Thus ended the longest and shortest week of my time here in the college. I can't believe how it's only been 18 days. 18 seems like too short of a period of time that we've been here, considering how much we've already covered in our course, the amount of studying that's been going into a typical day, and the sleep deficit that I've accumulated in one week. (OK well admittedly, anything less than 7 hours of sleep is considered a deficit for me. Though many may argue that, and also contrary to what HPL has to say about that; speaking of which, I've totally forgotten. TIme to revisit HPL)
The start of the week was not too good. I had this super severe mid-back pain/strain/ache, that seriously screwed up my sleep. A yawn was painful. A cough was painful. Bending or twisting my upper body in any direction was painful. Life was painful.
I couldn't sleep properly on Monday night, which lead to my increasing level of grouchiness that spilled on to Tuesday. I couldn't study or concentrate well, and coupled with the stress/attempt of trying to keep ahead of the syllabus (which somewhat collapsed mid-week), I was feeling really off balanced.
By Thursday, I was really looking forward to the weekend. Not to study, but so that I would be able to spend some tie catching up with my studies and get myself back and ahead of the course. Haven't looked forward to the weekend this much in a long time already. And all for the wrong reasons (according to most).
12 July 2013
05 July 2013
Day 11 - Gift from the Gods
Today the three of us made a trip to Katong to photocopy some material - with some help from a friend's dad. I wonder how it's all going to work out with this new material. While it's never good to put all your eggs in one basket, I'll also make sure I work on material that was from the previous ABBA.
It was a pretty productive day. I tried putting everything that I had thought up and typed down yesterday night into practice. With the increasing fatigue levels, I sure will have to make sure I get some quality rest this weekend. But that won't mean that I don't use the weekend to do some catch-up.
My aim for the next week is to be able to get to bed before my other batch boys. The only way that I'm going to be able to do this is by ensuring that I am at least consistently on par or ahead in my work. After a short workout after the day's class work, usually comes the short study period before sleep. I hope that this period can be used in future to do practice papers, leaving all the studying and note making to be done during class time. Those are my aims.
It was a pretty productive day. I tried putting everything that I had thought up and typed down yesterday night into practice. With the increasing fatigue levels, I sure will have to make sure I get some quality rest this weekend. But that won't mean that I don't use the weekend to do some catch-up.
My aim for the next week is to be able to get to bed before my other batch boys. The only way that I'm going to be able to do this is by ensuring that I am at least consistently on par or ahead in my work. After a short workout after the day's class work, usually comes the short study period before sleep. I hope that this period can be used in future to do practice papers, leaving all the studying and note making to be done during class time. Those are my aims.
04 July 2013
Day 10 - Maximizing my Time
If I were to give advice to anyone on how to do well in preparing for exams or a major course, it would be something along the lines of, proper nutrition, sufficient sleep, enough exercise, etc. In fact, I think I listed all of that in a previous post already. However, it just seems that sometimes following one's own advice is a little more difficult than it seems, because the person involved in the deed is your very own self.
So far this week, it seems like I have been adhering to said game plan, but I think more can be done. I still go to class feeling in a less than optimal condition, feeling sleepy during class today and yesterday even. I wonder if it was caused by the fact that I missed out on my morning coffee, or if it is simply because as the days wear on and the study load becomes heavier, I am facing a energy drain.
That shall not be the case. I think I seriously need to keep myself engaged during lessons, and really pay attention and start committing to memory the things that are being discussed in class, instead of leaving it to self revision at the end of the day. There isn't enough time for that. Maybe it's time I start making the full use of my time whenever I am in class, instead of allowing those hours to be wasted.
I should add one more criteria to that game plan then; which is to cut down on time wastage and seriously utilise every single minute. I need to start committing things to memory on the spot as I learn, and start making notes in class instead of leaving those to my revision time at night, cos like I said, I think firstly, there isn't enough time. Secondly, it makes my study time at night more productive and I give myself more time to do other things. Like PRACTICE those damn questions from the question bank!
