My biweekly journal: 1 Sep - 14 Sep
Busy yet fruitful. I have a feeling this will stay with me for quite a few weeks during my first term at SMU.
Notable events
- School work consolidation
As the term went on, I found myself getting more immersed in the different subjects across my modules. The most memorable was the philosophical module Big Questions, where I explored how happiness was viewed during the Greek, Christian, and Enlightenment eras, and how today’s consumer capitalist society has exploited the pursuit of happiness. Besides that, I worked on a graded opinion piece outside of class. While studying kept me occupied, I still managed to balance it with other activities.
- Workshops: Argument, Presentation and Connections
Attending these workshops really gave me a fresh perspective on how to deliver effective presentations and network with professionals. Shoutout to Justyn Olby, Head of the Centre for English Communication at SMU, for providing such a clear structure for presentations. One key takeaway was how good ideas can often go unnoticed when presentations overwhelm the audience with info dumping, and he introduced the Ski-Jump approach as a better alternative.
The career readiness workshops, hosted by Joe Escobedo, a successful coach with a diverse career background, were equally impactful. Joe's personal stories and charisma were inspiring, and he became a role model for me in networking. After two sessions, my mindset shifted from "What if I fail..." to "Even if I fail..." I also learned the importance of following up with a thank-you message after interviews — something that seems intuitive but is often overlooked. Joe really highlighted how this small gesture can leave a strong impression on hiring managers.
- ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship Briefing
I recently attended my first scholarship briefing, and the burning question on everyone's mind was finally answered: What's the cGPA I need to maintain? The answer is 3.40. To put it simply, I need to aim for above a B+ and occasionally an A- to hit that mark.
The pressure is definitely on, especially since most of my current modules are language-centric, and I'm not exactly confident in my English skills. That said, I do think it's achievable if I put in the hard work and stay consistent. It’s all about finding the right balance and working diligently from the start.
- Kendo workshop
After not getting into the EYE Analyst program, I decided to give Kendo a shot through its workshops, since I had some extra free time. As a beginner, I was quickly humbled by the senpais. They made each stroke look so effortless and smooth, but when I tried, it was a whole different story. By the end of the sessions, my biceps and arms were aching—a sign of a true beginner, since I later learned that experienced practitioners don’t usually feel sore like that.
Despite the muscle aches, I picked up some etiquette and common phrases, many of which I recognized from anime or Japanese livestreams. All in all, it was a great arm workout and a fun way to dive deeper into Japanese culture.
- Catching up with old friends
I’m so grateful to have made these friends during my high school years. We had a great time catching up on what everyone’s been up to and sharing some interesting stories from our lives. Here’s hoping we stay in touch, my fellow future medical professionals!
Top 3 outcomes for the upcoming week
'If the week ahead is going to be a great week, what would be the top 3 things I'd accomplish?'
- Write the two separate blogs on a consolidation of the workshops I have joined
- Study for my Financial Accounting mid-term assessment
- Finish reading the book 'Before the Coffee Gets Cold' by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Top 3 outcomes from previous week
- ✅Complete the draft for Assessment 1 of Writing and Reasoning
- I managed to complete the draft and gained constructive comments from my professor and communication coach
- ❌Continue writing on the book review/summary
- I failed to find time to write💔
- ✅Learn the basic grammar structure of Italian
- I scored fairly for the mock test, though extra effort is required to memorise the vocabulary better
