Sunday, March 7, 2010 @ 12:39 PM * Blalala~
I've been slacking off a lot lately, in terms of both blogging and my studies. xD I wasn't as enthusiastic to post lately, don't know why. Sigh. It's sad. T_T Plus, probably because of my own slacking off that people started to run away from this frozen wasteland. xD And now, my studies, lol, I've definitely loosen down a lot. I used to be so nervous and cautious about all of my subjects. But lately, it's not as eager as before anymore.Anyways, I thought I should update something about my CPU[Canadian Pre-U] life. So, what are the pros and cons of CPU? I guess I'll talk a little about it, seeing as most of my readers are not knowledgeable about it. =P
Pros:
1. Seriously similar to a uni life.
Okay. So, I know, how can I know it's similar to a uni life without even getting into a uni? At least, I thought I learned about uni life through TV shows, I guess. And to me, CPU is really the closest one to uni, in terms of lifestyle and classes and the systems. For one, classes are categorized by subjects. Like, I go to this class for Bio, and that class for English. And my classmates for both classes are different, since everyone took all sorts of different subjects for their semester.
2. A mix of races.
I would have to admit, before getting into college, I thought it was so hard for me to join people of different races. No, not because I'm racist, just, I wasn't exposed to such a lifestyle yet, ever. But after I got into CPU, I thought to myself, "Oh my God. So I'm supposed to be able to get close with them?!" in a timid way. I thought I couldn't clique with them. But surprisingly, right now, I can. I'm really surprised, cause the first time I tried talking to them, I couldn't! My lips were shut tight, I was scared, and lol, all I could do was listen. Culture shock much? Lol. And even most of the teachers are Canadians! At first I'm afraid I would be seen to be one of the lousier students, but right now, I'm getting the hang of things. :]
3. Much more free time.
Seriously. At first, everyone thought CPU would be the busiest, with all the assignments. [Since scoring system in CPU takes up 70% in assignments, and 30% for our final exams.] But it is a whole lot different. At least, by comparing it to my friends from SAM. =P Chua and Hng seem to be complaining about homework and tests everytime. xD [Don't know about Sherene. Lol.] And, as I've said before, my classes are only like...altogether 3 hours and 45 minutes everyday. And I get a 2 hours and a half breaktime in school. I start classes at 8 and end at 2.15. If I don't have to wait for Sherene and Chua everyday, I'd reach home before 3. And then I'm free for the day. Yeah, much more free time. [But why did you say your college life is hectic?! Me: LALALA~~]
4. Gained confidence, and a more interactive environment.
I've gained lots of confidence, really, in CPU. Before I got into CPU, I'm one hell of a coward. Lol. Even though my friends still see differently about that. -.-;; Ask my parents, [and maybe even Junneh] and they'll say I'm shy. =P However, in CPU, I start to learn to be much more outspoken. At least, right now, I guess I can just start conversation with people who I don't know already. But sometimes, there are moments when I still fail. xD;; But I can say, I now have quite a number of friends who are not having any same classes with me at all. We just know each other through some club activities, friend's friends [Sareena from Hng, Sin Thoong from Kai, etc. xD], and I'm grateful to CPU for that. =P
5. There are more, but now I can't come up with any. xD
Cons:
1. Probably the biggest con in CPU: Lack of acknowledgement from universities.
Though, I'm pretty sure CPU people will try to deny this. xD But it's still true. Compared to A Levels and SAM, there are still a lot of universities who don't acknowledge CPU results. It's a huge reason as to why CPU is still not yet as well-known as the other two programmes, I think.
2. Less competition academically.
Well, yeah. A Levels and SAM test papers are probably more...how do you put it...standard? Their papers are the same for everyone. I don't know about A Levels, but SAM, their test papers are the same as those in Australia. So that's probably why their certificates are more acknowledged than CPU.
3. Doesn't really work well for people who don't have a good grasp of English.
This is my personal opinion. I think people who take CPU should at least have a better basic of English. Although we'll still learn a lot in English in CPU, still, I personally think the level of English in CPU is high. I won't try to compare it with any programmes, in case I offended anyone, lol, but I'm just stating CPU itself. Since most of the teachers in CPU are foreigners, I guess English is usually the only way to communicate here in CPU.
4. Hard to get a closest group of friends.
This applies to me. I'm not sure about everyone else, but yeah, it is to me. CPU people are more...outgoing. They join in anyone they know, even if they just know each other a day or ten years. That's how CPU people are like. And I'm not someone like that, at least, I am always not someone like that since I was young. I don't know if I will change. So, I tend to be alone if not with Chua and Sherene and Hng. xD;; Maybe I do join Michelle and Alyssa too sometimes, after school, but their breaktimes are different than mine. Sad.
That's basically it. Sigh. I'll update some other time. Have to rush my English assignment which I've been delaying. o.o;;