Exploring Unchartered Areas
On 4 December 2021, SMC organized a hiking trip for aspiring youths to have an opportunity to interact with experienced mentors from different fields. The mentors provided valuable insights and advice from their own experiences in their specialized fields. For this hike, I had the privilege to interact with Mr. Per Magnusson who is the Group Chief Executive Officer from Jebsen and Jessen and Dr Ricky Ang from Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD).
The format of this hike was a looped route in which we started at Waterway Point (Beside Punggol MRT/LRT station) before following the park connectors up until the Lor Halus Red Bridge. From there, we would enter Coney Island through the East Entrance and hike along its perimeter towards the West Entrance. Upon exiting Coney Island via the West Entrance, the return route would be in the opposite direction of the same path that was taken when hiking from Waterway Point to the Lor Halus Red Bridge.
I personally enjoyed and appreciated the hike not only for the scenery, but also for the company of the SMC team and mentors. When walking along the park connectors beside Punggol Waterway, the feeling was extremely tranquil and relaxed because it was a good respite from the busy and hectic schedule of student life. There was a very good mix between nature and modernity. Additionally, the good weather also gave families the opportunity to explore the outdoors through activities such as cycling, jogging, morning strolls or even picnics. This made the whole walk very lively and wholesome which was a good avenue to relive stress while enjoying the surroundings.
From my perspective, I believe that despite it being a short hike, I have learnt a lot of lessons from the experiences that my teammates and mentors have shared with me. While most of the lessons are on self-improvement and exploring greater heights beyond the individual capabilities, I also strongly believe that helping others with the lessons that I have learnt is also equally important. By sharing my personal experiences as well as the lessons I have learnt, this would benefit others on how to become better both as a person and as a team player. As a youth, I believe that exploring unchartered areas is a very good way to push myself beyond my limits. By doing so, there is always that pursuit and motivation of trying new things while being unafraid of struggles, failures, and obstacles. By overcoming this mental barrier, it allows me to perceive my mistakes and failures in a positive light and how I can learn from these episodes. I believe that a positive attitude can bring an individual far beyond their capabilities to strive to continue learning while staying grounded and humble.
Through this hike organized by SMC, it was a golden opportunity to learn from the experienced mentors some of the life advice that they abide by which have molded them to become the successful individuals they are today. The interactions with my teammates were also an excellent opportunity to understand more about their future specializations as well as their interests. Through these interactions, it was a very enriching and fulfilling way to share our thoughts and experiences with one another so that we can better both ourselves as well as the people around us.
Similarly, Dr Ricky Ang also shared with us how many individuals should continue to venture towards paths that are less taken. While the individual would be faced with a lot of uncertainty, this will make them have increased perseverance when exploring avenues which others dare not venture. Personally, I felt that this was an important life advice because it made me realize how I should be comfortable with uncertainty and obstacles. Additionally, it allows me to push myself and skills beyond the limits which I thought I was only capable of. I believe that with the inclusion of hard work and sheer determination, this will enable me to pick up skills quickly while also learning from experiences through others.
From my perspective, I believe that despite it being a short hike, I have learnt a lot of lessons from the experiences that my teammates and mentors have shared with me. While most of the lessons are on self-improvement and exploring greater heights beyond the individual capabilities, I also strongly believe that helping others with the lessons that I have learnt is also equally important. By sharing my personal experiences as well as the lessons I have learnt, this would benefit others on how to become better both as a person and as a team player. As a youth, I believe that exploring unchartered areas is a very good way to push myself beyond my limits. By doing so, there is always that pursuit and motivation of trying new things while being unafraid of struggles, failures, and obstacles. By overcoming this mental barrier, it allows me to perceive my mistakes and failures in a positive light and how I can learn from these episodes. I believe that a positive attitude can bring an individual far beyond their capabilities to strive to continue learning while staying grounded and humble.
Through this hike organized by SMC, it was a golden opportunity to learn from the experienced mentors some of the life advice that they abide by which have molded them to become the successful individuals they are today. The interactions with my teammates were also an excellent opportunity to understand more about their future specializations as well as their interests. Through these interactions, it was a very enriching and fulfilling way to share our thoughts and experiences with one another so that we can better both ourselves as well as the people around us.