Reflection on Semester 2 Subjects

Finance

• I learned to describe key financial concepts used in financial management and how to apply them.
• I learned to apply the concepts of finance and make informed financial management decisions.
• As it was my first time taking Finance as a subject, I learned to be patient and determined to understand the new concepts that I have not encountered before.

Organizational Behavior

• I understand a comprehensive theoretical framework of organisational behaviour covering the individuals, the groups and the organisation.
• I learned to understand a better working environment for people in organizational settings.
• Importance of human dynamics in working environment.
• Understanding the importance or a person's behaviour which can influence the working relations and productivity.

Business Communication

• Importance of effective communication in the business environment.
• Understanding how communication can differ based on the skills one possesses. 
• I am now aware of the global context in which business communication takes place

Macroeconomics

• I have a critical understanding of macroeconomic concepts and how these concepts help me understand the workings of the national economic and financial systems.
• I learned to be more analytical towards the global economy in a more systematic manner.
• I am now able to interpret macroeconomic datas and to communicate those information across effectively. 

Management Information Systems

• I understand the importance of information systems in business to grow locally and globally in creating successful, competitive and global corporations.  
• I am able to analyse business cases in management, organization and technology perspectives.
• Understand how organisations design, manage and use information systems and technology as important corporate resources.

Semester 2 Presentations

Organizational Behaviour 

This subject has the most presentations compared to other subjects. There was a lot of preparations to do for tutorials as they include answering tutorial questions, presentations and debates. All these were included as part of participation marks which rounds off to 10% of the course. After all those presentations, I think I am more comfortable standing in front of the class. 

Business Communication

There was only one presentation for this subject but it was worth 15% overall. It was regarding the business report we did on a small company we chose which was Nuffnang. One of the most formal presentations ever.

Management Information Systems

Only one presentation for MIS where my group presented a case study about Facebook and its security problems and marketing strategies. 

For the other 2 subjects, there were no presentations.

My Learning Style

Everyone learns best in their own style. For me, I cannot read and remember facts. Instead, I would prefer learning visually and auditory, more to visually. So far the subjects this semester does not incorporate visual learning other than the slides projected during lectures. 


As much as I know myself, I can sometimes remember what is written on the particular slide and also the chronology of the slides to come. This really helps me a lot during exams where I get to think back that particular slide and get the answers. 


I am still finding the best way to revise visually the topics given but it will be another task to overcome. Everyday is a self discovery and I will find out the best way for myself soon.

Management Information Systems -Video Assignment

We were required to create a 3-5 minute video clip explaining specific concepts relevant to the subjects/topics learnt in the course and upload our video to YouTube for public viewing and comments. The topic we chose was: How information system help customers.

Overall it is a fun experience as making a video is not what we are majoring in however, extra knowledge outside business is always acceptable. We shot the video and edited it within the period of 3 weeks. Enjoy!

Macroeconomics -Video Assignment

This video assignment included 6 members. The topic is about subsidy which is a hot economic issue these past few years as the government decided to decrease it to cut expenses. The video explains what happens to the short run supply, long run supply and also demand once the government cuts on subsidies.

My Weaknesses

When there are strengths, it is always accompanied by weaknesses which are sometimes detrimental and I feel that there is always room for improvements. My weakness is that I tend to over commit myself with too many tasks. As a result, each of the tasks at times would not be up to the standard that I expect.

This would also mean that I have poor time management which needs to be managed soon so that I can set up my priorities. Time is a resource that cannot be stored and it is always easy to continuously look back and wish things had been different. To avoid all that, I would then attend a few time management workshops. These weaknesses that I have mentioned can change over time with commitment and more determination.

Organisational Behaviour -BUS1524

This course provides students with an introduction to psychological and behavioural approaches to the study of work and organisations.  The course introduces some of the basic analytical tools and concepts from the fields of organisational behaviour and work psychology that encourage an understanding of the behaviour of individuals and groups in the workplace.



(George, J.M. & Jones, G.R 2008, Understanding and Managing Organizational Behavior, 5th edition, 
Pearson, New Jersey.)

Management Information Systems -BUS 1704

This subject provides students with an understanding of the fundamental concepts, principles and theories of applying information systems and technology in business. It enables students to appreciate the use and development of emerging technologies and critically assess future technological trends in a globalised economy. This subject also incorporates the academic/career e-portfolio to promote selfdevelopment and self-evaluation around subject specific knowledge, ICT skills as well as soft skills which is vital to students’ professional success.



(Laudon, K. C. & Laudon, J.P. (2009) Management Information Systems. Managing The Digital 
Firm (11th Ed.). NJ: Prentice Hall.)