All that being said, I should really maximise my rest time as well. Sleeping time should be spent sleeping, and recreation time should be spent doing leisurely stuff. Exercise time should be spent exercising and procrastination should be minimised. As should be time spent on activities I should not be wasting time on.
Every minute counts in preserving brain juice, mental stamina, as well as physical energy.
So far this week, it seems like I have been adhering to said game plan, but I think more can be done. I still go to class feeling in a less than optimal condition, feeling sleepy during class today and yesterday even. I wonder if it was caused by the fact that I missed out on my morning coffee, or if it is simply because as the days wear on and the study load becomes heavier, I am facing a energy drain.
That shall not be the case. I think I seriously need to keep myself engaged during lessons, and really pay attention and start committing to memory the things that are being discussed in class, instead of leaving it to self revision at the end of the day. There isn't enough time for that. Maybe it's time I start making the full use of my time whenever I am in class, instead of allowing those hours to be wasted.
I should add one more criteria to that game plan then; which is to cut down on time wastage and seriously utilise every single minute. I need to start committing things to memory on the spot as I learn, and start making notes in class instead of leaving those to my revision time at night, cos like I said, I think firstly, there isn't enough time. Secondly, it makes my study time at night more productive and I give myself more time to do other things. Like PRACTICE those damn questions from the question bank!
All that being said, I should really maximise my rest time as well. Sleeping time should be spent sleeping, and recreation time should be spent doing leisurely stuff. Exercise time should be spent exercising and procrastination should be minimised. As should be time spent on activities I should not be wasting time on.
Every minute counts in preserving brain juice, mental stamina, as well as physical energy.
03 July 2013
Day 9 - Batch Boy Falls Victim to Stomach Flu
Yesterday both of us hit the gym and did some pretty insane lifting. I don't remember lifting that much or spending that much time in a gym before. Honestly, I'd rather be squashing. But I guess it's a necessary change to be able to build some good shape on my body.
Unfortunately, my batch boy fell victim to the flu bug because his immune system was weakened due to yesterday's workout. But all's well and he's doing much better now.
Today we received our college ties and flight jacket. A few other goodies are waiting on us as well. I can't wait to receive my uniform cos it will finally mean I won't have to wear those dreadful long sleeved business shirts anymore. I went for an 8km run this morning and I was still perspiring by the time I reached the classroom. Felt so disoriented and eventually that lead to being under-productive the rest of the day. It's good that I'm still experimenting with and finding out more about what works and what doesn't in my daily routine.
Perhaps the thing that I've been most excited to receive since before commencing my course here at the college is the belt with the gold buckle. It looks great, seriously. Apparently, it's issued by the tailor so we will have to wait for that.
It's 6 weeks left to college exams and 7 to CAAS papers. I think the shit has yet to hit the fan but I hope that the three of us will get through it together in one sitting.
So far I feel that I've been getting a good grasp on most of the concepts, and for the subjects that aren't as strong as the others, it helps in verbally discussing the concepts and ideas, and also in practicing the papers.
So, a brand new day awaits. No run in the morning tmr cos I think I need a little more sleep to myself, and perhaps go for a run/bike in the evening.
Unfortunately, my batch boy fell victim to the flu bug because his immune system was weakened due to yesterday's workout. But all's well and he's doing much better now.
Today we received our college ties and flight jacket. A few other goodies are waiting on us as well. I can't wait to receive my uniform cos it will finally mean I won't have to wear those dreadful long sleeved business shirts anymore. I went for an 8km run this morning and I was still perspiring by the time I reached the classroom. Felt so disoriented and eventually that lead to being under-productive the rest of the day. It's good that I'm still experimenting with and finding out more about what works and what doesn't in my daily routine.
Perhaps the thing that I've been most excited to receive since before commencing my course here at the college is the belt with the gold buckle. It looks great, seriously. Apparently, it's issued by the tailor so we will have to wait for that.
It's 6 weeks left to college exams and 7 to CAAS papers. I think the shit has yet to hit the fan but I hope that the three of us will get through it together in one sitting.
So far I feel that I've been getting a good grasp on most of the concepts, and for the subjects that aren't as strong as the others, it helps in verbally discussing the concepts and ideas, and also in practicing the papers.
