Adventures of University Life

Well my final exams were done on August 13th so after that my semester break began. So I am on vacation. My registration for the next semester was completed yesterday 29th August. It was horrible. The thing was not arranged properly. I went to uni at 8am cause I thought I could finish my registration and go home early. There, I asked someone from the office and he told me that the registration won't start before 10am. So I was pissed. I sat in the front lobby feeling sleepy. Some of my classmates atarted to appear. For some reason seeing them did not make me happy. Anyways at 9:30 am I headed up to the computer lab with one of my friends. There was huge line full of students. Both of us joined the line. It was hot, crowded and normally pushing. I managed to stand still in the line. At 10am when the doors were opened, the pushing became more prominent. I was fully drenched with sweat. Finally I entered the computer lab. The AC made me shiver, anyways a person on front of a computer screen called me. He asked me my Id number, then he went to a database and asked me if everything was ok. I said if I could change anything and he said no. I was dissappointed cause my routine sucks and if I did not change it would be difficult.

Anyways he printed my routine and I went to the study area to fetch it. Then I went to Room 222 where some Prime Bank employees where collecting the fees. In the printout there was a payment slip which I had to fill out. I filled it out and stood in line again. Although this time I was in the AC room. I waited till it was my turn. There was a scene during this time. Someone was screaming at the bank employees about how slow they are. Unfortunately they did not bring their machine so they were counting the cash manually. Someone from the office had come also to cool down the situation but it did no seem like it.

Anyways my classes will begin on Sunday 2nd September. So you should hear from me in the upcoming days.

Cheerss!!!!

Its been nearly 3 weeks after my previous post. Yes yes! As I mentioned on the previous post my History of Bangladesh did not go well and with the driver gone quite difficult week. Anyways after that things seemed to heat a bit more. The driver came, that was good news but there was pre-registration. For any freshmen who joined AIUB trust me its a horrible experience. On top that I had quizzes to attend and another multimedia presentation to do. On the 29th my id slot was released for pre-registration. Horrible day. I had only one class but since the registration started after 6pm I was told to stay. The thing is several of us made a group and we wanted to have the same routine on the other hand there is another group which most of our class do not like that group.

So our class was divided into 2. The group I was in was telling me to stay. I said I will go home, have lunch and come back my 5pm. So I went home and of all this that day the driver turned sick. So it was CNG as transport. I had lunch and went to uni by 5pm. When I went there it was a disaster. The routine we set had to be changed. Oh by the way pre-registration is for the next semester, the courses I am going to be taking and specific routine. It was a bust. One of my friends started creating a fresh routine. Every 5 minutes all the slots were getting full. Since everything is done via net it is possible to see what slots are full or not.

Then we went to the physics lab to use a pc, luckily our physics teacher was presnt. So she gave us permission to use the computer in the physics lab. The clock striked 6pm and the physics teacher told that the lab was going to close. It was sad news but she said she will allow us to use the PC in her quaters and that we do our registration from there.

So my friends and I walked to Campus 4 to her quaters. One of the group members sat in front of the pc and one by one he completed our registration. It was 7pm when I headed for home. Unfornuately there was no CNG so I had to walk to Gulshan 2 and hitch a richshaw.

I also had presentation this Wednesday. We had gone to the Language lab to do our presentation. Sadly the damn projector did not work so we ended up just talking rather than showing the slides. My topic was about"Jaywalking in Bangladesh"

So far this week was extremely hectic especially with my driver on vacation. Looking for CNGs that will take you to your desired location is very rare until they know its worth it. I called so many CNGs, neither of them wanted to go to university or come home. On Monday and Wednesday I walked most of the way and the remaining journey by rickshaw.

Other than that as I mentioned I had a multimedia presentation on Wednesday. Did not go to well! That morning I was still editing the speech and slides. I have been working on that thing for almost a week. Anyways I had other things to do like I had a quiz on Tuesday. The worse if all I had quiz on Wednesday itself but was totally unprepared. I did not study for it. I got another presentation on the 30th July. I was thinking of a topic but its main focus is on persuasive speech. Lets see what I come up with compared to my other group members.

Well last week was the first week of final term. All classes were smooth as in not understanding half the sums the Math teacher did and a bombshell on my head when the English teacher said "There will be three presentations". One was on History of Bangladesh which is to be held on Wednesday 18th July, the other on Persuaive speech and the last a book review.

I chose Digital Fotress written by Dan Brown,as the book I am going to review. Have not decided on what I am going to do on the second presentation. By the way the first two are multimedia so Yes I have to do in on Microsoft Powerpoint. Luckily the second one is by me only. The first is a group presentation and the members I have are all bums. I have to do everything. Got a lot of work left so till next time!!!!

