Majoring Architecture Taking Maths [Full Detailed Explanation]
The Big Question Mark
During my admission into NUS, the offer letter required me to undergo this module, MA1301 - Introductory of Mathematics. To help you guys to understand, as quoted from the module description, "This module serves as a bridging module for students without 'A'-level mathematics. Its aim is to equip students with appropriate mathematical knowledge and skill so as to prepare them for further study of mathematics-related disciplines."
As many you guys know, I am an EM3 student, Normal Technical Stream ('N'-level) student & ITE student and Singapore Polytechnic Diploma in Architecture holder.
Some of you should be thinking, what is the need for Maths in a Design major course? Like seriously right?
Quoted from their email, "You did not fulfil the Maths requirement of 'O'-level Maths nor completed the Diploma Plus Programme. Hence you are required to read MA1301 as requisite for your admission to the programme". Therefore, I have to undergo this 'A'-level mathematics as this is the "lowest-level" maths course they offer in NUS. Pretty straight forward to understand but here is the thing that I would like to elaborate now.
Ridiculous Administration
In 2016, senior of my with the exact same education path as me. EM3 to NT (N-level) to ITE to SP to NUS. Yet he manages to graduate from NUS with Master Degree in Architecture without the need to undergo these Maths module, which was the most frustrating part the entire time before, during and after finishing this module. These only prove one thing, by taking maths it does not improve/affect/benefit in any single way in the whole 5 years in NUS architecture syllabus.
And their only reason to me was, as quoted from their email "the admission requirement of your cohort is different from (senior)'s cohort". Worst of all, for whatever grades I get it will affect my Cumulative Average Point(CAP), some know it by GPA. And their reply was, as quoted "If you do not wish for your performance in this module to affect your CAP, you may use your MCs left in the SU balance for this module".
Feeling really frustrated towards the absurd condition, I when on to do some digging. When through the whole of NUS webpage admission requirements and even ask the admission office about this matters. In result/reply, an indefinite answer and there was nothing on the web page saying anything about an 'N'-level Maths holder saying students who are applying for architecture have to undergo this module. The only thing that was delivered through was the offer letter sent to me dated July 2013.
If really so that my admission cohort and my senior cohort admission requirement have changed, NUS please AT LEAST take the effort to update ur admission requirement on your web page. So as to stop any more discrepancies on anyone else admission to NUS. Even so, my admission was a minority of all admittance, at least give some concrete evidence. Rather than a piece of paper with a sentence you type on and say... Oh, you have to do it because the offer letter says so... but on your website regarding these matters, there are nowhere to be found.
The "Big Question Mark" was not answered, why the sudden change of admission requirement nor a definite answer was given. Due to this matters, they were affecting me deeply especially my mentality in my studies. There was numerous time that I have thought of quitting school and studying overseas or even just going to work straight. It is because of this module I broke down several times (to be precise every single week) and not knowing whether I can cope with the stress and the workload & of cause unable to understand a single thing.
Embracing the Absurd
After 6 or more weeks of exchanging emails, I decided to embrace it and just do whatever I can. By the time the administration reply to me, I should be already failing and breaking down in depression. Joke aside, I broke down week after week picking myself back up just to break down over and over again. And during my mid-term test, I got the lowest in class, 16/100, I even doubt myself how the heck I got 16 marks in the first place. In result, the Maths Professor ask me to see him and help him to understand what was going on, which I did not hold back and quickly let him know I really need help as I desperately needed one. Really appreciate this kind of professor that really cares for his students, to help them understand and try his best to help out in whatever ways he possibly can.
Knowing I really need help and I'm in deep trouble, I reached out to my secondary school Maths teacher for help. I also reach out to my friends in my architecture studio(classmate) those who study in JCs too. And finally a friend, actually reach out and say that he don't mind helping me. Feels like God actually send me a guardian angel helping me out week after week of homework & weekly practice paper, helping me to understand.
As many knows, architecture overnight in the studio almost every single day of the week just to rush design out for their tutors and it's really tiring to cope between design & maths. I almost have no time to do my design nor study for maths. Workload/time management was almost impossible to manage henceforth almost breaking down every single week. And not know/understand the concept of the fundamental of the maths theory isn't helping either.
Coping with both learning architecture & maths is seriously tough AF, no kidding. It is almost impossible to balance both major together as both got nothing to do with each other. There was no implication of maths to architecture nor architecture to maths. Some say maths help you to calculate the structure of the building.
PLEASE LET ME CLARIFY TO THOSE WHO THINK ARCHITECTURE NEED MATHS. Architecture = Design Buildings = No Maths
Engineers calculate the structure. = Maths
Architects just need to have some brains to know that the building doesn't hold up by the slender small structure. Some may still argue that the need for maths to have critical thinking is important but that is not the focus of my argument or point made.
Failure or Pass, The Result
In my previous post, I almost said what I have to said. My feelings for studying has long gone diminish 1 year ago, the moment I step foot into the examination hall for the first time. But like I always said, I always go down with a fight. Whether the result failure or pass, win or lose, good or bad. At least I go down with a fight and I can proudly stand back and say to myself at least I give it my best and my all.
With whatever left inside me for the semester I manage to pull through this fight and I manage to get a bare pass for this maths module. The first time of my life, seeing 'D' grade felt so great. And at least those who have helped me, I did not bring their effort with me to failure. It was a huge relieving moment and as quoted from a friend "You can rise against adversity and make university your b!%#h...".
Huge Thanks
I could not thank all my who have friends enough for all the encouragement given. Motivating me as much as possible and really help me to pass and get over this module. I will never forget this very semester how each and every one of you friends, brothers & families helped me to pull through hellacious times. Owe you guys every single bit of your time spent for me and help me in this absurd ordeal.
