It has been almost 4 weeks since I came back from Vietnam and even though I've not found a job, In the blink of an eye, time passed so quickly that I can barely remember what have I done for the last few weeks. So what have I done so far?
1) Interview 1: USP interview update: (offered!!!)
USP's interview was a little weird. I took 40-45 minutes and I really spoke as much as I could as I really wanted USP because I felt that it will be a good platform for me to improve in my critical thinking. The questions were weird and my answers were probably weirder. But that is the nature of USP. It was an enjoyable interview but the results will tell if I impressed. If I'm not offered, I'm probably going to apply for Utown because I really want to learn to be a critical thinker and I really want to learn how to write properly. Below are some questions they asked me:
- Tell me about yourself (obviously)
- Is volunteering selfish?
- Is Singapore meritocratic?
- What is your favourite subject and why?
- How do you feel about Amos Yee?
- What did you do in CCA?
- Why USP? (This was probably the last question. Perhaps I spoke wayyyyyyy too much.)
- Do you think that you'll be able to cope with the arts subjects?
I can't really remember my answers but I just kept talking, made my interviewers laugh a little and that was all about it. I called my mom after the interview and I realised that I didn't feel that the questions were weird after I stepped out from my interview room! My mom told me that she hoped that I didn't crap excessively because I'm really good at talking a lot (of nonsense) and I told my mom that I hope that my answers were that bad too. HAHA. But I do feel that I could answer better after the interview but I really did all I can during the interview.
2) Interview 2: MOE TA/TS interview.
Many of my friends whom I've spoken to know how I felt after the (TA/TS) interview. To earn this interview was what really motivated me in my J2 year. I earned it. Well, it was an interview to remember...I felt that I've to improve a lot more to deserve the TA/TS and I honestly do not have high expectations after the interview.
I believe that I could have done better and that I've to improve to be a firmer person. I didn't feel the pinch until I stepped out of the interview room. The interviewer pointed out my weakness without having me to mention about it. I felt a little upset 2-3 hours after the interview that I did not give myself a chance to perform well in that aspect. I certainly know very well that 'not being firm' is my weakness and I know extremely well that I cannot scold. But I also know that I'm decent when it comes to ensuring that my homework gets handed in and done up in a decent manner and I know how to question and reason in a way to get my message across. Yet, I didn't show it. Evan once told me that it is obvious that I am not firm. Knowing that myself, I still showed my weakness in my behaviour (I think) and I really have to work on that.
Another reason that I felt that I should have done better was to speak in a more formal manner to redeem my GP grade which they had pointed out during the interview as well. Yupp, I certainly saw that coming. So I'm going to have to work on that because I know that I have a lot to brush up on.
Next, I was distracted. The door opened during my interview as someone knocked the door and I actually stopped talking. Am I supposed to stop talking or keep talking? My interviewer(s) were slightly annoyed(?) as he told me not to be distracted. I felt that it was unfair regarding that point because I felt that it would be rude to have 2 conversations going on in the room. It was an extremely short one between the person at the door and the other interviewer but honestly, I would stop if this happened. Mirroring this to classroom management... How do I manage with noise? Well, anyone who studied with me know that I cannot stand noise and I'll find a way to make life better so that everyone will benefit. Besides, class cannot continue if there's noise. It's unfair to those students who wants to learn. (I know that very well as I'm a victim too.) I mean, as a teacher, you will want your students to listen and gain most from the lesson so you'll stop and do something about it right?
Lastly, what I could have done better was to defend my point better- as sharp as possible because when I was about to rebut my interviewer's point, I probably didn't seem confident enough so before I could say a word, I was told to go back and think about it. Perhaps if I came across more confidently, I would be given a chance to say something.
Well, if its mine, then its mine. I've tried my best and at least I know that my efforts were not in vain as my Alevels and prelims (a chance for TIP) gave me a chance for this interview. How did I then prepare for this interview? I had less than 2 days because I was notified while cycling from ECP to Changi. I had a mock interview with Bona, 2 to 3 questions, read up a little more on policies, reflected about my TIP experience and prepared my answers to the questions that I spot. They didn't ask me much about my TIP like what others had mentioned, hit bulls eye for a policy question and about myself and my views. I could have phrased my answers in a better manner- I spoke too much I guess. I spoke to my mother after the interview and she mentioned that there are many ways to get into the education system and to be the pro-active change agent that I want to be. I can always try again and improve myself to prove my worth. But at this stage, I know that I've done my best and though I regret a little, I'm not looking back. Psychometric Test next week!
