Showing posts with label Summer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Summer. Show all posts
What d'ya know. This girl has graduated with a Masters degree - majoring in Criminology!
Never in my life have I ever imagined myself being able to graduate with a Masters degree, neither have I ever expected that I would have completed a research thesis on a Criminology course.
Being able to fly back to the UK and visit London + Cardiff after a good 6 months of leaving my second home was surreal and it brought back feelings of familiarity and nostalgia. I mean, I've always loved London (albeit hating that place when I first visited during my first year in the UK because I often got lost, missed my trains and hated the crowd). But I got used to it and eventually got the hang of the pace, as to which I am extremely proud of.
When I walked towards the Vice Chancellor to shake his hand, it was the first time where I wasn't too nervous (as compared to my undergraduate graduation). I felt prepared and I shook his hand with confidence, knowing that I've made it through.
I would say, that my experience as a whole was different as compared to my other previous undergraduate coursemates. While the most of them decided to take the bar, I did not (as mentioned in previous posts). I opted to take Masters instead because I didn't see myself entering the legal professional world anymore, some would say I took the easy way out because the Bar is an extremely rigorous program, but for me, I felt I owe it to myself to do something else with my life. However, I am not criticizing the BAR program, I know plenty of my friends who has done it and they have nothing but good things to say about the course. I simply didn't want to do law anymore.
Then why did you take Law as a degree?
I'm not going to lie. I have always wanted to be a lawyer ever since I was 11 years old when my relatives told me that I would make a great lawyer because I would often argue back. It dawned upon me that I was going to be this big shot criminal lawyer who defend people. I kept this dream until college and that's when I realize, that there's more to things in life. I have the freedom to choose on what I want to do. Nevertheless, I still kept the dream of being a lawyer because you know, what's there to lose? I went on to HELP University to do my transfer program there, I loved my lecturers, the modules and my coursemates.
However, the one thing that did struck on the back of my mind was 'Do I really want to be a lawyer?' when I started my internship at the High Court during my first year before I transferred to the UK. In the UK itself, I had strong doubts about myself - the challenges I had to face whilst juggling with my studies and getting used to the system over there was not easy. It was overwhelming, infact. I wanted to do my best for my studies, at the same time I hated everything and I just wanted to go home.
I couldn't do that.
Not after the sacrifices my parents had made for me and not after how hard I've worked to get to where I was.
So, I did what any normal student would do - do my best to study. I stayed in the library for hours (Lol, I was so unproductive at certain times), discussed with a few course mates about things I don't understand and what they don't understand. I sincerely did enjoy the modules I studied (Land law's an exception).
I somewhat made the decision in the back of my mind that I didn't want to be a lawyer when I was interning at a reputable law firm during the Summer back in Malaysia before I entered third year but I couldn't tell my parents. I told myself that I should atleast try and apply for the Bar to see what would the results be.
When the time to apply for the Bar came, I refused to apply. I could see my peers flocking around everywhere, asking one another if they have applied but all I could think was 'I don't care'. I started doing research on other courses, things that would get me interested - Journalism, History and so on. I met up with counsellors and asked for their advise and opinions.
Ultimately, I chose Criminology.
Entering a field where I have no clue about during the start of the semester was an unsettling situation and feeling for me. I knew nobody, we only had 9 people in the course. The modules were new, I had no experience whatsoever in social science subjects - I only had my law degree experience with me and I feared that I wasn't able to use it at all.
Boy, was I bloody wrong.
Regardless of whatever degree you receive, the soft and technical skills you have attained during then would help you in whatever situation that applies. It just depends on how you use it and when you could apply it. Fear not, if you think your degree is worthless. No bloody degree in this world is worthless or useless. I enjoyed being able to learn new things, also applying what I have learnt into my new course.
People often have the perception that doing Masters is easier as compared to other courses or they would often compare it to their own course. It triggers me everytime someone says 'Ya your Masters course damn easy la'. While I don't deny that we do have more free time as compared to probably other courses, but I wouldn't say that we have the easiest times as well. Putting those free time hours in doing research, getting courseworks and tutorials done, pre-readings and post reading materials. Understanding the topics because your lecturers would question EVERYTHING you say.
