exam

Being a student is undeniably one of the most exciting moment in a person’s life. It is similar to having a roller coaster ride with several loops on the side. Ups and downs with matching 360 degree turn are part and parcel of the students’ life. Lectures, discussion, quizzes, examination, homework, group activities, extra curricular activities, and even cat fights and school rumble are the gist of being a student.

Also, not to forget the following:

burst of laughters
uncontrollable tears
squabbles
endless chatting (a.k.a. chikahan) and teasing

Moving forward, below were the unforgettable memories in my life as a student:
Kindergarten
Out of the blue, my classmate, C, kissed me on the cheeks. I burst into tears and cried loudly. I don’t know if he still remembers it, but I still do. He was a cutie then, I wonder how he looks like now. Hmmm…..

Primary
When we were about to be spanked with a stick (punishment for not bringing our garden tool) by our teacher, we ran away from him.

Secondary (High School)
Some of the boys in the senior class went to our room and started attacking one of our classmate. Whoa! It’s a total rumble! Chairs were literally flying and it’s a real showdown of skinny boys. (See related article –> high school )

Tertiary
I was walking towards our department building when I witnessed a lover’s quarrel. The girl threw the engagement ring with all the emotions that you can imagine in the school owner’s fish pond.
I frozed and the quickly went back to the building where I came from.

Masteral
I used to be a perennial latecomer especially in my first subject (8a.m.) which was then handled by the President of the University. Nevertheless, I still got a high grade and one of my classmates whined about it because he’s always early and he got a lower grade.

Post Graduate Course
Our lecturer team me up with a German lady and Austrian guy in a group activity. The German lady acted like she’s well verse with the topic and monopolized the discussion. The Austrian guy was just nodding his head and then asked for my opinion.

Although I was tongue tied for a bit, I did manage to give my brief but concise opinion (with a smile) which was absolutely contradictory to what the German lady was saying.

Doctorate (PhD)
Shali and I was heavily scolded by the Dean of the Graduate College because we did not attend the Qualifying Exam on the “scheduled date”. It was a shocker and weird because we both saw that the schedule should be the next day.

We were finally allowed to take the exam after being grilled. I decided not to continue my PhD after passing the Qualifying Exam. :p

A mischievous smile lights up my face whenever I reminisce my student life. I can say that I’ve been naughty and nice? 😀

What a gruelling week…sigh…
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I took a 10-session short term course (related to accounting) last July and the class was conducted every Monday and Tuesday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.. It was mentally and physically draining because I had to dash from my work place to the school after knocking off at 6p.m..

It’s 60-minute travel during rush hour, thus, the train was jampacked. I normally eat before going to class but travelling makes me hungry and as a result, I can’t focus well during the discussion. You can just imagine how in my eyes, the lecturer transforms into strawberry, fried chicken, and hamburger. Sometimes, he also looked like a chocolate bar and ice cream. -_-

The agonizing short term course ended last August and the exam was scheduled during the last week of September. I took a breather for a few days and I had the opportunity to review for a week from 4a.m. to 6:30a.m. daily when my two direct boss went to Paris for a business trip.

I stopped when they returned from their trip because I was too exhausted from work and I couldn’t get up at 4a.m.. Therefore, I opted to review during the weekend. Nonetheless, the book and my course notes (hand outs and exercises) were so thick that I had a hard time squeezing it all in my study days. Thus, I took a 4-day leave to prepare for the examination plus 1-day leave for the examination proper. Plus another day to contemplate and rest.

During that review week, someone decided to provide a “lovely tune” by drilling in the car park building next to our place from 9a.m. to 6 p.m. My head was about to burst whenever I hear the “sound of music”. I had to shift my study schedule to night time and sleep at day time. M&M, Cadbury, Ferrero Rocher, and Toblerone (only milk and dark chocolate) kept me company when I was burning the candle.

Anyway, I’ve discovered that my memory it is not as sharp as it used to be when I was younger… I know, it’s a sign of old age. So, I had to put in “super duper extra mega over” effort in studying my notes and books. It’s indeed a “major major” review. Ha! :p

Outcome:
Endless drilling noise at day time + sleepless nights + exam preparation = BURNT OUT

After the exam, I felt so weak and sleepy. I was ready to spend the whole afternoon sleeping then wake up late the next morning. However, I was asked to cancel my remaining 1-day leave and was requested to go back to work. Being a workaholic and a loyal employee, I abided. I don’t know how I managed to finish my tasks given the fact that I was still in limbo. Crazy!

The exam result will be out this month (October 2010). Hopefully, I passed. Cross your fingers for me.

(Note: Surprisingly, I passed the exam with flying colors. 😉 Sweet! )