So, a brand new day awaits. No run in the morning tmr cos I think I need a little more sleep to myself, and perhaps go for a run/bike in the evening.
30 June 2013
Day 7 - Arresting the Burnout
Today the realisation hit me that I was headed towards a burnout if I didn't pace myself well or discipline myself into having sufficient rest. I suppose that for something that I've been anticipating this badly for my entire life, the motivation and willingness to pour my entire soul, body and mind into this programme is unsurprising, even for myself.
But I realised, as I was playing squash back at Cashew today, that I wasn't my usual self. I was on an adrenaline high from having spent most of the week and my weekend studying away. I mean, I enjoy the work I'm doing so much that it doesn't really take much of an effort to drain myself mentally. So I was in the courts, and my mind wasn't there at all. Nope, I don't think that it was my three-week absence from the courts that was dampening my mental processing. I couldn't read the game at my usual pace. I was losing concentration.
It was then that I started asking myself, what kind of advice would I give any student, in maintaing a healthy balance. Sleep, nutrition, exercise, vitamins, concentrated periods of study, a balanced diet, and a good environment to study in.
So that's my new aim: to do my morning runs as I did when working in FAIMS, and sleep before 12.30am everyday. Let's try this for a week and see how it goes. Bring on week 2!
But I realised, as I was playing squash back at Cashew today, that I wasn't my usual self. I was on an adrenaline high from having spent most of the week and my weekend studying away. I mean, I enjoy the work I'm doing so much that it doesn't really take much of an effort to drain myself mentally. So I was in the courts, and my mind wasn't there at all. Nope, I don't think that it was my three-week absence from the courts that was dampening my mental processing. I couldn't read the game at my usual pace. I was losing concentration.
It was then that I started asking myself, what kind of advice would I give any student, in maintaing a healthy balance. Sleep, nutrition, exercise, vitamins, concentrated periods of study, a balanced diet, and a good environment to study in.
So that's my new aim: to do my morning runs as I did when working in FAIMS, and sleep before 12.30am everyday. Let's try this for a week and see how it goes. Bring on week 2!
27 June 2013
Day 2 - The Dawning of Reality
So it appears that it won't be so easy to be able to finish what we need to. Simply put, the CAAS exams are anticipated to be pretty tough, and we're going to need a lot more than just self-study to pass the exams. Definitely a lot of practice on questions. And now, the real question that remains is, will the rest of the remaining 7 weeks to our first papers be just like it has been the last few days? Lots of self study and CBT.
A lot more needs to be covered and I need to seriously move on ahead with my topics and finish the books ASAP, to be able to leave more time to practicing questions, reviewing, and committing things to memory.
One thing I commend myself on is despite how I only slept for about 4 hours yesterday, it seems that all the habits and patterns that I spent forming about a month before course started has actually started paying off.
Didn't feel like I was sleepy in class, and I was able to study for pretty much 24 hours straight. Now all I need is some rest. Some good sleep would really be welcome.
Carol came by to visit today and the guys were really nice about it.
That's about all I can think of saying today. So tired. Need some rest to realign my thoughts and refreshen my alertness.
A lot more needs to be covered and I need to seriously move on ahead with my topics and finish the books ASAP, to be able to leave more time to practicing questions, reviewing, and committing things to memory.
One thing I commend myself on is despite how I only slept for about 4 hours yesterday, it seems that all the habits and patterns that I spent forming about a month before course started has actually started paying off.
Didn't feel like I was sleepy in class, and I was able to study for pretty much 24 hours straight. Now all I need is some rest. Some good sleep would really be welcome.
Carol came by to visit today and the guys were really nice about it.
That's about all I can think of saying today. So tired. Need some rest to realign my thoughts and refreshen my alertness.
26 June 2013
Day 1 - Settling In
I must admit this. This huge bungalow can be a little bit scary. Maybe it's cos I haven't gotten used to the new surroundings yet, or maybe it's simply because it's located in an old army camp. I'm not too familiar with the history of it, but here in Seletar, there remains only one active unit that occupies one of the buildings located somewhere nearby.
