BA, S01W01

Renné Castrucci

Attended the first two lessons of Research Seminar, let's just say that it was a real eye opener. Within an hour into the first lesson, we found out that we are to submit 2 proposals and a presentation on the 12th of August which is in slightly more than 2 weeks' time. Both proposals are about case studies relating to any company within the Creative Industry. If both proposals are approved then we can eventually start on our theses. The first semester, I will have about 16 weeks to finish up the first 6,000 words thesis. Then in the second semester, I will have another 17 weeks to finish up the second 10,000 words thesis. From the looks of it, I know what needs to be done for the first thesis. It's just a matter of being able to ensure that my work is great enough to score me an A. I will only more about what is needed for the second thesis sometime next week. In Shaa' Allah, I will be able to do it.

I'm trying my best not to really freak out but I'm really scared that I will. I am in constant need of money, like every time.

I owe Papa $1,200 for helping me with my first semester downpayment.

I took a loan of $8,300 from Maybank but I need to at least put in $1,000 by May next year if possible.

I need to save up $1,500 by end of year for my second semester downpayment.

I need to take out another loan of $5,000 from Mendaki.

To top it all off, I need to save up another $5,000 so that I will be able to go to Amsterdam, Paris and London in May next year with Khairul, Netty and Nazron.

In Shaa' Allah, I will be able to do it.

In Shaa' Allah, everything would work out just fine. I have faith in HIM to guide me through.

Week 28

Felipe Martins

It's official. I'm starting school on the 21st July at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Creative Management Industry in partnership with University of Essex. 1 year program and I will get that degree. In Shaa' Allah.

My 5 year plan is pretty much in a mess right now, so I won't stress out too much about it. It's better that way.

My school fees is around $16,000.

Semester 1 - $9,500
Papa - $1,200
Maybank - $8,300

Semester 2 - $6,500
Mendaki - $5,000
Savings - $1,500

Literally for the next 1 year, it's all about being very discipline and focus so that I will be able to graduate with First Class Honours. I will also need to find a fixed part-time job and do as many events as possible so that I will be able to save up as much money as possible to start paying off my loan and debts.

I'm applying for the Goh Chok Tong Youth Promise Award - Merit Award as my last resort. Hopefully, I will get it so that I would be able to return back the Maybank loan and not worry about it.

In Shaa' Allah, everything would work out fine.

Week 27

Lucas Malvacini

A whole string of news.

Firstly, I got so-called cheated of my payment for the Wali Band Concert that I did. I was originally promised to get paid $800 but then I was only paid $500 for the event.

Then after that, I found out that I got rejected by National Arts Council Arts Scholarship.

Soon after, I found out that I got rejected by National Arts Council Management Scholarship.

After being rejected by both scholarships, I found out that I got accepted into Paris, College of Art - Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) in Arts History, Theory and Criticism programme.

A few days after that, I received a letter stating that I was being offered a place in Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Top Up Degree programme with University of Essex - Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Creative Industry Management. 

After accepting the programme at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, I was being told that I will have to wait for them to call me to sign the contract. It has been 3 weeks and they still have not contacted me yet.

Then I was informed that because the programme was not MOE syllabus approved and switched into a two years programme thus I won't be able to pay for the programme using my CPF and my parents' CPFs. I will have to pay it using cash or cheque only.

Soon, it was the end of June and I still did not get my two weeks' worth of pay for May because apparently my workplace accidentally forgot to credit it into my account.

Then last Thursday, I received an email that I did not even get a single scholarship, bursary or merit awards at all from NAFA even though I know for a fact that I fit all of the criteria.

Pretty much, it was back-to-back bad news for me for the past few weeks. Now I'm applying for the Goh Chok Tong Youth Promise Award Scholarship as a second last option and the Mendaki Student Loan as a last resort.

As much as these news are really bringing me down, all I could think right now is that there's a silver lining behind all these dark clouds. I have faith in Allah SWT that he knows what is best for me and guiding me to be a better person everyday. I need to constantly think positive.

"Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behavior. Keep your behavior positive because your behavior become your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny." - Mahatma Gandhi.

In Shaa' Allah, everything will be alright.