Wrapping the semester

Exactly 10 days before winter starts. Oxford has yet to be blessed with the presence of snow. Nevertheless, I am still grateful for Georgia's weather. Where else in the world can I wear shorts in the middle of winter? Only in Georgia.

6days left before finals and this is the perfect time to write about my classes this semester. Makes me appreciate what I have learnt so far and how it made me a better man.

One of my favorite class this semester was Introduction to Psychology. To me, this course was basically teaching me to learn about myself. The best thing about this class was the practicality of it. It doesn't take much to use what you learnt at class in your life. You don't need cash, capital or even fancy machines to use what you learned in class. One of my personal favorite is the sequence of "eat, sleep and study" that Dr Lewis suggested. I realized how simple things makes a huge difference in people's life. Did you know changing your light's color can actually effect the way you behave and concentrate?

Funny how psychology also makes me judge and appreciate my parents simultaneously. Never knew the statement "mak bapak tak ajar"(your parents didn't teach you) was actually true after all. Interesting how the decisions you make are not actually yours alone, it's a sum of all the aspirations of your close friends, parents, teachers and yourself put together. Question is, do you really own yourself?

Sociology 101 explored the dimensions and dynamics between people. It's like looking at the same coin but analyzing it from two perspective. To me, it was more like a puzzle. Taking an individual, taking him apart and trying to make sense of those pieces. I read a piece titled "Ain't No Makin it" by Mcleod this week. It's about two group of kids living in the same neighborhood but having different aspirations. One group worked really hard in school and maintained good grades, while the other was just indifferent. 8 years later, both of them ended up somewhat the in the same jobs and circumstances. What exactly happened?

All this while I use to blame people for their incompetency, lack of ability and character. I never really gave thought as too why are people the way they are. Sociology showed me that it's not much of a choice how people choose to present themselves, it more of a circumstance and their background that dictates how they act. Is it fair to compare and judge competency of a farmer's son compared to Prime Minister's wife? Were they given the same chance and resources? Sadly as it may sound, that is how every system in our society works.

Brings me back to the polemical issue of scholarships in Malaysia. I myself used to believe that meritocracy should prevail, but I stand corrected. If meritocracy was ever practiced in scholarships, I am afraid the inequality will be larger. Is it fair to push away a poor rubber tapper's son who got 6As as compared to the daughter of doctors who had private tutoring and obtained 10As?

I took swimming this semester. Deliberately didn't attend the placement test to get a place in intermediate swimming (Don't judge).

This class was a matter of personal choice. I simply didn't want to "thrash" swim all my life. I still remember how badly I panicked overtime my feet couldn't touch the bottom of the pool. It wasn't so funny back then.

One thing I learnt in swimming class is fighting your fear needs time and support. When my class started swimming, none of us dared to jump into the deep end. Only when one of us starts pushing their limits did we all even dare to consider the possibility. I was lucky being in a class full of friends who not only supported but also encouraged each other. Next time you consider ridiculing someone for their fear, ask yourself what have you done to help them overcome it?

That's all for now & comments are welcomed.