Choosing Sustainability: My Journey with Single-Use Water Bottles

 MOHAMAD AZIQ BIN MOHAMAD DERUS (2325705)

MY EXPERIENCE

    As a university student, convenience frequently influences daily decisions. One habit I formed early on was buying bottled mineral water instead of a reusable water bottle. While it appeared innocent at first, I eventually understood how wasteful and unsustainable this habit was. Reflecting on this habit has taught me great lessons about sustainability and resource management.

            Before entering university, I never considered the consequences of purchasing bottled water. It was something I'd seen everyone do, so it felt natural. I assumed it was handier and more hygienic than bringing a reusable bottle. I didn't anticipate the cost or environmental ramifications of using single-use plastic bottles.

            On the study time in the university, my reliance on bottled water increased. A day with full schedule of classes and activities, the most convenient option seemed to be grabbing a bottle from the nearest store. However, before I knew it, I was standing in front of the pile of empty plastic bottles on my floor. It was then that I realized how much waste I was producing and if this was really something I was supposed to be doing.

Financially, I was aware that I was spending more than I thought. It was a straightforward calculation that showed how much money spent on bottled water every month could have been spent on other required things, such as food or study materials. Besides the cost, I was more aware of the environmental implication. Every bottle I discarded was contributing to the plastic waste problem in the world, which destroys habitats and takes centuries to degrade.

In order to solve this issue, I bought a refillable water bottle and made a habit of using it daily. It was difficult at first to remember to bring it along, and sometimes I reverted to purchasing bottled water. Nevertheless, with persistent practice, the use of the refillable bottle became automatic.

After a few days, the transition to a reusable bottle has been revolutionary. I've not only saved money, but also dramatically reduced the quantity of plastic waste I produce. This tiny shift has taught me the value of being mindful of my consumption and making sustainable decisions.

In conclusion, this experience has taught me that making little changes is the first step toward sustainability. Choosing a reusable bottle over single-use plastic is a simple step, but it can have a significant impact in the long run. It has motivated me to implement more sustainable behaviors and reminded me of the importance of human responsibility in tackling environmental issues.

Navigating University Life on a Tight Budget: A Personal Reflection

Full Name: Mohamad Aziq bin Mohamad Derus (2325705)

My Experience

University is an exciting place but also a little bit scary for me. Like so many students, I was looking forward to the freedom and opportunities it would bring. But, due to my family income, even in the basic things in life such as food. This challenge shaped my experience in ways that I did not anticipate.

            First of all, before starting university, I imagined about myself thriving in a new environment. I thought that managing my daily meals would be simple, expecting to find affordable options on campus or nearby. However, I was that my family's financial situation meant I would need to be careful with my spending. Furthermore, what I hadn't anticipated was how difficult this would become, especially when some other expenses arose.

Next, in actual sense, living on a tight budget proved to be much harder than I had anticipated. There are days when I have gone without food or had to survive on instant noodles because it is cheap for me to afford it. Balancing classes, assignments, and a limited budget often left me feeling stressed and fatigued. 

So, I had to cope with it by developing strategies to stretch my resources. I started with buying ingredients like a board of eggs and studying simple recipes that could be stretched for a few meals like scramble egg. I also discovered community resources, like the campus food bank, which provided essential support during particularly tough times as I had experienced during Ramadhan, I tend to go to Musholla of Mahallah Zaid Harithah or another nearby mosque to take free meals for Iftar. Despite such efforts, there are times when I feel isolated by watching my friends enjoy restaurant meals while I silently eating my food.

This experience also highlighted the importance of sustainable practices. Wasting food was not an option, so I became more mindful about portion sizes and preserving leftovers. That was indeed quite a tough period, but it teaches me a valuable lesson about resourcefulness and resilience.

All in all, I am very thankful for the learning experience. I understood how important good nutrition is for both physical and mental health. It also helped me understand food insecurity better and motivated me to helps programs that give resources to low-income students. If I were in that situation again, I would seek help earlier and try to argue for more awareness of available resources. My journey through university on a tight budget was not easy, but it taught me to preserve and cherish the support systems around me.

In conclusion, my experience going through university life with low income really has made me to be more resilient and empathic individual. It has highlighted how imperative it would be to deal with hunger problems in educational institution and how helpful community support could be overcoming life's challenges.