So Far So Good

Orientation week was over and it was back to doing the same stuff that all students have to do in school or colleges-studying. It had been 7 months since I actually studied anything. So, getting back to school work was a little drag at first.

Here, in my new college, we study quite differently compared to school. In school, we always start off with textbooks and then notes. However, here, we start off with notes and then books. The assistant principle asked us to take a month to decide what books we want. But in my case, since I'm a scholar, I can't really choose as the books will be provided.

Many things are done online here. And my iPad comes in very handy. For example, during some classes when I don't have enough time to copy down the notes, I just snap a picture of the notes and go back home and to write it again. Some of my teachers also post the notes and exercise in or online portal. So, with the campus fully Wi-Fi-ed, I can access them anywhere.

My Physics lecturer has not come in so far. He's off somewhere and is only coming during week 2. His replacements during week 1 were contrasting in nature. One lecturer was really boring as he was old and was pretty much used to the old teaching style. Another was slightly younger and that was a little less boring. Another teacher was even younger and her class was the best so far. Last week was quite an insight into how much teaching has progressed during the years.

For Chemistry, I've got quite a good teacher. The subject is pretty interesting as well. The teacher decided to start off from where we left off in Form 5 to refresh our memory before going deeper. So, I didn't really feel like I was in  whole new world.

My Mathematics teacher is the most awesome one so far. He left a very good impression on me on our first day with him. He's jovial and makes tonnes of jokes to keep us awake in his classes. According to him, Further Mathematics students find Mathematics too easy. I have to agree, but partially, because some of the questions are quite tricky. I really think my classmates and I are going to have a great one-and-a-half years studying Mathematics.

Now, for Further Mathematics. Some people think that I'm crazy to take this subject. To be honest, I think I love the subject for the same reason I used to love Additional Mathematics in school. It's a little difficult and takes time to understand. Like during my first class, my teacher gave us a general formula with about 13 unknowns as constants. It sounds crazy but I'm quite OK at it now. For that exact reason, I used to like Add Maths and now Further Maths.

My Further Maths lecturer is also my Mentor. A mentor is someone who monitors our personal development plan and advises us on certain things. A personal development plan is something like a plan for our future, like planning where we want to go after A-Levels and what course should we pursue according to our interest. My PDP session is starting this week.

I've not yet started my Malaysian Studies classes but I think that I'm finally adapting bit by bit to my new life. I try not to think of the fun I used to have in school because college life isn't anywhere close to that. Things are different but I'm willing to stay optimistic. So, so far so good........

The blogger will most probably write blog posts fortnightly due to his busy schedule. Even now, he's typing this blog post with a lot of unfinished Further Maths homework. So, stay put.....=)