Keep the Faith

It has been non-stop reading of research papers so far. Really felt like giving up and throwing in the towel at times.

Then I recently came across this convocation speech that Bill Gates gave to the graduating class of Harvard, Telling them to go forth and do their best to reduce the inequalities around the world today. It was a very inspiring speech, and to me, it gave meaning to what seemed like endless hours spent mugging away and getting stressed up over something as trivial as exams. That, at the end of it, education should enable people to make the most out of their lives and to make a difference to people that need it, and people who matter.

While reading some technical documents today, I chanced upon some projects that were surprisingly similar to what I did for my final-year project, only much more in-depth, and much more impressive. I had thought that I did a good job at mine, having fulfilled all the objectives and handing in the deliverables on-time, despite a last-minute frantic rush. Yet some part of me felt there was something missing, that I hadn't pushed my limit and done my best. It's a sucky feeling when you keep accusing yourself that you could have done better. And today when I read through what people at other universities have done, I felt quite inspired and half-wished I was there in the midst of it all. Thankfully it helped me find meaning in the work I am doing, along with the promise that it was good work that would one day help make someone's life better.

And so now my prof wants me to chair a meeting among other profs, to take his place while he goes off somewhere traveling. Seems daunting to me, but I guess I'll have to start getting used to such stuff...