I am picking up more and more qualities of an English-major student. Such could be speculated through the master pieces I placed in my bookshelf. <
Maybe it’s time for me to make the decision. English, important as it is, it’s at most a medium for me. After five months, when we are in a new classroom, sitting side by side with locals, it’s not how good our English that matters, but how brilliant our head.
So, last night, I fetched out the math textbook I brought from home, removed the thick layer of dust over it and began to read.(by the way, as I used to major in Physics, and the first thing I learnt is to doubt, I never believe anything in the books unless I know how it is derived .
During the first hour, I didn’t quite know what I was reading. My mind was just a blank slate. All the lectures I attended and all the exercises I did were out of reach. I felt I have been brainstormed. Then, gradually, as I began to concentrate, all that feelings died away. The only thing left was math and me. Our relationship evolved from foreign to acquaintance to caring for each other. My gut was filled with the complement which was gone for months. I joked to myself that while others were busy dating girls, I was dating with math instead.
Math, my friend, long time no see! You are the one that generously offer me wisdom and ration no matter how I treated you.
the same to everyone
ReplyDeleteYiping, thanks for sharing this short excerpt with us about your 'date' with a Mathematics textbook =)
ReplyDeleteJust like to comment that when you become a full-time NUS student, your command of the English language is STILL important because you will be writing reports, having discussions and presenting (orally) to your classmates in class. You will need to possess a good command of the language in order for you to do that well =)
Note: " I felt I have been brainstormed." Brainstormed may not be the word to use here. Neither is 'brainwashed', which I think is the word you want to use. What may be a better word here?
Yes, I agree wit Ms Lim. English is STILL important beacause it is the tool, as you name it, for you to communicate with the others.
ReplyDeleteYou may try reading your mathematics textbooks in English and you can kill two birds with one stone.
Yiping, I really admire your passion for Maths; what you described is how I feel when I'm reading a really good story book! However, I'm sure you didn't mean that English wasn't important. Perhaps what you meant was that you would be tested in the degree to which you had attained mastery of your major. But of course, as Ms Lim and Dr Zhu pointed out, a good command of English will go a long way towards helping you to demonstrate your mastery of your major too. I guess, however, that you are just expressing your joy at being reunited with an old and much-loved acquiantance!
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