"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 don't care much about the knowledge in books or in the lectures that teachers gave me, it only accounts for about 20% of what I need at this school, and the remaining 80%, I learned how to behave, how to live very "properly" - or most generally speaking, it is life skills. Teachers at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities gave me that. That is priceless and more valuable than anything else.

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 somewhat satisfied with the results after a year of studying, I entered my second year. Ms. Thanh - my faculty 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 the 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 that 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 used to firmly answer 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 only has a dozen 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, then we would gossip about each other and lose solidarity.

I replied to Ms. Thanh, “Thank you, but I have no intention of transferring classes.” That’s it! I studied in my old class for more than a month. Then I encountered some problems from my old class. Actually, it was nothing, but I knew that there were things that no matter how hard I tried to solve and even if they were okay, to the people who caused trouble for me, it was just a “fake deal but not the real deal.” I suddenly thought back to Ms. Thanh’s question. I wondered, how would I be when I transferred to a new class? I realized what my purpose in going to school was – to study! So if I still studied in my 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 was no. So, after more than a month since the beginning of the school year, I asked to transfer 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 didn’t know where to start. And most of all, I was afraid of being asked by the teachers why I changed my mind. 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 didn’t know how to present it. Then when I finally wrote the application, I had to go and get signatures from 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 him, my courage was reduced by half. His slightly angry face and serious gaze made me tremble a little. After explaining to him, 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 schedule. He still didn’t say anything and changed it. On the third time, he tiredly asked me: “What do you want your schedule to be like now?”. That was probably the look on my face that I will never forget. It was tiring, it was annoying, but it also brought a very familiar feeling. When I told my friends the story, they just cried out, saying that I was playing with tigers, “reckless”, and fearless… I really didn’t feel afraid, only respect and admiration for the way the teachers behaved.

Humanity in me is the memories associated with teachers. The help of teachers makes me admire them even more. There are times when I am bored, I want to give up everything. I text and call a few close teachers. At those times, listening to the confidences of teachers, I feel so incompetent. There are so many more challenges, yet someone like me - who is known to be strong, gives up so quickly? Sometimes I suddenly think, perhaps, fate has tied me to this school. I hate, love, am bored and want to explore. Every day at school is truly a happy day. Not only do I get to meet friends, not only gain knowledge, but most importantly, I get to learn necessary life skills from teachers, from friends to be more steadfast in life. That is really what I need, that is what I truly cherish.

I like the principal because I was 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 that it is unbelievable. All of them have helped me behave "correctly" in the social relationships that I have, and it also helps me live more gently.

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!