Expectations and Observations.

Tuesday, 12th April 2022

This was a blog I wrote for an early attempt at a personal website 'oscarsolisblog.wordpress.com', which I don't think exists any longer.

Something new usually comes with an expectation. This is built from previous experiences and compared with an observation, which can be learnt from to guide future experiences.

At university, I expected to be enriched. I would become a more social individual who is skilled in problem solving and integrating different ideas. To do this, I would be exposed to different groups and societies, nurtured as an individual with regards to my strengths and weaknesses, and be shown the importance of collaborative and complementary research.

Instead, I learnt about things known as 'burn-out' and 'social battery'. I have been made more aware of my weaknesses, but do not know how to work on them or to play on my strengths. Also, I have not been 'taught', per se, but given lectures, readings and practical sessions to attend and go through.

Not to say that I have given up.

Perhaps, the type of person I am is someone who prefers to socialise in smaller groups, or work at times that my body agrees with. I get 'deeper' with those I know, and always enjoy the times I am productive.

I am working on my weaknesses strategically - it would be detrimental if I were exposed to all my weakness simultaneously, but through this approach I can take one step at a time.

Finally, I enjoy what I experience outside of university more than what was prepared for me. A recurring expectation for me might be that I am and will always be alone in the path I take, but from my observations so far, this has done me more good than bad.