organised chaos

hey Lubs,
dont worry, u’re not the only one who’s feeling like this..i dont know what’s wrong with me but the will to study is just not there anymore.. *sigh* i guess we’re all just exhausted - physically and mentally.. anyway, all the best yang *hugs*

Lubna, everything will be okay… =)

*hugs*

But Lubna, exams aren’t a bad thing. We may seek knowledge for knowledge itself, but all too often reality comes into the picture and we have to actually use that knowledge.

And when you’re using that knowledge for someone else (and they’re paying you to do so), they like to be assured that you haven’t just read the book but can also answer the problems that they are facing.

It would be awesome if we could devise a good exam for our politicians. That way I’d actually know if they could use the knowledge that they have in their heads. Knowledge is a wonderful thing, but we should be able to use it too. And to make sure of that, right now there aren’t many other alternatives besides exams.

Although I do agree with you that our exams are badly designed. VERY badly designed. A little less emphasis should be placed on memorizing and more emphasis on problem-solving.

But of course, that can’t just hold for university-level exams. The kids would get a shocker if that happened.

We’d have to train them from an early age, all the way since primary/grade school.

Notice though, that I didn’t say that we should do away with memorizing completely. We still need to have people who can remember things, simply because some things simply must be remembered.

It wouldn’t do for a doctor to refer to his textbooks everytime he had an open-heart surgery now, right? And I would definitely prefer my accountants and lawyers to actually remember the names of whatever processes they’re helping me through.

With that said, good luck for your exams.

You’ll be alrite sweetie.

And if it helps at all, I fully intend on hiring you one day insyaAllah.

Be brave Lubna. You’ve got people believing in you, now you have to do the same!

Lots of love -M

Dee, Puteri and Maddie,
What have I ever done to deserve such lovely dear friends? Words won’t do justice - thank you so much for the support and encouragement, it feels like hearing resounding cheers on the last stretch of the race. I’m praying the best for you three for your finals too.

Lutfi,
Not that I don’t appreciate your good luck wish too of course, thank you. Your comment was aptly put, you’re quite right, knowledge needs to be tested to ensure it’s put to proper use. No point in knowing something if it isn’t going to contribute to anything useful, is there?

Don’t mind my entry Lutfi, I’m just very exam-phobic during finals, and I tend to vent it out in as many ways possible, blogging being one of them.

That being said though, I did mention some few entries ago that appraising a person’s skills can come in so many forms other than a written answer script. If exams really are the way to go, then maybe something can be done about the coursework and the allocation of marks so that students won’t be restricted to regurgitating in the halls come exam day. I’ve known people to memorise their notes by heart and ace their exams, but falter when it comes to practical application. As for me, my problem is I tend to ask too many questions. The mind wanders.

There has got to be a balance struck between allowing students the room for creativity and restricting lectures to a certain scope so that the syllabus can be completed. But it’s impossible to exercise any creative liberties when it’s been suppressed since childhood, and you’re left second-guessing whether or not your opinions are on the right track. It’s even more frustrating when you have students around you that want nothing more than to get with the programme, and stare you down when you have a quick opinion or two to share. You tend to be left very discouraged, and in the end settle for being ‘one of the spoon-fed member of the crowd’.

Another problem I have is the general attitude Malaysians have towards examinations. I don’t think I need to elaborate on that point. I wonder what record is going to be set this year. What do you think, is 30A1s too far-fetched?

I did a research paper on Education in Malaysia back in matrics; the system definitely needs a revamp. It can’t happen overnight since such a drastic overhaul would leave students in a state of quandary. One of the (many) cons of education here is the uncertainty surrounding it. Should Maths and Science be taught in English? What defines an Apex uni? Are standards in Malaysia so low that 21As is achievable (with all due respect to the candidate)?

I think I’ve digressed enough to respond with an entry-long comment, but I think you’ll have an idea of my general dissatisfaction with exams. We’ve been exam-oriented throughout our entire formal education days, and maybe at uni level, it’s just one too many exams I can’t take. But then, that’s just me. Other people seem to be alright with it.

I can’t think of a conclusion to this, it’s just random points I thought I’d bring up so that you might understand my reaching the breaking point. Finals have that effect, if you remember.
Thanks for dropping by and sharing your thoughts - a nice surprise for a Sunday morning!

(and yeah, sorry panjang reply. It happens.)