Greetings,
I'm not much of a talker, especially about something I refuse to talk about. You can read my writings. I write, I don't talk. I may took English Communication course back in Diploma, but that doesn't mean I like to communicate verbally. I'm passionate in writing. So, yes. You want to get to know the real me? You do not listen to me; you read me. I am truly myself in my writings. As painful as the truth I wrote, that's as painful as I am -- as a real person.
People who know me know that I don't like to talk. I'd rather type it out in words, rather than use my voice to talk. When you talk, you're in this fragile surroundings where you're exposed to others' points and opinions. At least, I know I am. I am easily influenced by verbal words. I am here in this university because of people's verbal words towards me. Everyone in my surrounding were influencing me to further my studies. I, honestly, have never wanted to further degree studies at all. Even during Diploma, I've already made my mind that I would never further degree studies. Why wouldn't I want it? Well, because it's not me. It's not in me. You know? Honestly, I'm not really a fan of fixed education system. I do not favor and see eye to eye with the whole idea of the so-called-norms of living. You know? The 'supposed' life cycle; you were born, you learned ABC, you got into school, you graduated high school, went to college, graduated college, got a job, got married, got kids and grandchildren and you died. I am not a hippie nor a hipster. I am just not that 'normal'. I have my own thoughts of life and I have my own interests. Some of my perceptions differ from the 'norms'.
Throughout school life, I've always knew that I don't really like studying via exam-based education system. I have never cared about marks and whatsoever. But, I do like the learning process. You see, I like knowledge and I like to be taught and guided on how to apply the knowledge. But, I strongly hate grading system and examinations. I feel furious over that matter. How is it relevant to test someone's intelligence by exam marks? I like PT3 concept as the marks don't come from exams solely. But, UPSR is still there. SPM too.
Alright, so when it comes to tertiary education, we talk about IPT here. Students are evaluated based on carry marks from assignments that they did and based on exams. During Diploma, I tried to find the relevance of assignments. So I came up with pretty legit points of the existence of assignments; they will test your willpower, creativity, time management skills and teamwork. Alright, I get that. But, there are some assignments that are given in bulk -- that I have no idea why the heck does it exists? OK, maybe because when you're working in the real world soon, you might be given a whole load of tasks which needs to be finished in a short amount of time. Well, that might be it. Yeah, that's it really. But, still, I don't like assignments that much. I mean, if it's a little, then that's OK. Well, I'm anti-exam so we're not going to talk about that.
How I survived Diploma?
1. I had my peers
Everyone around me were the same age as me. This plays a big part in social life. When you are surrounded with your peers, you kind of have about similar views. So, you can get along easier. You were born in the same year, you must've had some exact similar experiences. You don't believe age plays a big role in social life? Especially in studies life? Stop and stare. Look around you. How old are the people around you? How different are they from you? How close are you with them? All these influence you even without your knowing. Age matters. If you clicked, you clicked. If you don't, you're on your own.
2. Dorms and college (academic blocks) are near to each other
Everything was near. If I wanted to go to cafetaria, it was just a staircase away. Well of course I had to walk a little bit and encountered some monkeys along the way, but it was in walking distance. If I wanted to go and do discussions with my classmates, they're just a few rooms away. If I wanted to go to the class, a few minutes away. I could even go to 8AM class, started off at 7.45AM. It was legit, near. Most important of all, if I wanted to go to see my lecturers, they're just a few blocks away. I constantly consulted my lecturers back in the days. Like, I don't remember how much I consulted them, I mean, literally a lot. All of us actually had consultations with our lecturers frequently as that counted as attendance. So, of course it's compulsory. From that, we got used to have guidance from our lecturers about studies and about assignments. We weren't spoon-fed. We were thoroughly guided. I thank my lecturers for that. Guidance is just as important as lessons in class.
