Standard Charted KL Marathon 2012

I've put in my best possible effort on that day but the result was disappointing. My time was way off my targeted time due to several reasons. The terrain was tougher than I expected and the slopes were much more steep than my training places. Lack of sleep, over trained in the final few days and above all, my extra body weight due to all the fat I'm carrying ruined the time.

It was the toughest 10km I've ever done but that its over and I've done reviewing it, its time to turn my focus to UTAR run 2012. Wish me luck~!

My Direction Is Clear

After discussions with family and friends I have decided to continue what I've started in UTAR and finish it. Now that my direction is clear hopefully I can improve my academic performances from now on. For once at least my direction is clear for the next one year or so.

One Of The Worst Period Of My Life?

If I were to fail again in exam, I will seriously consider leaving UTAR.

Being the future sole bread winner I needed to graduate from university a.s.a.p. and start working to support my family. That is what I intend to do and what I really want to do but there is one big problem.

I'm struggling to achieve the minimum grades to secure the loan to finance my studies. I don't have the passion for what I'm studying, I don't like the place where I live, and I cannot do what I dream of doing in university due to my knee injury. UTARians know best about how much tougher things are compared to other uni in Malaysia and despite all the extra effort I have to put in, and all the trouble I have to go through, I don't think it will matter in the end.

What makes a UTAR Bachelor of Marketing cert better than others ? does your lower grade prove you that you gone through tougher exams?

If my struggles with studies is bad, the life I have there makes it worse. I mean, I don't like that place. I just don't belong there, I love where hometown too much. The university life there is just too dry. The nearest place to find a cinema is almost an hour away. Plus, my dream of representing the uni team is gone when I ruptured my ACL. And to make it worse, the thing that is preventing me from having my knee repaired is having to live in a place I don't like, to do the thing I don't love for reasons I don't know. WHAT THE HELL?

Why on earth am I even in UTAR,Kampar? I wanted to quit about a year ago and maybe I should have left.

Why Do You Go To A University?

I was reading Kenny Sia's recent post titled 'Don't Go To University For The Sake Of It' and I fully agree with what he said. But I have a something to add on to it.

I used to think that my job here in UTAR is to study, get that piece of paper that says 'Bachelor in ... (hons)' and start working. However, after attending a talk recently I found something interest. The instructor told us : If you are here just because of that piece of paper, QUIT NOW !

I was a bit surprised until I was told the reason why. Many people including myself found it hard to adapt to university life mainly due to the demands that is put on us students (assignments, tests, etc). Many universities especially public ones are in rural areas, far away from town which makes life a bit harder, add that to other challenges and many people wind up doing not-so-good and constantly whining about how boring life is in universities.

What I really wanna say is this- GOING TO A UNI FOR THE SAKE OF GETTING THAT PAPER IS NOT A GOOD REASON FOR YOU TO GO TO UNI. How people should see it is like this : I'm here for the experience of being a uni student. Which means you are there for everything that comes with it. The lectures, the co curriculum, the presentations,the assignments,the girls, the freedom... the entire learning experience to help you with your future career. IT IS ALL ABOUT PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE.

Still not quite sure? Let me explain. When you are given an assignment there will be a dateline. Firstly, you have to learn to work in a group. Most of the universities have a flexible system which means you work with different people every semester. You learn how to work with various types of people and how to handle them. Secondly, the dateline. You will learn how to manage your time for assignments. While most of us still resort to last minute effort, at least when you go to work you will know that is a struggle. Thirdly, if you still don't know what happens when you don't submit your work in time, try it while at uni. Then you'll know.

So you see there is more to it than just classes, books and exam. Preparing for final exam is also a bit like preparing for some important project. I mean even relationships are part of it. You learn about your gf as time goes by and then you decide whether she is the one or not. right ?

I used to complain about how boring life is and all over here but now at least I know I have more reasons to be here. I hope this post will at least reducing people from whining about how bad life is at uni and try to make the most of it. =)

Pre-Exam TALK

Still no progress after weeks of talking. 11 days left to the final with little preparations done. At the rate things are going I will fail again and if I do, I will withdraw. I'm still in the same situation where I rather be doing any thing other than study. Somebody help me !

But there is still time to study as I took only a few subjects this term. But the problem is I cannot find the willingness or the motivation to get started. I'm happy when I get things done properly and for the past few months I clearly haven't done so.

Is it a punishment that I need or is it a reward ? Maybe what I need is just a little guidance on how to start and then I can carry on from there.

Whatever it is, I should be finding the solution get back to work now. To all fellow UTARians, best of luck for your exams.

Frustrating First Semester At UTAR

Was having doubts about coming to university due to a few reasons. I wasn't sure if my family are capable and more importantly, I wasn't sure I wanted to pursue a degree.

Finally I made the decision to further my studies at UTAR Kampar and for once, do well in my studies.

