They just don't get it, do they ?

I understand that I am an above average student. Some go one step further and call me a star student. But, average or not, I believe this post has to be addressed to all who take my course, and who share a class with me. And this is because the matter has irked me for so long. Too long, in fact.

People are having mixed feelings about Ms Barclay's class. Some love it, some just hate it. Perhaps you're one of the haters. Perhaps you love her class. But in the end, does it matter ?

Brickfields students, take the example of Ms Barclay. Students elsewhere, try coining the name of a teacher who fits the following description made by several students in my A-Levels class :

"Quick, well-versed in his/her work, jumps sections - we don't know if it's out of necessity or some other reason, but this jumping sections thing is just too hard for me to understand. And when the chapter is done and exercises are done, a new chapter is introduced on the same day."

Guys, I may perhaps sympathise with you for the fact that a new chapter is introduced on the same day, but I CANNOT - and let me make this clear - I CANNOT sympathise with all of you when it comes to jumping sections.

Even Ms Barclay admits that she has to jump sections in order to complete at least the first few chapters, which are of utmost importance.

Now, here's why all this feedback is pissing the s* out of me :

Firstly, Ms Barclay is like any other teacher. Human. Humane. Maybe a bit overbearing when it comes to disciplinary measures. But all in all, do you even notice that she's doing her best to make us all understand points in Contract and Tort Law ? If you were put in the front of the class, with a whiteboard marker, a faulty mic and very little vocal energy, and students like the rest of us, wouldn't you feel the same too ?

Secondly, I notice that most students, if not all, fall into three categories :

1. They are too dependent on what the teachers say.
2. They are too dependent on written stuff i.e. textbooks or notes.
3. They talk and fidget in class, distracting other students.

What happened to the simple but effective practice of listening to what the teacher says, and taking down comprehensive notes ? From a personal point of view, I find this practice helpful. Maybe whatever Ms Barclay teaches can be unstructured. Whatever it may be, I just rearrange whatever she has taught into a chronological sequence. And I don't hesitate to put splashes and hints of colour on my notes. Never mind if it looks like a circus on paper. Whatever I write down helps me understand better, and I can retain Ms Barclay's words for as long as I can remember.

I seriously don't see why some people actually decide to escape Ms Barclay's class - fine, if they're attending the part-time class, but otherwise, I believe they're just running away from the problem rather than solving it.

(now, leave me to ease my pain.)

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By the way, when I was driving today, I left the house (I'm using an automatic car, by the way), that lever thingy (what do you call it again ?) was on DRIVE, and I forgot to put my handbrake down. So right up to the naval airbase (TUDM) I was driving at a snail's pace, so to speak - 50 km/h - and I think those brake lights might've been on. I don't know for sure.

A good Samaritan in a red van indicated to me that my brake lights were on. I think he must've observed that my handbrake was up. I didn't get him at first, but later.....

"O my Lord ! Thank you !"

I put the handbrake down and I drove off, comfortably.

To the guy in the red van, I'm not sure if you'll be reading this post ever, but if you do... thank you so much for helping me out today. :)