Topics of conversation among final year students seem to revolve around only 3 things:
1. FYP progress
2. Career path
3. Graduation trip
On some occassions, a few others would inquire about things like: "Do you have a girlfriend? Going to graduate soon, it'll be harder to look for one when you're working." Since my memory is insufficient for processing 4 applications at once, I pushed the 4th question to the back of my mind.
The HR tutorial I had this morning was regarding work. To be precise, it defined the
meaning of work. For an undergrad who has not done any work at all since his enrolment into university, this question seems rather irrelevant. However, I consider FYP to be a form of work (it is research work anyway), and was therefore able to relate to the lesson.
My class spent most of the lesson discussing how "self" (the beliefs and values of a person) affects his idea of work and work attitude, while at the same time, how work shapes a person's mindset and thus changes the "self".
I have to admit that my FYP changed me pretty much. Setbacks are like bread and butter - I come across them almost everyday. I do have this dream of completing this project, completing as in not simply submitting my thesis, but to come up with the final product. However, all I want now is to get the whole thing done with, because there's a deadline approaching. FYP has become something that I have to go through to get my Honours degree.
Next on the list of FAQ is "Have you started looking for a job yet?".
Society norm states that if you have not started job hunting, you're branded as either lazy, can't-be-bothered, or fickle-minded. Christopher is one of the strong followers of
society norm. I've never taken his remarks to heart (since I know he has my interests at heart), but I could not help being bothered by them somewhat.
Personally, I feel that this
dualistic judgement impedes people from giving themselves more room to think. I've been pushing back the decision-making (for my career) to a later date because I know that my mind is currently too clouded with problems coming from all facets of life to allow me to make a rational choice. A career is something that needs to be considered seriously, and I have to wish to rush into it. Not even at the risk of opportunity cost.
My FYP alone takes up a lot of my time. By the time I'm done with it for the day, my brain is too dead tired to ponder over what to do after graduation. In fact, my FYP takes up so much time that I hardly see my friends these days. Due to the location of my lab, I even have difficulty meeting them for lunch or dinner. And when I do eat with them, I'm usually in a hurry to go off.
Some of my friends probably felt that my priority has shifted very much in favour of my FYP. Although I have explained (on several occassions) that my FYPhas a lot of time constraints beyond my control, they were still not able to empathise my situation. Only those with
observer/target similarity could do so. Is that a necessary condition for
empathy? Or is it because people don't bother to try?
My mindset has always been different from that of most of my peers. I didn't join any orientation activities as as freshman, but I could mix freely with my friends' OG group. I don't share the discomfort of being around members of the other races. When it comes to studying, I always look at the past year exam questions before I look at my lecture notes.
The above are just a few examples of the differences in mentality. I was usually criticised by my friends for doing things the 'wrong' way, but that's just "my way". Embracing
diversity is easier said than done.
Despite numerous criticisms, I didn't want to change to suit the norm. I wanted my own
identity. I disagreed that doing what everyone else is doing is the best for me. I do not wish to compromise my
beliefs and
values just because of peer pressure. "
I" don't see the point in trying to be "
Me", at least not while I'm still schooling.
It is said that establishment of
role identities rely a lot on the
role support given by people who are close to you (normally family, friends and relatives). In this case, the lack of support for my differences has resulted in peer pressure. I tried not to let this afffect me, because I feel that succumbing to peer pressure is a sign of being weak-willed. I'm not trying to say that I'm too stubborn to listen to advice. There's a line separating doing something because others are doing it, and doing something because you believe it is the right thing to do.
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If you manage to read up till here without falling asleep, you have really great stamina and I thank you for your time. I'm creating opportunities for myself for revising my HR module.
That thick stack of readings is just lying around collecting dust.....
Level of response: 4
so... that's what my digicam is for?... haha...
Do you think I'd lend your digicam to that kind of person?
He can jolly well go fly kite for all I care.....
hey mel, are you feeling alright? you sounded kindda pissed recently.
Take care of yourself k. Hang on for juz one last bit more and forever no more school le. *pat back*
I'd be lying if I said i'm not pissed, but don't worry, I was only pissed off at 1 person.
Was only trying to be funny when I posted that comment in your blog. Too many things on my mind, clouds my thinking and is gave everyone the wrong impression.
Thanks for the pat on the back.
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