KOH HUI LING (MIC 190014)

COURSE CODE (COURSE):     GIG 1005 (SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT)

NAME (MATRICS NUMBER): KOH HUI LING (MIC 190014)

REFLECTIVE WRITING

DATE: 13 MARCH 2020

                 

During the first semester, we were called up to have a briefing on the activities to be done for the Social Engagement. Initially I was quite anxious as I thought it would be a tough course. Social Engagement was totally a new course for us as if we didn’t even know that we have to take such course. Thereafter, I was relieved after listening to the briefing delivered by Dr.Puah and I was so impressed by her enthusiasm in guiding us. Energetic, dedication, patience, thoughtful... The vibe seems like to be influenced by her, we were looking forward for the upcoming activities. We were even happier as Dr announced that she has claimed money to support the costs of our activities, so, we are lucky enough to skip ourselves from washing cars to raise fund as what seniors have done. After the short briefing, the first thought that came across my mind related to such activities is spreading love along our journey of learning. When the work field days were just around the corner, I was quite worry as if the events would be cancelled due to the threat of COVID-19. Fortunately, everything just went on smoothly.

 During work field days, which were carried out during second semester, I was so amazed by the affable teacher in-charge of SMK Pantai Subang. For both work field days, she gave us her fullest supports to us, welcoming us enthusiastically, helping us to catch students’ attention and even asked more students to join our activities during the second work field days as it was a meaningful activity, she said. Before starting the activities, all of us worked hand in hand to get things organized, such as distributing apparatus and materials to be used to each group. When the activity was about to begin, I was so anxious as I do not know ways of communicating with students well besides I am weak in conveying my knowledge to others, especially in Bahasa Malaysia. Initially, I was awkward but I encouraged myself to try my best to treat them like kids as if DNA such topic is a brand-new exposure for them. Step by step, my partner and I guided them slowly and I thought they would feel that the way we conveyed the message was boring. Unexpectedly, they were so curious and excited with all the hands-on activities. 

During quiz session, they even managed to grab the opportunities to answer the prepared quizzes. The moment I helped them to grab the chance to answer those quizzes, I felt like, I had returned to my secondary school time as if I felt the energy of youth. For the second work field day, I was so shocked that they still remember me. Such phenomenon boosted my confidence and courage. In the progress, they failed to identify the real crime for the hands-on activity. So, I tried to comfort them with Dr’s saying, that is, mistake is a learning process, you will never learn until you do a mistake. And, we still took our group photo with the faulty answers although they refused at first as they felt ashamed of their mistakes. Then and there, we told them that this was part of their learning proves. After comforting them, we worked together to search the cause of the mistakes. Eventually, during quiz session, they were able to grab to answer 2 to 3 questions. I was so jubilant as such performance showed their improvement besides it was akin of their learning proves. Before leaving, we managed to take photos to record our sweet memories. Out of sudden, they shouted a slogan prepared by them. The moment I heard the slogan, I was so touched till having goose bumps. I was indeed jubilant although both were tiring days.

In short, I am really grateful that I am given such golden opportunities to carry out such fruitful activities, in which these values are precious and only available when you become part of it, unlike what we have learnt in lecture notes. Thank you for Dr. Puah’s dedication in organizing such meaningful activities and all Drs who involved as they were always be with us to back up and assist us. Thank you to all my friends who helped and supported me along the way. I am feeling blessed as I can strongly feel that the bonding between our batch is being enhanced. Without all of you, such activities would not be a success. Through such activities, I have also learnt the values of teamwork and unity. While the students enjoying their recess time, certainly we would automatically sit around a table to discuss improvement that can be done and what to do for the upcoming activities. As Eden Ahbez said, the greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return. Throughout these activities, we were lucky enough to have group of cute students who gave us their fullest support to us as their love towards us. The satisfaction of service to the mankind is just nice as it allows us to learn to love and to be loved. The most significant lesson I have learnt is, to be brave to try as there is a saying in Waltz Disney, venture outside the comfort zone, the rewards are worth it. Just a little change, small to say the least, be brave to step out the first step, you will be surprised with all changes in your life. Through such activities, I just realised that, sometimes, learning can be just as easy as games as long as we focus whole-heartedly. I, do essence, hope that those knowledge being conveyed by us may aid to make an easier pathway for them to be successful in their academics in future besides promoting a better grasp of fundamental scientific knowledge.

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