Closing the loop~

Three months of studying as a Foundation in TESL student in UiTM Shah Alam wasn’t easy. I have never thought that being a Foundation in TESL student would make me as busy as an ant. I just can’t stop sitting in front of my laptop. Please don’t misunderstand what I said just now. I can’t stop sitting in front of my laptop means not surfing the Internet or chatting online with friends, but I have to sit in front of the laptop every day to complete my assignments and presentations which are abundant.

Yeah! That’s my life for these three months. Actually, I had no idea that I would be so busy compared to my life as a fifth former in the school. I thought of just having fun and interesting moments here, but then again I was wrong. It’s not as easy as the life in the secondary school. I could still remember that time when I was busy doing reports and homework. But those weren’t so difficult and complicated because my teachers provided all the information and all I needed to do was to get the paperwork done as instructed. However, when I stepped into this university life, I realised that our lecturers will explain to us what we have to do and it’s up to us to complete whatever tasks according to the requirements set. There’s a vast difference between life in the secondary school and life in the university. I’m experiencing it but I’ve already get used to it. I love the university life because it helps me to be more independent and helps me realise that procrastination is not something to be proud of. University life is everything about my own hard work. If I didn’t work, I won’t get the result I want. So, I’m trying my best to study and work harder in order to achieve my goals.

Throughout these three months, I went through a lot with my friends. I did some mistakes along the way. However, I tried my best to stand up and face the challenges bravely. For example, in order to complete my Computer Literacy mini survey, I was careless as I didn’t get the details of the business involved in our survey and made an appointment to visit the venue. As a result, I wasted my friends’ time, money and energy on that day. We woke up early and were very excited to complete the mini survey but we were all disappointed when we reached Serdang to find out that the owner didn’t use computer in their work. Due to the mistake that I’ve done, I learnt that I have to be more careful and thorough in managing my work. On the contrary, I’ve spent a great time with my roommates. Although I’m the one who is always missing during weekends, they are hoping that I can be there with them and have fun with them. They are great roommates. We share our secrets and the relationship with our families is good. Because of that, I have more parents and that makes me very happy. Sometimes, when I thought that the semester is going to end, I feel sad because I’m not sure whether I’ll get the chance to be in the same room with my current roommates and also be in the same class with my current classmates. All of them are very nice and fun to get along with. I hope that we’ll be together again next semester but everything seems to be so uncertain!

Actually, when thinking about what had happened to me, I feel frustrated too. One semester of the Foundation English course is less than 6 months. It was fast, really fast. There are too many things that I’ve learnt, done and faced in this short period of time. I’m quite stressed out as I didn’t expect so many things to happen so fast. However, now, the pressure that I’m facing changed me into a ‘monster’ if I could say it that way. The burden is really heavy. At first, I was happy and my ideas poured freely and easily like the rain when I needed to do something. But now, unfortunately, I have to force myself to think and keep on thinking to get my work done perfectly. Being a perfectionist isn’t really good. Now I understand why my friends keep on saying that to me. I thought that being a perfectionist is good but I’m only undergoing mental torture as I have to really squeeze my brain juice more until the last drop. Without enough idea, I have to stop doing my work and thus spend longer hours staring blankly into my computer screen in search of ideas.

Talking about the challenges that I faced, I would say that the most challenging thing that happened to me is my College Study Skills final project. I was chosen as the assistant project manager and I came out with the idea of going to HUKM to cheer up the cancer patients there. So, we proceeded with our preparation but unfortunately something came up along the way. The proposal that we did for about a month wasn’t sent to the management of the HUKM. I was very disappointed because that was the only problem that stopped us from going there. I was frustrated and sad. However, our group project manager and his personal assistant tried their best to come out with another idea to fulfil our final project. Finally, we had a joint venture with the seniors to organise a one day activity which included a talk, breaking fast and performing our prayers. Somehow the event turned out well. I was glad that we managed to do well in our final project. It’s all because of our teamwork and our trust in our project manager. I’m glad that I have such a good leader in my group.

Now, the semester is coming to an end soon. Once we come back after the Eid Festival break, we will be busy with our final examination and then we will head back to our own respective hometowns. I feel excited but sad to face the coming weeks. However, I hope that my friends can be happy always and I hope to see them again next semester with a big smile. I love all my friends and lecturers here.