During my admission into NUS, the offer letter required me to undergo this module, MA1301 - Introductory of Mathematics. To help you guys to understand, as quoted from the module description, "This module serves as a bridging module for students without 'A'-level mathematics. Its aim is to equip students with appropriate mathematical knowledge and skill so as to prepare them for further study of mathematics-related disciplines."
As many you guys know, I am an EM3 student, Normal Technical Stream ('N'-level) student & ITE student and Singapore Polytechnic Diploma in Architecture holder.
Some of you should be thinking, what is the need for Maths in a Design major course? Like seriously right?
Quoted from their email, "You did not fulfil the Maths requirement of 'O'-level Maths nor completed the Diploma Plus Programme. Hence you are required to read MA1301 as requisite for your admission to the programme". Therefore, I have to undergo this 'A'-level mathematics as this is the "lowest-level" maths course they offer in NUS. Pretty straight forward to understand but here is the thing that I would like to elaborate now.
Ridiculous Administration
In 2016, senior of my with the exact same education path as me. EM3 to NT (N-level) to ITE to SP to NUS. Yet he manages to graduate from NUS with Master Degree in Architecture without the need to undergo these Maths module, which was the most frustrating part the entire time before, during and after finishing this module. These only prove one thing, by taking maths it does not improve/affect/benefit in any single way in the whole 5 years in NUS architecture syllabus.
And their only reason to me was, as quoted from their email "the admission requirement of your cohort is different from (senior)'s cohort". Worst of all, for whatever grades I get it will affect my Cumulative Average Point(CAP), some know it by GPA. And their reply was, as quoted "If you do not wish for your performance in this module to affect your CAP, you may use your MCs left in the SU balance for this module".
Feeling really frustrated towards the absurd condition, I when on to do some digging. When through the whole of NUS webpage admission requirements and even ask the admission office about this matters. In result/reply, an indefinite answer and there was nothing on the web page saying anything about an 'N'-level Maths holder saying students who are applying for architecture have to undergo this module. The only thing that was delivered through was the offer letter sent to me dated July 2013.
If really so that my admission cohort and my senior cohort admission requirement have changed, NUS please AT LEAST take the effort to update ur admission requirement on your web page. So as to stop any more discrepancies on anyone else admission to NUS. Even so, my admission was a minority of all admittance, at least give some concrete evidence. Rather than a piece of paper with a sentence you type on and say... Oh, you have to do it because the offer letter says so... but on your website regarding these matters, there are nowhere to be found.
The "Big Question Mark" was not answered, why the sudden change of admission requirement nor a definite answer was given. Due to this matters, they were affecting me deeply especially my mentality in my studies. There was numerous time that I have thought of quitting school and studying overseas or even just going to work straight. It is because of this module I broke down several times (to be precise every single week) and not knowing whether I can cope with the stress and the workload & of cause unable to understand a single thing.
Embracing the Absurd
After 6 or more weeks of exchanging emails, I decided to embrace it and just do whatever I can. By the time the administration reply to me, I should be already failing and breaking down in depression. Joke aside, I broke down week after week picking myself back up just to break down over and over again. And during my mid-term test, I got the lowest in class, 16/100, I even doubt myself how the heck I got 16 marks in the first place. In result, the Maths Professor ask me to see him and help him to understand what was going on, which I did not hold back and quickly let him know I really need help as I desperately needed one. Really appreciate this kind of professor that really cares for his students, to help them understand and try his best to help out in whatever ways he possibly can.
Knowing I really need help and I'm in deep trouble, I reached out to my secondary school Maths teacher for help. I also reach out to my friends in my architecture studio(classmate) those who study in JCs too. And finally a friend, actually reach out and say that he don't mind helping me. Feels like God actually send me a guardian angel helping me out week after week of homework & weekly practice paper, helping me to understand.
As many knows, architecture overnight in the studio almost every single day of the week just to rush design out for their tutors and it's really tiring to cope between design & maths. I almost have no time to do my design nor study for maths. Workload/time management was almost impossible to manage henceforth almost breaking down every single week. And not know/understand the concept of the fundamental of the maths theory isn't helping either.
Coping with both learning architecture & maths is seriously tough AF, no kidding. It is almost impossible to balance both major together as both got nothing to do with each other. There was no implication of maths to architecture nor architecture to maths. Some say maths help you to calculate the structure of the building.
PLEASE LET ME CLARIFY TO THOSE WHO THINK ARCHITECTURE NEED MATHS. Architecture = Design Buildings = No Maths
Engineers calculate the structure. = Maths
Architects just need to have some brains to know that the building doesn't hold up by the slender small structure. Some may still argue that the need for maths to have critical thinking is important but that is not the focus of my argument or point made.
Failure or Pass, The Result
In my previous post, I almost said what I have to said. My feelings for studying has long gone diminish 1 year ago, the moment I step foot into the examination hall for the first time. But like I always said, I always go down with a fight. Whether the result failure or pass, win or lose, good or bad. At least I go down with a fight and I can proudly stand back and say to myself at least I give it my best and my all.
With whatever left inside me for the semester I manage to pull through this fight and I manage to get a bare pass for this maths module. The first time of my life, seeing 'D' grade felt so great. And at least those who have helped me, I did not bring their effort with me to failure. It was a huge relieving moment and as quoted from a friend "You can rise against adversity and make university your b!%#h...".
Huge Thanks
I could not thank all my who have friends enough for all the encouragement given. Motivating me as much as possible and really help me to pass and get over this module. I will never forget this very semester how each and every one of you friends, brothers & families helped me to pull through hellacious times. Owe you guys every single bit of your time spent for me and help me in this absurd ordeal.