That day my maths teacher marked me. What happened that day was I received my first quiz result. I was disappointed and furious with what I got but it was correct. So I asked someone behind me to give his script so I could see what mistakes I had done. He got full marks. When I was going through his and my script sir was calling the attendance. So he called my name. I responded "Present". He stopped calling and then asked who said that. I raised my hand up and he told " You must say present sir to respect me."I knew that but it just slipped my mouth.

I know this guy from high school. Surprising for a university professor to teach in high school but its true. I know he drones in class lecturing about things which are meaningless. His favourite quote "When I say no it means the stern voice of GOD." I am not the only one, everyone in our class makes fun of him.

Wednesday 20th,

Same thing happended also this day but slightly different. When he called my name I said "Present Sir!" He looked at me and smiled as in all his 32 teeth smile. I knew my maths classes wont go so smoothly.

Our English sir gave some stressing news and that was a group presentation to be held on 25th June which is a Monday, horrible day! Not only that we had a quiz and viva for 4 physics lab experiments.

Monday 25th

I had to dress properly as it was presentation and rules that I wear formal which for me is not a headache but wearing a tie in this hot summer was like roasting myself. Wore everything and headed for uni.

The lab teachers were waiting for us, arranged a room and took the quiz first. After the quiz got over we were given half an hour break then the viva would begin. W all settled and waited for our group number to be called. When my group was called I answered some things correctly and some have no idea. I did the sums correctly. I got quite good marks on my lab report though.

I finished with the lab class 1 hour before the English presentation so I quickly took a bite to eat. After that I asked my group members to do a slight rehearsal. Everything was ok except nervous. For some reason looking at my group members nervous, I felt cool and relaxed. That is not normal for me. We sat in class and let the first group start. From the second group things became a disaster.

The slides created on Powerpoint did not work. The university computer hanged. Then came the third group. They made a video which did not work on the computer. They thought that the software they brought would work but I knew it would not work. Several codecs were missing and the best software would the K-lite Mega Pack. To me its the best pack of codecs if you have any video issues.

The group after them also had the same problems. Video issues. Then we were called. Sir mentioned if we had technical problems then to mail the slides to his email address. I was hoping nothing would go on as most of the previous groups placed to much custom animation that it slowed the computer down. I did not put too much animation, just a few.

We bagan with me controlling the computer and the first speaker to introduce the group and topic. He was totalling shaking, fes words, looking at the screen too often, his outlook was ok, I was expecting more. Then shifted to the next speaker. He talked about the body. He was also shaky and forgot words and key public speaking methods. Then came another speaker. He seemed much better than the other ones cause his break in speech was uniform unlike the others. It was noticeable but his was not. I cant blame either of them cause nervousness is such a pain, you lose self-confidence and that is required if anyone is to talk in front of a crowd.

Finally he introduced me and I left the control of the computer to someone else. I introduced myself and for a moment my mind went blank. I had my speech in front of me and looked at it for a moment. WHoosh everything came back. I knew I had to show some pictures and point out what was what, and gave the conclusion. So far from that day our presentation was arranged and did not have hiccups but I had my hopes too high up. Oh yeah I forgot to mention my topic it was "Green Technology". I got the idea from my blog Pollution and its effect to the environment.
Someone had brought a laptop so the fourth group used the laptop to play their video. Their topic was " The biography of Stephen Hawkings" It was best so far.

Wednesday 27th

The presentation continued as half the class could not complete their presentation. From all of the presentation that day, the topic "Optical illusion" was mind-blowing. The best as the entire group was good.

Well 27th was the last class till midterm exams. My exams began on the 30th June and ended on the 2nd of July. Only three days cause three courses. All the exams were good except Maths. From the 2nd I was off for vacation till the 7th. Final term classes begin on the 8th. Another hectic month, but so was far university life is exciting and hopefully will become an experience I will never forget.

BETTER NOT GET HIGH HOPES!!!!

PS: I was supposed to post on the 21st but my ISP screwed me through the weekend and did not get to post last week. So sorry for the delay in post.

