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Sunday, June 26, 2005
I wonder if the email sent by one of the Professors sometime back regarding the "Facts of Life" is still in some corner of your brain. But for a refresher, this was what that was written:
Dear students,
Fact of life 1: Most people tend to over-estimate their performance. For example, I think I am an above-average instructor in SMU. However, the truth is that students' evaulations don't support this psychological thinking. So, take my advice: Don't over-estimate and self-create unhappiness.
Fact of life 2: Hard work is a necessary condition to excel. But hard work alone is not sufficient to guarantee excellence. Take my advice: Don't think that you put in efforts and therefore deserve a higher grade. Take a look at the very hard-working workers. I can assure you that there are endless stories told about hardwork but don't get the pay rise or promotion.
Fact of life 3: Despite acrimonious and personal criticisms I received for the mid term and probably end-of-course evaluations, I am generous in giving you marks for class participation, individual persentations and project reports. I am also very generous to give all students two marks for the last question in the final test. So take my advice: Don't spoil my generosity.
Fact of life 4: You have until 30 April 2005 to review your grades. I have taken pain to make sure that the grades are fair, error-free and commensurate with your ability and performance.
Fact of life 5: In finance, the no-free-lunch or no-arbitrage principle applies. If you want a review of your grade, I will also review less generously your class participation, the two marks for the last question, the project reports etc. There is a possibility that review requests may result in lower grades.
Thank you and take care.
I received an anonymous email today that was sent to all of us includign the professor who wrote this. The email really reflected what was on my mind:
Dear Professor,Fact of life 1:You are not incorrect to assume that most people over-estimate their performance. In fact, self-evaluations only do not correlate strongly nor reflect fairly on actual performance. Hoewever, such self-serving bias is functional in ego protection. Contrary to your reasoning, overestimating of one self does not create self-unhappiness. Failing to do so does.Fact of life 2: If you work hard just to get a promotion or a pay raise, you are in the wrong job. It is little wonder you fail to achieve despite all your efforts. Lament not what others do for you, but what u do for yourself.Fact of life 3: a) Comments and criticisms are part of life. Rather than be sore about it, channel your energy towards accepting them and changing your attitude and behavior. b) The purpose of a feedback system is so that everyone can be honest in assessment. I am sure the school did not create a feedback system just for students to praise instructors. For your case at least, the feedback system would be grossly under-used if it did.Fact of life 4: I am glad to know that you have taken pain to ensure the fairness of our grades. It is your job. You have proven yourself to be very worthy of the huge pay you pocket every month funded by our exorbitant school fees.Fact of life 5: Finance principles are finance principles. Grade reviews are grade reviews. Just because it is a finance module does not mean u apply finance principles to the grading system. By your reasoning, i would assume that if it were a social work module, the needy can therefore apply for 'grade aids'.Have a great week ahead.
This student was brave enough to send it to hte Professor himself. However upon receivign the email, I suddenly mustered enough courage to take the matter further. I will be awaiting the outcome. Till then, take care and have a great week ahead.
*| 8:23 AM |*
Saturday, June 18, 2005
The day that I have been looking forward to is coming soon, in less than 24 hrs time. My dearest is coming back. :) During the past week I have been thinking of him quite a bit. Missed him quite bad..and it was rly sweet of him to send me a few SMSes whenever he could.
Course bidding is starting soon, much much earlier than usual because of SMUve. Sigh. I do not particularly like racking my brains over what to do. But hey, next term there will be a course offered by a prof I like a lot! Really nice, friendly and approachable.Not the kind who'd dismiss your question as dumb. If I can, I'd be going for her class! :)
*| 6:16 AM |*
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Finally managed to get something nice while I was out yesterday. Mananged to get my bag ( I got a pink converse bag), and I went to have a haircut. I love my haircut to bits! That is what I call a MILLION DOLLAR HAIRCUT.
Felt so happy last evening.
*| 7:31 PM |*
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
People keep talking about how hard it is to earn money, but how easy it is to spend it.For me, I do find it hard to spend money! Arrgh. Simply had no chance to spend a single cent on my shopping trips yesterday and today. Really did not find anything I like. Sheesh. Shopping is such a waste of time when you do not even get 1 thing. And I dont like the feeling of walking for 4 hrs only to go back empty-handed, and seeing all the notes that you took out today still in the wallet. Really feel that I might as well stay at home and be a pig if I knew that I was to go back not buying anything at all despite walking for so long and till my feet hurt. I just wana spend some money, can?
*| 2:38 AM |*
Saturday, June 04, 2005
I just wish I can just DISINFECT MY WHOLE FUCKING CAR now with phenolic compounds, iodophors, activated glutaldehydes and so on. That FUCK ASS sitting on MY CAR RIGHT NOW PISSES ME OFF! Why dont HE JUST DROP DEAD?!?!
*| 2:02 AM |*