But I'm trying to keep a few lights on, the radio on, and all that, just to make the place a little less eerie. That aside, I feel like I'm also the senior citizen of the house. Boiling water for everyone, bringing the food and tissue paper in, organizing the furniture, and taking residence for being the most organized uncle in the house.
I also happen to be the oldest among my other coursemates, and that prompted them to unanimously elect me to be the course I/C -_-
They also banished the course I/C to the corner of the room, but that actually means I get my own personal space and bed (!) My coursemates are sharing a bunk bed. Funny guys, they are. We went out for a little, earlier on at Compassvale to get some stuff from the bookstore and supermarket. Boy, did we enjoy a few good laughs at the expense of another one of our coursemates who happens no to be living in with us.
Oh, did I mention, of the two rooms o the second level, we decided to share a room and convert the other into a study, which we dutifully utilised in a study session after we came back. I could really get used to these study sessions. The mugging has just started. I hope all of us make it through without much trouble and leave no one behind when we leave for JDK.
But I'm trying to keep a few lights on, the radio on, and all that, just to make the place a little less eerie. That aside, I feel like I'm also the senior citizen of the house. Boiling water for everyone, bringing the food and tissue paper in, organizing the furniture, and taking residence for being the most organized uncle in the house.
I also happen to be the oldest among my other coursemates, and that prompted them to unanimously elect me to be the course I/C -_-
They also banished the course I/C to the corner of the room, but that actually means I get my own personal space and bed (!) My coursemates are sharing a bunk bed. Funny guys, they are. We went out for a little, earlier on at Compassvale to get some stuff from the bookstore and supermarket. Boy, did we enjoy a few good laughs at the expense of another one of our coursemates who happens no to be living in with us.
Oh, did I mention, of the two rooms o the second level, we decided to share a room and convert the other into a study, which we dutifully utilised in a study session after we came back. I could really get used to these study sessions. The mugging has just started. I hope all of us make it through without much trouble and leave no one behind when we leave for JDK.
25 June 2013
Day Zero
Day Zero at SFC - Moving in and Admin.
I'll be trying to keep all my posts short and sweet because of the foreseeable lack of time that I will be granted in the near future. So starting from today it is.
Reported to SFC this morning. Our course made history in many ways. First to have such a small course (cohort) size, fully made up of private candidates, and the first to be taking on the new JAA (pronounced as 'jar') syllabus.
Nothing much, a few admin briefs, went to our accoms for the first time. We being adults, or young adults (just want to feel young here again, me being the oldest in the course), the admin side left us to our own devices. We quickly decided upon sharing one room together, and converting the other room to a study. Went back home, packed up what was needed, and came back. Returned to the accoms at 2300H. Unpacked, and now getting ready for tomorrow's first lesson on POF.
Short Reflection: I think my course mates are great guys. We are all private candidates. All very self-motivated. We want to get through this course and graduate as pilots. Doesn't matter in the end that we still don't have a job in hand yet. Doesn't matter that we are forking out a huge sum. At the end of the day, we are just guys who want to become pilots.
I'll be trying to keep all my posts short and sweet because of the foreseeable lack of time that I will be granted in the near future. So starting from today it is.
Reported to SFC this morning. Our course made history in many ways. First to have such a small course (cohort) size, fully made up of private candidates, and the first to be taking on the new JAA (pronounced as 'jar') syllabus.
Nothing much, a few admin briefs, went to our accoms for the first time. We being adults, or young adults (just want to feel young here again, me being the oldest in the course), the admin side left us to our own devices. We quickly decided upon sharing one room together, and converting the other room to a study. Went back home, packed up what was needed, and came back. Returned to the accoms at 2300H. Unpacked, and now getting ready for tomorrow's first lesson on POF.
Short Reflection: I think my course mates are great guys. We are all private candidates. All very self-motivated. We want to get through this course and graduate as pilots. Doesn't matter in the end that we still don't have a job in hand yet. Doesn't matter that we are forking out a huge sum. At the end of the day, we are just guys who want to become pilots.
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