Wednesday, May 21, 2014

My driving journey

If ya'll followed me in Instagram, then you should know that i have passed my driving test yesterday! (19/05)

Woohoo!!
So the total number of time i took to pass my test was the magic number 3! & I took class 3A (automatic). I know class 3 is obviously the better choice but there's a few reasons why i decided to take auto: 

1. I am super lazy person, if there's an easy way out, i will do it plus!! honestly i can't be bothered with changing gears and all that shit, some people think it's cool and interesting but i don't give a damn. 
2. My parents cars are automatic & in the future i will plan to get auto car as well.
3. Initial plan was to get tested once and pass it asap, but erm.. that wasn't the case lol.

It's really for personal preference, take my brother for example, he refuse to drive an auto car because he feel it's "boring", tsk guys.
So end up i'm gonna be the one chauffeuring my family around.

First test
My first test was HORRIBLE. And i mean horrible, let me explain why.

I was super super nervous on the test itself because i did not know what to expect, my instructor did not brief me through so i was clueless. I was so nervous that during the first obstacle (Directional change), when i was turning out, my front wheel mounted kerb = Immediate failure. I was so disheartened that i wish the tester could have said "let's go back", but he asked me to continue. So i tried to reverse my car and turn out again, but i strike curb, TWICE lol. Can you imagine? That's like 30 points already.

Next was parallel parking, i was doing my own thing when the tester slammed on his breaks. I was like what the hellllll? Then he pointed out and said,

"Got lorry passing by, you should stop and check before you proceed."

I was like whattt, okay... So i continued driving and holding back my tears lol. I was surprised that he still wanted me to go out on the road with my then-horrible skills hahaha. Anyway on the road, he told me that i'm suppose to keep left and also mentioned that i did not check mirror before changing lane/overtaking, which i did not know.

Thinking back, that's like the basic skill, but i really have no idea i'm suppose to do all that because my instructor have never taught me. When my tester briefed me through my mistake, i was so mad at my instructor. (btw, i had 50points LOL). I remembered after my test, i cried in the 4th floor's toilet cubical.

I questioned my instructor after i told him i failed & he said he did mentioned it before, tsk what lies.
I know some of the mistakes during the test was my fault, but he was really being an irresponsible teacher. Apart from not teaching me the right technique, he actually fall asleep in the car when i was driving, when i told him that he shouldn't sleep, he said he wanted me to be an independent learner and i went right for it, omg what bullshit please. PLUS he always ask me to drive to the nearby coffee shop so he can get his stupid beancurd drink and bread EVERYTIME. ANDDD during my first lesson with him, he "taught" me all the bullshit theories like what's the difference between a manual and auto car. I had to pay him $50 for that bullshit. At first i thought it was compulsory thing that all private students have to go through, but when i asked my friends, they told me their first lesson they could already start driving. AND AND, he always scolding and tsking for the slightest mistake, for example when i hit a curb he will go "AIYO". Totally demoralizing! I will always feel sad and depressed before and after his lessons.

By the way, he was introduced by one of my friends which he told me he had no such problems with him, but that was 2 years ago. So i don't know, maybe he is sexist or something. Anyway, i don't want to defame him or any sort but i feel like nobody deserves to waste their money for such treatment. He goes by the name of Mr Yeo, (9274 ****) teaches both auto and manual cars at BBDC. But do let me know if he happen to change for the better.

Second test
Even after all that, I was actually quite reluctant to change my instructor because, well because, lazy is me. At that point of time,the thought of looking for new instructors and paying another $100 dollars enrollment fee was unappealing. I thought i could learn the mistakes from my previous test and maybe pass the second round, but my friends encouraged to change instructor, so i did lol.(changed my driving centre to SSDC) And i'm so glad i did man! This instructor was patient, friendly, funny and calm. He has never scolded me once but instead, he encourages me and i look forward taking driving lessons with him. However,during my second test, nerves started to kick in again - i mounted a curb when i was driving into the S-course. The tester was so damn nice though, before the test, he told me to treat this test as normal practice, and when i did some minor mistakes, he didn't mark me down. He told me if i didn't mount curb he would pass me. GOD DANG IT. My instructor called me and asked if i pass, i told him no. So he said he is waiting for me outside SSDC to drive me to the nearest MRT,(unlike Mr Yeo, didn't even ask and just went off). He told me not to give up and take the test again. I was abit sian though, because i felt like others could pass once, why can't i, especially when i'm taking auto.

