"Because, I love Humanities"

After nearly two years of studying at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, what I always ask myself is, what have I gained from this school? If I were still a freshman, that would be an answer that would displease everyone who loves this school. But when I entered my second year, everything was different for me, very different. I can frankly tell everyone that I did not care much about the knowledge in books or in lectures that teachers gave me, it only accounted for about 20% of what I needed at this school, and the remaining 80%, I learned how to behave, how to live very "properly" - or most generally, it was life skills. Teachers at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities gave me that. That is priceless and more precious than anything.

Starting my second year, I put myself in an ironic situation, only then did I realize how valuable the other 80% was to me. After a summer of fun and relaxation and being temporarily satisfied with the results after a year of studying, I entered my second year. Ms. Thanh - my Faculty's teacher called to inform me that I was eligible to be transferred to the Faculty's high-quality class (my first year I studied in a standard class). You know, I was a second-choice student and in my first year I studied in a way that I still tried to achieve good results but was not very interested in the faculty I chose. I knew I had the ability to be promoted to the high-quality class right from the time I passed the English test, I passed the output standards of the high-quality class and after the first year, my cumulative results were above excellent. I knew that, my whole class knew that too. The kids in my class often asked me: will you transfer? I once firmly answered that I would not transfer. The reason? I am not very interested in the major, so why do I have to take nearly 20 more credits, study more, have more pressure, and the class has only 10 people? I used to think that if I studied in that class, I would lose my inherent dynamism and enthusiasm. I was afraid that we would have to compete with each other too much and then end up gossiping and losing solidarity.

I replied to Ms. Thanh, “Thank you, but I have no desire to change classes.” That’s it! So I studied in the old class for more than a month. Then I encountered some problems from the old class. Actually, it was nothing, but I know that there are things that no matter how hard I try to solve and even if they are okay, to the people who caused trouble with me, it is just a “fake deal but not the real deal.” I suddenly thought back to Ms. Thanh’s question. I wondered, if I moved to a new class, what would I be like? I realized, what was my purpose in going to school – to study! So if I still studied in the old class, would I really focus completely on studying? When the people around me tried to create more stress and pressure for me? The answer is no. So, after more than a month since the start of the school year, I asked to change classes.

Because it had been too long since Ms. Thanh called me, my class transfer procedure encountered some problems. I had never felt so confused. I did not know where to start everything. And most of all, I was afraid when the teachers asked me the reason for changing my decision. I called Ms. Thanh first. She told me to write a class transfer application. I was really bad at writing applications. I thought about it all day but still did not know how to present it. Then when I wrote the application, I had to go and get the signatures of the teachers who taught the special subjects of the high-quality class that term. What a hassle! I hate administrative procedures. Since I had to run around asking for signatures, doing paperwork, and getting help from the teachers, I have come to understand the hearts of the teachers at this university.

The teachers in the department were all very enthusiastic, wholeheartedly guiding and encouraging me that moving to a high-quality class would give me better learning conditions, a better learning environment, and that I had to try harder... At that time, I felt much more comfortable. The most difficult step was when I had to meet Mr. Hung - a specialist in the training department to rearrange the timetable. I had not interacted with him much, but all ten of my friends complained that he was difficult, and how scary he was. I had never been afraid of any teacher, I only respected all the teachers. Because I thought, the teachers had not done anything to me, so why should I be afraid? When I went to the training room to meet the teacher, my courage was reduced by half. His slightly angry face and serious gaze made me tremble a little. After explaining to the teacher, he just silently rearranged my timetable. Between the two of us, there was only questioning and answering within the framework of work. I should have finished with him. However, I don’t know why, but I went back to the training room three times in just 30 minutes and insisted that the teacher change my timetable. He still didn’t say anything and changed it. On the third time, he tiredly asked me: “What do you want your timetable to be like now?”. That was probably the look on my face that I will never forget. Tired, annoyed, but it brought a very close feeling. When I told the story to my friends, they just cried out, saying that I was playing with tigers, “reckless”, fearless… Actually, I didn’t feel afraid, only respect and admiration for the way the teachers behaved.

The humanity in me is the memories associated with teachers. The help of teachers makes me admire them even more. There were times when I was bored, I wanted to give up everything. I texted and called a few close teachers. At those times, listening to the confidences of teachers, I felt so incompetent. There were so many more challenges, yet someone like me - who was known to be strong, gave up so quickly? Sometimes I suddenly thought, perhaps, fate had tied me to this school. I hated it, loved it, was bored and wanted to explore. Every day at school was truly a happy day. Not only did I meet friends, not only did I gain knowledge, but most importantly, I learned the necessary life skills from teachers and friends to be more steadfast in life. That was really what I needed, that was what I truly appreciated.

I like the principal because I was so surprised by his profound knowledge, I like Ms. Hanh because of the warmth and friendliness she gives to her students, I like Mr. Hung because he showed me an extraordinary determination in the way he solves work, the way he endures pressure from everything, I like Mr. Hai because of his dedication, I like Mr. Tam because he always gives me advice when I am under pressure from exams, I like Mr. Tung because he teaches me so many things about life and how to live peacefully, I like Ms. Vinh because she gives me the look of trust that I can do everything well... There are so many more. I remember all of them so clearly it is unbelievable. All of them have helped me behave "properly" in the social relationships that I have, and it has also helped me live more lightly.

Is a university degree important to you? I think a university degree is important, but I value the life skills I learned at this school more. That is something that cannot be bought or exchanged. I feel happy because I know how to collect those priceless things. That makes me feel “rich” even though my living conditions are never like that. Every day that passes, I love this school more and more, in my own way. I like it that way, gathering experiences from life is much more interesting than just going to school and acquiring knowledge from books. If I had to choose again, I would definitely still choose the School of Humanities. Because, I love Humanities!