Well, a good 8 months has passed. Made many acquaintances from diverse cultural backgrounds with interesting perspectives. Throughout this brief yet insightful experience, there were ups and downs and of course, habits to remove and lessons to learn.
1st lesson; procrastination is directly proportional to amount of stacked assignment. Well, this lesson didn't really apply in high school. Last minute studies were still very much possible during those days. Unfortunately, things don't run the same way in university. The first semester went by in a jiffy. Course load seemed rather light at first glance, but with a little bit of procrastination goes a long way; yep, in stacking assignments and projects. It wasn't too tough though since the first semester was full of theoretical ideas such as linear algebra, calculus and some random thermo concepts. However, I really paid the price for it in the second semester; full of course work, computer programming game project, and design project. Many things needed to be completed in so little time. It is at these moments when we truly learn the value of time and learn to cherish every single moment; in other words, stop procrastinating. That means less Skyrim and hanging out. Well, despite learning this lesson a bit too late, I guess I'll just make use of this in the future.
Hm...lesson 2; make the best out of the present and live for the future. Well, just like most other froshies in university, it was quite a shock when I first saw my final marks for the first semester. However, luckily, it was the winter break so there was plenty of time to chill around. Moreover, I had the opportunity to visit harbourfront quite often with a friend to chat about life which was quite relaxing. Yep, isn't it nice to just forget about the rules of our reality once in a while and break loose by talking about all those 'sensitive' issues such as politics, religion, culture, sexual orientation and so on? After some time, I realized that I have to acknowledge the marks I have obtained and live on, giving it my all to further improve and refrain from obtaining the same grades again.
Besides that, coffee isn't really the best way to stay awake; hot chocolate is! With all those last minute studying going on during the last few weeks of the semesters, one can't help but feast on those 'revitalizing' beverages especially coffee. The question is, does coffee really live up to its expectations? Well, your guess may be as good as mine. Not really. It really depends on one's metabolism. Some mention that coffee helps make them sleep whereas some admit to coffee's caffeine effects. Well, I'm part of the former. Coffee doesn't really work on me besides making me sweat by heating my body up real quick. On the other hand, hot chocolate (specifically 'Tim Hortons' or better known as 'Timmies') did the trick for me. Just an extra large from Tim Hortons for probably $2 kept me going for about 6 hours. A definite must have to give that instant sugar rush despite the lack in quality of the beverage relative to Starbucks or Second Cup.
Lesson #4: Best food is mostly out of town! It's the unfortunate truth for you city-dwellers. During my high school days in which my high school is located in the suburbs of Toronto, there were plenty of restaurants or food shops nearby. Despite the vast choices that are available in the vicinity, the quality and the flavour of the food is quite reasonable. On the other hand, throughout this past 8 months going for lectures in a downtown university where Chinatown is just next door, the variety of cuisines available was inversely proportional to the quality and taste of the cuisines. All in all, nothing beats home-cooked meals! (Well, most of the time; especially Malaysian cuisine).
To conclude, my frosh year in UofT taught me many lessons of which I couldn't encompass all in this short post of mine. I'm sure if anyone was asked to jot down all their life lessons learned throughout their university life, it would take too many trees to chop to write it out or too much electricity to type it out. So, to those of you who have yet to experience your university days, fret not for that day shall come and you should rejoice the moments you have right now for they come once in a lifetime. After all, May 6th, 2012 occurs only once in your lifetime. As for those who are currently undergoing the tortuous life of university or college, you're not the only lone sheep out there in the wilds. Plenty more share a similar experience so make the best out of those tortuous moments and live them to the fullest. All in all, all the best to everyone in their future undertakings and may you achieve your goal or find a goal if you have yet to have one. Finally, to my Frosh year in UofT 2011-2012, I'm sorry that I have to leave you but thanks a lot for being a great teacher.
Peace out, peeps.
1st lesson; procrastination is directly proportional to amount of stacked assignment. Well, this lesson didn't really apply in high school. Last minute studies were still very much possible during those days. Unfortunately, things don't run the same way in university. The first semester went by in a jiffy. Course load seemed rather light at first glance, but with a little bit of procrastination goes a long way; yep, in stacking assignments and projects. It wasn't too tough though since the first semester was full of theoretical ideas such as linear algebra, calculus and some random thermo concepts. However, I really paid the price for it in the second semester; full of course work, computer programming game project, and design project. Many things needed to be completed in so little time. It is at these moments when we truly learn the value of time and learn to cherish every single moment; in other words, stop procrastinating. That means less Skyrim and hanging out. Well, despite learning this lesson a bit too late, I guess I'll just make use of this in the future.
Hm...lesson 2; make the best out of the present and live for the future. Well, just like most other froshies in university, it was quite a shock when I first saw my final marks for the first semester. However, luckily, it was the winter break so there was plenty of time to chill around. Moreover, I had the opportunity to visit harbourfront quite often with a friend to chat about life which was quite relaxing. Yep, isn't it nice to just forget about the rules of our reality once in a while and break loose by talking about all those 'sensitive' issues such as politics, religion, culture, sexual orientation and so on? After some time, I realized that I have to acknowledge the marks I have obtained and live on, giving it my all to further improve and refrain from obtaining the same grades again.
Besides that, coffee isn't really the best way to stay awake; hot chocolate is! With all those last minute studying going on during the last few weeks of the semesters, one can't help but feast on those 'revitalizing' beverages especially coffee. The question is, does coffee really live up to its expectations? Well, your guess may be as good as mine. Not really. It really depends on one's metabolism. Some mention that coffee helps make them sleep whereas some admit to coffee's caffeine effects. Well, I'm part of the former. Coffee doesn't really work on me besides making me sweat by heating my body up real quick. On the other hand, hot chocolate (specifically 'Tim Hortons' or better known as 'Timmies') did the trick for me. Just an extra large from Tim Hortons for probably $2 kept me going for about 6 hours. A definite must have to give that instant sugar rush despite the lack in quality of the beverage relative to Starbucks or Second Cup.
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| Yummmm..... |
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| Prawn and beancurd in mixed vegetable broth |
To conclude, my frosh year in UofT taught me many lessons of which I couldn't encompass all in this short post of mine. I'm sure if anyone was asked to jot down all their life lessons learned throughout their university life, it would take too many trees to chop to write it out or too much electricity to type it out. So, to those of you who have yet to experience your university days, fret not for that day shall come and you should rejoice the moments you have right now for they come once in a lifetime. After all, May 6th, 2012 occurs only once in your lifetime. As for those who are currently undergoing the tortuous life of university or college, you're not the only lone sheep out there in the wilds. Plenty more share a similar experience so make the best out of those tortuous moments and live them to the fullest. All in all, all the best to everyone in their future undertakings and may you achieve your goal or find a goal if you have yet to have one. Finally, to my Frosh year in UofT 2011-2012, I'm sorry that I have to leave you but thanks a lot for being a great teacher.
Peace out, peeps.
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| "Live today with the scars of yesterday and the hopes of tomorrow" |
