Thinking for the Future

Ahhh midnight thoughts have brought me here. I needed to write about how I've been thinking about my future for the past 6 months or so.

Graduating is some scary business. There are so many opportunities out there: 

• Get a job
• Take professional classes (safety, chemical, etc)
• Further studies
• Get married (yeah, not really, not yet more like. LOL)

Anyway, I've been seriously considering Option #3, furthering my studies. It's always been this hidden intention to continue my studies in the UK. And well, last semester I started gathering information on prospective institutions that would accept little ol' me and what opportunities lay ahead. 

It wasn't easy at first, deciding to take the first step in researching about Master's degrees in engineering. But I think what hooked me was the feeling I felt when I opened up the programme's webpage. Reading the modules and courses offered made my blood rush and I felt excited. Scared of course, but so so excited. Sure the fees kind of pulled me hard off Cloud 9, but nonetheless I made up my mind as I browsed through the entry requirements. And I found myself thinking:

"I'm actually eligible for all of these programmes, what's the harm in trying to go on this adventure?"

 And I started researching more and more, seeking blogs of students in the UK or having recently graduated from there. I met with my lecturers and they gave me valuable feedback and support on my potential. I've never thought myself to be smart enough for postgraduate studies, but I realised that if I don't try to even plan for this journey, I'll ALWAYS keep looking back and wonder what COULD HAVE happened if I did take those difficult first steps. 

I realised soon enough that it's not gonna be easy going on this journey alone when your other friends are preparing for working life. But I want to challenge myself. I no longer just want to go overseas to get the experience, I need that experience because there are opportunities there for me to improve my technical skills and understand the complex human beings around me. I intend to apply for good jobs in the future insyAllah, but in order for me to present myself well, I know attempting this quest will make me a better person and a better candidate in anyone's organization. 

So here's to this scary quest in challenging myself to go where I'll be all by myself and far away from m family *trembles*. Here's to many more adventures where I end up in places I've never thought little ol' me could go to. 

Hello 2015

I remember last writing a post in August 2014, just finishing an incredible internship experience and making a memorable stamp in my experience growing up. And here I'm sitting attempting to write another decent post 6 months later, two thirds done with my final year. I'm hoping I'll be able to graduate in May 2015, insyAllah and move on to bigger and larger dreams in gaining knowledge. 

I know what with the oil crisis the nation is facing, my peers and I are having doubts and uncertainties in our future. I for one believe that rezeki comes when time is the most suitable for it. It's been a hectic 6 months and I'm enjoying each step closer to closing this undergraduate chapter. I remember starting out college 5 years ago, wondering if I'll ever make it to the finishing line. And now I am merely less than 3 months away. 

I had the pleasure of joining a chemical engineering bootcamp a few weeks ago which aimed to prepare first year undergraduates in tackling the challenging engineering course. And I really had a good time interacting with juniors and sharing my experience. I never had a mentor growing up, and I had to do a lot of figuring out by myself. I've had many a senior who was more than willing to give me advice in passing, and I wanted to contribute more towards the youngsters. The bootcamp allowed me to see how we always have that hope mixed in with fear when starting something new.

And nearing the end, I have that same hope and fear feelings, of what's to come. 

I hope the future is challenging but endurable. 

I hope it is challenging and a humble experience.

I hope it is filled with beautiful and kind souls.

I hope I am smart enough to recognize such souls and not let them pass me by. 

I believe the choices we face after graduation is endless. Learning never shouldn't stop after a scroll has been obtained. Jobs shouldn't be applied just because. And money should never be the main priority in satisfying our desires. 

Here's to wishing the next 16 weeks will fly by and I have the strength to go through whatever God puts in my way. :)