Third test
My third test came on 19 May 2014, when i saw the tester holding onto the ipad, i knew he's those rule-by-rule kinda of guy. So..... what did i do best? Got nervous lol. The entire time i was glancing over to see if he minus any points.
My first obstacle for this test was vertical parking, usually during practice i have no problem but during the test my left wheel almost hit the curb, so i went forward, check blind spots yadda yadda and tried to reverse again,but the angle wasn't right and i panicked a bit. Look at my tester and said "Sorry sir, i think i have to redo." He just nodded his head. So THANKFULLY,when i redid, i finally parked in!

Second obstacle was entering the S course, because i still had the phobia of making the same mistakes prior to the previous test. I had to readjust my car position twice. & i holding onto the breaks because i didn't want to mount curb. But i passed through that course.

After completing the course, i proceed outside, there's this point of time when i'm suppose to turn left, and the traffic light turned green, but the left arrow did not, i wasn't sure if i'm suppose to go out not because haven't experience such situation before. I just waited there lol, until the tester said "What are you waiting for?"

Then drove back to SSDC in one piece. I tried to glance at his ipad, i saw 14points i was like OHMAHGOD, but then i couldn't see if i had any immediate failure. & i might have done something wrong in the road that i'm unaware of. So, the heck, so tempted to move his fingers lol. Then while waiting for my result, the printer spoiled. -.-
So i had to wait even longer for the result, i was drumming my fingers on the table and shaking my legs like crazy. YES that nervous.

But finally, finally...

I passed!!!!!

I even saw my previous tester and i was quite surprised he still remembers me, hahaha. Anyway, after that i went crazy lor, called my instructor, parents, Justin and my close friends.

So what i have learnt and what sort of tips i can give? (I know, 14pts isn't that great but..)

1. Nervousness is natural, so that's okay! Just don't be too nervous. If you are, take one deep breath before you move again. That's what i did and it helps :)
2. Check your blind spots when you are changing lane/turning, but don't check blind spots unnecessarily, you will be marked down too. (i know right, what the heck)
3. Check the back when you are reversing.
4. Always keep left, unless you have to U-turn or turn right.
5. Check your rear view mirror when you are stopping or moving off.
6. When changing lane, signal, check side mirror, blind spot, then go lane by lane. I made that mistake by changing lane too fast lol, think i abit kanchiong.
7. Book your TP during off-peak hours.
8. Never give up. I think that's the most important one. Some of your friends might laugh at you for retaking/failing again but screw them seriously, they are  not leading your life. There's always people in life trying to bring you down. (Then well, i guess you couldn't call them your friends lol)
The second time i failed, i felt super demoralized, i wanted to give up/felt as if i let the whole world down and wanted to try next year or something. (wah means i gotta take FTT agaaaain) I am lucky and thankful to have J, he was the one that constantly encourages me to just... goddamn, just go, choose your date and retake again. Even if you failed for the 6th time, DON'T GIVE UP.

Oh wait!!! My instructor is really really super nice, those who are taking auto in SSDC, I strongly recommend my instructor.
His name is Mr David Puan, 9712 0290 
I think he is actually quite popular because his first-time passing rates are actually quite high.
He charges $76 for 1.5 hours with circuit & i think $46/$48 for normal lessons, can't really remember.
He would pick me up at Admiralty MRT station, then i will start driving to SSDC.
Sigh, I'm actually a little sad that i can't chit chat with him anymore.

