Macquarie Sem 1

With a blink of an eye, one semester is over. Just another semester and I'll come home a masters graduate. This semester is one that I truly learnt a lot about special education and also about myself. And there's just so much to be thankful for.

I did a total of 4 units - research, numeracy, communication with students with high support needs and effective instructions for students with special needs. And I really enjoyed them all. The communication and effective instructions units were related to my work at rainbow, so it was really enjoyable and there was so much new information that I learnt. The research one was good too. It was kinda like a repeat of what I learnt in Wheelock, just a lot more detailed. Plus, I like research actually. So though it was tough for others, it was manageable for me. As for numeracy, I like the unit and it was about giving effective numeracy instructions. I really liked how they broke down math steps into simpler parts to teach so that students can understand it better. But the prof made the learning a little too complicated, so it wasn't that enjoyable. Haha. I guess Semester one was good all in all. And I don't regret coming to Sydney to do my masters.

Learning about myself this semester was more interesting. I've never really done well in primary or secondary school. I was average. But things changed and I started to do well in poly and in Wheelock. I guess it was because I was finally studying what I like. Well naturally, I expected myself to continue to do well with postgrad. I mean I'm doing what I enjoy and I have some experience working with kids with special needs right? So I know I should be doing as well as I did in poly and in Wheelock. But God had greater plans. He reminded me about how my pride has taken over. That each time I thought I was better and that I knew more than others, my results came back lower than I thought I'd do. I am reminded to be humble, to simply just do my best and to enjoy the process of learning. That though I should strive to do my best, I shouldn't be putting myself on a pedestal. So now whatever the results, I am thankful that God pulled me through and that I really learnt so much in the units. And with this new knowledge and skills I've gained in lectures and in practicum, I know I can be a better special educator.

One other lesson that I learnt was a reminder through an OCF friend, Tim. I had a really bad paper where I missed out a full page of question. And I was pretty upset abt it. But Tim reminded us that no matter what others say and what our exams turn out to be, it won't make us any less as God's child. Exams can't take away our identity in Christ. It was really encouraging for me, cause it spoke of what happened to me. No matter how my grades turn out to be, my identity as God's child still remains and my salvation is still secure.

I've received my results and I've passed all my units. Of course I did better for a couple of units. But I am thankful to God for sustaining me through the past 4 months. He has helped me through times when I felt alone (though the sister is here), when I didn't want to study anymore, when I felt overwhelmed with the amount of readings. I'm thankful that He always gives me the peace that I need and for reminding constantly through people around me that He loves me and that He never stops watching over me. Thank You Lord!