12 More To Go!

So I've got some peeps asking me to list down the other stuff I discovered in university. It's quite bitter and sarcastic, so you may not like it but were we go...

12 More Things I've Found and Learnt In University

There's still more...

1. Carnivores rule!!!
Since my hostel's cafeteria is located at the central of the campus, many students, lecturers and staff stop by there to have their lunch. I don't know about other cafeterias, but this cafeteria prepares at least 2 kinds of vegetables and a lot of protein/fat sources (5 types of chicken dishes, 5 type of fish dishes, 2 types of egg dishes, 2 types of tofu dishes etc). Judging from the ratio of vegetable : protein/fat dishes, logically, the vegetables would be gone faster than the other dishes. Errr...the opposite happens frequently actually.

Whenever I pay for my meals, I always find myself the only one with vegetables on my plate. Out of 15 people queuing up to pay at the counter, I am the only one with greens while they don't have any greens at all!! Sometimes, I feel like saying, "Yo, don't you eat your veges? How can you eat such a meal, just meat only??" I see a lot of screwed up food pyramids going on here.

2. A-level versus STPM.
I don't mean to be offensive, nor discriminating but I do find a vast difference between A-level student and STPM student in terms on how we study. A-level is more to application of knowledge, whereas STPM is more to memorizing. I sometimes pity my STPM friends who aren't still used to reach the lecturers' expectation to apply knowledge. I remember once, my lecturer told us that university level of study requires us to apply our knowledge compared to memorizing. That's when I saw the pale faces of my STPM friends.

Then, there's another time when my lecturer asked if we'd prefer tests or assignments. I guess I was the only one shouting "ASSIGNMENTS", only to be drowned by the united pro-exam supporters' voices. And in my mind I went, "Don't you know that it's easier to score through assignments, rather than doing exams? Free marks yo!"

However, I do understand them because I was exactly like them before entering A-levels. I'm not blaming them because obviously, we all know that the Malaysian education system is all about MEMORIZING. Nevertheless, I admire how they set their priorities right and how capable they are to study smart. They're not nerds. In fact, quite a number of them are active in campus activities. And mind you, STPM is one of the most difficult exams in the world, so kudos to those who did well!

3. You're from a Christian college?
Oh, everybody gave me that one particular shocked look whenever I told them that I'm from METHODIST College Kuala Lumpur. Some even asked, "How can a Muslim study in a Christian college?" Well, why not? We're there to study, that has nothing to do with religions.

First of all, despite being a Christian college, MCKL's focuses on pre-university education: A-levels and AUSMAT; and tertiary education: Diploma in Early Childhood Education. Nope, these programmes have nothing to do with Christianity.

Secondly, although they practise Christianity, they have never tried to convert me into a Christian, nor do they condemn other religions.

Thirdly, we have a number of pious Muslim students there, not mentioning the Buddhists and the Hindu believers. Hence, we sometimes have inter-religious forum to deepen our understandings in each other religions. MCKL is a Christian college that has believers of all religions living together in harmony.

Last of all, nothing can change my faith in Islam.

So please, don't give me that look. I am a proud Muslim MCKLian.

4. We are our own alarm clocks.
My hostel mates have a unique way to wake each other up, especially the peeps on my floor. Most of us are the loud and noisy ones, hence we end up shouting at each other's rooms, across the balconies and coridors just for a chat. My Chindian friend, Shan, would sometimes just open my door and walk straight in, shouting, "Babe! Wake up!! Class in 30 minutes!"

I have a senior staying opposite my room and my, she has the most shrilled voice among all of us. When she wakes up, the rest of us would find ourselves crawling out of bed dreamily, waking up to her kiddy-like voice. BEST ALARM CLOCK EVER!!! =D

Nevertheless, I'm a heavy sleeper, it's still hard to wake me up. Shan can verify this statement.

5. Running Man fans everywhere!!
Enough said. #TeamMondayCouple

6. That one international genetic pool.
I noticed that the international students are quite isolated from the local students. No doubt that there are those who mingle with us, but I still see international students hanging out among themselves. It's such a waste, you know. Everyone's missing out on cultural sharing. Being an international student once, thrown into studying in a Japanese high school with another Belgium guy, I truly understand how awkward it is to be in somewhere new and different. It's pretty natural to feel homesick and happy whenever you see another international student being in the same boat as you, hence you all just stick to yourselves. But honestly speaking, mix with the locals because it's not often that you get to live with us and witness our lifestyles, something that may be different than yours. And dear local students, take the first step to be friends with them. Welcome them, let them feel warm and at home. You too, get to learn some cultural knowledge from them.

7. Cross the road and we'll drive even faster.
Something's wrong with this mentality. Not all, but I've seen many drivers who pressed the accelerator pedal even harder whenever they see students crossing at the ZEBRA CROSSING (really?)!! Jeez...did they not read the Undang Book? How did they even pass their Undang test, what more the driving test?

8. Young entrepreneurs.
I guess it's just me but I'm amazed by how well the students can run their own small business. I've a lot of friends selling scarfs, perfumes, clothes, fruits, nasi lemak, printing service, just to name a few. It's my first time seeing young people selling things in university! I know I'm being a jakun, but allow me to applaud my friends' and seniors' entrepreneurship. By the way, I did a personality test, and my entrepreneurship level is the lowest. That explains my awe.

9. The basement of my hostel became a lake.
We've been having heavy thunderstorms in the evenings and nights. I once reached my hostel just to find a flood at the basement. Thankfully the water level did not reach the rooms there or else things would have gotten worse. Someone opened the basement's entrance door, so the flood water flowed out. Seriously, I could swim a few laps in that 'lake'.

10. We don't really care if you attend lectures or not.
I'm sure this is very common in universities. Most lecturers don't take the students' attendance. Even if one does not attend lectures, they don't care because they aren't the one who are missing out on the important stuff. Students are ones. So if you're lazy to go for lectures, feel free to oversleep. Just make sure you score well in tests and assignments.

11. Send my regards.
If you want to get to know somebody, you'll introduce yourself (though it may be awkward) to that person right? I have no idea but some peeps approached me, asked about person A's, B's and C's details and then say, "Can you send my regards to him/her please?" I'm really sorry, but I find this weird even though I see this happening everywhere many times. Is this a win-one's-heart method? I did them the favor though. The result: Just shrugs from the people they are interested with.

12. Freshman got lost!
I got lost a few times actually. And asking other students did not help much because they too, have no idea where the lecture rooms I was heading to, are. Once, I practically ran from north to south, only to find out later that my destination is on the west. Right, after sweating gallons of sweat. Inspired to not be the blur peeps, I actually brisk-walked and rode the shuttle buses around campus. I even studied the campus map. So I now roughly know where is where. Anyone's who free and have the urge to test me on the locations, be my guest. :)

Ciao, for I have assignments to attend to.