"The sun that rises in the morning of 1st January 2016 is the same as sunrises on any other days. Resolutions should be made everyday, not just once a year"
That was the quote which I paraphrased from my lecturer's Facebook post. I wholeheartedly agree. We shouldn't just wait until new year to make new resolutions. How many among us has unfulfilled resolutions each year? I know I do.
But in the same time, I believe it is part of our nature to symbolize new year as an opportunity for a "new me". We all have things that we feel it is better to be done tomorrow, next week, or even next month, because it is easier on our mind time frame.
My point is, there should be no problems with others wanting to make resolutions on new year as well.
That was the quote which I paraphrased from my lecturer's Facebook post. I wholeheartedly agree. We shouldn't just wait until new year to make new resolutions. How many among us has unfulfilled resolutions each year? I know I do.
But in the same time, I believe it is part of our nature to symbolize new year as an opportunity for a "new me". We all have things that we feel it is better to be done tomorrow, next week, or even next month, because it is easier on our mind time frame.
My point is, there should be no problems with others wanting to make resolutions on new year as well.
As for me, well, I also have my resolutions, or things that I want to achieve. I never made any New Year Resolutions before, I think, or maybe I just never bothered to make a list to make sure that I am moving towards accomplishing my goals.
But in 2015, I get to experience a lot of things, especially on education and learning. The experiences made me want to have dreams. Big dreams. Every time there's something that I want to achieve, I put it on my list. Since 2015 has ended a few days ago, I figured this is a perfect time to show the goals that I have gathered throughout 2015.
But in 2015, I get to experience a lot of things, especially on education and learning. The experiences made me want to have dreams. Big dreams. Every time there's something that I want to achieve, I put it on my list. Since 2015 has ended a few days ago, I figured this is a perfect time to show the goals that I have gathered throughout 2015.
1. Working hard on my Masters studies.
This is the most important thing for me right now. There are a lot of people that I indebted to for giving me the chances to pursue my Masters in Computer Science, especially my advisers. I have to admit that taking Full Research mode is overwhelming for me, but I am thankful for those who are being truly supportive to me.
Most importantly, the topic that were given to me is very interesting (combining programming, video games and education). I may think too hard on this, since I think that I am surrounded by my fears of not knowing and fears of "this-is-too-hard-for-me". Three of my irrationals fear right now are: how can I get so many references, how to create my own framework, and how to do literature review. But in the same time, I know that I'll get it done.
I am slowly changing my mindset, and I truly hope I can finish my Masters studies with excellence.
2. Preparing myself to teach Algebra for International Mathematics Olympiad 2017 workshop.
I have been teaching Olympiad Math for a while now, but I never taught any advanced materials. There are always someone out there who are can teach them better than me, I thought. But last month I get to see what's happening behind the scene, I know that there are shortage of trainers and lecturers for Malaysian IMO team.
I am content with being facilitator, but Suhaimi asked whether I can teach Algebra to the IMO team candidates for next year. When someone you admire makes you feel important, you know you can't let them down (Yeah, I thought I was useless and can't make a lot of changes when it involves IMO). So I said yes, I will do it and will be fully prepared when time comes.
Surprisingly, the chance could not come soon enough, as Suhaimi asked me to teach Algebra in the next workshop, which will be held in third week of January. Am I prepared? Hell no. But should I take this opportunity to step up my game? Hell yeah.
3. Read two whole books per month
I set this goal in early 2015. I know I purchased a lot of books, but I didn't finish reading as fast as I am buying new ones. Also I didn't make a list of the books that I finished, so it's hard for me to recall the books that I have finished. So in addition to reading the books, I'll make a list of my finished book for my future references. I also made a reading list so that I can be more focused on choosing books to read each month. Currently, I am reading two books on self-help for me to finish both in January, and I think it is a nice start for me in 2016.
There are three books that I finished in 2015 that I remember fondly, and I will write about those three books in the next post.
4. Learn new skills
When I was teaching Mathematics in PERMATApintar summer camp last month, I get to see a fellow friend of mine played piano, and he played a Final Fantasy X theme song: To Zanarkand. I was highly impressed by his skills. Throughout the camp, I learned that he also knows how to speak and write Japanese and Korean. My impression of him skyrocketed. Then I realized that besides Mathematics and studying, I don't really have any skills that I can be proud of.
So I picked up a 32-key keyboard and learned a few easy songs (like Ode To Joy). Now I wish I have a bigger keyboard. I'll purchase it someday when I have lots of disposable income.
Then I also bought a drawing tablet by Wacom. Usually in IMO camp, we used the tablet and projector to replace marker and whiteboard. It is easier, more economics, and looks cool in the same time. I usually borrowed Suhaimi's, so I decided to get one for my future uses. In the same time, I think it would be such a waste if I only use it for educational purpose. I could use it to learn to draw things as well. I haven't started seriously yet, but I'm eager to learn how to draw arts.
