Study

Do you put on a jacket to keep warm or prevent you from catching a cold?

Is running away from something the same as running towards its polar opposite?

I just had a couple of thoughts about academics as I observe my biochem class which has been increased with polytechnic derived students. I see them thru the whole semester eternally locked away in the library.. with incredible discipline and kiasu-ness. How does one explain such a phenomenon? At the revision tute, one of them gave the lecture a whole list of questions to answer.. infront of the whole class.. u could hear the murmuring as he unbashedly went up with his whole plethora of questions. I admire this person for being thick-skinned tho probably this would probably be the contrary to the culture here. It was then I began to ask myself- what drives these people?

A passing comment from one was "I didn't do well then, I gotta buck up now"

I was quite in agreement with that- I came here living on a second chance. I totally empathise with that statement. But yet they seem to isolate themselves from the whole world and delve into the academic realm.. once again becoming cliquish to their own kind.. Observing their social interactions, I wanted to understand the underlying mechanisms that produce the resultant phenotype.

Could it be perhaps of intimidation? entering uni as a greenhorn in 3rd year isnt exactly the smoothest passage- probably more like the opening shock of jumping out of a plane. And having to get up to speed with the curricula.

Could it be of sheer competition that they just want to beat the competition? Esteeming students of Australian education as ill disciplined, slack and hedonistic and hence easy prey? cos if they stayed home in Sg, placed amongst RJ students or the equally elite of Singaporean education, it would be a wipeout.

Could it be the shame of failure that is so deep rooted in our society? The social norm demands our utmost efforts to maintain and establish honour and more so to honour our parents expectations?

thus this leads me to archaic and very cliche 'carrot or stick' themed comment:

Is it studying for fear of failure or is it studying out of passionate love?

Because both would most likely- in the acute phase, produce the same effect. It is probably not a very wise thing to question the motives of studying on the eve of exams- but I shall be as incisive so as to gain insight. Most parents would say to you: "it is for your future" or "we cannot lose out to others" or compare you to other brigher kids and ask "why can't you be like (insert the name of the genius of choice)?" Perhaps its such things that give rise to such fervour in work?

I would want to ask them " why are you studying science? " and probably predict a very cliche answer "cos I can't do anything else" or " I didnt know what else to do "

I have yet to hear a person tell me in utmost earnesty "because I love science with all my heart". One thing that I would want to clear misconceptions about Australians being more laid back- whilst they may lack the forged iron discipline of Asian students, they make up with passion.. a love that drives them and keeps them going.. the exact description is UNCONDITIONAL.. regardless of the results they obtain.

On the eve of my impending graduation, I think its important to consider this paradigm- understanding why things are done and not just doing things for the sake of it- And I firmly believe that doing things out of love is much better than doing out of fear

Likewise in the same manner, in my hours spent at the library, when I grow weary of the day and work, I'll remember that its not the fear of failure but rather the love of science that I must have to keep me going.

-Postera Crescam Laude-