Let me tell you a story about how I really enjoyed my University days.
When I graduated with a first class degree in Engineering from the University of Leicester (UK), I was over the moon! This was in 1992.
Life holds so much opportunity but it is very much what you make of it. I enjoyed my 3 years in Leicester. I did everything I could to make the most of my time there. I lived in Stamford hall in my first year and had a blast every day. I was very involved in the Student Union and would always end my days in the Union building on campus. It is there that I got involved in the Student Charity called RAG and even did a parachute jump to raise just over 100 pounds.
It was safe as it was a static line jump (you do not have to pull your own ripcord). The altitude for the jump was 2200 feet at the Langar airfield near Coventry. I only called my Dad once I landed safely to share my daring exploits. That certainly irked him, and he said, “Son, are you there to study or to kill yourself?!!!”
Second year saw me become more involved in the International Students Association or ISA where I served as a VP. I was offered the top post in the 3rd year but declined as I knew I had to pull my socks up. I still managed to drive the Union mini bus part time to give lifts to students ending classes late in the evenings.
I surprised myself and my peers with my First Class result at the end of the 3rd year. Some fellow hardworking (nerdy) Malaysian students even said I did not deserve it! They never took me to be the studious type and were quite upset with my First! I just smiled at them. I guess you cannot judge a book by its cover!
Upon my return to Malaysia, I threw myself into my dad’s engineering business with passion. That paid off when after a few years, I was able to handle larger projects by myself.
Nowadays I do more on social media than anything else. If you have an interest in food and the like, do check out ‘Papa Nash’ on YouTube, FB and even Tiktok!
Thanks for allowing me to indulge in past University memories!