When going back to school feels great...

I just started my Masters program a couple of months ago, and since then I'm done with one unit, 5 more remaining to go. Ever since I signed up for this program, which lasts for two years, many people have asked me a pretty standard question: "What do you intend to achieve after this course?" And my answers were also pretty standard: "I don't know!"

The fact is... I really don't know! When I started researching for a post-graduate program some months ago, it did not come across my mind that I have to have intention of achieving something before I venture on a program. Perhaps my quest was simply a matter of adding credibility in whatever I choose to do. Perhaps part of the reason is really a hunger for studenthood.

I wasn't the kind that do well in studies in my earlier years... flung a lot of subjects and dropped to the bare minimum of five subjects for 'N', then later 'O' levels... went to NP to do engineering, then started my career. While working, I somehow felt inadequate whenever people ask me which University I was from... my answer is none! So later on I did part time bachelor's program with SIM/UOL, and slugged it through as if went to hell and back. I even had to put my marriage plan on hold... it was tough but I enjoyed it.

Now that I'm into post-graduate stuff, things are rather different... I'm in mid-30s, with kids, rusty brain cells, but more experienced with life and still mentally enthusiastic about studenthood. I'm working on a leadership module now, frankly it wasn't as interesting as I thought it to be. Maybe the lecturers from Monash didn't quite ignite my spark, or maybe I just wasn't concentrating in the seminar. What was interesting though was the interaction with fellow coursemates during seminar sessions, all of them come from different walks of life... from teachers to military officers, principals to retirees, corporate trainers to directors... and of course some as old as 50s, to as young as 20s! Probably in his 50s, this retired army officer can be quite funny, can tap on his wealth of wisdom. In her 20s, one of this lady teacher that I know is at best 20+ I think, but she's a great thinker, quite cute when articulating her thoughts, but can definitely think well with good intellectual substance.

Now its crunch time, have to write 4000 words in 22 days as assignment. With the next 2 weeks travelling, I'm left with a week for 4000 words... so its 570 words per day, 35 words per waking hour, less than a word per minute... seems easy doesn't it? And since I can type 40 words per minute, I should be able to finish my assignment in less than 2 hours? Fat hope! Its time to stop dreaming and get back to work!