I have talked a lot about doing business with Haikkal, and there are a lot of crazy ideas that we came out with. For our future business purpose, I want to learn on how to develop apps and how to develop games. Right now I don't have the necessary software to work on, so we may have to wait a while before we can start building an app of our own. But we definitely want to work it out.
5. Manage my finance better
Since now I got paid monthly for working as Graduate Research Assistant, I really need to work on my financial management skills. Honestly, I'm suck at handling money. I can either consult experts, go to seminars, or read books on financial management. Anyone would like to help?
One of the things that I need right now is to have self-control when it comes to spending money.
. . .
This is the most important thing for me right now. There are a lot of people that I indebted to for giving me the chances to pursue my Masters in Computer Science, especially my advisers. I have to admit that taking Full Research mode is overwhelming for me, but I am thankful for those who are being truly supportive to me.
Most importantly, the topic that were given to me is very interesting (combining programming, video games and education). I may think too hard on this, since I think that I am surrounded by my fears of not knowing and fears of "this-is-too-hard-for-me". Three of my irrationals fear right now are: how can I get so many references, how to create my own framework, and how to do literature review. But in the same time, I know that I'll get it done.
I am slowly changing my mindset, and I truly hope I can finish my Masters studies with excellence.
2. Preparing myself to teach Algebra for International Mathematics Olympiad 2017 workshop.
I have been teaching Olympiad Math for a while now, but I never taught any advanced materials. There are always someone out there who are can teach them better than me, I thought. But last month I get to see what's happening behind the scene, I know that there are shortage of trainers and lecturers for Malaysian IMO team.
I am content with being facilitator, but Suhaimi asked whether I can teach Algebra to the IMO team candidates for next year. When someone you admire makes you feel important, you know you can't let them down (Yeah, I thought I was useless and can't make a lot of changes when it involves IMO). So I said yes, I will do it and will be fully prepared when time comes.
Surprisingly, the chance could not come soon enough, as Suhaimi asked me to teach Algebra in the next workshop, which will be held in third week of January. Am I prepared? Hell no. But should I take this opportunity to step up my game? Hell yeah.
3. Read two whole books per month
I set this goal in early 2015. I know I purchased a lot of books, but I didn't finish reading as fast as I am buying new ones. Also I didn't make a list of the books that I finished, so it's hard for me to recall the books that I have finished. So in addition to reading the books, I'll make a list of my finished book for my future references. I also made a reading list so that I can be more focused on choosing books to read each month. Currently, I am reading two books on self-help for me to finish both in January, and I think it is a nice start for me in 2016.
There are three books that I finished in 2015 that I remember fondly, and I will write about those three books in the next post.
4. Learn new skills
When I was teaching Mathematics in PERMATApintar summer camp last month, I get to see a fellow friend of mine played piano, and he played a Final Fantasy X theme song: To Zanarkand. I was highly impressed by his skills. Throughout the camp, I learned that he also knows how to speak and write Japanese and Korean. My impression of him skyrocketed. Then I realized that besides Mathematics and studying, I don't really have any skills that I can be proud of.
So I picked up a 32-key keyboard and learned a few easy songs (like Ode To Joy). Now I wish I have a bigger keyboard. I'll purchase it someday when I have lots of disposable income.
Then I also bought a drawing tablet by Wacom. Usually in IMO camp, we used the tablet and projector to replace marker and whiteboard. It is easier, more economics, and looks cool in the same time. I usually borrowed Suhaimi's, so I decided to get one for my future uses. In the same time, I think it would be such a waste if I only use it for educational purpose. I could use it to learn to draw things as well. I haven't started seriously yet, but I'm eager to learn how to draw arts.
I have talked a lot about doing business with Haikkal, and there are a lot of crazy ideas that we came out with. For our future business purpose, I want to learn on how to develop apps and how to develop games. Right now I don't have the necessary software to work on, so we may have to wait a while before we can start building an app of our own. But we definitely want to work it out.
5. Manage my finance better
Since now I got paid monthly for working as Graduate Research Assistant, I really need to work on my financial management skills. Honestly, I'm suck at handling money. I can either consult experts, go to seminars, or read books on financial management. Anyone would like to help?
One of the things that I need right now is to have self-control when it comes to spending money.
. . .
There are many more things that I want to achieve in life. For example, I didn't include "To Get Married" here. Not because I don't want to get married (in fact, I really hope my marriage comes as soon as possible), but I believe that if I can achieve many of my goals first, then I think I am more prepared for sharing life with my significant other (especially financial management). It is still in my targeted goals.
My targeted goals is not just the five things that I listed, More will be added in the future, and there are many more still left unsaid.
During my undergraduate years, I only focused on getting good results (with reasons). Now that I finished my degree studies and expanded my horizon a bit, I can see myself doing a lot of things. That is why I have set these goals for myself.
How about you? Do you have your own goals that you want to achieve this year? Share your goals in the comment section below!