After all
the brain cramping, stomach growling, hair falling, teeth clenching
anticipation for the final paper. It just died with the imaginary sound of
glass shattering in the back of the head. All hope was lost. Hours taken to
decipher and understand simple social behaviour, ‘POOF’ just like that
vanished.
The
questions printed, messed the insides of the brains repeatedly. The decision
making period itself gave off the aura that it’s a dead end. How does one
simply understand what they did not learn during class? Is it the angle at
which it was phrased? Well it was crap! Alright, to remain calm will only
assist those who may have the ability to think out of the box and relate
everyday life to ‘theories’ and hence be able to answer the already complicated
set of questions.
Time took
its time in rushing forward to the end of the examination. Hair was all over
the place, just like the lion from ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1910). It felt
like an explosion, an asteroid hit the head of Mervis. Wishing that with each
strand of hair, there was the missing answer to the questions on the paper. Fat
dream, like that would ever happen.
45
minutes to go before the end of the paper, not being able to pen down their
thoughts, feelings, behaviour and perception is killing each and every one. Its
fine, one can no longer bear the agony of sitting there staring at what seems
like a hopeless cause. All they can recall are the everyday life experience
that was shared during the lectures. It was difficult to even relate that to
the theories as it seem.
Exiting
the room, telling themselves, it’s alright there always is the sup paper. Well
this is one of the moments when one simply gave up from the start no matter how
much they tried to remember and understand before the course of the day. But
all was almost forgotten when it was time to let their hair down and burn those
notes.
It was time for the post exam celebration to take place. All assembled
and discussed about how shit like the manuscripts had been while waiting for
anyone missing to report to the assembly grounds.
Leading the bunch, the march towards Queenstown began. Onward they went
laughing and talking about anything. Being the last paper and module for one of
them, it paid off as a graduation celebration. Merrily having food at the
‘Makan Sutra’ and then a photo session, after which was bowled off with a game
at the Marina Square Bowling Alley.
The following is a guide to post exam healing events before taking a sabbatical
leave:
1.
Eat all you want then feel guilty for having eaten too much and
expensive food and finally work it off with cardio.
2.
Participate in group events, meaning practice your team work, do not
think that people should revolve around you alone. Activities that help with
teamwork;
a. Bowling
b. Ice
Skating
c. Group
Meals
d. Paint
Ball
e. Road
Trips
f. Camping
g. Virtual
Gaming Nights
h. Birthday
Surprises
3.
Do not think that people understand your ‘I don’t think I can fit in
well’ dialogues. If you want something come out clean and just say it. It’s
either you do or you don’t.
4.
MIA is not recommended. Sometimes you need time alone, but you too need
effort to hold to friendships and cherish what you created.
5.
Stop worrying about what and how others may think, feel, perceive about
you. Being self- monitoring is taxing. So take it easy and go with the flow, be
who you are, people will love you for that.
6.
Advice from someone who is awesome without any effort. Let go of worries
and look forward to tomorrow. It’s only human to make mistakes in life as it
only means that we are learning new things each time.
With that said, here is a graduation speech dedicated to those who have
made life colourful during every painful and enjoyable lecture and assignment.
“Sadness, one feels to have
come to the end of her diploma.
Regret, one does not for having met many interesting and warm characters.
Laughter, one will miss having with the many friends she found.
Emptiness, one will have for leaving the bonds she created behind.
Cherishing, one will till they meet again.
Remembering, for all the times they spent together.
‘ Forget me not!’ she bids them all till next time they are reunited!”
Regret, one does not for having met many interesting and warm characters.
Laughter, one will miss having with the many friends she found.
Emptiness, one will have for leaving the bonds she created behind.
Cherishing, one will till they meet again.
Remembering, for all the times they spent together.
‘ Forget me not!’ she bids them all till next time they are reunited!”
- Mervis -
