This month has to be the most productive, if not a memorable one. Having led a mundane lifestyle over the last eight months or so, it was indeed refreshing to experience a change. A number of positive developments had taken place from both an academic and personal aspect.
To begin with, I had the opportunity to attend the Freedom Film Festival with Chong Shen from A49 earlier this month. It was very kind of him to remember that I have a keen interest in issues relating to human rights and civil liberties. The said event was extremely inspiring, moving and in many ways, it was also enlightening. I had an enjoyable day with him as he was mature and sincere to interact with, even though he is four years younger than I am.
After weeks of procrastination, I have finally booked an appointment to sit the LNAT. Since last year, I had been rather worked up over the preparations for the much dreaded LNAT. I spent months struggling to perfect the multiple questions, as well as, the essay writing section. Alas, my disappointing performance in the practice test in the self-help book has reduced me to believe that I was going to do poorly in the actual exams. However, as of late, I noticed a sign of improvement, especially with my comprehension skills while tackling the multiple choice questions. I was able to achieve correct answers for most passages through the use of techniques that I have learned from the book. It is also worth mentioning that, that such incidents rarely occur. It was as though my mind had 'opened up' after a whole year, which I am glad that it finally did.
At the beginning of the week, I got into a huge argument with my girlfriend. We ended up not speaking for two days, which seldom happens since it has been our nature to speak on the phone each day. Much of this was attributed to our difference of opinions on a great deal of issues, as well as, the inconsiderable responses we made to each other. In fact, it was the latter that deepen my anger and frustration towards her. What began as a typical discussion between the two of us turned into a cross-examination session of hers, which I found extremely insensitive, rude and intolerable. My opinions were constantly undermined and I disliked the feeling that my significant other was out to get me. However, we had a discussion last night of our true feelings of each other. This led to a reaching of an understanding which we then made peace.
A week ago, I was informed that I was scheduled for an interview with Mr. Arun, which I hardly prepared for. Having had one day before the interview to anticipate the questions that may arise, as well as, construct my answers, the night before was spent arguing with my girlfriend! This had affected me emotionally and mentally, which led to my unpreparedness for the mock interview organized by the college. During the interview, the questions posed were fairly pointblank; I was not at all nervous and managed to answer every question, even though there were a few that I had not expected at all. Overall, I felt my performance at the interview was mediocre.
The final 'positive' event took place yesterday. I had the chance to meet up with an estranged friend of mine. Although the meeting was entirely unplanned, it was most unfortunate that we got off on the wrong foot. Thankfully, I was able to make peace with him before the situation got out of control. In the end, we managed to have some earnest discussions about ourselves, which I felt was important to rekindling our friendship.
There is much in line for me over the next few months. Apart from sitting the LNAT which is on October 8th, the Oxford interview is scheduled a week after that (assuming that I get an interview, which I really hope I do). There is also a mock exam for Economics this coming Tuesday. Ultimately, I need to ace the January 2008 exams to ensure that I am offered a place at the universities that I have applied to.
To begin with, I had the opportunity to attend the Freedom Film Festival with Chong Shen from A49 earlier this month. It was very kind of him to remember that I have a keen interest in issues relating to human rights and civil liberties. The said event was extremely inspiring, moving and in many ways, it was also enlightening. I had an enjoyable day with him as he was mature and sincere to interact with, even though he is four years younger than I am.
After weeks of procrastination, I have finally booked an appointment to sit the LNAT. Since last year, I had been rather worked up over the preparations for the much dreaded LNAT. I spent months struggling to perfect the multiple questions, as well as, the essay writing section. Alas, my disappointing performance in the practice test in the self-help book has reduced me to believe that I was going to do poorly in the actual exams. However, as of late, I noticed a sign of improvement, especially with my comprehension skills while tackling the multiple choice questions. I was able to achieve correct answers for most passages through the use of techniques that I have learned from the book. It is also worth mentioning that, that such incidents rarely occur. It was as though my mind had 'opened up' after a whole year, which I am glad that it finally did.
At the beginning of the week, I got into a huge argument with my girlfriend. We ended up not speaking for two days, which seldom happens since it has been our nature to speak on the phone each day. Much of this was attributed to our difference of opinions on a great deal of issues, as well as, the inconsiderable responses we made to each other. In fact, it was the latter that deepen my anger and frustration towards her. What began as a typical discussion between the two of us turned into a cross-examination session of hers, which I found extremely insensitive, rude and intolerable. My opinions were constantly undermined and I disliked the feeling that my significant other was out to get me. However, we had a discussion last night of our true feelings of each other. This led to a reaching of an understanding which we then made peace.
A week ago, I was informed that I was scheduled for an interview with Mr. Arun, which I hardly prepared for. Having had one day before the interview to anticipate the questions that may arise, as well as, construct my answers, the night before was spent arguing with my girlfriend! This had affected me emotionally and mentally, which led to my unpreparedness for the mock interview organized by the college. During the interview, the questions posed were fairly pointblank; I was not at all nervous and managed to answer every question, even though there were a few that I had not expected at all. Overall, I felt my performance at the interview was mediocre.
The final 'positive' event took place yesterday. I had the chance to meet up with an estranged friend of mine. Although the meeting was entirely unplanned, it was most unfortunate that we got off on the wrong foot. Thankfully, I was able to make peace with him before the situation got out of control. In the end, we managed to have some earnest discussions about ourselves, which I felt was important to rekindling our friendship.
There is much in line for me over the next few months. Apart from sitting the LNAT which is on October 8th, the Oxford interview is scheduled a week after that (assuming that I get an interview, which I really hope I do). There is also a mock exam for Economics this coming Tuesday. Ultimately, I need to ace the January 2008 exams to ensure that I am offered a place at the universities that I have applied to.
