DP Daily Prompt: Mentor Me

Have you ever had a mentor? What was the greatest lesson you learned from him or her?

In the early years of my childhood, I did not have a mentor, I did whatever pleased me, i.e. ‘study less, play more.’

It displeased my older sister, that I was so carefree. I was told I’d be a failure, no education, no friends. It just did not bother me.

I studied enough to go up the ladder, it was what I wanted, work less and get more was my motto. To my surprise I wasn’t deprived of education as my sister predicted. My younger brother is the only one who said: “Ranu, you’ll do very well if you study a tiny bit more.”

I smiled and replied:  “what you want me to sacrifice my play time for studying?”

When I reached my  final  ladder, I put some thought into what I wanted  in life: I heard a soft whisper from my inner self, “become a teacher.”

It sounded terrific, then I thought it was worth giving up my playtime for doing well at that stage.

Although no one mentored me, my profs. gave me a nod every time I passed them by, meaning you are doing well, keep working.

I completed my education, ready with all the papers to apply for a teaching position. I was successful. I taught lower grades, I adored the kids I taught , they loved me. What more could I want, it was enough to carry on.

Right now I’m doing online courses and enjoying it. I work hard the laid back person has disappeared. I have two good friends who encourage me in my work, can I call them my mentors?

https://sabethville.wordpress.com/2015/04/15/dp-daily-prompt-mentor-me/

365 Writing Prompts: What’s your learning style?

What’s your learning style? Do you prefer learning in a group and in an interactive setting? Or one-to-one?  Do you retain information best through lectures, or visuals, or simply by reading books?

Learning in a group while it seems to be a good way to learn, it gets boring when one know it all continues to talk forgetting there are others who may have something to say about the subject.

I encountered this in meetings when two teachers would start talking about unrelated things and waste everyone’s time, those were the times I felt we were not learning much.

As regards one-on- one it only happens when one has specific problems which is dealt by the instructor after school hours. I didn’t have to stay after school.

If there was anything I missed I’d either read books to find my answer,or read my notes, most of the time I take notes of important points during the lecture then read  them later to make sure I know what the topic was about.

I prefer to read books, to me books are the best way to learn, I can read it alone in my room with no interference from anyone!

https://sabethville.wordpress.com/2014/12/07/365-writing-pr…learning-style/

 

365 Writing Prompts: Fifteen Credits

Another school semester will soon begin. If you’re in school, are you looking forward to starting classes? If you’re out of school, what do you miss about it— or are you glad those days are over?

I am not in school I took care of my studies a while ago. Sometimes I miss the atmosphere of school. I recall one of my profs was quite strange, when we’d see him coming towards us we’d be ready to wish him “Salaam”, meaning peace be on you, our words would be stuck in our throats, he’d turn around and look the other way, this was in the university. as usual we’d talk among ourselves about how strange he was.

Then there was Sr. Joseph Mary in college, before I could wish her,’good morning,afternoon or evening,’ depending on the time of day.

She’d quickly remind me, “Chaman, I hope you won’t go to your uncle’s house for the week-end.”

I’d say nothing and try to move on,then the question is louder,’Did you hear me my dear?’

I’d have no choice but to say, ‘Yes Sr. Joseph Mary.’

In London it was Prof. Baird, he’d wish me before I opened my mouth, “Good Morning, Miss Sabeth, how are you?”

My reply, “I’m fine Mr. Baird.”

I’d then quickly go into the classroom and open my phonetics book and pretend to study, so Prof. Baird wouldn’t ask any further questions.

It was a carefree life in school, after classes depending on where I was, I’d either go straight to my residence or in London I’d go to one of the stores, it was  Selfridges ,  I loved checking all the interesting things, I’d go from floor to floor it was my way of spending time, I dreaded going back to the residence because I knew I’d be homesick.

I miss my Profs., Sister Joseph Mary and also some of my classmates.

Now I registered for online courses, it’s stress-free, I see no one and no one sees me. I love the fact I do not have to dress up to be in this school. I’m studying about poet and philosopher Iqbal and enjoying a lot. The best part is we have no exam. We get a certificate at the end of a course.

I am using a video of Mary Hopkins, the lyrics  , “those were the days”, although we didn’t hang out in the tavern or drank,what is similar is we were young, and we never thought our days of fun will be over. Making fun of our teachers was one thing that made us laugh the most.

: https://sabethville.wordpress.com/2014/08/21/365-writing-pr…ifteen-credits

 

 

 

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