When I was 14, I thought I kinda got my life figured out, wanting to be a nutritionist. Closest I could get to being a doctor I thought, cause the academic route for that was way too long. I started way in advance, going to hospitals over the holidays to volunteer, so that I could better understand what it was like, and to see for myself if I was really up for the demands of the job. It all fell in place, and by the time I reached secondary 4, I knew that nutrition was my thing. It was what I was cut out for.
However, Just 3 weeks into the course, I realized, I wasn’t cut out for it. Every time we had Psychology classes, my teacher always reminded us “You have to want this more than anything, and give it your all.” But how was I to give it my all when I started hating my course as the days passed? However, being a 18 year old, I didn’t know if I left this, where then?
At the end of Year 1, I talked to my course manager and eventually realized that engaging with people was what I liked about my course, but more of how this line didn’t need an 8-5pm commitment, and that by talking to people, I get to meet different experiences daily. That was when I decided a switch in course might do me good.
I gave up sciences and went on to the total opposite, The arts. Right here in SP, I chose to make a switch to the Diploma in Media & Communication. (DMC)
Through the first year, I was rather excited as the hands on projects we were working on, as well as the ‘no exam’ freedom, and the excursions that meant classes were cancelled. Like any student, no exams means no need for studying. But as the year drew to an end, the projects started piling up. It begin to sink into me, that maybe exams would have been better as the struggle would have only been for a week or two.
As I moved onto year 2, and the new batch of students came in, the feeling of owning the agency felt good. The whole senior feeling, and given the agency card, which gave us access to a place which we only had to share with the senior batch felt good. No need to look for tables after school to do projects, the free use of rooms to have enclosed meetings, games to chill with our friends. But with great power comes great responsibility right? We had to drop the short and slippers, and be all dressy. Wasn’t my thing at all, cause science school was tee shirt and FBTs, & Y1 meant shorts and slippers.
This year, Y2, has been about dresses, jeans and shoes. But more than the attire and longer school hours, the modules were tougher than ever. Manageable in terms of content and deliverables, but time was always an issue, like it is anywhere else. However, now as Y2 comes closer to the end, I’ve realized that more than anything else in this journey in DMC, it about the friends I’ve made, classmates & course mates, and the lecturers as well. Everyone I’ve met in this 2 years, have taught me something, good or bad, & I’m extremely grateful.
The perks of a polytechnic education, I’ve always believed, is the all rounded ready adult you become as you reach graduation. I haven’t started the final year in DMC yet, but till today, the lessons, experiences, and values that this journey has given me will always be something I hold close to my heart.
Lastly, Just a special shout-out to these 2 groups of people;
DMC02: I honestly am truly blessed to have met each and every one of you and definitely can’t ask for anything more from you guys. Wouldn’t want to have been part of another class, because you guys are truly the best that I could ever have. Thank you for the past 2 years! Another amazing year ahead, with so much more to experience!
#Team Pillow: Formerly known as A-team and dearly known as my 4 princesses, HAHAHA. Honestly speaking though, I’ve been blessed with an amazing bunch of girl friends, who’ve been there through it all. Whether good or bad, in the same group or not, nothing changes how close we’ve been right from the start. Thank you for all the emotional and physical support you’ve never failed to provide me with though Im the oldest (yet the shortest). I thank my lucky stars for my girlfriends this past two years. I made best friends out of course mates. I had girls to sing songs with, to have crazy sleepovers with, to spend countless hours texting back and forth with in our crazy Whatsapp convos. We’ll grow another year older, another year smarter.
The New Year will not be perfect, but we’ll have each other.
