Something Jingwen and I were discussing about today in the free time we had before physics remedial was, what makes a good teacher. I guess today we so happened to be on the theme of teachers. Yup, having our very own teacher-based meeting.

Basically I've come to terms with myself what the definition I have of a good teacher is. You often hear people throwing out a long list of qualities and conditions that they feel makes an ideal teacher, after a while, the scope gets too broad and the image of a perfect teacher gets pretty elusive. However, I have finally decided on a definition that I like, of what is a good teacher.

To me, a good teacher is one who is able to inspire and to engage me enough as to make me fall in love with the subject she is taking, in turn guiding me towards academic success. She must be stringent enough to command respect, yet approachable enough to put the student at ease. Thus far, I have noticed many experienced teachers have employed the method of being mercilessly strict at first and kinder afterwards to achieve the above. It works somehow; scare the shit outta your lot first, get them to respect you, and then soften a little.

I mean this is all just my two cents worth. Whatever it is, above all the detestation and annoyance I have for one teacher or another, at the end of the day I do think that teaching is one of the most admirable professions around. And I do feel teachers all over the world work their ass off just to help batch after batch of students reap the fruits of their labour; really, I don't see how it's easy. Sometimes I wish I could be more outwardly empathetic to my teachers somehow. They just work so hard.



"Tea-cher. The one who makes the tea."

Was planning to write a very back dated post about V Day, but settled with quick sketchy follow up to my previous post instead because.... time constraint! yes thats it! time. (I wish I had more time to think and consolidate!)

This year is definitely looking better than last year thus far. I am happier and I am actually enjoying school life very much. As much as I may rant and moan about school, interestingly, sec 4 life has been way more thrilling than I expected. In the midst of the craziness, fun within it all still manages to surface somehow. I guess on one hand it is because I am disallowing myself to go down that slippery slope of not paying attention in class and not completing any assignments and not preparing for any test again. Without that whole lot of backdated work to plod through, I do not feel as suffocated anymore (thankfully!!!!) In that sense, this year is looking up indeed.

Also, still in the midst of changing my mind set even more, but as of now, I think my tremendous shift in attitude has shocked (in a positive sense, i hope!) quite a handful of people! Yes, I am trying to change myself intentionally. No, I am not schizophrenic. Yes, I am trying to be a good student. No, I am not sucking up (please!) Additionally, teachers seem to be more understanding and less difficult this year. Perhaps its due to the fact that I am trying so hard to be more obedient and responsive and receptive, but honestly, they are slightly kinder to sec 4s I think! Or maybe I am just watching where I step very carefully this year.

Another thing is, I like keeping myself busy. And that is exactly what this year has promised me. Lots and lots and lots of things to busy myself with. I just came to a consensus today that perhaps, this year is appearing better than last because I suddenly have a purpose in life again – O levels. It is as though a light has appeared, and once again, there is a direction for me to head towards.

Somehow, the Os has given me some sort of structure in my life. Some thing to work for and work towards. At least nowadays, when I come home, I have purposeful things to do in place of aimlessly surfing round facebook and getting paranoid about the things I read. At night, I have the will to command myself to sleep because I know I need the rest, instead of staying up late and allowing restless thoughts to overtake me, subjecting myself to passages of self-depreciation and unhappiness. In the weekends, I learn to appreciate every moment I get - to sleep in, to catch an extra piece of theatre, to read a book, to catch up on work, to lunch with friends and family, to rest.

Suddenly I just feel back on track again. I am no longer a lost soul merely drifting through life. And even though this whole 'purpose in life' thing is simply a very temporary set, it is helping me get through each day in a way that I cannot seem to describe. So as odd as it sounds, I am thankful to be an O-level candidate.

This year is definitely looking better than last year thus far. I shall not repeat the wrongs I committed last year, and make this a WICKED year that counts!

There's mistakes that I have made, some chances I just threw away
Some roads I never should have taken.
Been some signs I didn't see, hearts that I hurt needlessly
Some wounds that I wish I could have one more chance to mend.

Some pages turned, some bridges burned,
But there were, lessons learned.

Ok I feel like posting a humongous rant post about sec 4 life, but after much (inward) reflection today, I decided not to. Internally, I have somehow managed to come to a consensus that, perhaps sec4 life will not be as hard as it may be if I do not allow it to. I do not know how I am even able to find time to write this today, with a huge chem test on friday and a geog paper next week and after finish a disgusting slew of tests this week! But I'm just putting up a quick one here, while printing my notes and before the 10pm news commence hahahhaha. As I was saying, I guess things will not be too bad if I just take things in my stride and pace myself. I know it all sounds cliche, but after pondering over it, I do believe it is true. Taking the O levels was a huge theatre production, the current state I am in, and will be in for the next couple of months, will be the gruelling inevitable rehearsal process. As tough as it may be, it is what shapes the production to perfection. Hence, I shall plough through it all stoically and at the same time, keeping the final goal and aim squarely in mind. Of course, I really do hope to relish this process, knowing it will be something that will stay with me for many years to come. So, I hope to learn as much as I can, academically and spiritually, in these few months and hopefully I make it through all well and in good time!

