Time at SCIE resembled an exquisitely crafted hourglass.Its gilded sands flowed, at times with such urgent haste it sparked anxiety: the frantic clatter of keyboards before deadlines, the desperate urge for “one last glance” at notes before entering the exam hall. At other moments, the stream seemed to stretch into eternity, suspended.
Our time felt scarce, demanding we seize every fraction of a second; yet paradoxically, it felt abundant as an unfathomable ocean – abundant enough to embrace countless moments for trial and error, for growth, for savoring the present with intention, and ultimately, for forging our best selves.
Chapter 1 The Unconventional Introvert Ventures Beyond Comfort
The founding of the SCIE Anatomy Club, for someone like me who had initially planned only to dutifully follow textbooks, navigate high school as a lone wolf, and stick rigidly to the prescribed path, was far from a premeditated scheme. Rather, it was a spontaneous impulse born from the nagging sense that “continuing like this would foster a profound disconnect with this school” and the conviction that “I simply had to leverage such incredible opportunities to do something.” It was a conscious step to shatter my comfort zone.
The genesis of the club stemmed purely from a deep-seated passion for life sciences and a genuine awe for the intricate elegance of organs’ structures. In those nascent stages, however, the hurdles we encountered were distinctly tangible, almost mundane in nature: How could this somewhat niche fascination find resonance amidst the multitude of stellar clubs at the ECA Fair? How could we meticulously design each cramped one-hour session to meet members’ expectations, ensuring the cold precision of our scalpels would ignite sparks when colliding with enthusiasm? …
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Yet, it was precisely the tempering through these “mundane” trials that forged my first bedrock of resilience. Each interaction with club members, teachers, and suppliers; each meticulous preparation of supplies and the lab space; each rigorous safety protocol enforced – all were unspoken lessons in growth, silently etching their mark. There exists a particular memory, vivid and precious, deserving of safekeeping: members gathered intently around the dissection table, tweezers in hand, carefully parting tissue layers, collectively identifying a minute structure – that pure, shared concentration, that collective spark of discovery. Looking back now, the very obstacles we once grappled with unexpectedly laid the groundwork for my problem-solving abilities. Indeed, every stumbling block encountered in the present moment, each period of reflection and recalibration following a setback, every instance of rising anew after disappointment, every display of composure under pressure – all were quietly laying the groundwork for the future, brick by unseen brick.
Here, I wish to extend my deepest gratitude to Dr. Alirio, Ms. Ellie, and Ms. Mavis for their indispensable support and tireless dedication at every single one of our laboratory sessions. Equally, I am profoundly grateful to Ms. Jamie for her unwavering patience and invaluable guidance, always ready with answers whenever I encountered challenges navigating the myriad responsibilities of running the club. Finally, my heartfelt appreciation goes to every member of the Anatomy Club – your steadfast trust, infectious enthusiasm, and collaborative spirit were the bedrock upon which our shared passion thrived.
Chapter 2 Find Yourself Where Winds Blow
As hooves drummed across the boundless expanse of the Inner Mongolian grasslands and the wind roared past our ears, this IA expedition seemed to sweep away the accumulated weight of formulas, papers, and competition pressures, scattering them towards the infinite horizon. The campfire cast its glow upon young faces, illuminating simple joys shared amidst laughter and conversation. In that suspended moment, time shed its guise as the cracking whip of a relentless taskmaster.
Those seven days spent racing across the grasslands became the most unburdened, carefree chapter of our youth. The potent bonds of camaraderie forged in that shared experience – uncomplicated and pure – anchored themselves as the most steadfast point within me, a constant reminder to hold fast to the unadulterated sincerity of those formative years. True, that National Day holiday saw no textbooks cracked nor practice problems solved; yet, time seemingly squandered in laughter and mutual presence was precisely what accrued into life’s richest currency.
Chapter 3 Discovering Happiness in the Ordinary
Life at SCIE often reveals itself most authentically within the seemingly ordinary play of light and shadow in daily moments.
Revising in the library, for instance, particularly on a rainy day – especially if one managed to secure the coveted beanbag beneath the skylight, would be a moment full of simple happiness. There, the steady drumming of raindrops against the glass pane transforms the world beyond into a fluid, watery blur, while inside, a profound sense of purpose resonates in the rhythmic rustle of turning pages and the deliberate scratch of pen on paper. Anxieties, almost imperceptibly, are gently dissipated by the rain’s cadence and soothed by the cool air; that quiet corner of the library becomes a haven for undisturbed thought, a sanctuary where the mind can truly settle.
Or perhaps it was at the waning edge of an afternoon, having worked through assignments or revisions until dusk began to settle. Pushing open a door, one might be utterly arrested by the breathtaking, silent spectacle of the sunset unfolding at the corridor’s end. Fiery golden light drenched the entire campus, lacing every contour in a soft, luminous glow.
Ending
Standing now on the threshold of graduation, looking back at my four years at SCIE, I am struck by time’s inherent contradiction. Our time felt desperately scarce – so scarce that we pulled all-nighters for projects, raced against the clock for university applications, and grew up hearing elders lament the fleeting nature of youth and how time flies. Yet, our time also felt remarkably abundant – abundant enough for galloping joyfully across grasslands, for moments of quiet contemplation beneath the library skylight watching a full rain shower pass, and for collecting countless breathtaking sunsets.
These four years have given me far more than university offers and transcripts; they have bestowed upon me memories and qualities invaluable for my future: the fierce determination to seize every second in pursuit of dreams; the ability to slow down and savor happiness; and the resilience to draw strength from setbacks…
Finally, I wish to express my deepest gratitude: to my family for their unwavering support; to every person and experience I encountered over these four years; and especially to all the teachers and peers who guided me. My sincere thanks go to Mr. David for his steadfast help throughout the application process, Mr. Paul for his recommendation letters, and Mr. Greenwood, Ms. Sonia, Dr. Alirio, Mr. Driscoll, and Mr. Fabio for their invaluable mock interviews.
Thank you, SCIE, for these four years. You taught me to strive fiercely within time’s scarcity and to live wholeheartedly within its abundance; you taught me to take bold action and gifted me the peace to embrace each present moment fully. Whatever the future holds – smooth sailing or challenging paths – every experience will ultimately become the light that illuminates the way forward, brighter.
- Article / Winnie Pan
