School~

Culture shock phase 2. Its surprising how when the lessons start at 0830 in the morning, and the class is like almost filled at 0820. At NTU, when lessons start at 0830, people can be strolling in at 0845. When the professor lectures, no one talks. The only talking that goes on is when a student asks a question and the professor answers it. In NTU, we could be joking away or talking or playing or whatsoever. When the bell rings, people literally stop listening to the professor and they just start to pack up. Students seem more enthusiastic in class, spontaneously asking questions and clarifying their doubts. In NTU, we are like mice who can only squeak when the Professors are more than ready to answer our queries.In NTU, even when the time is up, students will still sit still and listen, either that or they ponder within their minds whether or not they should leave, and whether or not they would implicate themselves if they do so. Here, we would have to hand up our homework (tutorials), and it could comprise as much as 40% of our total grade. We can't just easily put a question away if we cannot solve it. Its do or die. In NTU, we could just go to class without doing tutorials and just copy solutions.

Constant vigilance, and so it seems that the US education system is promoting. One that doesn't focus much on examinations, but on day to day work. Now burning the midnight oil wouldn't save one from the abyss of procrastination here because exams are only 30%. Fundamentals are constantly emphasized and it is important that we grasp the concepts and understand the underlying principles. On the contrary, grades and examinations govern the education in Singapore. Sadly, but its reality. One might and can only wonder where the passion disappeared to, for the process is as important as the end result, it might even be of greater importance.