3) Watched Dramas
I stopped writing drama reviews because they were meaningless and I'm a tad embarrassed about my drama reviews and my fangirl blog posts. But what have I watched so far after Liar Game... In order.
- Heartstrings
- Healer
- Kill me, Heal me (Healer and KMHM were really good.)
- Blood (Every Tuesday and Wednesday morning)
- Birth of a Beauty
- Who Are You: School 2015 (Currently Tues&Wed)
- Sensory Couple (Currently Thurs&Fri)
- Producer (Currently Sat&Sun)
- Orange Marmalade (Currently Sat night)
- Spy (I stopped at 1/4 the drama as it was boring)
Really... but I moved on to something else... 14/2/15 - now and they're all ongoing so I guess I haven't been watching at a full speed.
4) Instead, I've been watching Dnews and Test tube
Dnews and Test tube were the best things that should have happened to me while I was studying for GP. Who knows that someone who was previously nonchalant about news (pre-GP) was hooked from one video to the next video as they go on explaining advances in sci&tech, sci theories, environment, social, and political issues in the world today. Once I was hooked to political ideologies and I spent the next 6 hours wearing my PC spects watching video after video and reading the links they provided in the description box below the video. I was hooked on political ideologies and the reasons for everything that happened which was related to them.
5) I've been reading books
I did my first book review. (Refer to the post below) and I'll do more in the future if the book made an impression. Another book I recently read was on 'The Selfish Society' it was a decent book but it was too dry and I wasn't sure what the author was talking about because there were a lot of parenting involved on babies being selfish etc and I think I was lost half way/ it didn't impress so I didn't write my second book review. What I learnt/understood was that the society wasn't that selfish in the past until capitalism and industrialisation were introduced. I was trying not to give up on the book but I gave up in the end, leaving 5 chapters behind. Sorry.
6) Pick up a new subject- bio
Having no biology background, I had to teach my sec 1 student biology. Well, I had to study biology from somewhere and I can't just feed her with my old sec 1 knowledge 6 years ago. It took a lot of effort (I was procrastinating) to pick up a book on cells in the library and having to go through the basics one by one. Besides that, I had to google what I didn't understand so that I can provide more information to get her interested in studying for her SA1. Bio is really fun but it was quite hard to find a starting ground but I'm interested in learning more- especially proteins etc and DNA.
7) Pick up a new skill - ukelele
Nah, it isn't a new skill. My skills were really rusty and hence I suggest that it's a new skill. Kidding, I'm just lying to myself. Dug up my ukelele which my juniors gave to me as a present in 2012 and I tried to recall a few chords eventually able to put something together. To conclude, I actually picked up 3 new chords and was able to transit between them smoothly. I learnt to play 2-3 songs too! Not fingerstyle- I have yet to master the guitar one!
8) Socialising
What I'm good at- socialising. Met up with many people ever since I came back and did many #nicholidaygoals. - refer to vsco or instagram.
What is next?
I'm still unsure of which university I should chose. Both NTU and NUS offered me my first choice- Chemistry. NTU however, has an added bonus with a 2nd major in food sci&tech which I don't really know what it is about. (But it is a second major) There's NUS science faculty open house to head down to next week so I'll probably make my decision after that. I'm more inclined towards NUS but NTU is really convincing.
After accepting my offer, I'll probably have to do a medical check up and I'll have to start applying for hall/u-town if I do not get into USP.
Probably, at the same time sign up for faculty orientation?
I'll have to work towards improving my language which means that I've to read more and to write more.
Perhaps, I've to find a job to earn money as tuition is not enough to sustain me. I'm not charging $40 per hour or something but I'm not earning less than those who charge $40 per hour because I'm gaining experience and I'm constantly trying to improve the way I teach.
Start exercising... Really. The only thing I did was my 40km cycle to changi and back to ECP. Please do not rain in the evening. ):
Alright that's all for my reflections for the past month. I remember that I've to write my TIP reflections and I hope that the next few months will be a more meaningful one!
