Finals!!! =)

Finals for academic year of 2012/2013 Winter session in University of British Columbia has begun. Good luck to everyone, hope all the efforts you put throughout the term pays off with these final papers. :)

My opinion about finals have changed from first term to now. In my first term I was scared and stressed out most of the time for the exams. Now, testing one's knowledge through time-pressure is something common. How valuable is that testing?

This is what one of my professor said when I complained that there isn't enough time to finish the midterm: "In whole what university (as an undergraduate) teaches you is not only the knowledge in your expertise, it also teaches how to use that knowledge in a time-pressured environment such as an exam. This is because, in real life you don't have all the time in the world. You will work in an environment, where time plays an important factor no matter what you choose. Therefore, it is important to learn the skill as soon as possible."

I like how he justified the time-constraint during midterm. Doesn't that mean that the instructors are technically testing our time management skills rather than the knowledge learnt? I don't think so. They are testing how students apply their knowledge effectively when there is time constraint. The determined and passionate students in that field seem to perform better than the students, who are taking that subject merely for requirement.

For some reasons, I always feel that getting good grades doesn't guarantee that you are smart. In my opinion, getting high marks just saying that you know the material learnt in class well, but doesn't say about your general knowledge or knowledge beyond classroom. So where does the "real" smartness lies then? Knowing everything in this world or mastering a subset of knowledge learned within four walls? Something to ponder about.

Good Luck peeps! :) 


 

Photo of the day: Irwing Clock Tower

Hi!

Today's picture is Irwing Clock Tower. This is one of my favourite places in UBC to chill out. I think it is because of the water fountain and the clock itself.

  This picture is taken during sunset! Isn't it mind blowing?

 This is the photo of the day! I love this clock tower because it resembles strong will and independency! The way it stands still in the rain and sun inspires me although I know that it is just a building. For some reasons that I don't know, this tower is just mind blowing. :)

Photo of the day: Achievement!

Hi there!

Guess what happen today? It slept at 5 am, so what does that hint to you? This is my first time in my life to see a sunrise in the summer in Vancouver!Other days, I either sleep early or wake up late to see a sunrise!

I would call this as an achievement of life although it is not recommended to be done often. At least do it once before you die. It is like once a lifetime experience! :) 

I was so happy to see the changes in the sky at 5 o'clock in the morning, despite the fact that I was a zombie. If you ask me why, I cannot explain. But it just feels so good to see the changes happen so fast. Few minutes ago, the sky is dark, another minute a ray of light is coming out of the clouds. The sun ray feels like a hope during the dark times in the life. Indeed, I was writing a paper due the next day with the hope I will get the "aha" moment soon. 

Well, again its me. My formula of life is simple. It is short, so fill it with memorable moments!

Now, here is the picture taken from my room in Thunderbird!

Photo of the day: Sun at 10pm

Hi there,

Today's picture is showing the shooting scene in UBC at 10pm with huge spotlight just over the tree in front of the Irwing Learning Centre a.k.a library. :)

At a glance, it is as though, there is sun rise behind the trees.Sunset at one end and sunrise at another end at the same time. :)

Initially I was very upset to see the shooting because I cannot take short cut to my place after the class. But later, I find it very beautiful to see the shooting because there were a lot of people and the place was very lively. After a month in campus, that is the first time,there were a lot of people in front of the library.

There is always pros and cons in a situation. It is up to us to see at the bright side. :)

Have a great day or night ahead! :)

Day 1

Hi!

It has been ages since I updated the blog. I was not to say busy, but I was lazy to write. Believe me or not, so many thoughts are running in my head now, but when I sit down to write I just can't go anywhere beyond two lines. That was disappointing for a while, now I wanna see how far I can go. I am up to the challenge.

Inspired by the Book of Awesomeness by Neil Pasricha, I have decided to post something everyday with a photo. The photo of the day will tell something about my day, my experience, or my feelings. :D

So let's get it started!

Photo of the day: Hardwork

The picture is taken when I was revising for my psychology midterm. I did flashcards for the subject while going through the lecture notes. I used different colours for each chapter. In total I made flashcards for 5 chapters. After finishing them, a very strong sense of satisfaction is felt. For the first time, I was proud myself for having such a discipline and dedication in studying after 2 months of break. At this moment of life, I told myself, no matter what is my grade in this subject, I am going to embrace the fact whether I am good at it or vice versa because I was enjoying the class very much. This is my second time putting so much effort in a subject and saying that I don't care my grades anymore. First was in Biology 121, in which I learnt about genetics, ecology and evolution. Freeing myself from the grades, made me to feel so much better after the exam. There are questions, where I did mistakes. I will take this opportunity to learn my mistake and hope to not repeat again. :) So yeah, enjoy in the work you do, the efforts will be paid off. See you tomorrow. :)

End of one and beginning of another

It has been a while since I wrote. I realized how much I miss writing, yet I can't help it when I have other things to focus.

 I just had my Biology finals and still have physics paper to go on Monday. Then I will be (kinda officially) done with the first year in University of British Columbia. It just feels like only yesterday I finished CPU and was getting ready to fly. Boom! Almost a year is gone. Time flies.

First year in university was not easy especially in a foreign land with no family. When I first landed in the land of maple leaf, I was excited more than anything else. First time away from home gave me the hope to explore myself better and realise my passion. Very soon, I started to have homesick, especially when you need someone to talk to and ask their opinion before deciding. I missed the food, dad's encouragements, brother's wise words, mom's lap, nieces and nephew's laughter, sis-in-laws bubbly smile and last but not the least is being myself. In the new place, all I could see was a blank paper, which will be written with colour pens and sketched with experiences from learning. First time, I see myself breaking down when I was trying to be tough in adapting to the new environment. Life goes on, and I moved on.

Now, when I look back at the blank paper, it is decorated colourfully by the angels without wings, whom I call as friends. I wouldn't be whom I am now without all these people, who came into my life and left great footprints. It is time to say thank you to them, although thank you alone is not enough.Those people influenced my life in Vancouver just by being in my life and helped me through without expecting anything from me.  I wanted to make a list of m friends who helped me to through, there are just too many for me to address. Among all these friends, there are a bunch of them who are just too special for me. I will let you know when the time comes. :)

After a long break

Hey,

I just realised that I didn't blog like for almost 4 months. Guess what, I just finished my last lecture of first year in UBC! Yay, but I am sad too. :( Time flies.

Now, I have to start packing my stuff, then study for finals and the most important thing is I have to start thinking about my major. Now I have decided to do integrated science. :)

Well, I have to go now. Talk about something soon.

:)