Life's Recent Challenges and Reflections
Hi everyone,
Just an update on what's been happening in my life recently. It's been a challenging period, and I believe sharing my experiences might help me process them and perhaps resonate with some of you.
I've been incredibly busy with my teaching gig. While I find great joy in educating, a recent class has been particularly tough. Many of my students have struggled to follow my teachings and instructions, which unfortunately led to a significant number of them failing their exams, assessed by external evaluators. This has been disheartening, as I always strive to see my students succeed.
I've taught this course many times in the past. And always get 100% passing rate. But this batch of students seem weak at grasping the concepts. Plus, for some strange reason, no matter how hard I try to impress upon them the importance of studying and practicing, they don't seem to believe me. And would just sit around and chat during practice periods.
I wonder: Is this a generational thing? The students I taught in the past were mostly older generations. And they did follow my guidance and worked hard. This batch, there were more younger people. Are they like this? Not willing to put in the work and expect good results?
On a more personal note, my beloved betta fishes have passed away, and one of my cherished orchids has also died. These small but meaningful parts of my life brought me comfort and joy, and their loss has made me a little sad.
Despite these challenges, I am trying my best to stay positive. It's not easy, and there are days when it feels almost impossible. The weight of these experiences has sometimes led me to dark thoughts.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Your support means the world to me, and I hope to share more positive updates with you soon.
I wish you good health.
Tim
(cover image created with Copilot, prompt by Tim)
Recent Comments
27
I was a pessimist for as long as I can remember and it was only through these last 3 years that I have gotten better at finding the silver lining. Maybe in this group of students, it will allow you to find different angle to working with them and expand that dynamic in your teach skills. Maybe in the death of your orchid and betta fishes, it makes room for you to perhaps enjoy something that may have not had your attention. I do not say this to minimize the emotions and feelings you experience but wish you the best as you tackle this adversity.
✌️ Robert
Thanks Robert.
The course is a government-controlled course. No straying from the syllabus or lesson plan. They are very strict about that. I must teach the lessons according to their requirements. Teachers who do otherwise have been given the sack.
Yes, I have decided not to keep any pets anymore. As for plants, I will focus more on the hardier beginner friendly ones like zz plant and snake plant.
Tim
An audiobook I listened called the values factor by John deMartini taught me about values and how everyone has their own highest values and that people spend TEM (time, energy and money) on those which is of their highest values. So if a dad has a high value on business, travel and teaching and his son has a high value on computer games, sports and food, in order for them to see eye to eye, one of them would have to put the effort so they could align and satisfy values on both ends ex. dad takes son to watch a soccer game (son satisfies sports) in a different country (dad satisfies travel). This book has helped me in understanding what I needed to do in order to achieve the things I within my highest values.
You have made some great decisions. And it will be a wonderful day for you ☀️
I am so sorry to hear about your orchid and fish. I love orchids and always enjoy watching them bloom. It will soon be time to bring mine back into the house and wait for the anticipated blooming period that is right around the corner.
As for students, I no longer teach any classes because I don't have the patience. I do think that it is a generational thing. Today's younger generation seems not to want to work for anything and feel they are owed something. I have friends that still teach classes in various subjects, and they all say that the younger students expect to pass even though they don't put in the work to do it, or don't do the work at all. It's sad because it makes it very difficult for the others that want to work. There is a lot of great talent in the younger generation but many are being stifled because of the ones that don't take pride in what they can accomplish.
Nancy
Thanks for the condolences, Nancy. I have decided to not keep pets anymore. As for plants, I am going to focus on zz plants and snake plants. They are hardier and are beginner friendly.
I love orchids too. Still have a few. Hope they survive and bloom.
Good to hear you have orchids too. What orchids are they?
Yes, I noticed that too - that many don't want to do the work and expect to pass the exam. How did they come to such a way of thinking?
Tim
This generation has the attention span of a gnat, Tim. You'd be better off taking your class and putting it into a song and dance format on TikTok or YouTube. Maybe that might keep them focused. (I'm joking, of course!)
Sorry to hear about your fishes and orchids. Is good that you're able to find great fulfillment in these things.
Hope you're doing well in your health and well-being.
Isaiah 🙂
Thanks Isaiah.
I wish I could use entertaining videos to teach them. I did think of that before. But these are government-controlled courses. Changes are strictly not allowed.
Thanks for the condolences. I have decided not to keep any pets. Don't want to be killing any more lives.
For plants, I have decided to focus more on hardy beginner-friendly plants like zz plant and the snake plant. hehe
I am as well as can be. I wish you good health too, my friend.
Tim
Hi Tim, glad you are well.
When I was teaching electrics face to face I did notice a distinct difference in attitude between the young apprentices and more mature students,
The youngsters were like trying to control dry leaves on a windy day. There attitude was who cares if I fail, I will still have a job, I don't get paid any more for passing. Some even believed that I would pass them anyway - that idea soon changed. I had a golden rule with the apprentices, if they were late in class, I would never repeat what they had missed. they all liked the practical stuff , so I always did this in the first hour of each day. If they were late, oops, you've missed the best bit.
The mature chaps and chappesses realized that here was an opportunity to build a better electrical business, a better career, make more money.
I didn't teach them any differently, nothing changed, except the attitude of the students.
Bux
Thanks Bux.
The course I taught is government controlled. The syllabus and lesson plan are fixed. Any changes are strictly not allowed.
Also, they are given sample answers to memorize, and role plays to practice. Perhaps these are the reasons why they don't feel the need to pay attention?
The diploma classes are better. No sample answers. Concept, theories and practical are of a higher level. The students in those classes really need to focus.
Tim
All you can do is your best. For the one's that don't want to learn, there must come a point when your energy has to go into the ones that do, those that are actually interested. I found a great motivator for difficult classes was to have a policy of not repeating myself. If they are late, tough. If they keep taking toilet breaks for a sneaky cigarette, tough. I don't repeat.
Keep well my friend.
Bux
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Good morning Tim,
I would imagine teaching is a difficult subject and is something that I don't really know about. But the good news is that despite the problems, you have had students in the past with excellent pass rates.
We are living in very strange times! It appears with platforms like TikTok and YouTube shorts, people's attention span has become very short. Recently, I had a friend come and stay who works abroad a lot of the time, I was utterly amazed at how he couldn't leave his phone alone. So much so, that I had to mention it to him. I would think that he probably only listened to about 2% of what I was saying due to the fact that he was on his phone.
I don't know if your students are allowed phones in the classroom, but it certainly appears that people have very short attention spans. I have been in rooms where it's supposed to be a social event and literally everyone is looking at the phone, I'm not talking about teenagers, I'm talking about adults!
So to conclude, Tim, judging by how good your student's results have been, I think it's more of a lack of focus on their part rather than your part.
Have a fantastic week.
Roy
Thanks Roy. Yes, I do have excellent pass rates in the past. And currently too. This last batch for this week: 100% pass rate.
Oh, in Singapore many people are glued to their phones. I have once read a tourist who took the train noticed that Singaporeans are always looking at their phones.
Phones are allowed in the classroom ... unfortunately. Students are requested to silent it or off the phone. But even then, I still see them peeking into their phone now and then.
I wish you good health.
Tim
Good morning Tim,
That's great that you still have some excellent pass rates coming in, Tim. That says a lot, especially when it's a 100 percent pass rate!
I don't think it's a lot different here in the UK, Tim, so many people are glued to their phone rather than conversing with the human next to them.
I can believe that, so many people cannot resist checking their phone! It's such a time-consuming task and it's a good way to lose time or waste time.
Have a great day.
Roy