My experience in the ECP programme.

Well, it started out rough. I remember thinking that my first practical in life science was going to be so awesome because we have high-tech facilities. Unfortunately, this was not the case. We were told that we were going to a NATURE RESERVE situated in the university. I got excited, geared up and ready for the afternoon just to find that there was almost nothing to see. The heat was really getting to us and all we did was look and observe different plants and trees that ended up all looking the same. It was such a drag and I ended up already dreading future practical classes. The torture did not stop there. The most stressful module is ISC. From the beginning of the year up until now, they have been bombarding us with work which seems totally unnecessary. They make us sit in a three hour class every week that seems to be wasting our time when we could be doing something more practical. I thought it would be better once we reached the end of the year but it only got worst. We are expected to act as young adults instead, they treat us like kids. In the first two terms we had to submit portfolios with the entire term’s work. I don’t understand why they made us do the work, mark it, return it and then hand it back to them. This term they decided to make things a bit different. We had to submit our work electronically. This included a whole process of scanning work, creating folders on google drive, sharing with our team mates and facilitators and hyperlinking tasks to their respective files. At least we have gained additional computer literacy skills. The one class that I enjoy going to is living and learning because it is always exciting. Every week we learn something new about ourselves that we may have not even known. We also learn how to work and behave with other people and how to emotionally intelligent. On the plus side, the theory part of it is quite enjoyable. Our lecturers are too sweet and kind. I am never bored our uninterested in their lectures and they always help when we struggle or cannot understand the work. In maths, consultation hours are available every day during lunch break or we can schedule an appointment. I have a great support system (my friends) so if I do find myself not coping with the amount of work they are always there to help. In life sciences, we have a tutorial once a week to test us on the knowledge gained of the previous week’s work. This is almost like revision so it helps us remember the work. Nevertheless, being in the ECP Programme has helped me realise that it is only to be of benefit to us in the long run and ultimately, the programme is just there to ensure that we become on of the best of scientists.