Things crocheting taught me as I began at RMIT Vietnam

When I started university, I brought with me a ball of yarn, a trembling hand holding the hook, and curious eyes. What started as a hobby became my compass, guiding me toward the path of growth, connection, and marking self-identity at RMIT.

I first stepped into RMIT with a happy smile on my face, but deep down, I was filled with a huge amount of uncertainty and hesitation, worrying that I may not belong or find any friends.

But then I turned to my old companion – crocheting, a hobby that I had been interested in during my school years. What started as a way to pass time soon became my personal compass, being a powerful source for my self-growth and understanding. Through each stitch, crocheting has taught me the importance of patience, persistence, and the joy of spreading care and reinforcing my identity at RMIT.

Stitching sparks patience

Crocheting is not as simple as it seems. Each loop, each stitch requires the crocheter to concentrate, be precise and be patient with the repetitive work.

I have carried this calm and patient attitude into university. When I approached the assignment, I understood it would be better if I read the criteria carefully and reflected on my ability to determine how long it would take me to finish it on time. I have started trying to break down different parts of the task, just like stitches, which helps me to stay focused and manage the workload efficiently.

More importantly, through training to be patient, I have learned not to worry when I see others growing faster than me. Everyone has their own pace. So, I am now trusting my strengths and respecting my mental health, knowing that steady progress will lead me to where I want to go.

Turn failure to strength

Sometimes, crocheting is full of mistakes: miscounting stitches, losing track of the pattern, or even restarting all over again. But through those mistakes, I have become more determined to fix them and improve. Each failed attempt is not the end, it is simply a part of the process.

I still remember my first semester at RMIT, when I did not receive a good score on the first assignment even though I had spent a lot of effort on it. Instead of letting it make me feel down, I decided to find out what went wrong. I reached out to my lecturers for consultation on how to elaborate my ideas without getting off-topic. I also discovered the value of receiving feedback from the SAS team, as these can help me hear different perspectives about my work and strengthen my ideas.

Since then, I have become more open to receiving feedback from others and actively seeking help and advice from seniors, lecturers, or even my friends. Just like crocheting, I am now no longer afraid of failing because I understand it is ok to fail and fall, as long as I am willing to stand up again.

The connected chain of sharing

I had never been good at expressing affection through words. However, when I began crocheting, I discovered a new way to express my appreciation through small, meaningful handmade gifts.

At the end of my first semester, I crocheted three different color stars for my lecturers. Each star carried a different story behind it. I gave one to my Foundation of PR lecturer; he was genuinely surprised and delighted as he said he would add it to one of his keychain collections. I gave another small orange star to my lecturer for the Contemporary Asian Modernities course, and she also greatly appreciated the gift. These small moments were so special to me and became memories that I will always treasure.

I recognised the importance of sharing with others, even with small gestures, matters so much, because when we bring happiness to someone, we also feel that happiness within ourselves. Through crocheting, I have understood the way of building bonds, showing gratitude, and leaving a little piece of myself in the RMIT community.

All in all, this simple crocheting hobby has shaped my journey at RMIT, as it brought me lots of lessons that paved the way for me to grow up as a proud RMIT student. This is not just my personal story; it is a note of encouragement, a motivational letter for those who are still lost in the university's fast-paced life to look back again at their beloved hobbies. Let it be your powerful source and help you to overcome challenges, build meaningful connections and mark your identity at RMIT.

Start small, trust yourself. Then you will finally find your way, just as I did.

Story: The article is written by Le Ngoc Bao Ngan, a Professional Communication student at RMIT Vietnam. This article does not reflect the views of RMIT Vietnam.

07 July 2025

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Things crocheting taught me as I began at RMIT Vietnam