W
WASTAGE
This is not the place where I was willing to start, because this is the climax of all of my time being wasted. But this could be the right time to give my message to all.
Couple of months ago, all our exams were finished and I was getting ready for a two-day vacation, with my mind set to sleep away one whole day which was granted by this time of freedom. Two days in the hostel was perfect because it was just sleeping, eating, praying, watching films, and enjoying all the comfort under the roof with lots of fun. It was only a matter of time when I started thinking,“ What if my whole year went on like this and there was nothing for me to waste my time on?” Then it was the imaginary time turner that began to waste all of my valuable time.
After my two day vacation, on the next Thursday evening,‘ HERA’ the IT guy who gained knowledge mainly from workshops and conferences suggested, " Raaif, there ' s a new version of Windows. Let ' s update your computer." I was willing to see the new features and found out that it was great and was pleased with the new version. But unfortunately, due to a technical problem all of my data in the laptop was lost. Yet with the little knowledge I have, I recovered all the lost data with a software. Through midnight and half away early morning, my valuable time for sleeping was wasted. I went to bed at around 3 am and had to wake up in 2 hours, because I had to return to campus and complete two of my assignments. But with my exhausted sleep, I got up at around 11 am. So now all of my valuable time was wasted due to sleep.
I then received a call from the Chemistry Department asking me to come to a meeting representing the
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Chemistry Society to discuss about an upcoming exhibition. I had to talk to my batch-mates and explain the current progress of the exhibition. Public speaking has always been a part of my life, a skill I gained from the University of Kelaniya Gavel Club. With the skills of correct pronunciation, proper vocabulary, and humour I always brought in, I was able to talk to all my batch-mates and get their support for the exhibition tasks. But still I thought that a valuable part of my time was wasted on that day. Because it was a Friday afternoon I was willing to go to the mosque early but when I rushed back, a major part of the discussion was over.
In the evening, most of my time was wasted due to many reasons. So I was hoping for a relaxing weekend like the one I spent after my exams. Unexpectedly, at 3 pm I received a call from my sister, asking me to be at the hospital. My grandmother was ill and hospitalized, and I was worried. On the way, I got another unexpected call from Dilan saying that his grandmother had passed away. I was even more upset because I had to visit my grandmother
at the hospital and at the same time wanted to attend Dilan’ s grandmother ' s funeral.
For a moment it was like I was being stabbed by knives from all sides. It was amazing how the enjoyable weekend I had last week turned out to be such a hassle this time around. But all the assertiveness and leadership skills I gained from the leadership camp came into play on those two days. Although it might waste time, the way I managed the incidents with proper skills and attitudes on those two days, has always been a part of my life.
There can be many wastages in your life. But it’ s your attitude, your ability to handle tough situations, and your leadership skills that will determine the conclusion. I may have wasted your valuable time here, but I hope this wastage benefited you as well.
Gavelier RAAIF SIDDIQUE
Faculty of Science