Every start has its ending. This blog is meant to draw a period to my blog writing and my English bridging course in CELC.
In a blink of an eye, six months have passed by. Recalling the very first class, I am still wondering if it was just yesterday. Time flies without leaving you even a clue which allows you to trace how come six month vanished so easily. Reflecting on the past six months, I found it beneficial, happy and meaningful.
What the bridging course taught me most is not the English knowledge, but to know myself and build up my confidence. In China, as my university is very near to my hometown, I more or less have some illusions that there would be someone who could help me on the road ahead. So, I did not think too much about my life or my road. However, when I came to Singapore, I found things began to change. I experienced the state which I yearned for in my middle school and high school years---independence. I have to make decisions on my own, even the most trivial things such as when to get up, when to have lunch, whether go to see a doctor, etc. On one hand, it feels good because I feel like I am the king of myself eventually and I have right to make decisions. But on the other hand, I began to realize that to be totally responsible for myself is not an easy task. I need to be careful when every decision was made, because good or bad, it is I but not anyone else who is going to shoulder the consequences of my decisions.
Meanwhile, I started to think about my life and my future seriously, trying to find the answers of those questions, such as what do I expect from my coming university life, what is my image of myself in ten years time, which are the matters I used to be too lazy to think of. Therefore, I learned to make up plans and try my best to fulfill the plans; not complain in the face of heavy homework but just finish it carefully; do things on my own but not always wait for other’s help; take responsibility for the things I have done… All these things do not seemingly look as significant as getting a high marks in the exams or getting a champion in a competition. But, for me, they are the very firm steps on my road to maturity, on my road to my own life.
Learning from others, being tolerant, and how to make myself understood is another lesson I have learned. Since the world outside is so different, I have to make some change in response. When there are different opinions against me, I will try to put myself in the other side’s shoes and to understand; when there are criticism, I will try to smile and be critical about that; when something unpleasant happens, I will try to grin and bear it if I cannot change it; when I do something wrong, I learn to apologize…I am really happy about these changes happened in me.
I also fully understand the saying “they who love you most in the world are your parents”, which I failed to understand or even ignored in the past, in my six-month life in Singapore. It was the time when facing the bread and doughnuts every day that I realized having “four dishes and one soup” every meal is such a luxury; it was the time, when I got ill, lying on the ward bed in hospital, that I realized how comfortable I had been when I was at home with my parents’ care; it was the time when I felt unhappy and then called my parents to confide in that I realized it is my parents who care me most and comfort me most… All these make the love between my parents and I deepen and I tell myself solidly from the bottom of my heart to work hard to give my parents a best life I could provide.
Undoubtedly, friendships from my friends here and tutelage from my tutors would not be forgotten. It is really amazing that we, from different, known or unknown corners all around China, went all the way to encounter in a foreign country, here in Singapore. “Yes-man” Guoqiang, “little rabbit” Yaxin, “affair woman” Ran Bo… Ms. Christine’s PP PR PC, Ms Tan’s morals for life, Mr. Wilson’s fruit^_^, Ms. Yap’s expressions and Ms. Lim’s adventures, etc, would be the shining parts of my bridging course life. Of course, the experience of doing research with my team was fantastic. Veronica, Harry, Peter (three class monitors…pressure) and I formed a united, effective and happy group; I really appreciate the experience with them.
There are still many other things to reflect on, but let me stop here and leave the left parts to you all to savior.
At last, I want to say thank you to my tutors, friends and others who gave me a colourful six months.
One adventure comes to an end, another is going to start. Today’s sunset will certainly indicate a radiant sunshine tomorrow!
Ladies and gentlemen, see you in NUS!
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Dear Gengxin
ReplyDeleteThank you for a lovely heartwarming reflection. It is indeed heartening that the most important aspect of your education during these six months, is the development that you are able to note and sense about yourself as a person. THIS is the very essence of education.
Your deeper love and gratitude to your parents and all that you shared and will continue to share, will continue to strengthen and spur you on. We can teach the expression "take someone / something for granted" but the experience of it, is the best good value that you have gained and realised.
Good Luck in your future endeavours.
I am moved by your writing. Yes, though our past view months, we learned a lot. i think that in your daily life, you are a optimistic person. I can always see your smile. The first impression you gave me is talkative, which I thought was not very good. I thought that a person who talk too much would not do much. But I found that I was wrong. Action is better that any words. You have proved that you are a kind-hearted person. You are active and you did a real good job. Thank you to share this wonderful article which is from your bottom of heart.
ReplyDeleteWhat a moving blog you have posted! Time flies, six mouths goes like a flash. I still remember the first sight of you. I was deeply impressed by your confidence shown in the class while I was still trembling while talking in English. At first I thought such a confident person must be somewhat arrogant and not easy to get along with. However later on I found that I was totally wrong. You are very easy going and very kind indeed. I did not see your homesickness and dependence at all because I thought you were always optimistic and decisive. I have learnt a lot of things from you such as self-confidence and optimism and I had many happy moments with you. That is really a blessing and I will cherish our friendship for my whole life.
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