Finally graduated after almost 18 years of study!
9 July 2011 is most probably one of the happiest and most memorable time of my life. Finally graduated with a bachelor of arts with merit. Despite not being able to do honours, I guess its still a consolation for myself to have come this far.
Rewinding back time, 3 years ago, at around this time, I was contemplating on whether I should attend the arts orientation. Being a camp instructor for almost 4 months and having attended the countless camps during my work stint at campha, I was quite apprehensive of being a camper all over again, and thus I recalled vividly that I only attended 1 out of 5 days (I think?) of my camp orientation. The day I went to orientation, was the official matriculation day. We all had to dress up in formal wear as we were gonna have our official matriculation day at the NUS university cultural centre, a pretty dope place I would say. Its this huge theatre hall, 3 levels high, complete with super pretty lightings and the seats were super comfy. I still remembered I sat next to Aga and we were so excited cos there were free laptop casings put on our chairs just for us! Our matriculation presents! HAHA. So kiddy i know getting excited over such things. But that signifies the start of our uni life.
Who would imagine, 3 years down the road, I would be sitting in the same theatre. This time, with my graduation gown and square hat, all ready to put a fullstop to my uni life :p
During the first year, we had to learn how to bid for our modules. I remembered how frustrated I would get not being able to comprehend the whole CORS bidding system, and I remembered how kiasu and uptight I was sitting by the computer and refreshing the screen every single minute until close bidding. HAHA. how silly that was because for the next two and half years, I did not even bother checking the bids until the very last minute. I realized it was actually quite pointless to sit and refresh the computer screen every minute. But, it was such fear that we felt defined our first year in Uni. We were always uptight about being late for lectures, tutorial classes. Paid 110% during lectures, and it was the first time in my life I actually listened during lectures. JC lectures were usually characterized by chatting, doodling and sleeping. Uni curiculuum allowed me to take responsibility of my own study life. I enjoyed having the freedom to choose my modules, my lec and tutorial timings even till the nitty gritty details of arranging and editing my own lecture slides to customise my study preferences. It was also in my first year of Uni life that I got my first As in assignments and exams, credited all because of the work and effort I have put in. This feeling of euphoria was somehow different to the happiness in JC and sec school. This was probably for the first time in my life, I felt sure that I could deliver something with my own ability. It was more than good. I have also learnt to overcome the barrier of taking random electives that I would never have imagined during my 3 years of NUS. Well, it sucks I agree, having to take modules just to fulfil requirements. But on the other hand, these modules do expose me to alot of things. I am glad I stuck through and survived these modules. I am proud to say now, I am willing to try anything because there is nothing I cannot do.
As you all would have known by now, my circle of close friends in my 3 years of uni life are quite small. Most of the time, people usually ask me, why dont you join CCAs, Hall and make more friends, make your life more enriching?
Well, I guess, it all depends on how you see life. For me, it is because of my lack of commitment to anything that makes my life fulfilling, and given another chance, I am sure I would make the same decision.
Because of my lack of commitments, I am so fortunate to get to know a group of friends so well and deep that I am already on the verge of tearing because I could no longer be studying with them. It is because of them, I have learnt a set of values that will definitely be with me for the rest of my life. It is because of them, that my notion of studying, competition and even friendship changed. They have showed me that studying can be without competition, even if there is, competition is not among friends, but with strangers whom we have no relations with. With these group of special friends, there is always warmth and happiness. I was sheltered from the harsh reality that some might say: friends do compete. But no, these friends helped me alot in my course of study here in NUS. They helped me in whatever way they could, always so patient in answering my doubts, providing me with encouragements when I was down and never asking for anything in return.
If I had dedicated my time to hall activities, or even CCAs, I would have missed out the countless train rides to and fro to school, I would have to miss out the 96 bus rides home together..and thus I would lose these friendships that matters so much to me.
On the course that I have studied, I still harbour a deep interest for it. Psychology has become a part of me, a part of my life, and I am glad that I have chosen this course to study in Uni. Even if I might not have a chance to practise it in future, I am sure it is one of the most interesting modules that one could ever ask for.
:)
Lastly, my years of education would not be complete if not for the relentless support of my dearest parents, sisters, aunt&relatives. They are my greatest pillar of support. Of cos, how i can forget to thank another pillar of support, my old pal, ex-pri sch mate and loving bf of 3 years.
