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| We still had smile... |
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| ...before the colloquium started |
As part of curriculum in this department, every student (except the second years) has to present one paper related to his/her field of research in a meeting called colloquium. Our (international students) turn began yesterday and will be a series of English speaking sessions for the next four weeks (with one week break). For the schedule has been announced since the beginning of this semester, there should be a plenty of time to prepare. And there actually was, IF I could manage it well.
I sent five alternatives of paper to my Sensei for him to select which one is the most appropriate. I did it one month ago.
Yes, I started to read it right after we decided THE paper. But somehow it was so hard to end. I (eventually) finished reading it just one week ago. Apparently it would be harder to read and understand a paper if you not do it in one time stand.
So, sit and read. Focus and don't be distracted. Do it until the last sentence in Conclusions part or even read all the names in Acknowledgment.
Making a presentation slide is another different job. Understanding for yourself is not enough. You have to make other people, who will first have THE paper on their hand only when they come into the room, understand. And it is not easy. At all.
I worked on the Introduction for four days. Again, not focus.
Then I sat and worked in front of my laptop on Sunday evening and the slides were still far from finish when I decided to stop, fulfilling the need of my hungry tummy. The work was continued until the night before D-day. Revising and revising again.
My slides were done but the lines were still unstructured. You see, in a formal occasion like this (when you wear suits instead of casual shirts and when all Sensei-s and students from all four labs come) slipping your tongue is the least accident you want to have. Well, not being able to answer any question given is another thing. But hey, it's not your work anyway. So the burden is lesser *grin.
I wrote my lines in the morning thinking I still have time since the colloquium started at 1.10 PM. In fact, I only reviewed two-third of total 34 slides and left the rest to what was written there.
Make sure you finish your slides two days before at the most so that you have a full day to think about your speech before the reality strikes.
What ever will be will be.
Talked and talked. Question and (not answering) Answer.
Nodded and said "Thank you".
And it was finally over! 30 minutes slot of one month preparation.
Alhamdulillaah. Relief indeed. Let the past be in the past.
Afterward, without compromising my tummy started to growl, my eyes got heavier and my head hurt as my body (seemed to) know its best performance was no longer needed. It reached its limit and demanded for a fine rest.
It was a 2 years ago experience. Although this time the pain is less, I admit I had not used my brain that hard for a long period *smirk. I think it got shocked of all the sudden pressure. Sorry, brain. And thank you for the hard work.
Concluding remarks
(Do we miss an Introduction?)
From the fact we learnt throughout this long post (thank you for your patience), I may suggest you the following:
Use your brain more often.
So you will not say something like this
or this
[Images are from here, here, here, and here. All photo credits are for Mas Ade, sang tukang foto.]
Yes, I started to read it right after we decided THE paper. But somehow it was so hard to end. I (eventually) finished reading it just one week ago. Apparently it would be harder to read and understand a paper if you not do it in one time stand.
So, sit and read. Focus and don't be distracted. Do it until the last sentence in Conclusions part or even read all the names in Acknowledgment.
Making a presentation slide is another different job. Understanding for yourself is not enough. You have to make other people, who will first have THE paper on their hand only when they come into the room, understand. And it is not easy. At all.
I worked on the Introduction for four days. Again, not focus.
Then I sat and worked in front of my laptop on Sunday evening and the slides were still far from finish when I decided to stop, fulfilling the need of my hungry tummy. The work was continued until the night before D-day. Revising and revising again.
My slides were done but the lines were still unstructured. You see, in a formal occasion like this (when you wear suits instead of casual shirts and when all Sensei-s and students from all four labs come) slipping your tongue is the least accident you want to have. Well, not being able to answer any question given is another thing. But hey, it's not your work anyway. So the burden is lesser *grin.
I wrote my lines in the morning thinking I still have time since the colloquium started at 1.10 PM. In fact, I only reviewed two-third of total 34 slides and left the rest to what was written there.
Make sure you finish your slides two days before at the most so that you have a full day to think about your speech before the reality strikes.
What ever will be will be.
 |
| My turn |
Talked and talked. Question and (not answering) Answer.
Nodded and said "Thank you".
And it was finally over! 30 minutes slot of one month preparation.
Alhamdulillaah. Relief indeed. Let the past be in the past.
Afterward, without compromising my tummy started to growl, my eyes got heavier and my head hurt as my body (seemed to) know its best performance was no longer needed. It reached its limit and demanded for a fine rest.
Concluding remarks
(Do we miss an Introduction?)
From the fact we learnt throughout this long post (thank you for your patience), I may suggest you the following:
Use your brain more often.
So you will not say something like this
[Images are from here, here, here, and here. All photo credits are for Mas Ade, sang tukang foto.]
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