Plus staying in the UK for another year wasn't so bad. I got to do things I've never done before - volunteer at schools, becoming a leader for the Girl Guides organisation (and attending free movie screenings & plays hehe). But that's another post to talk about.
So yeah, there you have it.
Me, Sofea - the noisy girl who is extremely opinionated in certain things (trying to mellow this down tbh!!) has completed her Masters degree and will be fighting against Education Inequity under the Fellowship Program by Teach For Malaysia.
See ya next post.
Never in my life have I ever imagined myself being able to graduate with a Masters degree, neither have I ever expected that I would have completed a research thesis on a Criminology course.
Being able to fly back to the UK and visit London + Cardiff after a good 6 months of leaving my second home was surreal and it brought back feelings of familiarity and nostalgia. I mean, I've always loved London (albeit hating that place when I first visited during my first year in the UK because I often got lost, missed my trains and hated the crowd). But I got used to it and eventually got the hang of the pace, as to which I am extremely proud of.
When I walked towards the Vice Chancellor to shake his hand, it was the first time where I wasn't too nervous (as compared to my undergraduate graduation). I felt prepared and I shook his hand with confidence, knowing that I've made it through.
I would say, that my experience as a whole was different as compared to my other previous undergraduate coursemates. While the most of them decided to take the bar, I did not (as mentioned in previous posts). I opted to take Masters instead because I didn't see myself entering the legal professional world anymore, some would say I took the easy way out because the Bar is an extremely rigorous program, but for me, I felt I owe it to myself to do something else with my life. However, I am not criticizing the BAR program, I know plenty of my friends who has done it and they have nothing but good things to say about the course. I simply didn't want to do law anymore.
Then why did you take Law as a degree?
I'm not going to lie. I have always wanted to be a lawyer ever since I was 11 years old when my relatives told me that I would make a great lawyer because I would often argue back. It dawned upon me that I was going to be this big shot criminal lawyer who defend people. I kept this dream until college and that's when I realize, that there's more to things in life. I have the freedom to choose on what I want to do. Nevertheless, I still kept the dream of being a lawyer because you know, what's there to lose? I went on to HELP University to do my transfer program there, I loved my lecturers, the modules and my coursemates.
However, the one thing that did struck on the back of my mind was 'Do I really want to be a lawyer?' when I started my internship at the High Court during my first year before I transferred to the UK. In the UK itself, I had strong doubts about myself - the challenges I had to face whilst juggling with my studies and getting used to the system over there was not easy. It was overwhelming, infact. I wanted to do my best for my studies, at the same time I hated everything and I just wanted to go home.
I couldn't do that.
Not after the sacrifices my parents had made for me and not after how hard I've worked to get to where I was.
So, I did what any normal student would do - do my best to study. I stayed in the library for hours (Lol, I was so unproductive at certain times), discussed with a few course mates about things I don't understand and what they don't understand. I sincerely did enjoy the modules I studied (Land law's an exception).
I somewhat made the decision in the back of my mind that I didn't want to be a lawyer when I was interning at a reputable law firm during the Summer back in Malaysia before I entered third year but I couldn't tell my parents. I told myself that I should atleast try and apply for the Bar to see what would the results be.
When the time to apply for the Bar came, I refused to apply. I could see my peers flocking around everywhere, asking one another if they have applied but all I could think was 'I don't care'. I started doing research on other courses, things that would get me interested - Journalism, History and so on. I met up with counsellors and asked for their advise and opinions.
Ultimately, I chose Criminology.
Entering a field where I have no clue about during the start of the semester was an unsettling situation and feeling for me. I knew nobody, we only had 9 people in the course. The modules were new, I had no experience whatsoever in social science subjects - I only had my law degree experience with me and I feared that I wasn't able to use it at all.
Boy, was I bloody wrong.
Regardless of whatever degree you receive, the soft and technical skills you have attained during then would help you in whatever situation that applies. It just depends on how you use it and when you could apply it. Fear not, if you think your degree is worthless. No bloody degree in this world is worthless or useless. I enjoyed being able to learn new things, also applying what I have learnt into my new course.
