“Hello David! Congratulations! You have been nominated to run for MASSOC’s presidential post.” (As mentioned in my earlier posts, MASSOC is the University of Sheffield’s Malaysian and Singaporean Society). The text message blinked on my phone. Slightly dumbfounded from the hours of immersing myself into the pile of Architecture’s workload, I had to read the text message repeatedly for the notification to sink in.
I would be lying if I say that presiding a society has never come across my mind during my time in the university. What I never thought would happen was the fact that the opportunity has come so soon! Bogged down with the seemingly bottomless pile of academic work as well as my current secretarial involvement in the departmental society, not to forget all the dance competitions and performances, I thought it was rather impossible to spearhead a society alongside my other commitments.
People around me have been giving me so much advice; both encouragements and discouragements. Of all the people, I should also be clear of what I would be getting myself into, based on my involvements in high school. It can be extremely stressful at times, but mostly very rewarding as well.
Not just that, out of hundreds of societies established in the Student Union, why preside my national society when I could have attempted to preside the Dance Society or the Architecture Society?
Involving myself in a general society such as the Dance Society and the Architecture Society certainly has given me the opportunity to work with students from different cultural backgrounds and countries, whilst it only seemed like I would just be in my comfort zone, dealing with people of a similar background as me. With that said, I cannot forget that it should be my pride to lift the name of Malaysia and Singapore in the UK, promoting our cultural identity and caring for the welfare of our fellows Malaysians and Singaporeans.
I pondered about running for this presidency for quite a while, and literally decided on the night before the Annual General Meeting. Well, ‘I shall leave it to fate’ is my master plan. I was thinking of delivering a speech just out of spontaneity, prompting my sincerest feelings towards the society and the prospect upon my presidency. Whether or not the members of the society agrees to my vision, it would be for them to decide. I went in with no expectations at all but a simple gesture to show that I would be willing to contribute to the society.
Little did I know, in a split second, all the candidates were lined up against each other, waiting anxiously for the results to be announced. The short moment of awkward silence, prompted by the host to invoke suspense amongst the crowd (as always), seemed just lengthy.
And all of the sudden, I heard ‘David Kam’. To be honest, the next few minutes were the normal congratulatory gesture, with me giving me a short speech of appreciation and hugging everyone I know there. Right, glory time over. It was the time where reality really sunk in with the fact that I am now responsible for the welfare of hundreds of people in the university. Not really a nice fact to know, but I shall not succumb to the pressure.
I am simply glad that I have not allowed my academic studies to restrict my interests. I just made a decision to expose myself to knowing more people, learning more things, and above all that, spice up my CV. Talk about killing two birds in one stone!
By now, it has already been a month after the elections. The new committee was technically meant to take over in the next academic year. Despite that, we are already buzzing with excitement, overflowing with a plethora of interesting ideas to be executed during our tenure. My board members seem like a truly dedicated bunch, thus causing me to make sure that I do my part and spearhead the team well.
I am definitely unsure of what lies ahead in the distant future, but I am definitely looking forward to unfolding this interesting new chapter of my university life.
Take care!
David studied Engineering Foundation at Bellerbys College, a university preparation college for international students
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