Something Jingwen and I were discussing about today in the free time we had before physics remedial was, what makes a good teacher. I guess today we so happened to be on the theme of teachers. Yup, having our very own teacher-based meeting.

Basically I've come to terms with myself what the definition I have of a good teacher is. You often hear people throwing out a long list of qualities and conditions that they feel makes an ideal teacher, after a while, the scope gets too broad and the image of a perfect teacher gets pretty elusive. However, I have finally decided on a definition that I like, of what is a good teacher.

To me, a good teacher is one who is able to inspire and to engage me enough as to make me fall in love with the subject she is taking, in turn guiding me towards academic success. She must be stringent enough to command respect, yet approachable enough to put the student at ease. Thus far, I have noticed many experienced teachers have employed the method of being mercilessly strict at first and kinder afterwards to achieve the above. It works somehow; scare the shit outta your lot first, get them to respect you, and then soften a little.

I mean this is all just my two cents worth. Whatever it is, above all the detestation and annoyance I have for one teacher or another, at the end of the day I do think that teaching is one of the most admirable professions around. And I do feel teachers all over the world work their ass off just to help batch after batch of students reap the fruits of their labour; really, I don't see how it's easy. Sometimes I wish I could be more outwardly empathetic to my teachers somehow. They just work so hard.



"Tea-cher. The one who makes the tea."

Was planning to write a very back dated post about V Day, but settled with quick sketchy follow up to my previous post instead because.... time constraint! yes thats it! time. (I wish I had more time to think and consolidate!)

This year is definitely looking better than last year thus far. I am happier and I am actually enjoying school life very much. As much as I may rant and moan about school, interestingly, sec 4 life has been way more thrilling than I expected. In the midst of the craziness, fun within it all still manages to surface somehow. I guess on one hand it is because I am disallowing myself to go down that slippery slope of not paying attention in class and not completing any assignments and not preparing for any test again. Without that whole lot of backdated work to plod through, I do not feel as suffocated anymore (thankfully!!!!) In that sense, this year is looking up indeed.

Also, still in the midst of changing my mind set even more, but as of now, I think my tremendous shift in attitude has shocked (in a positive sense, i hope!) quite a handful of people! Yes, I am trying to change myself intentionally. No, I am not schizophrenic. Yes, I am trying to be a good student. No, I am not sucking up (please!) Additionally, teachers seem to be more understanding and less difficult this year. Perhaps its due to the fact that I am trying so hard to be more obedient and responsive and receptive, but honestly, they are slightly kinder to sec 4s I think! Or maybe I am just watching where I step very carefully this year.

Another thing is, I like keeping myself busy. And that is exactly what this year has promised me. Lots and lots and lots of things to busy myself with. I just came to a consensus today that perhaps, this year is appearing better than last because I suddenly have a purpose in life again – O levels. It is as though a light has appeared, and once again, there is a direction for me to head towards.

Somehow, the Os has given me some sort of structure in my life. Some thing to work for and work towards. At least nowadays, when I come home, I have purposeful things to do in place of aimlessly surfing round facebook and getting paranoid about the things I read. At night, I have the will to command myself to sleep because I know I need the rest, instead of staying up late and allowing restless thoughts to overtake me, subjecting myself to passages of self-depreciation and unhappiness. In the weekends, I learn to appreciate every moment I get - to sleep in, to catch an extra piece of theatre, to read a book, to catch up on work, to lunch with friends and family, to rest.

Suddenly I just feel back on track again. I am no longer a lost soul merely drifting through life. And even though this whole 'purpose in life' thing is simply a very temporary set, it is helping me get through each day in a way that I cannot seem to describe. So as odd as it sounds, I am thankful to be an O-level candidate.

This year is definitely looking better than last year thus far. I shall not repeat the wrongs I committed last year, and make this a WICKED year that counts!

There's mistakes that I have made, some chances I just threw away
Some roads I never should have taken.
Been some signs I didn't see, hearts that I hurt needlessly
Some wounds that I wish I could have one more chance to mend.

Some pages turned, some bridges burned,
But there were, lessons learned.

Ok I feel like posting a humongous rant post about sec 4 life, but after much (inward) reflection today, I decided not to. Internally, I have somehow managed to come to a consensus that, perhaps sec4 life will not be as hard as it may be if I do not allow it to. I do not know how I am even able to find time to write this today, with a huge chem test on friday and a geog paper next week and after finish a disgusting slew of tests this week! But I'm just putting up a quick one here, while printing my notes and before the 10pm news commence hahahhaha. As I was saying, I guess things will not be too bad if I just take things in my stride and pace myself. I know it all sounds cliche, but after pondering over it, I do believe it is true. Taking the O levels was a huge theatre production, the current state I am in, and will be in for the next couple of months, will be the gruelling inevitable rehearsal process. As tough as it may be, it is what shapes the production to perfection. Hence, I shall plough through it all stoically and at the same time, keeping the final goal and aim squarely in mind. Of course, I really do hope to relish this process, knowing it will be something that will stay with me for many years to come. So, I hope to learn as much as I can, academically and spiritually, in these few months and hopefully I make it through all well and in good time!