Oh well! I'm sorry for the lengthy post! Just felt like keeping it detailed :)
Night yall! :)

Monday, March 24, 2014

SMU Interview (ISM)

So, a few of my friends have asked me about the SMU (ISM) interview. I thought it will be a good opportunity for me to share my experiences with y'all since now is the interview period! (And so, i wouldn't have to repeat myself again lol)

Introduction 
My interview was last year(2013) so i doubt they would have changed the structure of the interview, for what i know it's been almost the same throughout the years.
Firstly, I would recommend y'all to walk around SMU before the interview(maybe the day before?) because it can be quite complicated, all the buildings look almost identical. You don't want to be all flustered and sweaty before the interview.

Head into the ISM building, sign your name and the security guard will direct you to which floor, mine was the 4th floor i think. Some senior will take you to a room and brief you about the interview. So, listen up well! You will be given a piece of paper and you have to write down your strength and weakness. Oh, another thing, it is a group interview (about 5-6 people). 

1.Web Design
When the professors are ready for you, you will enter to another room and sit according where your name is. There will be 3 of them sitting across you guys. Your first question would be to design a website on a piece of paper and then you have to present your idea to everyone using the projector. I think we are design a website for property agents. The professor will ask who wants to go up first, i went up the second! IMO, don't go up last. After you presented (or midway), you will be asked a series of questions like "Why did you suggest so and so", "Why not this instead?".

I remember there's this guy, he couldn't answer the questions and when they ask a similar question to another interviewee, he raised his hands and said he knows how to answer the question. The prof wasn't pleased at all so.. please don't do that lol.

2.Estimation Question
Now, this was the most (*$(@# part lol. Estimation Question! Question was, "How many bus stops are there in Singapore"
You are required to write your answers down on your paper (in 1 min), they will take your paper away from you and please remember what you have written! Because if your answers is completely different from your paper, they will question you. I remember i pretty much screwed up mine lol. Oh, and remember please give a number. Don't say things like "It is impossible to estimate because it is a rhetorical question." Or something along that line, you will kena three slaps on the face. They just wanna see how your logic is and how your assumption is like, so whatever it is, give good estimated number.

3. Q&A
Last segment! They will query you according to the Strength & Weakness you have filled it earlier. Then some of them will be questioned, "Why didn't you put ISM as your first choice?" / "Why do you choose SMU?"/ etc.

At the end they will ask "Any Questions?" You have to ask, and you should ask first in case some other interviewee has the same question as you, then you have to pull another question out from your ass lol. So best if you have 2-3 questions in your head. Also, ask good questions, don't ask questions that are already in the website or questions like "How is SMU better than NTU?" Because chances are, they will ask you back.
So make sure you at least read through their website, so they know you are prepared!

Finally, Thank the interviewers upon exit!
From what i know, ISM interview is the most xiong as compared to other interviews. Not trying to scare you but just be mentally prepared, i wished someone had told me beforehand lol.

I think that's about it. I honestly felt i screwed up the interview but i received my acceptance letter around May. Just sell yourself as much as you can!

Be confident be not cocky, OH OH and dress appropriately , safest bet is Formal, can never go wrong and impression counts.

Another thing to note, although ISM has the lowest gpa count for SMU, it is the most tedious among all the other school. It is really important that you're willing to work hard for ISM. So interests really matters, because it's for 4 years. If not you have to endure 4 years of doing something you dislike. The feeling will be terrible. Try to find out, or better yet, do questions on Java. Because you will be placed under pressure for coding tests. And i do mean, pressure. Most of your weekends you have to sacrifice for project meetings/revision including recess week. Not only that, you have to complete your other business modules. Which is not easy either. And coding takes alot of your time. Because it's like Maths, you have to keep practicing and train yourself to think/type fast. The only time you can relax is probably term break. If not, don't join ISM for your own sanity. Because ultimately, this line can suck the life out of you.

I feel i'm so pessimistic lol but i feel every IS student will say the same, so good luck whatever your decision is! :)