Wednesday, September 28, 2011
The road not taken
The thought that came to we as I read this poem was the decision making of the persona. Apparently, the persona feels that a single decision can change him for his whole life. The persona is taking the scene in the forest as an example. He probably faces two similiar roads, taking one ans tells himself that he may take it next time, however, it was unlikely.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Sacrifice to make someone happy
It all happened during my primary 6 year.
My class had a vase that was made and designed specially by my form teacher, to beautify the class. She made it clear to be extremely careful in class not the break, or else we will have to stay back in school for three hours of corrective work order.
That day, I was sitting in the class, with only my tablemate, Jovin whose mother was fatally ill. As such, he had trouble focusing in class, as he stayed by his mother almost every night, moreover, he was extremely worried about his mother. He was a relatively shy boy, he told me about his condition only because I was his close friend, he disliked talking about his family matters, a requested me not to tell others about his condition. As I was doing my homework, I happened to see Jovin walking hurriedly towards the exit after picking up a call. He appeared to be shocked by the call as he whole face was pale white. I thought that it may his mother’s have worsened suddenly.
However, a loud “CRASH” was soon heard. Jovin had accidently knocked the vase to the ground in middle of his confusion and anxiety. It happens so coincidentally that the form teacher walked past the class to witness the sight of the broken vase.
I knew I had to do something. Knowing Jovin, he will not tell the form teacher that he was in hurry to the hospital, and rather does the corrective work order. However, what if it was his last moment with his mother? I believe, it will become his greatest regret in life. Hence, I decided to take the blame for breaking the vase.
“Did you do it? You should have been much MORE careful. I suppose you know the consequences well right?” I nodded silently as I stole a glance at Jovin. I could tell that Jovin was extremely grateful to me. I signaled him to leave immediately.
The next day, Jovin came to me.
“Thank you for what you did yesterday, I did not expect you to do that. Even though my mum passed away, I’m sure she’d leave peacefully after seeing me for the last time.” Upon hearing, I felt sad for him. I had not regret making such a sacrifice as I am sure the Jovin was happy to be able to see his mother off her last journey. Also this sacrifice was worthwhile, to be able to prevent my close friend from having a regret for his life.
My class had a vase that was made and designed specially by my form teacher, to beautify the class. She made it clear to be extremely careful in class not the break, or else we will have to stay back in school for three hours of corrective work order.
That day, I was sitting in the class, with only my tablemate, Jovin whose mother was fatally ill. As such, he had trouble focusing in class, as he stayed by his mother almost every night, moreover, he was extremely worried about his mother. He was a relatively shy boy, he told me about his condition only because I was his close friend, he disliked talking about his family matters, a requested me not to tell others about his condition. As I was doing my homework, I happened to see Jovin walking hurriedly towards the exit after picking up a call. He appeared to be shocked by the call as he whole face was pale white. I thought that it may his mother’s have worsened suddenly.
However, a loud “CRASH” was soon heard. Jovin had accidently knocked the vase to the ground in middle of his confusion and anxiety. It happens so coincidentally that the form teacher walked past the class to witness the sight of the broken vase.
I knew I had to do something. Knowing Jovin, he will not tell the form teacher that he was in hurry to the hospital, and rather does the corrective work order. However, what if it was his last moment with his mother? I believe, it will become his greatest regret in life. Hence, I decided to take the blame for breaking the vase.
“Did you do it? You should have been much MORE careful. I suppose you know the consequences well right?” I nodded silently as I stole a glance at Jovin. I could tell that Jovin was extremely grateful to me. I signaled him to leave immediately.
The next day, Jovin came to me.
“Thank you for what you did yesterday, I did not expect you to do that. Even though my mum passed away, I’m sure she’d leave peacefully after seeing me for the last time.” Upon hearing, I felt sad for him. I had not regret making such a sacrifice as I am sure the Jovin was happy to be able to see his mother off her last journey. Also this sacrifice was worthwhile, to be able to prevent my close friend from having a regret for his life.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Schools should place more emphasis on character development than academic excellence. Do you agree or disagree?
I disagree that schools should place more emphasis on character development than academic excellence. I feel that character development will be more effectively developed at home, schools are meant for the students to study in, and lastly, schools are not able to develop students in different aspects of students on character development.
Character development will be more effectively developed at home. Majority number of students will spend more time at home than in school, and character development takes a long period of time to be inculcated into students hence, in the homes of the students can their character be effectively developed. The parents of the students are also closer as compared to their teachers, as such, they will better accept words from their parents. Moreover, teachers have to face more than 30 students in a class, and cannot handle every single student, while parents will only have to face at most a few children and are able to focus on the student’s character development.
Schools are also meant for the students to study. Every student on average spend about 7 hours in school every day. 7 hours in school is not a lot, and hence time in school is extremely precious for the students to gain knowledge. If the school were to focus too much about character development, in would then give less focus to the academic excellence of the students, affecting the capabilities of the people as a whole.
