MUG Mug mug....

Hmmm.. the fact that I'm still blogging during the reading week does not mean I've finished my preparations for exams. Truth is, I feel that I’m ill-prepared, when actually there’s not really much I can do either. I’ve gone through the notes at least 3 times, gone through the tutorials at least twice. Hell, I’ve even looked at the past year papers (though I didn’t attempt them cos there’s no answers provided). What more can I do?

Studies aside, today it hit me again (sort of like a reminder) that I’m in the final year of my studies. Final year, cos I seriously don’t think I’ll be continuing my studies after honors. To be honest, I’m sick of it. Kindergarten, primary, secondary, college, university. How many years has that been? Close to 2 decades?

Which also means that I’ll be stepping into the working world real soon. RSAF. Ever since I signed on with the air force, I’ve seen more frowns than smiles whenever I told people that I’m a regular with the RSAF. A typical conversation would be something like:

Xxx: “Ay? How come you didn’t complete NS?”

Me: “Cos I signed on with the air force.”

Xxx: “Oh… *trying to hide a frown* sign on as what?”

Me: “Air Engineering Officer”

Xxx: “I see.. *changes topic*”

And that’s only an example of a milder case. Actually, I don’t really understand why so many people have a mentality that signing-on is like “omgwtf why did you do something so stupid!?”

For me, I didn’t really give much thought when I signed the contract. Back then I didn’t really know what I wanted to do after graduating from university, I only knew what I don’t want. I don’t want my parents to fret about my university tuition fees. I don’t want to graduate at 25 years old and be in debt to some bank where I borrowed money from to pay for my tuition fees.

I mean, I don’t come from a wealthy family. My dad is the sole bread-winner, and he’s not earning very much, nor does he have a stable income given that he’s a self-employed contractor. Worse, he doesn’t have CPF. Kudos to him for being able to provide the family with a comfortable life.

Why RSAF? I knew that my grades, though good, were not good enough for scholarships offered by other institutes like A*, DSTA, PSC etc. I kinda just took the opportunity when it came. With the award from signing-on, I don’t have to worry about my tuition fees, I don’t have to complete my NS before studying, I don’t have to keep asking my dad for allowance, and I don’t have to worry about not finding a job upon graduation. All that for and effectively 2 year bond is worthwhile, or at least to me it is.

With the trend of increased benefits for civil servants going strong, seems to me like a good decision I made =P