Rewinding back time, 3 years ago, at around this time, I was contemplating on whether I should attend the arts orientation. Being a camp instructor for almost 4 months and having attended the countless camps during my work stint at campha, I was quite apprehensive of being a camper all over again, and thus I recalled vividly that I only attended 1 out of 5 days (I think?) of my camp orientation. The day I went to orientation, was the official matriculation day. We all had to dress up in formal wear as we were gonna have our official matriculation day at the NUS university cultural centre, a pretty dope place I would say. Its this huge theatre hall, 3 levels high, complete with super pretty lightings and the seats were super comfy. I still remembered I sat next to Aga and we were so excited cos there were free laptop casings put on our chairs just for us! Our matriculation presents! HAHA. So kiddy i know getting excited over such things. But that signifies the start of our uni life.
Who would imagine, 3 years down the road, I would be sitting in the same theatre. This time, with my graduation gown and square hat, all ready to put a fullstop to my uni life :p
During the first year, we had to learn how to bid for our modules. I remembered how frustrated I would get not being able to comprehend the whole CORS bidding system, and I remembered how kiasu and uptight I was sitting by the computer and refreshing the screen every single minute until close bidding. HAHA. how silly that was because for the next two and half years, I did not even bother checking the bids until the very last minute. I realized it was actually quite pointless to sit and refresh the computer screen every minute. But, it was such fear that we felt defined our first year in Uni. We were always uptight about being late for lectures, tutorial classes. Paid 110% during lectures, and it was the first time in my life I actually listened during lectures. JC lectures were usually characterized by chatting, doodling and sleeping. Uni curiculuum allowed me to take responsibility of my own study life. I enjoyed having the freedom to choose my modules, my lec and tutorial timings even till the nitty gritty details of arranging and editing my own lecture slides to customise my study preferences. It was also in my first year of Uni life that I got my first As in assignments and exams, credited all because of the work and effort I have put in. This feeling of euphoria was somehow different to the happiness in JC and sec school. This was probably for the first time in my life, I felt sure that I could deliver something with my own ability. It was more than good. I have also learnt to overcome the barrier of taking random electives that I would never have imagined during my 3 years of NUS. Well, it sucks I agree, having to take modules just to fulfil requirements. But on the other hand, these modules do expose me to alot of things. I am glad I stuck through and survived these modules. I am proud to say now, I am willing to try anything because there is nothing I cannot do.
As you all would have known by now, my circle of close friends in my 3 years of uni life are quite small. Most of the time, people usually ask me, why dont you join CCAs, Hall and make more friends, make your life more enriching?
Well, I guess, it all depends on how you see life. For me, it is because of my lack of commitment to anything that makes my life fulfilling, and given another chance, I am sure I would make the same decision.
Because of my lack of commitments, I am so fortunate to get to know a group of friends so well and deep that I am already on the verge of tearing because I could no longer be studying with them. It is because of them, I have learnt a set of values that will definitely be with me for the rest of my life. It is because of them, that my notion of studying, competition and even friendship changed. They have showed me that studying can be without competition, even if there is, competition is not among friends, but with strangers whom we have no relations with. With these group of special friends, there is always warmth and happiness. I was sheltered from the harsh reality that some might say: friends do compete. But no, these friends helped me alot in my course of study here in NUS. They helped me in whatever way they could, always so patient in answering my doubts, providing me with encouragements when I was down and never asking for anything in return.
If I had dedicated my time to hall activities, or even CCAs, I would have missed out the countless train rides to and fro to school, I would have to miss out the 96 bus rides home together..and thus I would lose these friendships that matters so much to me.
On the course that I have studied, I still harbour a deep interest for it. Psychology has become a part of me, a part of my life, and I am glad that I have chosen this course to study in Uni. Even if I might not have a chance to practise it in future, I am sure it is one of the most interesting modules that one could ever ask for.
:)
Lastly, my years of education would not be complete if not for the relentless support of my dearest parents, sisters, aunt&relatives. They are my greatest pillar of support. Of cos, how i can forget to thank another pillar of support, my old pal, ex-pri sch mate and loving bf of 3 years.