1 Ka-fu Wong University of Hong Kong Three Stories

2 1. Learning to write Chinese

3 Once, a farmer hired a private teacher to teach his son to write 一 二 三 one two three

4 Following his son’s advice, the farmer dismissed the teacher 一 二 三 one two three Writing is so simple. I have learn everything the teacher can teach me. I do not need him anymore.

5 Later, the farmer wanted to invite a friend for dinner and asked his son to help write an invitation card… 101, 102, … Why would anyone want to have a last name of “ten thousands”? 萬

6 Moral Do not underestimate the difficulty of learning Economics and Finance, and the difficulty of sharpening our learning. It may look easy but it is not.

7 2. I like kindergarten

8 A request from a six-year old, after his first few days in primary school Dad, may I go back to kindergarten? Life in kindergarten is so much easier. Son, no pain, no gain.

9 Moral Most of us want to obtain knowledge about Economics and Finance without reading, without going to class, without doing homework assignments, and without practicing. But, this attitude will not work. Gain comes only with pain. The conventional wisdom for success in college is that students should simply do their homework. The most commonly prescribed amount [by professors] is at least two hours of class preparation for every hour spent in the classroom – meaning 25 to 30 hours a week for a typical full-time student. The idea is that students should consider college their full-time job, and that class time and preparation should take about 40 hours each week. That's long been the conventional wisdom. – The Chronicle of higher education, December 6, 2002

10 3. Do I know you?

11 Hi, Dr. Wong, can you write a recommendation for me? Here is my transcript and CV…. How do you rate the applicant in the following areas: ExcellentGoodAdequateMarginalPoor Interpersonal skills Sense of responsibility Leadership skills Adaptability to change Maturity/Independence Social competence (initiatives, creative thinking, ability to work in team etc.) Cultural sensitivity

12 Do I know you? Will teachers ever know the average students who sit at the back of the classroom, who never ask or answer any question? NO!

13 Moral: Teachers will begin to know you only if you sit in the front rows, try to ask and answer questions My advice is to formulate at least one question to ask the speaker. The side benefit is that the attempt to formulate a question keeps you on track of the speech or lecture.

14 Wish you a great and rewarding school life in HKU!