April 28, 2015
Dear students in arms,
There are two aspects to consider here that are relevant in undertaking any exam. The first is the psychological and the second is technical; I will try to elaborate on both holistically.
From the psychological side we have to realize that we ourselves are our greatest teachers; tutors and professors can show us the way but we have to travel that path ourselves. A person who is determined and keeps on pursuing ultimately gets his/her rewards, with or without any tutor. Later onwards in our lives we will realize that ‘one repays a teacher badly if one always remains only a pupil’ (Friedrich Nietzsche).
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General, Sociology | Tagged: Danish, Distance Learning, exam tips, Exams, LSE, Motivation, Pakistan, philosophy, Social sciences, Sociology, study tips, studying, time management, University of London International Programmes | 
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Posted by Danish Ali
March 18, 2015
With exams around the corner, every student struggles to find the best possible technique of learning, preparing and understanding core concepts of subjects. Some prefer extensive reading, some make long notes, while others find it easy to memorize pointers.
When I was in my first year, I found it quite difficult to manage my studies. Basically, I was unable to explore the different ways of preparing for university examinations. However, the first time experience was both challenging as well as inspiring. Where there were subjects for which I had been preparing all year, through essential readings and past paper practice, there were some modules for which I had been making sample answers, or, answers to past examination papers for each chapter, for example.
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12 Comments | Courses directed by LSE, Sociology | Tagged: Distance Learning, Exams, LSE, Pakistan, Reading, study tips, studying, time management, University of London, University of London International Programmes | Permalink
Posted by Sundus
March 3, 2015
‘Movies Mockingbird’ is a blog series dedicated to uncovering the core ideas behind movies – the core ideas that are visible yet hidden. In it, I will attempt to dive into the sea of social sciences to reveal the whole iceberg of movie plots and not just the small tip visible on surface. Movies Mockingbird is the graceful antithesis of glamorous adrenalin and spice that pervades the movie screens.
In this first post, I will examine The Dark Knight (2008), the second Batman film by director Christopher Nolan, starring Christian Bale as Batman, and Heath Ledger as the Joker.
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Leave a Comment » | Courses directed by LSE, Sociology | Tagged: Danish, Distance Learning, Joker, LSE, Movies Mockingbird, philosophy, Social sciences, Sociology, The Dark Knight, University of London International Programmes | Permalink
Posted by Danish Ali
February 11, 2015
In my previous post ‘the other side of negativity’, we touched on negativity and how to understand its true nature. Here we shed light on embracing the roots of optimism and satisfaction. Social sciences are not just useful to understand the society, but can also provide invaluable guidance on how to know ourselves and live a satisfied life.
I have always personally struggled with stoic philosophers and their ideas; they seem on first impression, very pessimistic and self-defeating. They say that hope is the root of all anxiety; but if we do not have hope, we will not do anything. It is only the anticipation of something beneficial that moves us to think and take action. How can then we shun hope and still perform?
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1 Comment | Courses directed by LSE, Philosophy, Sociology | Tagged: contentment, Danish, Distance Learning, happiness, negativity, optimism, philosophy, Sociology, University of London International Programmes | Permalink
Posted by Danish Ali
January 6, 2015
It might seem a bit irrelevant on this blog, but I don’t think so!
The ‘selfie‘ fever across the world has definitely hit students and broadly education as well. In my institute, where I used to see people usually walking and talking, now I find them in groups taking selfies. Pictures, pictures, pictures everywhere. Whether it’s notes or a date sheet on the noticeboard, you will see students taking their picture and saving them inside their complex world of cellphone. Read the rest of this entry »
1 Comment | Courses directed by LSE, Sociology | Tagged: Distance Learning, flexible learning, LSE, Selfie, Sociology, University of London, University of London International Programmes | Permalink
Posted by Sundus
November 10, 2014
New blogger Danish, of Pakistan
It’s not easy being son of a professor of business; while growing up out of desire to imitate my dad, my habit formed of reading Harvard Business Reviews instead of Agatha Christie or Sidney Sheldon. And then there was a certain charisma with student life; life was so linear and orderly; this allowed a certain luxurious way of thinking that was smashed to pieces when my job started in 2009 (I was 19 years old when my world fell apart). Over a period of time, I realized that it’s good to be motivated by motivation theories, but real life does not allow such reductionist perception to thrive. We all dream and dream a lot. Who doesn’t want to become the next self-made billionaire? But life has taught me that simple optimism is neither durable nor agile; rather, true motivation lies at the core depth of facing harsh realities and conquering subconscious unresolved conflict.
That is why now I want to bust the ‘bubble’ of the general consensus regarding “entrepreneurship”. Becoming an entrepreneur has become a buzzword by now. In every house of learning, we are taught how to strive to become an entrepreneur to achieve the ultimate pinnacle of success. Success stories like Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Mark Zuckerberg and a lot of others cement our belief that if they can do it, so can we. Many of us want to have our own business and be our own boss. To become an entrepreneur is no longer an objective phenomenon, but a deeply emotional one for our generation. And it does make a lot of sense too.
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1 Comment | Sociology | Tagged: Danish, entrepreneurship, LSE, Pakistan, Sociology, University of London | Permalink
Posted by Danish Ali