Macroeconomics -BUS 1614

This module looks into the workings of a domestic economy and the policies that governments may implement to manage it and improve the business environment. The module exposes the student to the various macroeconomic tools of analysis and analytical frameworks that are essential to understand and apply. It will complement other Level One business modules that you do and provides a basis for Level Two and Three modules in both business and economics.The subject content deals with such topics as the workings of the national economic and financial systems, evaluating government policies, interactions between the national and global economies, exchange rates, the role of institutions, as well as topics in trade such as multilateralism, regionalism and protectionism.It will also teach students how to source relevant economic data and analyse them.


(Parkin, M (2010). Economics, (9^th ed. Global ed). Pearson)

Introduction to Finance -BUS 1204

This course introduces students to the main issues and financial concepts that encompass financial management that non finance majors would be able to appreciate, and yet, equipping finance major students for higher level finance or business related courses. Students would be expected to keep abreast of financial issues that prevail and impact the domestic and financial markets.In this sense, the course is expected to go beyond theoretical issues to real market issues that impact international organisations, such as currency changes and the risk and rewards it offers. 


(Ross, Stephan A.; Westerfield, Randolph W.; & Jordan, Bradford D. Essentials of Corporate Finance, 6^th Edition, McGraw-Hill / Irwin)

Business Communication -BUS1514

Business Communication equips students with the necessary written and spoken skills for effective business communication. Students are exposed to various business correspondences and taught practical strategies to write convincing and coherent messages. Students are also taught to strategise, and to use appropriate and ethical approaches in writing not only routine messages, but also persuasive and negative messages. Listening and speaking skills are also focused on to ensure effective interpersonal communication. This course also emphasises the need for business communication to be seen in a global context where various considerations such as technological advances and ethical considerations play a vital role in ensuring that all business messages achieve their aims in a positive manner.


(Bovee, C & Thill, J 2010, Business Communication Essentials, 4th edn, Pearson Prentice Hall, New Jersey.)

My Strengths

It takes years maybe a lifetime for people to recognize what they have in themselves, and so far, I have only discovered some strengths that I have and some yet to be discovered as the challenges come. My biggest strength is being self motivated where I always take my own initiative to carry out tasks that I need to complete. By being self motivated, inspirations always come from within me that drives me to do better than what I have accomplished before.

The other strength that I posses is being a good listener. It is said that communication always begins with good listening skills. This is a good skill to have in the career that I have chosen because it makes the client feel important when I am being attentive while he or she speaks and at the same time, I am able to improve my understanding and have the capacity to empathize. Not only that, while listening I can articulate my response so the words that I speak would be appropriate.

I am also a risk taker who dares to take chances on the decisions I make. Sometimes, risk taking does encourage in a company’s growth and it is what separates achievers from ordinary folks because risk takers are able to estimate probable outcomes that results from a choice of alternative. I believe in a saying by Virgil which is, “fortune sides with him who dares”.

Semester 1 Results

Organizational Behaviour- Building Model

This is the video which was required for us to record to elaborate more about our building. We decided that we wanted to build a hotel and more information about it would be found in the video. 

Pictures of our real building model are as below. Everyone built it during tutorial for 2 full hours. We are proud of our final product =D

High School Days

I was very active in many clubs during my time in secondary school. I was a librarian, secretary of the Red Crescent Society and Badminton Club, and I was involved in many competitions; cheer leading, choir, jump rope, scrabble, poster drawing, and many more.

The picture above is the Blue house (Earth) cheer leading team where I am on the far right. We won the competition 3 times consecutively during Sports Day.    

This picture was taken during our choir competition in Puchong. 

Pre- University Results

The time I had in  Canadian Pre-U was the highlight of my education journey because not only did I enjoy the subjects which I freely chose, but I also enjoyed the modules and learning environment. Within my one year spent in this course, it thought be to be fearless.

As much as I enjoyed and played a lot, I still did well in my finals. As a result of that, I was granted the Tertiary Merit Scholarship (30% off the 1st year) by Taylors University, but was given the privilege to  go for the Inaugural Bursary (20% off the full duration) instead which is much better. I am glad that I get to help my father financially although it is not that much.

This Ontario Merit Scholar certificate was awarded to students who had an average of 80% in 6 subjects. I was one of them and I only found out about this during graduation. It's definitely a sweet surprise. 

Run For Peace

The Run For Peace was organized by a non governmental organization called Soka Gakkai Malaysia to promote peace, urging volunteers to complete a route of 6km. The organization was originally formed in Japan known as a Worldwide Japanese Buddhism network which promotes peace, culture and education through personal transformation and social contribution. This run is considered to be a charity because the participants had to pay an amount for registration get nothing in return but the sense of satisfaction.

