Friday, July 18, 2025

Final Classes

Last week was the final week of the semester. I had scheduled many replacement classes during the week and had a 5-day working week (note: I'm part-time and I don't have to be in campus if there are no classes). Last Thursday, was in fact a full day for me, stretching from 9 am in the morning for a replacement lecture until 6 pm for a replacement tutorial, extending an hour after the final tutorial that day. Had to bring my youngest son (together with my other half and eldest son) that day to help me carry exam scripts for the students to look at. They left me in campus thereafter and picked me up after 6 pm. While I was there, I stayed mainly in the library, the surau and public spaces near the class venue.


Being the final week, I decided to take photos after my final class for each lecture or tutorial. It probably looked silly to the students but in my mind, it would probably be final semester there (que sera sera). So here are the photos.









That Friday (the last day of the semester before the study week), I have my replacement tutorial classes. When I arrived at the venue, I was surprised that they had given me a large lecture theatre.



Perhaps everyone else had finished their classes and that most venue are free. Unfortunately, only four students came, probably they have gone 'home'. In the photo below are three of the students (one left midway).



Actually, sometimes I do feel one goes unappreciated when we do all the teaching. I don't pretend to be an ideal teacher (in fact I apologize for any shortcomings to the students). Preparing for teaching often goes invisible; the long hours that goes into it (even for basic subjects) is largely unknown to many. My other half can attest to the number of hours I put into preparing the lecture and particularly tutorials (with scores of problems to solve). At times, I can feel the jeer or cheekiness of students, thinking probably that I don't know things until I had to say something beyond what they see in the notes or books. In any case, it is fine for me if I've been looked down upon or even despised; I have been there many times before. I still have 'nightmares' how many looked at me with such despise body language. Nevertheless, I still work and do what I know best.

Having aged, I tire easily nowadays. Withstanding the almost constant backpain, saps my energy. Occasionally, I will take up pain killers like Tramadol. I was also given Gabapentin and Pregabalin for neuropathic pain. Perhaps being concerned about my kidneys or simply tired of me complaining about my pain, my other half signed me up for physiotherapy sessions in Senawang. So far, I've been avoiding this since I know it can cost substantially and I would prefer to save that money for food of my family etc. Anyway, I have gone through three sessions already and tomorrow will be the fourth one.



No comments: