYSICS 202: General Physics
+**Professor:** Yibin Pan, Fall '22
+
+$\phantom{-}$
+
+
+## MSE 299: Independent Study
+**Notes:** Machine Learning For Engineering Research with a post-doc
+
+$\phantom{-}$
+
+
+## CS 61A: Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs (UC-Berkeley)
+**Notes:** Self studied summer '22
+
+$\phantom{-}$
+
+
+## CS 220: Data Programming I
+**Notes:** Self studied summer '22 -->
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<!-- #### CS 220: Data Programming I
+Basic introduction course to coding in Python. Decent takeaway on the pandas library (Series and DataFrames) and working with Jupyter notebooks. Dry, but it got the point across.
+
+#### CS 61A: Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs
+Also an introductory course in Python (and a bit of Scheme), but with a focus on recursion and creative problem-solving as opposed to pure fundamentals. A step up from CS 220. Assignments were both interesting and challenging. -->
+
+<!--
+#### CS 252: Introduction to Computer Engineering
+Great for if you want to lose 10% of your exam score on a tiny mistake.
+
+#### ECE 537: Communication Networks
+Goes through each layer of the TCP/IP protocol stack in detail. If you zone out for a second, you'll wake up 10 lectures behind. Super interesting but very fast paced. I came out of the class with more questions than I had going in. This class was the definition of "I understand all of those words individually, but not when you put them together".
+
+#### PHYSICS 201: General Physics
+Kinematics. Forces. Energy and momentum. Multiple choice tests.
+
+#### MSE 299: Independent Study (ML4ER) -->