SPM Results

My SPM results was a let down because I thought I did well and expected so much more than what I got. Nevertheless, this was a wake up call for not taking things so lightly and to be less overconfident.

Certificate from UMW

I did really well in my PMR examination which was why I got this certificate from UMW, Toyota. On top of that, I received RM200 of cash as well. 

Posters

These posters are related to social science and was done by using Microsoft Powerpoint. There's a little to be learned through all 3 posters. =)

PMR Results

Here is the result slip of my PMR examination. I couldn't have asked for more than this. This results gave me the motivation I needed to more on to the next level of education at that time which was Form 4 where I chose to be in the Science stream. Most importantly, with this results, I have done my family proud. 

Community Service

On the morning of 30th January 2010, everyone met in front of Taylor’s college and then we headed to Taman Megah Disabled Children’s Home in two cars. We prepared candies, jelly and boxed drinks since we are aware that those are the all time favorite of children. Then came the challenging part when we reached the home. Nothing much was expected but somehow the conditions of the children there gave us chills and most of us thought that it is going to be a tough ride dealing with them. Some were crying when they saw us, some were too used to this type of visits that they did whatever they were doing at that time and there was one who liked to shake hands so much with everyone of us. The supervisors greeted us with much welcome and briefed us on the children here. “The ones who are tied to the wall are actually very ‘violent’ in the sense of anyone passing by them would get hit” said one of the supervisor. 

The level of blurriness in everyone of us showed quite obviously as we have never handled these type of children before and we were afraid that we might make mistakes in handling them because most of them are emotionally fragile. So came the consciousness in us that this is not just another project to be done, or recorded, but it is a human act which is the responsibility of us students to know and have the knowledge of it since we all live an easy live if compared to these children. We could only wish the children was as lucky as those normal teenagers out there who are given higher degree of education and in return those teenagers would learn more of the hardships in life out the without taking things for granted. Altogether, an experience to be remembered. 

My 1st job

I worked in Cambridge Kids in Shah Alam for 2 months from January 2009. I was the assistant teacher for the 3 year old kids and they were very hard to control at the first week of classes as they were not used to being without their parents. To get their way, they cried, threw tantrums, would not go into class and so much more. So it was part of my job to convince them into joining class activities and make sure that they know their alphabets and it's phonics. My responsibilities does not only include that for sure. 

The pair of twins in class

A student's birthday cake

All in all, it was more than just a job because of the special bond I shared with those children. Would not change a thing about it. =)

National Service (Papar, Sabah)

I'll roughly make a conclusion bout wat happened in camp. 19th March to be exact was the departure to Sabah, I tried keeping things positive. Strangers everywhere and of course I just had to find a space to fit in somewhere. 1st night was tougher than I thought. Nevertheless, everything seemed normal after only a week. Alpha company was what I wanted from the beginning and I got it. Training evrything was fine,and all classes were also okay. Sometimes would want to snooze off but couldn't. 

Along the way,there's always time for us friends to bond and get closer. For example: my roomies which I really miss now. All they have done for me, all the laughter and tears we shed made us inseparable. Activities I did there was the one's I have never expected myself to overcome. Shooting, marching, flying fox, "kembara halangan", kayaking and cooking by the river. Of course you wont have the chance to do it at home. So there's the positive points of National Service. 

Student Council

In year 2009, it was the first time that I joined the student council for the Canadian Pre-U programme. I had to go through the campaigning period which was just a short of 3 days. Then the students would get to vote. I got the position of a secretary.

This council has really open the doors; from knowing more teachers who are not teaching me to getting to interact more with people who are not in the same classes as me. 

Then I chose to be part of the prom committee. All of us planned, promote and sold tickets, trying to persuade others why they should go, etc. A real handful of work but we managed to get over 100 students to go. It was held at the Grand Dorsett Hotel and the theme was Las Vegas! =D

50th Merdeka Celebration (2007)

In year 2007, I joined an NGO called Sokka Gakkai to perform during the Merdeka celebration in Stadium Merdeka. There were about 10000 people in the stadium on that night. We were not paid for this but instead everyone got a certificate from the 5th Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. 

This is a partial video of our performance uploaded in Youtube. To watch the full video, please go directly to Youtube. 
Here are some pictures of some of the formations done. Click on the pictures to enlarge it.

Taylor's Lakeside Campus

The library bookshelves itself are so unique. 

MAC computers open to everyone! 

A conducive learning environment for all students

Taylor's commercial block (a mini mall)

These are just a few reasons why we love studying in Lakeside campus!