she was the cook. amelie!
we did rock the night!
Oh well, I finally write again. Life is treating me well, apart from essay hand ins (next month). But exactly last night I went out with some friends for a curry dinner. I wasn’t really a fan of curry before. But, yesterday meal’s was not that bad although I still have no gut to eat lamb, haaha. I can’t remember the name of the restaurant. Five of us: me, sara, amelie, selin and her friend, portak. The three girls are my classmates in chemical engineering and portak is selin’s friend from turkey (he’s on holiday here). Full of laughs and crazy conversations. haha.
those four pictures are taken in an indian restaurant somewhere around selly oak. then we move to goose for some drinks.
my days of fulfilling master degree will be so boring without them. unfortunately, this term is only for optional modules. a lot of time we are in different class. but never mind, we can always arrange time to do some fun either during the class break or anytime we are free. next dinner is at amelie’s house I reckon.
Oh no, it snowed again this afternoon. Have I told you I’m now sick of snow? Ok, now I tell you. As for me, winter only belongs to December for the sake white Christmas. But it seemingly loves to stay longer. I want spring, please.
backyard’s view from my room
anyway, I am over the moon today. I got my marks and they turned out not that bad. For me , it is even surprising. Thank God. but next term must be better. much much better. I promised myself to work harder!
Aston Webb Building, University of Birmingham.
Today I have no class. and quite surprising, i feel bored having nothing to do! haha. I suppose you still remember my moaning about oh-how-i-want-to-have-my-freedom-from-assignments-and-exams few days ago. I am there now but I feel so unproductive and crap! haha.. well, second term just started last week and I haven’t been given a lot of assignments (ok I intentionally forget the business report I must hand in next month. LOL). So, as I’m workless (that word doesn’t exist seriously!), I think it’s quite a good idea to share some matters about studying in UK, in particular my university and my department because it’s a bit too early to make generalisation here. here we go:
- for my master study, I take 180 credits consist of 11 modules and 1 research project (60 credits). they say, 10 credits equals to 100 hours of study, either in class or independently. to be honest, I don’t think I study that much. therefore i said (again), they say! haha..
- each module is taught in a week, only. the good thing: we concentrate only to certain subject in a week, give more understanding I assume. the bad thing: not a good method for an-easily-to-forget-things-and-deadliner one.
- A lot of presentations. scary at first.
- There is a free week named consolidation week: no class. the main purpose is to provide time for students to catch up the previous lectures. teachers often open tutorial class during this week. for me, I spend this week for assignments, groupwork, and presentation (if there is one). otherwise, I just do nothing. well, sometimes studying. sometimes! LOL. but I never travel during that week though I kind of love to.
- Thousands words essays and reports. I think any master have this kind of thing as well.
- Plagiarism is a serious crime here. well, we know that copying someone’s work exactly the same is a crime. but it doesn’t stop there. cropping sentences from many sources without referencing it, is a huge crime (I did quite a lot at my bachelor haha). so what should we do? paraphrasing (use our own words) the sentences with a good understanding and put our own ideas in it. if then we have to use the words exactly similar to the source, put into quotation and reference it clearly. I think I like this idea. originality is something priceless and we can’t just steal someone’s work and make it as it’s our own work. it’s just unfair.
- there are three terms here autumn term, spring term, summer term.
- winter break: 1 month, spring break: 1 month, summer break: 3 months.
- Grades are divided to three categories: Distinction (>70%), Merit (60-70%), Pass (50-60%). I haven’t got any of my marks until now and I’m so afraid. Argh! I hope it won’t be that bad. wish my luck! they say, teachers rarely give 70% or above. my goodness.
- the classes are often mixed with students from MEng, PhD, EngD, MRes. a lot of native that makes me excited and worry at the same time. haha..
well, so far there are no big problems (hope there aren’t any forever!). I like studying here. quite difficult and a lot of things to adapt at first but I think I’m getting used to them. Wish I can take a lot of advantages of studying here, at the end when I’m graduated.
yeayyy finally submitted all the essays, and exams have passed too. this month has turned me into a geek. i have no life but study study stuffs. i’m a geek by accident, i might add.
this is my whole life for a month
now, i’m back on my feet. i really thank God! well, one more groupwork due next tuesday. but at least it’s not thousands words essays, or ‘amazing’ exams problems.
well, i suppose this weekend would be great. i’m planning to go to warwick castle as a reward for myself.
image from here.
but the thing is, at some points we might feel tired. all we need are rest, drink something, or eat, lay down on the green grass then continue biking. argh i’m soooooo crazy lately. well, no it’s not just about the campus thingy. it’s the whole things happening to my life lately.
but no matter what, i need to balance my bike. i’m the only one who can ride my own bike of life. ok. i’ll deal with it. J’ai besoin de Dieu.
me in my campus, University of Birmingham
My life lately is very boring. bedroom, library, garner suite (learning room in my department) are my only sanctuaries. i didn’t say i really really work hard. i know many people out there are working harder than me. but, i just need a break (eventhough i have had such a long break on christmas. haha)
today was the second exam. it wasn’t as well as i expected because i felt like i could do better than that. and honestly this feeling of i-could-do-better-but-i-didn’t sucks! what an agony. argh.
okay, next exam (last!) is the day after tomorrow. hope i wouldn’t screw up though i kind of lose motivation now. and after exams, two essays and coursework are still in line.
anyway, i believe there is still hope, even at the worst situation. fight! xx
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