People often have the perception that doing Masters is easier as compared to other courses or they would often compare it to their own course. It triggers me everytime someone says 'Ya your Masters course damn easy la'. While I don't deny that we do have more free time as compared to probably other courses, but I wouldn't say that we have the easiest times as well. Putting those free time hours in doing research, getting courseworks and tutorials done, pre-readings and post reading materials. Understanding the topics because your lecturers would question EVERYTHING you say.
Never ever compare your course with another person's course.
Me, Sofea - the noisy girl who is extremely opinionated in certain things (trying to mellow this down tbh!!) has completed her Masters degree and will be fighting against Education Inequity under the Fellowship Program by Teach For Malaysia.
I entered Maxis for the first time and I remember vividly of what was going through my mind, “Everyone here looks so serious and scary, fak me, Im just gna rot and die.” I received my first ever task and started out from there. Being part of the team, I’ve met tons of people - internal and external. After finishing my 2 and a half months internship, my supervisor Susan offered me a 3 month contract job to replace Emma who was gna go on maternity leave. I’ve never really thought of extending beyond my 2 and a half months here but here I am, 6 months in and today's my last day (4th of July 2018).
I didn’t just stay put in the office, I got to go out for events, meet partners, regulate our Maxis app, work with different departments and so so many more. My supervisor - Susan has always included me in every meetings and projects. Pushing me to go further and to learn more things and network with people.
Designed by yours truly! Inspired by one of the designs did by the EO!
I can never thank the people there enough for being so helpful and kind towards their own team members. Gaining experience is one thing, but learning FROM the experience is another thing. I can’t say that I’ve never made mistakes before, because I definitely have. I often do self reflection when I go home and try to find ways to improve where I’m lacking at, which honestly is gonna take awhile but I’ll get there.
This experience and the people here has not only taught me about the working world which can be serious but fun at the same time, it has also taught me so much about myself and the people in particular has inspired me in many ways.
So from the bottom of my heart,
Thank you so so much.
Written on the 4th of July 2018.
P/S: Not forgetting about all the free food provided hehe and I apologize for not being able to post everybody's photos! Don't want to spam my blogpost with too many individual pics!!
Written on the 4th of July 2018.
P/S: Not forgetting about all the free food provided hehe and I apologize for not being able to post everybody's photos! Don't want to spam my blogpost with too many individual pics!!
As promised in my previous post that I'd blog about my graduation day once I have received all the pictures from everyone.
I was honestly really nervous for my graduation day, I was panicking over what to wear (to which I finally decided to wear a baju kurung hehe) and I was also panicking over walking on stage (There was no stage LOL more on this later).
I flew back to the UK straight after Raya with my mum, speaking of which KLIA really needs to work on their system of queuing ugh.
Managed to meet up with my dearest friends who stayed back in Cardiff since their course wasn't done yet (Medic students :P)
I was honestly really nervous for my graduation day, I was panicking over what to wear (to which I finally decided to wear a baju kurung hehe) and I was also panicking over walking on stage (There was no stage LOL more on this later).
I flew back to the UK straight after Raya with my mum, speaking of which KLIA really needs to work on their system of queuing ugh.
Managed to meet up with my dearest friends who stayed back in Cardiff since their course wasn't done yet (Medic students :P)
I received homemade Thai Tea ice cream personally made by my Yau Yau and it was delicious!!
She actually made this a month ago for her charity run and was selling either thai tea or chocolate hazelnut ice cream to raise money for her charity run and it was a success! Super proud of her!!
Some of the gifts I received on Graduation Day itself :)
Thank you very very much guys :')
Made Wan Ton Chicken with Celeste and TG as a celebratory meal along with the sushi that was pre-made by Celeste. Hihi.
The ceremony itself was short, there wasn't many speeches tho and when my name was finally called, I felt relieved and happy that I am now an official LLB Graduate. The event itself was at St. David's hall where we performed our Festival of Diversity back in February. LOL the hall is so stuffy!! Or maybe it's because I was wearing my robes.
However, Law wasn't the only course graduating, there were students from the Politics course, Law and Criminology and so on. There were students who were graduating from their Masters program and PhD as well!
Cardiff's really efficient in the sense where they provide a live streaming for parents or relatives who aren't able to attend the graduation ceremony or do not have tickets to go into the hall since each student are only presented with two tickets. I gave one to my mum and one more to Celeste aka Yau Yau hehe.
