One of the things that never fail to interest me is the human mind, why a person would have certain behavioral patterns and why people living in similar environment may also have drastic difference in their behavior and the way they think. This has always intrigued me.
I often view people liken to boxes, definitely not because some look ‘square’ but because boxes are objects which we would not know what it contains by only looking at the outer presentation of it. For example, boxes of the same size and shape can look different in their wrapping and yet have similar objects inside them. Similarly, people who dress differently may have characteristics and behaviors that are very alike.
As a very curious person, I often look at a person and wonder, ‘what is inside this ‘box’?’ what emotions, experiences or biological reasons that are causing this person to behave in this manner? The complexity of the human mind spurs me to pursue an education in psychology, to discover about the human behavior and to eventually get involved in a career related to people.
In my junior college years, I am very privileged to have the chances to take part in various volunteering work in many different areas – namely volunteering for the elderly, the animals (as a guide at the Singapore Zoological Gardens) and for the people with disabilities. These experiences have allowed me to meet people from different walks of life and broaden up my thoughts that a person’s behaviour does not only affect his own life but also the life of others.
This also leads to my second interest in sociology. How people create culture and how this culture, in turn, affects people who are living that out? This sort of questions often runs through my mind as I ponder about the interdependency and interrelationship that humans have with each other. Indeed, no man is an island and thus a study in how men affect one another is a topic that attracts me.
came across this file when i was trying to dig out some information that i can use for my personal statement for the noc interview. this is how i was viewed by my teacher 3 years ago.
Personal Qualities
Tan Hui Ying was a student of Meridian Junior College from 2005 – 2006 where she pursued a course in the Science Faculty.
Hui Ying is an intelligent and responsive student in class. She is able to ask relevant and perceptive questions with regards to issues raised in class. Hui Ying possesses an analytical mind and will review the material taught to her and seek consultations with her teachers when in doubt. She contributes positively to class discussions and is able to express her views eloquently and clearly. A self-motivated student, she displays a strong desire to excel in her studies and works towards academic goals she set for herself.
Hui Ying has a commendable spirit of volunteerism which is evident from her extensive and intensive involvement in community service. She is very passionate about helping the less fortunate members of society and has no qualms about sacrificing her own time in order to volunteer and contribute to society. Despite the heavy demands on her time and energy, she is able to manage her studies well. Her commitment to community service also got her a well-deserved nomination for Outstanding Student Volunteer. Hui Ying was not only outstanding on her own; she was even more so as a student leader. She is able to influence others with a sense of energy and enthusiasm and has shown herself to be very capable in organizing a group of students to complete any task or project entrusted to her.
Hui Ying has a very caring attitude towards her peers. Her warm and friendly personality wins her many friends. Her classmates have found in her a fun-loving, ever helpful and lively friend. She is respectful to her teachers; and they find her a pleasant young lady who is a joy to teach. Hui Ying is an individual with clearly defined life goals and she will go all out to achieve them.
Co-Curricular Achievements
MeridianJunior College Basketball Team
Hui Ying was a member of the MJC Girls basketball team in 2005 and a member of the MJC Recreational Team in 2006. She has a regular attendance and takes part actively in training. Hui Ying is willing to take instructions, and co-operates with the teachers and peer leaders. In training, she has shown determination in improving basketball skills. She has a good relationship with fellow members on and off the court. As a team sport player, Hui Ying has proven ability to be a team player. She makes the most of each training with an enthusiastic and self-motivated attitude.
Community Service
Hui Ying has an excellent record of community service. With more than 300 hours of impressive community service, she has shown herself to be passionate about serving the less fortunate members of our society. She has taken the lead in several community service and volunteer activities and has proven leadership qualities.
Hui Ying had led the class and initiated a Community involvement project for the Singapore Disability Sports Council. She helped organize the class’ involvement at the SPH Foundation National Junior Swimming Championship in 2006. Other than that, she was also the Vice-chairperson for the planning and execution of an Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) sharing session. She exhibited leadership by drawing on positive responses from all parties and helped the Chairperson making crucial decisions that led to the success of the project. Hui Ying had also participated in several school community activities such as MJC Open House & Learning Agora 2005 and Inter-House Games in 2005.
Hui Ying has contributed widely to the community about her. Her commitment to community service sees her being selected for an Outstanding Student Volunteer Attachment Programme with Singapore Disability Sports Council. She was dedicated in her service and contributed more than 200 hours of her time to volunteer at the organisation.
Despite all these activities, Hui Ying did not neglect her studies and continues to display great spirit of volunteerism. Her perseverance, heart of service and commitment resulted in her being nominated for the prestigious Outstanding Student Volunteer of the year in 2006.
i have learnt that gravity pulls things down, but i don’t know how to dream
i have learnt about outgroup-ingroup differences, but i don’t know how to love my neighbours
i have learnt that sun rises and set, shadows differ in different months, but i don’t understand God’s awesome work on earth
i have learnt about functions, statistics and graphs, but i don’t know what is the value of life, love and friendship
i could go on for a list way longer than this on what i have not learn, but my current list is enough to make me know how much i actually don’t know; despite 15 years of education.
what went wrong? i don’t know, and it’s no going to make a difference for me now. what i would really want to know is that,
Recently, a lot have been through my mind with regards to friendship. Particularly to people whom i see as my real friends.
Real friendships are the ones that touch my soul. This group of people, though not many (in fact there’s only a couple of people), are the ones that I would protect, love and care. What’s amazing about this kind of friendship is the security that it has. We do not have to meet up often, talk often, but we have each other in our minds and hearts. It’s amazing when we meet up again; it’s as though as we’ve always been in each other’s life in the times that we are apart. (yes piz, I’m talking about you.♥)
I really want to thank God for the real friends He put in my life and to reflect on the friendships I have (or have had).
It’s sad that people whom I once called real friends could now be cease to exist in my life. It makes me reflect on could have went wrong – did I not put in enough effort, was the love one sided or was all the ‘I love you’s are simply lip service.
I take love in my friendships seriously, perhaps too serious for my own good.
I ride unicorn, slay dragons and save princes. Other than that, I build Learnemy.
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