<5th week> Presented by Lynn Cao: Last Day of ME: I had never expected the first month studying in CK would just change my way of learning and thinking from ME course, though not totally. I still can clearly recall some assignments that I just can't figure out where to start to analyze, totally in the dark. It's so miserable that my confidence in study for years suddenly disappeared! Am I such a fool that have no idea even at the beginning of the first module? Even more confusing is that the professor said there were no wrong or right answer for some problems, it depends on some factors, but not exhaustive factors. Books just don't help you there in solving problems effectively sometimes. How could I survive from ME, strong concerns and worry overwhelmed me.
The professors' response to this common complaint was opening the new world to me. “That's what the real world looks like, full of uncertainty. When asked of what is the most difficulty, 90% of Chinese company leaders I encountered in the past four years said the same thing—insufficient business leaders that can initiate to perceive the problem and framework the solution. I hope you guys will be the leaders comfortable with dealing with uncertainties in the real world. …”
With the traditional deductive way of learning, we (Chinese students) are used to be given the clear instructions of the problems, no data will be wasted, no ambiguous answers, otherwise, you will be proven wrong or bad performance in your exam. However, the professor's intentional effort in pushing us out of comport zone gradually takes effect. His inductive instructing started to make a profound change in our mindset and framework of thinking, and received a tremendous applause for efficiency in learning experience.
Professor Brian is a paradox himself to me. This humble person always in smile is perceived by me as one of the nicest professors I've ever met, he is very patient to answer questions and refund or sponsor our games in game theory class. On the other hand, he's also the one I feared most of being cold called, and I spent most time in my prep for ME assignments. How come warmth and demandingness are integrated into one person?
When the clock ticks approaching 12:00, the professor delivered a ten-minute briefing of ME key contents for the whole class. The first thing we should remember is the supply and demand curve and what factors cause shifts or movement along the curve, etc. And “read the newspaper”, “ I hope each time you read a newspaper, you have a similar habit with me that you intuitively think about what this news will lead to in the price and quantity demanded. “ Suddenly moved by his kindness, the last ten minutes made me feel like a departure sentiments. The whole class came very silent in listening professors' briefing. All the previous well-selected real-world cases by professor were reminded one by one.“That's all, thank you.” I was surprised to find out my classmates and me unconsciously stood up from seats nearly at same time and applaused for long in great gratitude.
I'm feeling so lucky to be able to meet such a caring and excellent professor in my life, I know it will definitely change my life somehow, and I'm happy to know we'll have another class from him. It's not an ending, it just begins.
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