Everyday I'm in this place I am amazed at how different it is from Singapore. but now that school has started its suddenly a lot less fun. for one, I'm fending for myself in just about every single way, while having to worry about school at the same time.
I have to worry about how much I spend, how many sets of clothes I wear because I eventually have to wash and dry them, what to cook/eat for every meal, and on top of that I have to study and make sure I pass my exams and submit my assignments on time. Plus, I'm busy planning trips and other stuff on the side. Its crazy, like totally. Everyday is too busy, and I sleep every day completely exhausted. Its the kind of exhaustion that is characterised by the fact that you don't even dream, but just sleep soundly for 7 straight hours. It doesn't help that I have yet to get used to western food, and in the rush of everyday I end up eating more microwaved stuff than ever.
Welcome to the reality of student life as an overseas student. And now that I actually have to start studying, with lecture notes and readings actually starting to pile up, its starting to really stare at me in the face that I have to take control of my life like I never did before. In the past I used to take everything at home for granted, now I realise how fortunate I was that I never had to worry about where my next meal would come from, or whether my clothes would be washed for me whenever I wanted them. I never really had to worry about spending either, because I always had my parents to give me money if I really needed some. Down here, I have to force myself to save and fight for every penny because I know every penny saved will go a long way. I walk when I can, and buy the cheapest thing available at the supermarkets.
And I know that it might sound cheesy saying this, but although its a pass/fail for every module, I have every intention to excel in them, because I don't believe in using the difficulty of adapting to life here as an excuse for not putting in the effort to learn all that I can here. The one thing I hate more than anything is making excuses, because I can lie to people, but not to myself.
This is probably the most difficult thing I've ever done, even more so than army, because being alone like this really forces you to grow up. If you don't cook, you go hungry. If you don't wash your clothes, you have nothing to wear. If you overspend, you have to worry about how to make ends meet for the next few days.
The one thing you learn the most here is responsibility. There is no one else to blame if something goes wrong for you here. It is your own fault, your own doing, and it stares at you in the face like the starkest truth ever.
And now I have to sleep, because tomorrow its my turn to wake up early and take out the trash for the whole flat. And after that, I have lessons. Woohoo.