I consistently get a 500 error when I try to logout, the main page loads fine for me though.

i cant create a PR, maybe they are in read-only mode

I haven't been able to create a new repository all morning

Seems like push, pull works. At least for me. Web page, indeed, doesn't - can't create PR, can't review code, comment, merge, etc.

Another GATech student here. I'm taking the ML class this semester... thanks for this!

Practice makes perfect. Have you tried going to things on meetup? It's sort of expected to meet strangers on there so it's a great environment to meet new people.

What about AWS Lightsail? https://aws.amazon.com/lightsail/pricing/

I just got an AWS cert myself (Solutions Architect Associate) and while I don't have any experience with other certs, I do feel like studying for it helped me get a better understanding of what AWS services were available and how to better design systems using the AWS services. There weren't really any "memorization" questions, the questions were more scenario based - like a customer wants to do X, which one of these services/configurations would make the most sense given their needs for high durability/reliability/cost saving/whatever.

Are certifications a perfect way to judge someone's competence? definitely not, but at least in the case of that certificate I think it'd be hard to pass the exam without having at least some decent knowledge of which AWS services are the best to use in different business situations.