Lessons Learned This Semester

I had my last exam today. Actually, it was a make-up exam because I had three exams on one day and so the exam that was common would be postponed. Now I was doing ace in my stats course. I could have easily gotten an A-, or so says the Professor. But because of this exam, my grade went down to a B-. And NOW, I find out that make-up exams are supposedly always harder than the regular exams.

Seriously. Everyone was like the stats exam was so easy, blah di dah. My paper was utter grade-rape. I could've gotten an A- and my GPA would be so much better. But man oh man. I ddn't. If only I could've given the normal exam ... *sigh*

I feel so bad. There was a chance I could've gotten an A, and I wasn't able to. Meh. I guess there's no point mulling over it now. You win some, you lose some. So maybe my GPA wasn't ace this semester. But I've learned from this semester, like I did from the last, and I will make sure that I don't repeat these same mistakes again.

Lessons learned this semester:

1. Make up exams are a total no no
2. Not more than 3 courses on one day to avoid taking make-up exams.
3. Work smart in exams- write down whatever you know about an exam, even if there's no time. NEVER leave anything blank
4. Work hard consistently.
5. Revise every single day whatever you learn, don't leave it for one day.
6. Never skip classes.
7. Have the confidence to drop a course if you feel the Professor isn't right
8. Draft essays and outlines are a grade's best friend. Leave ample time to make drafts and get feedback on each version before submitting final version.
9. Professors matter a lot. But at the same time, don't choose them at the risk of burdening yourself with courses all on one day
10. Make sure to do the readings for every class to stay up-to-date.

That's all that I remember off the top of my head. I shall add more once I remember.

SUMMER HOLZ ARE HERE! Atleast for a week :P

Ranger Shoots Unarmed Boy

Click here to read the full story.

Video of this incident is repeatedly being aired on various news channels. Warning: it is extremely graphic. Four people reportedy had a heart attack after watching it. I would post the link just to prove how horrific it was, but links have been blocked here in the UAE.

I have absolutely no words. How can anyone be so heartless? It's not just a life one takes, it's taking away everything from that person. His past, his future, his memories. No one has that right! Only Allah has that right! Even if it was a suspect or a robber, he was unarmed! He was begging for mercy, to not be killed. And he was shot dead. How anyone's conscience allows murder is beyond me. Missing five daily prayers is a major sin. But this? This is not even that. This is murder.

To the rangers who killed and who just stood there and watched:

I hope you're feeling better now, after releasing your frustration and lack of self-control on a young boy. I hope Allah has mercy on your soul, because if I were the judge, God knows I would never find it in me to forgive you. I hope you're satisfied with yourself for taking away someone's son, someone's brother, someone's husband. I hope nothing like this ever strikes you because your weak character would not be able to handle it. Fear Allah. Fear Him. You're not doing your job if you're shooting suspects. You've taken someone's life and I hope you're prepared to account for your sins on the Day of Judgement when you stand before your Lord who commanded you to be merciful, to be kind, to be just, to be forgiving. You ought to know that you've failed your job of protecting your countrymen. That you don't deserve this position. You're mentally unfit for that.

May God have mercy on you. May He protect you from the wrath that thousands of Pakistans all over the world would incur over you if they had that power.

As for the Government, I won't even bother commenting about them. Every single one of those corrupted 'leaders' of our nation find that it suffices to make appropriate remarks and condolences about a civilians death, call for immediate action and be done with. So forget it. I have no hope in you, no inkling of it whatsoever. For all the lawlessness in this country, I hope you have to account for it on the Day of Judgement. Because whoever sets out to do good, gets killed in the process. So really, I hope you're prepared for your grave.

To the boy who died: Brother, I wish we were powerful enough to do something. I wish we had the courage. I wish our nation as a whole was strong enough to bring about a change. We're being tested with troubles, I guess. That's all I can say. I hope you achieve martyrdom for dying as an innocent. And if you were guilty, may Allah swt forgive you and give your family the Sabr to bear through this pain. May your soul rest in peace, may your sins be forgiven in exchange for your pain and may you be prevented from Adhab-e-Qabr.

Inna Lillahe Wa Inna Elayhi Rajioun