Lastly, schools are not able to develop students in different aspects of students on character development. I feel that not every teacher understands their student that well, and knows what aspect the student is lacking. Every student is unique, and has different shortcomings, as such, same measures may not be applicable for every single student. Also, values such as filial piety can be really hard to be explained to the student, as it is not something that can be understood by students merely through explanation. Hence, with more emphasis on character development, students may not be able to fulfill their shortcomings and hence proving the measures useless.
Hence, in conclusion, I disagree that schools should place more emphasis on character development than academic excellence. I feel that character development will be more effectively developed at home, schools are meant for the students to study in, and lastly, schools are not able to develop students in different aspects of students on character development.
Character development will be more effectively developed at home. Majority number of students will spend more time at home than in school, and character development takes a long period of time to be inculcated into students hence, in the homes of the students can their character be effectively developed. The parents of the students are also closer as compared to their teachers, as such, they will better accept words from their parents. Moreover, teachers have to face more than 30 students in a class, and cannot handle every single student, while parents will only have to face at most a few children and are able to focus on the student’s character development.
Schools are also meant for the students to study. Every student on average spend about 7 hours in school every day. 7 hours in school is not a lot, and hence time in school is extremely precious for the students to gain knowledge. If the school were to focus too much about character development, in would then give less focus to the academic excellence of the students, affecting the capabilities of the people as a whole.
Lastly, schools are not able to develop students in different aspects of students on character development. I feel that not every teacher understands their student that well, and knows what aspect the student is lacking. Every student is unique, and has different shortcomings, as such, same measures may not be applicable for every single student. Also, values such as filial piety can be really hard to be explained to the student, as it is not something that can be understood by students merely through explanation. Hence, with more emphasis on character development, students may not be able to fulfill their shortcomings and hence proving the measures useless.
Hence, in conclusion, I disagree that schools should place more emphasis on character development than academic excellence. I feel that character development will be more effectively developed at home, schools are meant for the students to study in, and lastly, schools are not able to develop students in different aspects of students on character development.
My Ideal School
I feel that my ideal school would be one that provides a good environment to study, develops its students in their strengths but not merely in terms of academic and lastly, understands its students.
An ideal school provides a good environment for studying. How do I define the word "good"? I feel it means that the school is clean and comfortable such that a student will feel that he or she is as though at home or even better than their homes. It should also be quiet such that the student can have their full concentration when revising or doing work. It should best be fully air-conditioned, and provide much convenience, for example, the canteen should not be too far from the classrooms.
Then, the school should nurture all-rounded students and not merely in terms of academic results. To achieve this, academic results should not be the sole criteria for promotions. The combinations for the subjects chosen by the students should have a great variety for students to choose from. Teachers then aim to push their students to the greatest potential in the strengths and not try to improve on the weaknesses. In my opinion, to become successful, what one needs is not to be good at everything, but to excel and be outstanding in just one aspect. Hence, for the students to be able to achieve their fullest potential, the school should help the students to find out what are their strengths, be it in terms of academic, sports or arts.
Lastly, a school should accept changes, and not stubbornly uphold traditions. For example, the school should openly accept reasonable suggestions that are supported by the majority number of students. For example, in terms of the outfits of the students I believe students should have a choice of what kind of shoes, socks of spectacles to wear. For the uniform, I think slight modifications can also be accepted. As though I agree that traditional moral values should be passed on, students should not be compared as of the past, since different generations have different perspective. I do not think that a school can progress if it were to aim to become like the past.
Hence, in conclusion, I feel that my ideal school would be one that provides a good environment to study, develops its students in their strengths but not merely in terms of academic and lastly, understands its students.
An ideal school provides a good environment for studying. How do I define the word "good"? I feel it means that the school is clean and comfortable such that a student will feel that he or she is as though at home or even better than their homes. It should also be quiet such that the student can have their full concentration when revising or doing work. It should best be fully air-conditioned, and provide much convenience, for example, the canteen should not be too far from the classrooms.
Then, the school should nurture all-rounded students and not merely in terms of academic results. To achieve this, academic results should not be the sole criteria for promotions. The combinations for the subjects chosen by the students should have a great variety for students to choose from. Teachers then aim to push their students to the greatest potential in the strengths and not try to improve on the weaknesses. In my opinion, to become successful, what one needs is not to be good at everything, but to excel and be outstanding in just one aspect. Hence, for the students to be able to achieve their fullest potential, the school should help the students to find out what are their strengths, be it in terms of academic, sports or arts.
Lastly, a school should accept changes, and not stubbornly uphold traditions. For example, the school should openly accept reasonable suggestions that are supported by the majority number of students. For example, in terms of the outfits of the students I believe students should have a choice of what kind of shoes, socks of spectacles to wear. For the uniform, I think slight modifications can also be accepted. As though I agree that traditional moral values should be passed on, students should not be compared as of the past, since different generations have different perspective. I do not think that a school can progress if it were to aim to become like the past.
Hence, in conclusion, I feel that my ideal school would be one that provides a good environment to study, develops its students in their strengths but not merely in terms of academic and lastly, understands its students.
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