End of Chapter Five: 2012 in Review

Hello folks!!
First of all, let me congratulate you on surviving 21st December 2012. We all live!

More than that, we all lived for another full year, and have finally come to the end of 2012. Since I don't really have a lot of time to spend on this post, I just wanted to do a quick review of the year that past. The things that have happened to me, experiences gained, and lessons learned. Let's go!

INTRODUCTION

Well, if I look back at it, and any other school year, it can generally be split into 3 main sections. Sem 2, followed by Summer Break, then ending of with Sem 1. It's the most logical way to divide it, so I shall be following this framework.

SEM 2 AY2011/12 

Sem 2 was a super weird sem. But it felt so damn good. Due to certain events and occurrence last year, I had been super damn ultra emo for pretty much the whole of year 2011. The first part of 2012 represented a breath of fresh air, and starting anew. The combination of modules were also all to my strengths  IS2103, IS2104, GEK1531, IS3221 and SSB2216. Okay, maybe not so much the last 2 modules. I did ok, but didn't really score for IS3221, and SSB was so damn bad that I had to SU it.

But overall, it was a really great semester. IS2104 lessons are the most fun in the world. The lecturer is kind of boring, but the few but fun in-class activities more than make up for it! Also, my project team was amazingly strong. Speaking of strong project teams, I had the luxury of teaming up with 2 consistent Dean's List-ers this sem. 1 for 2104, 1 for 3221. Suffice to say, both knew their stuff really well. Maybe that's where I inherited the greatness from. :)

SUMMER BREAK / INTERNSHIP

It was my first time ever doing internship, so I didn't really know what I was getting into. Heck, I was even beginning to worry if any company would take me! My grades had been pretty lackluster to say the least. They still are, but that's another story. I basically spammed out at least 50+ applications. End up, I only received 3-5 replies. All the other assholes never bothered to at least reject me. I went for 2 interviews in total, and decided to stick with the company that registered with the school.



But hey, working for a super small startup has it's benefits too. It basically meant I need to be doing a whole lot of stuff lah. But at the same time, it also means I get to learn a whole lot of things! I went in with 0% CSS knowledge, didn't even know what it was. Read up and researched on my own, practiced a whole bunch on their templates, and boom! I was playing with CSS like a pro. Haha.

The best part of my summer break, was that they sent me to Malaysia twice for learning journey, albiet on cheap buses. But it was super fun! Internships are fun! I hope to be able to do it again. Hopefully some bank will take me. Like hello! I sent out applications to so many banks! At least gimme one lar! :(

Oh, almost forgot! The major highlight of this period, was that I got into the Dean's List! It was an ultimate morale booster that lasted many months! I can never forget the feeling. I will do my very best to at least get it one more time before I graduate. Wish me luck!

SEM 1 AY2012/13

This sem was the most taxing of the 3 periods, partially because of the 8MC project. But not because of the actual workload itself, but the environmental factors. I was super duper stressed out about it, because I wanted to get my Second Upper honors so badly. I was so close yet so far. I went for the industry seminar module, and it got me really interested in working for a bank. But would I be able to make it in?

To make matters worse, we couldn't find a last member, our second last member wasn't a strong programmer either. So, I had to post on the forum. And I specifically mentioned that we were aiming for an 'A' grade. Then nobody reply me, only 1 random guy. Long story short, turns out he can't or won't do much programming. Report wise, also slip-shot work. So, end up we got 2 dead-weight dragging us down. WTF. Also, had some minor differences with my team lead. I like the free and easy style that lets me work how I want. But boss like the stay in school do coding style. So everyday spent in school waste time lor.

Looking back, I think it was partially my fault. I doubted myself, and my team. I didn't believe that it was as good as the dream team, as Jonah's team was. I was somehow still upset that they didn't want to form up with us. :(

In the end though, somehow we pulled through and completed the project. Somehow I lead the team to pull of one heck of a Final Presentation. Even TWK was impressed. I guess particularly he was impressed with our design, and my last minute done mobile app. He even assured us that we would at least get a B+ for it. Then, I was so sure we would score an 'A'. But maybe I had my hopes up too high...

But the whole sem wasn't all about 1 module! Though at times it seemed that way. I had a ton of fun working with my IS3223 SCM team as well! Made 2 new friends and teammates, and they are awesome report writers! It's a pity that teammates in Uni don't necessarily translate to close friends in the end. I think we are too professional about it. Teammates are only for doing work, and don't really go out together outside. Perhaps I'm just too naive, but somehow I'd hoped to make more friends in Uni.

Overall, this period has been one of the most stressful and emo period of my year. With a phenomenal first two-thirds of my year being so awesome, I'd thought that I was long over the Year 1 incident that made me so emo. It looks like some things you just can't brush off so easily. It'll always be a part of me.

And to add another kick to the balls, the exam results were release recently. To put it shortly, it was fucking atrocious. Didn't get an 'A' grade for IS2102 like everyone had said I would. Printed the notes too damn small. KNN. IS3223 is the shock of my life here. My teammate got and 'A-' and I ended up flunking the module. How the fuck is that even possible?!! Either mark wrong, or I must have messed up the exam pretty bad.

CONCLUSIONS

Conclusion, I think I fucked up this sem really bad. My teammates were literally counting on me, but I couldn't trust them enough, and I couldn't do enough for the team. The presentation was real good, but it was too little too late, given that we had already threw all the marks away for the reports. Exam grade sucked because of all the presentations I had going on in reading week, but probably also because I was too damn arrogant.

Moral of the story? Spiderman's uncle Ben was right. "With great power, comes great responsibility". I had one good sem and they awarded me Dean's List award. But I let it get to me, and got way too proud. My fault entirely. And now I'm left in tears, moping over the lousy results, even I feel pathetic. Playing games and watching anime can only numb me temporarily...

LOOKING FORAWRD

Whew! Super long imba post, but pouring it all our really does help somewhat. Looking forward, all I can say is to do better lor. I need to learn to become a more upright and dependable person. I need to be stronger for myself, as well as those around me. I need to do what's right because knowing and not doing is equally a crime.

Traditionally, I have sucked in all the Sem 1s and bounced back with super good grades in the Sem 2s. However, I would like to learn to not be too arrogant and take things for granted. I still need to do what needs to be done. There ain't no shortcuts.

Cue Music Video!

This is the starting song from a super old anime I watched in secondary school. It's really good!

Well, that about ends this post. I would like to take this chance to wish all of you a very happy new year! Take care, and let's all work much harder in 2013! Huat ah!!!!