Thesis proposal: changed topic

Ms. Jen announced that submission our respective final topics for Research1 are due today. Murmurs filled the Psych lab for a minute or two, then silence. We can’t and didn’t raise an appeal or we’ll be behind schedule. This is a no! no! because the due date of Chapter 1 is before midterm exams

But before we complied, I asked Ms. Jen if she can help us determine the more feasible research topic between our two choices. She agreed. So, July and I immediately went to her desk and presented our two choices:

* CORRELATION BETWEEN ASSERTIVENESS AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS OF
STUDENTS

* CORRELATION BETWEEN SELF REGARD AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS OF
STUDENTS

She commented that both assertiveness and self regard is incorporated in the intrapersonal skills. She implied that we better have intrapersonal skill as our independent variable. We accepted, knowing that doing so will be helpful in terms of gathering related literature and studies. She also reminded us to complete the W’s in writing the research topic. July and I came up with this:

* CORRELATION BETWEEN INTRAPERSONAL AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS OF
SELECTED SECOND YEAR TERIARY SYTUDENTS OF FAITH A.Y. 2006-2007.

The rest of the class consulted Ms. Jen before they wrote their topics in the master list. Before I jot down our research topic, I requested July to show our edited topic first. It was then that a conflict rose. Our topic is similar to Yen and Karen’s topic. Ms. Jen told us (July and I) to change our topic. She suggested something about birth order. At first I was annoyed. But the feeling easily subsided. I then wrote a topic similar to the one I had last June 20.
So here’s our new topic:

* CORRELATION BETWEEN BIRTH ORDER AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF
SELECTED SECOND YEAR TERIARY SYTUDENTS OF FAITH A.Y. 2006-2007.

July and I talked about it. Why do we have to change topic, so and so... Sort of sour grapping. Then July uttered, “I believe that God has a purpose.” I was enlightened. I decided to set aside my negative feeling.

Class was dismissed.

I was attending to Emy’s concern when Yen approached me. I told her, " I don’t need your explanation. I can’t do anything about it. July and I have a topic already. I don’t want to dwell on this matter anymore."

I became mean, or rude in taking my side because Yen kept on trying to speak her side which I don’t want to hear anymore. As I have said earlier, I don’t want to dwell on this matter anymore. I shut my mouth to end the discussion.

To my astonishment, Emy cried as Yen walked out of the scene (and talked to Karen).
I asked her. “Why are you crying?”
She answered in between sobs “Coz you were arguing.”
I let her cry for a moment and explained that we’re not really arguing, Yen simply wanted to speak her side which I also simply don’t want to hear anymore.

My friends were actually too affected or should I say, they were emphatic to me and July. I am thankful for that. But to leave this stuff behind ---to bury the hatchet and not to repress it --- is the best thing to do.

The rest is history.