一着不慎，满盘皆输 // on hindsight, no foresight
Saturday, May 2, 2020 | 11:14 AM
Last year this time (May 2019), I was looking for a job as a fresh graduate.
Well, technically I have not graduated at that time because in my last semester in SMU (Jan – Apr 2019), I failed a module.
(WHATTTTT!?)
I know!! How is it possible to fail a module in SMU?! I mean, you can do terribly, like getting a B, or God forbids, a B minus. But an actual F?! Yes folks, do not joke about “oh no… I am going to fail this module” because jokes on you if you really did fail the module.
(WHAT MODULE DID YOU FAIL??)
Jokes on me because it was not a compulsory module. The module outline highlighted concepts and learnings which I was really interested in. Analysing problems and solving problems ... using codes. Well, at least now I know I don’t speak Python. Oh, to answer the question, I failed Computational Thinking. I still remember in the first few weeks of the class I have quite a few classmates and friends who advised against taking the module and dropping it before the deadline. “This is not a module to take out of interest.” They were right. (Students only took it because it is compulsory for them.)
Anyways, it was not the most fun semester out of all my University semesters because I was taking 5 modules and was the Teaching Assistant for 1 module (Social Entrepreneurship, that was a fun module though). Sadly, I finished my Conjunct terms but at least I got to make some good memories in Peer Helpers with some new friends (who so readily accepted me into their circle aww!) and my Bestie (like finally making memories and having time after that 2017 and 2018 hiatus). It was also the semester right after exchange and the exchange withdrawal did not help at all. Ah, and it was also the job-searching season. It all sums up to “last sem, not best sem”.
But I guess it’s all because it’s not my last sem after all! LOL
After failing one module, I had to reconsider my plans. It was straightforward at first, graduate and find a job. However, now I do not have a degree and have to complete one more module. My options were to take another semester in Aug – Dec 2019 (while doing something on the side of course) and start working full-time in Jan 2020. Otherwise, I could work full-time while completing my degree.
I was lucky, because it was a GE (General ‘something’) module which I had to clear, I was able to take a module in the SMU Global Summer Programme (and again, was the Teaching Assistant for Social Entrepreneurship). The module, ‘Screening Asia History, Society and Politics in Films’, exposed me to many thought-provoking and symbolic Asian films (my personal favourite was Dangal, which is available on Netflix!). I absolutely LOVE that module (even though I have to attend an 8.15am class on every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday for four weeks).
From history to modern societal issues, from scene intentions to the deliberate silences, I had thrived in the stimulating discussion and analysis of the films. The final paper, which is to write about any Asian films, was one of my favourite paper to write in SMU as shown in Appendix G (of a beautiful shot of the four walls to depict the entrapment of women).
The A+ for that module did not salvage the damage done by the F. Lost my distinction.
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