Saturday 9th June

I reached Campus 1 at 4 pm somewhat early. I had nothing better to do so I read the new messages on the notice board. It was 4:15 pm when I asked one of the janitors where the Aiescec meeting was to take place. He told me it was on the fourth floor. I got up the stairs, taking my time to go up, till I see students already waiting there. I found someone I knew during the Team’s Day, so I talked with him about classes and university. His interview was to be held at 4:30-4:40pm, right before me. It was 5pm and there were 3 people before him, making me the fourth person. He was called and he came out 10 minutes later. I was hoping to go after him but to my amazement before him the 3 people still had not gone in. I was like DAMNNN!!!!!! It was 5:30 no sign of my name popping. It was hot and was not feeling too good. I was planning to leave when one of seniors said I would be next. I waited it 6:15pm, so stupid. I have numerous health issues so I was worried. If I fall sick then I will not be able to attend class. Not only that there was a quiz on Sunday. Finally at 6:15 pm I was called and entered the room. My interviewers where the President and VP of Aiesec AIUB. I sat and was asked to introduce myself. So I am mentioned my name. I stopped then the President said that he wanted to know something outside the form. I told him I have some health problems. He asked what problems and I told him everything. He then said if there was national conference would I be able to go and if my parents will allow me to go. I said that depends on my health. If I am capable then I will be able to go and my parents should not objection. I told him I would not regret if I was not chosen.

Then the VP gave two pens and told me to sell one of the pens to the President. The trick was the pen I am supposed to sell was not the President wanted. He wanted the other one. So I was tested of my selling skills. I looked at the pens first and then answered giving the weakness of the pen I am not supposed to sell and give advantages of the pen I was selling. I also received a question from the President regarding the pen I am selling to him. I looked at the pen again and answered. He said “WELL DONE”. He said thank you and told I could leave. I asked when would I know if I was selected or not, he replied hopefully within 9pm. I opened the door and left.

Sunday 10th June

Physics quiz. I was prepared for it. The questions were easy but I did a careless mistake on the last question. So lets see, still have not gotten my results.

Monday 11th June

Lab at 8am. Luckily today my 3 lab partner did not show up. I am not being cruel but he kind of slows the group down. From my experience on Alevel practical, I had to be quick. I always wrote my readings unarranged but mentioned what reading or measurement is was for. Later I would arrange it. One of my lab partners, it not that fast but I can flow with his pace. The other one is slow, always asking questions. There is nothing wrong in that. Anyway I could finish the experiment within 10:30am, so I had one and half hour of free time. I had breakfast in the cafeteria and then sat on the sitting lounge on the ground floor. I was kind of bored. I was planning to leave university and check something out, but was worried. The past couple of days it was raining hard and the clouds looked at me mystery, so I sat inside. I took out my mobile and checked my mail. Nothing special! I got up and stared at the message boards. At 11:45am I went up to class. I opened the door and saw the class mostly full. I took my seat and watched what other people were doing. I started to talk with someone behind me so was a member of Aiesec and got recruited just like me. I later found out that he knew one of my best friends. We talked for sometime till the teacher came in. Sir showed us some presentations and gave us a grammar lesson. While doing those exercises, I realized that I took have grammar problems compared to the Bengali Medium students.

Class was over and my friend and I went to have lunch. While going there is was drizzling. I was wondering that hope I can back to uni in a dry state. I ordered and started having lunch. My mom called me on my mobile saying if it was raining hard. I said it was drizzling but I don’t know if it is raining. She told me to call my dad whose office was nearby. I told her, I am busy eating and will call him later. I finished within 2:15pm so did my friend. We went down and it was raining like made.

My friend told that he will walk in the rain and go to uni. I told him to wait. I called several rickshaws but neither of them wanted to go. My mom called and told me to call dad. I knew if my dad was coming it would a long time and I would miss class. A traffic jam was brewing in front of us. My dad called and said he was coming. While I was talking my friend managed to get one. So I followed him. By doing so, my shirt, bottom part of my jeans was totally wet. I then called my dad not to come. We stopped but not right front of the uni gate as there were cars waiting in line. My friend got out and paid the puller.

I got down and ran into shelter. I was soaked and was extremely worried. I knew that I am not far from falling sick. I had no time to worry about that then, my objective was to get to class. I opened the door and saw so many eyes looking at me. I was wet. I sat and took my time to relax. Luckily there was no electricity so no air-conditioner was running. Then the sir entered. He rambled in class but I was least bothered. I had received a message from AIESEC President saying that I was recruited and a meeting was to take place at 5pm. I was tensed about that.

Class got over and got down to see if my car had come. The driver as usually is no were to be seen. Then he pops up and indicates that he is bringing the car. I told him to go to AIUB auditorium which was in Campus 1. I climbed to the 6th floor panting for breath. I was early but I could not enter the auditorium. After 5:10 I was allowed to enter. I took a seat at the middle of the auditorium. The President and 4 Vice Presidents had accompanied him.

The President started that those who got selected was because they answered correctly. He said there were some many potentially students but every few could respond correctly. So out of 130 people 42 people were recruited including me. Then the President said that there is a national conference to be held in Tangail and all the new recruits were supposed to go. I could not got cause I knew if I did, say good-bye to university. I would be in bed, recuperating for god knows how many days. Everyone was supposed to bring their parents the next day which was the Parents Meet. It was 7pm. I was in university for almost 11 hours. I was tried and exhausted. The President said those who are in a hurry can leave and I sped off. My mom called me and said where are you? You will become sick and all those things.