14 study weeks have passed and I'm left with more questions than answers. How do I study this subject ? Why I just won't understand this ? How did they do so well ? Where have all my time gone ? Why am I not happy here ? and it goes on. . .

To sum it up I would say - Environment changed. I did not.

I mean...
>>The marking scheme - 40%coursework + 60%final exam instead of the old 20-80. Got to emphasize more on assignments and mid-term tests or else you have a hell lot to do.

>>The difficulty - Diploma to Degree. Of course it is more difficult. So the same amount of effort, same methods aren't going to work. Need to find the right method for the right subject. I didn't and got quite frustrated at times.

>>The notes - unlike in diploma where the printed books are very much complete text books, here its just a summary of the book in Power Point slides and in certain subjects, aren't enough.

>>The campus - Its HUGE. And that is not good at all. I didn't get a parking sticker which means I have to walk about 10 mins from the gate. And parking is a bit of a trouble even for bikes.

>>The weather - Its very warm. That makes the walking inside the campus quite unpleasant.Attending classes then is a bit discouraging. Hopefully I'll be get a parking sticker next semester.

>>The girls - OH MAN ! it is impossible to concentrate in lecture i tell you...

>>The flexi intake - In certain classes you barely have time to start a conversation with the person next to you. Unless its a subject that requires a group assignment, you can't really meet much people.

Still I don't blame these external factors for the terrible result that awaits. I just want to say sorry to those who have supported and put in hope for me to do well.

And I also promise you all and to myself that I will not let this happen again. I will do better.

I guess holiday plans have to called off. Lost the mood for it.

STUDY >>> EXAM >>> HOLIDAY

13/9 Management Principle 9am
14/9 Advertising and Promotion 9am
15/9 Quantitative Technique II 2pm
18/9 Corporate and Business Law 2pm
24/9 Business Finance 9am

That is my exam timetable for this semester. Its very good. Except the 3-paper-in-3-days arrangement.

Subjects that concerns me the most (due to my terrible coursework marks) are QT,CBL and BF.

9days left to the exam. Hopefully I can make good use of this time, do well in exam. Walk out of the hall knowing I passed and enjoy my semester break. (which I haven't plan).

For the 3 weeks break, I do have a few holiday ideas to consider.

1. Langkawi. The island with the biggest eagle in the world is tax-free and therefore, heaven for smokers and drinkers which I'm not. But still, since its tax-free and mineral water costing more than beer,I might as well try out some expensive liquors that cost ridiculously elsewhere.2. Batu Ferringghi. Rent a chalet right next to the beach and do whatever I want there. I can jog,swim, or just lie on the beach doing nothing. Plus, having seen the smiles on the people who played the water sport there, I think I want to give it a try !3. Genting. Somewhere I haven't been for years. I saw some photos of my friends going there and I think it would be a great place for photography. I also want to step foot in the world famous casinos. And I really missed those thrilling roller coaster rides. Especially SpaceShots that lifts your butt off the seat when it does a vertical dive.4.Your suggestion. The numbers have no ranking arrangements. I haven't decided yet and if you do have an interesting suggestion, it might just be my number1 choice of holiday. :-)

But before all that, I got to make sure I pass all my subjects 1st. As for now, GOOD NIGHT !!!

Busy Period

I'm afraid I'll have to put in less time in updating this blog for another 2 weeks. There are 3 more mid-term tests,2 presentations and 1 assignment to handle. It is quite a lot unless you are somebody who has the efficiency of an advance calculator, the discipline of a navvy and a precise timetable like a Japanese railway schedule.

Or you can turn yourself into a machine which doesn't feel any thing like 'fatigue'Until the day you break down.

Okay. There are very efficient people who can do all that with ease but I'm not that good YET.

3 weeks into university life.

Sorry for the lack of updates lately. I apologize to the blog readers(if there is any) and myself. I shall keep this blog updated more frequently.

UTAR
I'm into the 3rd week of my 1st semester and I'm not happy about my progress so far. There were a lot of confusion initially about how the system works and I have to start to get used to walking/cycling under the hot sun to classes starting from next week.

Oh ya, and thanks to the once-in-four-years FIFA World Cup, I'm not only short of sleep but also struggling to stick to a regular sleeping routine. NOT GOOD.

Life in general
Overall,things haven't gone as well as I want it to. I mean there are always ups and downs in life and life has been a little bit down. But its okay ! I shall do something about it.

After a thunder storm the sun will raise again. And you shall enjoy seeing the sunrise again. I believe in that.

Future girl friend/wife
I have to say there are A LOT of pretty girls here. 'when will you find yours?' is a common question I'm being asked. But as always, I'm taking it easy on this. In other words I'm not going to put much effort in it as for now.

One might walk around this town and ask 'how can you end up single when there are so many girls here?' I think its just a matter of how hard you try.