Yesterday's graduation ceremony was a whirlwind affair and I can only hope my pictures will turn out alright.
I was the last few to go up the stage as I was one of the prize winners and recipient of diploma with merit. Firstly, my heels were killing me. Secondly, my heart was thumping loudly as I was waiting for my turn at the side of the stage.
I handed over my card, and walked down the aisle as the emcee finished announcing my name and achievements. The director of business school congratulated me as I shook his hand and we posed for the camera man. Then it's over, and I was taking this big turn to go back up to the seats.
I'm glad that I managed to take some photos with my friends since it was so chaotic after the whole event. The place is too small to accommodate so many people. It's also the first time the buffet spread was wiped clean. I guess the guests and students must be hungry, as our ceremony was the evening session. I collected my new alumni card after trading in my matric card during registration.
It's too bad I did not manage to take photos with the lecturers. I didn't even see them.
I returned my gown, had a plaque done, bought a graduation bear - courtesy of my mother, and paid for the official photos.
How many times can you graduate from Polytechnic? How many chances are there to win a prize?
Indeed, this milestone in my life is something I will treasure always simply because of the experiences and memories cannot be gained through other means.
I daresay, I have no regrets choosing the diploma route, choosing Temasek Polytechnic, choosing the Business course. It was the right choice I made almost 3 years ago. There may be times I lament that secondary school is the best education period, but there are unforgettable moments in polytechnic too.
Today, marks the end of a journey. Today, I graduated from Temasek Polytechnic.
It has certainly been a bittersweet journey for me. I have really work hard these 3 years and I finally savour the fruit of my labour. I achieved what I set out to do and more. To be honest, getting the Kingsmen Creatives Prize is a big surprise for me.
Regardless of all I have said and rant, there is a part in my heart that love what I have been through. It was a roller coaster ride, particularly in emotions. Every project is meticulously checked and done to make sure our standards surpassed others.
When all is said and done, I miss the almost carefree life I have in the last 3 years. I miss bouncing off ideas with my group members. I even miss the mad rush for projects to be done.
Thank you, to my group members, especially those in the later part of semesters, for all the hard work and great ideas. We couldn't have done it without each other.
April is coming to an end. Wow, I know I have said it many times but time sure does fly when you are on holiday.
Today, a new semester starts in Temasek Polytechnic but of course, it is over for me. Do I miss school? I guess. A little.
May is a month fill with importanr dates. Labour Day is on 1st of May, a Sunday, which means the next day will be holiday in-lieu. Polling Day is on 7th May, a public holiday. Mothers' Day is on 8th May after which comes my birthday on 10th May. Gasp* I am hitting 2-0. I am not ready to be a "real" adult.
Vesak Day falls on the following Tuesday, 17th May and Graduation is on 24th May, another Tuesday.
So you can see, May is not a good month for work, but it's a good month to relax. As with so many holidays, there will be a need to do catch-up.
Celebration of Learning marks the end of the 3 years in Poly.
Today, each of us was given a rose and received our SIP certificate to certify that one had completed the internship.
It was our last chance to take photos as a class and with teachers. Alas, I didn't manage to take a group photo with my project group mates. Hopefully, we can do that during graduation. I'm glad I stayed for a while to take pictures with some lecturers who taught me before. I am a very sentimental person who is nostalgic. Too nostalgic for my own good.
I also took pictures of the Director's Honours List AY2009/2010 board as my name was on it. Yes, it was one of the proudest moments of my school life. One of the few times I actually got recognised.
I, too, signed on as a alumni. No harm doing that, I figured.
All in all, it was a good event, too bad on the photos. Looking at the school, I realised that I have many fond memories. Projects and exams get on me, but seeing the results, it is almost worth it. Sighs, and now it's over.
Graduation next.
Is it me, or everyone who face this? I am graduating in 2 months time, gasp! The formal graduation ceremony will be in May but still, in 2 months! Till today, I have not given much substantial thoughts on University. As much as I am paranoid, I still go by the concept of "living for the day". To me, it have been " I will think about it when the boat docks". It's like secondary-tertiary drama again. People say "you only live once, so realise your dreams and lead your own life". However, there is also a saying of "you only live once, make the best out of it". These two phases are different, no? One is saying you should be daring, dream and go far, fulfill your dreams to the fullest. On the other hand, you should planned out your path carefully, and not to make stupid mistakes. Polytechnic-University is a phrase where it is the hardest to overcome. I made up my mind to go to a University when I was in secondary school, my goal is further cemented by my good results. It is not always smooth-sailing for me but I get by. You think I don't want to choose what I like? For some reason, I find myself liking Economics and want to take that as a major. But, come to think of it, I think I'll pass. First, I don't have the confidence to do well. You may think it's paranoid, but it's University. It's not child's play. It's not like secondary school where you can get through without much injuries, I know, I failed A Maths for nearly all 2 years until O levels. It's not even like polytechnic. The fees for a semester in University is atrocious and I don't have the money to spend on finding my interest, thank you very much. In the University life I envision, I don't want to slave all day long just to scrape a pass. As much as studies are concerned, I want to take breaks in between too. Some people are so good that they can juggle between friends, activities, studies, work and still score. I am not that, unfortunately. I work myself off to get to where I am, which is not much. Back to the issue of Economics. Generally, students agree that Economics is a hard major. But, they also say, if that's where your interest lies, you will have the passion to do well. To my horror, calculus and maths are part of economics. What a bummer! I am hopeless in maths. I scraped pass A Maths, thinking I'll never get through that nightmare again. I rather do well in something I have no interest in than to scrape a pass for something I am interested in. Really. To put another analogy, if you know for certain that it's a hard life you'll lead with someone, why do you still choose to marry him? Love can only get you that far. Same here. I will only regret it if I make impulsive decisions. I used to make them in the past, but thankfully, I got out of the 'mess'. Mind over heart. For too long, I have allow my heart to make decisions. I want to weigh the pros and cons of each potential decision before settling on the one that is the best for me in the long run. Looking at all the courses, I don't know which to take. I am completely ruling out Engineering and Chemistry. Maths is out too, there is just something in me that can't handle maths, especially calculus. We'll see, won't we?