Baju Kurung - Zalora
With some of my Malaysian coursemates, to which I won't be able to see most of them next September :'(
Thank you for coming and I'll miss having you as my housemate who won't stop asking me 'Eh Sofea when you wanna get boyfriend ah??' HAHAHA.
My fellow favourite medics who are definitely going to work their butt off to save people's lives and treat me for free HAHA.
My annoying partner in crime who willingly (*ahem*) watches Reality TV shows such as 'Love Island' and 'Murder U' on TV with me.
Wouldn't be here without you, papa and kor kor :')
To my fellow coursemates, university mates and friends, congratulations on graduating and all the best in your future endeavours! May you all be successful in life (according to your own very definition of success ofcourse) and to remember the things that we have experienced and learnt throughout our time at university. Thank you to each and everyone back home in Malaysia who constantly supported me throughout my journey in the UK and I really wished that some of you were there with me, really.
So to the past, present and future. Let's go.
Signing Off!
They say you will go through a few phases in life to get to where you want to be.
To me, graduation's one of them.
I remembered questioning myself all the time - was it going to be worth it? Will I make it? And there were times when I really wanted to change my course to something else so badly that I nearly clicked the "transfer programme" button but I didn't. I had to finish what I started and here I am.
After 3 years of grueling through textbooks, notes and lectures - I can proudly tell you that I am now an official law graduate from Cardiff University.
University isn't just about studies, it's about getting to know yourself better as well. You may want to beat yourself up sometimes for doing those stupid things back then but as time goes by, you're going to realize that you may just turn out to be a better person than before.
To fellow freshers or current juniors on going to senior year in university, fear is always going to be there but never let the fear keep you from striking the game. There are going to be times where you will feel worthless, that everything's not good enough for you but I can assure you that as long as you keep doing what you're doing, realizing and improving your mistakes along the way, you're going to be just fine.
And if there is a time when you need help, do not ever to hesitate to ask anyone - be it a close friend or even a stranger in the library. There are always people out there to help you.
Will update on the day itself once I've collected all the pictures :3
Picture Credits to Haikal Danial!
Signing Off!
We spent our last few days in Athens, Greece in which we took a plane from Santorini to Athens which was a 45 minute flight - although I wish the flight was a little longer since I wanted to snooze off a little more, LOL.
Anyway, we got to our airbnb apartment approx around 11pm and unpacked before heading off to bed to regain our energy the next day. But no, I had to fall sick but thankfully TG aka Dr. Ng brought meds and I had to take it since I had mild fever and a real bad flu.
But no matter, I managed to travel around Athens anyway.
We relied alot on the map so, make sure to get one yourself!
Joined a walking tour and went ahead to the Greece Parliament which was supposedly a castle for Royalties but there's no Royals in Greece anymore (?)
Oh btw, don't worry too much about transportation in Athens! It's way way much better than the ones in Santorini and Mykonos - way flexible too. We didn't have to rent a car but we took buses and tubes instead (But please do watch out for your things since there were many cases on pick pockets etc)
I loved this part of Athens, never have I seen so many trees with purple flowers.
T-shirt; CAL
Shorts; Zara
Shoes; Nike AirMax
Unfortunately, the Acropolis is under renovation. Was a little disappointed but atleast it was still there!
Zeus's temple
Walked around the city for awhile, beware of gypsies guys! They're annoying as hell and I've seen them bug a few tourists here and there (Me, included)
There was one lady who offered me a rose saying that it was for free, and when I took it from her she told me to give her a pound which I obviously didn't and gave the rose back to her. So yeah, beware!
Went to watch the sunset (that we didn't get) at some Hill that was facing the Acropolis.
Visited the museum on the last day and went to have a good dinner at one of the restaurants.
Got sunburn't real badly.
What we had for dinner. :P
Then it was time to head back to the UK the next day but ofcourse nto without getting a typical touristy shirt.
Got my name printed out on the back of the t-shirt but we were rushing so... I couldn't get a proper ootd photo.
Anyway, thanks for reading and hope you guys enjoyed my posts on Greece (excuse the slow updates though). If any of you have got any questions regarding my trip to Greece or you guys would like to know where to go and what not, do not hesitate to leave comments in the section below!
Signing Off!
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