Tuesday 12th June

I was so exhausted from yesterday’s classes and meeting when I woke. My body was aching. I some how managed to get out of bed and had breakfast and went to university. Class was normal, there was nothing new. My mom told me to forget about AIESEC and I did not show up on the Parents Meet.

Wednesday 13th June

That morning too, it seemed I was sleep deprived. I had two classes. From 12pm to 4:30pm. English and Maths. Our English teacher gave us another presentation but this time was a group presentation. I had selected my group members but was not satisfied. I get to choose the topic. So that was easy. After English class I went to have lunch and came back for Maths. Sir had given us a quiz and after that he continued with a normal class. Bell rang at 4:30pm and left university.

Sunday 3rd June

I had physics class nothing that great happened. Although our teacher mentioned that our section was the dumbest section of the other 7 sections.

Monday 4th June

Monday, as I mentioned was a horrible day and it began a storm early in the morning. I reached university by 7:45am in the rain. Since I had an English presentation to do I had wore formal clothes. I had my lab class at first. It continued till 11:30 am. I had nothing to eat during this time and I only drank a cup of tea a few biscuits. I was so famished, by 11:30 we were allowed to leave after completing the experiment. I said nothing to my lab partners and went down. Grabbed my bag and had breakfast. My mom had given me something to eat. I had only 20 minutes left till my next class which was to take place at 12pm. I managed to finish a piece of bread and fried potato. My mom gave me 3 pieces to eat. I packed the remaining in my lunch box and headed up to class. I opened the door and found my usually seat empty.

I waited till the sir entered; all of us stood up and sat. Sir called our attendance, and started calling one by one to present. As my classmates started to introduce themselves, I got to know a lot about them, where they came from, where they completed their high school and a lot more. I was exhausted from the morning lab class so when my name I was called it was almost 1:25pm, I slowly approached the lectern. I put my speech down and looked up to my friends. Took a breath and started speaking. I looked down at the speech time to time as I read my speech several times, so I had an imprint of it in my mind. As my teacher mentioned that eye contact is important for public speaking so I tried my best to maintain it. Since my speech was held later, sir kind of felt bored so he told me to go to the conclusion. I did not hasten my speech. I wrote my speech such that it would take not more than 2 minutes. I continued from there and concluded it saying THANK YOU. I sat quickly listening to the other speakers.

Suddenly my pocket started to vibrate. I took out my mobile and checked it was my friend. I cancelled the call and sent and sms saying I was in class. Around 1:45 pm, sir stood up and told that the remaining candidates where to present their speech in the next class and he left. I grabbed my bag and left to eat lunch. I called my friend and asked why he called? He said that he was also Boomers (a cafe), the place where I was going to eat lunch. I meet him there and had a quick lunch, said bye and headed back to class at 2:25pm.

Math class, the droning sir, who would stop in the middle of sum and talk about something out of the blue. I listened to his lecture in a lazy mood, completely exhausted. Finally at 4:30, he left and I was relieved. I could go home.

Tuesday 5th June

Same old physics class nothing much great happened that day.

Wednesday 6th June

English presentation continued till all of our classmates where done. Sir stood up and told that he was quite amazed and said that this section is quite brilliant. He never thought that being the first time to talk publicly that we would have serious problems. Most of us passed with flying colours. I got an “A” but the teacher commented that I was low on energy and was my flaw. I was tried that day so yeah.

We had a math quiz, something I was partially prepared but i hope I get something good.

Thursday 7th June

I picked up a recruitment form from one of the campus for AIESEC. An international organization run by students. I wanted to give it a try so I filled up the form and was to attend a meeting on Thursday. So I arrived at Campus 1 at 9:15 as they have mentioned. I waited, my name was called, I filled another form confirming that I was present. Then we were ushered to another room where music was booming loudly. There was a sort presentation about AIESEC and then there was dancing. Having regular disco parties with my cousins in one of my cousin brother’s house, dancing was something common for me. We were asked to stand in 5 lines and then the music began. We danced for 5 minutes, then we were asked to sit in groups. Then we were to make a presentation about our group. We presented it and received cheers. Again there were dancing and some presentations. I cant remember all the presentations. Till 2pm it was like that. We were given an hour’s break to have lunch. As usually I went to Boomers. Lunch was quite good. I came back to university and into the room. There were some more presentation about AIESEC and another presentation on Crisis Management.

At 6pm we were asked to fill up another form for the interview. My time slot was 4:40-4:50 pm on Saturday 9th June.