What Should You Expect in Form Six / STPM?
Posted by Chong
I think all lower sixth formers had gone through their orientation week since enrolled into form six on the 15th of May, 2007 and have been streamed into their chosen streams and classes before the midyear break which commenced on the last Saturday. Being the vice president of my school form six student council, I myself have had a busy yet satisfied week organizing activities for lower sixth formers. While it was fun to meet new friends and play games with them, I found that majority of them are not well prepared themselves to meet the upcoming challenges in form six – the main challenge will be to successfully enrol into local public university and get the chosen course after form six.
Some of them, sad to tell, were still in the holiday mood while a few had their hair dyed in fancy colours (maroon seems to be the most popular colour) on their form six registration day. Did they expect form six to be free of any school rules especially rules on proper attire and pleasant appearance? In this post, I am going to write on what you should and at the same time shouldn't expect in form six.
Form six is very meaningful to most of the people that have gone through it. One of our blog contributors, Melanie wrote “Form 6, [n]o regrets” at the end of her STPM Blues post and I totally agree with her on this. Do you have other expectations for your form six? What do you expect in your form six life? Do comment to share them with us.
I think all lower sixth formers had gone through their orientation week since enrolled into form six on the 15th of May, 2007 and have been streamed into their chosen streams and classes before the midyear break which commenced on the last Saturday. Being the vice president of my school form six student council, I myself have had a busy yet satisfied week organizing activities for lower sixth formers. While it was fun to meet new friends and play games with them, I found that majority of them are not well prepared themselves to meet the upcoming challenges in form six – the main challenge will be to successfully enrol into local public university and get the chosen course after form six.
Some of them, sad to tell, were still in the holiday mood while a few had their hair dyed in fancy colours (maroon seems to be the most popular colour) on their form six registration day. Did they expect form six to be free of any school rules especially rules on proper attire and pleasant appearance? In this post, I am going to write on what you should and at the same time shouldn't expect in form six.
- Lax school rules – I notice that the administrators of school usually treat sixth formers more lenient compared to form one to five students. While Ministry of Education of Malaysia does not grant permission for governmental schools to allow students to bring mobile phones to school, schools usually ignore this regulation when it comes to sixth formers.
While the school may not be promoting the sixth formers to bring mobile phones to school, administrators usually close their eyes to it, as long as sixth formers do not violate the rules too obviously. In other words, do not use their handphones during the teaching and learning process, show off them to form one to five students or use them to play songs or music in front of their teachers.
The same lax school rules apply to attire. The days when the discipline teachers pull you out during the assembly to humiliate you because your hair (for male only) are longer than permitted or you have a fashionable hair style are gone! However, I would like to stress that while some school administrators choose to shut their eyes on sixth formers, you should always follow the rules and regulations. Bear in mind that we live in a world governed by laws and regulations and hence we could never run away from them. We should train ourselves to adhere to the rules instead of breaking them. - No textbooks; reference books are used instead – Yes, you don’t have official textbooks for all STPM subjects. Hence you don’t have to apply Textbook Loan Scheme (Skim Pinjaman Buku Teks, SPBT). Instead, you could buy any reference books and use them in your class as textbooks. While some teachers will recommend certain reference books for you, it is your decision to buy which reference books from which publishers for your STPM subjects.
Thanks to the salesmen, teachers will often have many sample copies of reference books from different publishers. I would suggest you to borrow the sample copies of your teachers to compare them and perhaps make the right decision of which reference books suit you best and which to buy.
For your information, it is illegal to make a pirated copy of the original reference book as it infringes the copyright laws. So I highly recommend you to buy the original reference books from the local bookstores. If you do not afford to buy them, why don’t you apply Biasiswa Kelas Persediaan Universiti (BKPU) Sastera or Sains offered by federal government? For your information, you will get RM90 per month if you are granted BKPU (Sastera) while RM110 per month for BKPU (Sains). You can apply for this scholarship during the first month of your lower sixth; enquire your teacher-in-change for more information. - Teachers guide you instead of feeding you – The teacher will act more like a lecturer lecturing the students using transparency and visuals from compact discs (CD) prepared by Ministry of Education. Do not expect your teachers to be feeding you with comprehensive notes and detailed explanations like they used to in your secondary education. The teachers will regard you as young adults instead of ignorant teenagers since you are now completing your pre-tertiary education. Self-learning is a keyword for your success in form six. You are just one step away from the university!
- A lot of assignments, presentations, projects and practicals – You should expect your form six life to be very hectic with many homework assignments, presentations, projects and Science practicals to complete. You should learn how to search for information online, create presentation using Microsoft PowerPoint and complete projects if you are not familiar with them. A little computer skills will surely make your life easier.
- Quizzes, tests and exams – Quizzes to test your understanding of certain topics; monthly tests to force you to revise what you have learnt so far; midyear exams, final year exams and trial exams which challenge you to do better and do your best in the actual Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) examinations. Not to forget Malaysian University English Test (MUET) that you are going to take once, twice or even thrice to get your desirable results or bands. Mind you that you have to get Band 3 or above to qualify yourselves to enrol into degree level courses offered at local public universities.
- Learn Mathematics and Science subjects in English – Since you (SPM 2006) are the last batch of students studying SPM Science and Mathematics subjects in Malay, you are going to experience the drastic change in medium of learning. Like it or not, you have to adapt yourselves to learn these subjects in English. Personally, once I have overcome the obstacles to learn in English, I find learning Mathematics and Science subjects in English very enjoyable. Since English is the international language and most resources and information available on the internet are in English, learning these subjects in English is certainly an advantage.
- Leader of club, society and uniform body – Sixth formers are usually elected to hold the crucial positions in most clubs, societies and uniform bodies since members are confident that sixth formers have valuable experiences in leading an organization or carrying out an activity. This is not true, however, if you come to another secondary school to study your form six as your former secondary school does not offer form six. In that case, members tend to choose form five popular students or former students from that secondary school instead of “strangers” (sixth formers) to hold crucial positions. Read more about assessment of co-curricular activity participation.
Form six is very meaningful to most of the people that have gone through it. One of our blog contributors, Melanie wrote “Form 6, [n]o regrets” at the end of her STPM Blues post and I totally agree with her on this. Do you have other expectations for your form six? What do you expect in your form six life? Do comment to share them with us.
Labels: Chong, Pre-University, STPM, Tips
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As a former form 6 student, I have deep sentiments towards it. Honestly, it's a very good one and a half year for me in terms of personal growth and maturity.To my opinion, form 6 is not a bad choice at all.
However, when one considers about form 6, there are considerable amount of drawbacks one should take note. First of all, form 6 is a very tough program. The time in form 6 is certainly not a bed of roses. To get something out of form 6, one must study. There will be a great deal of efforts and patience. You will need the discipline to study as much as 8 hours a day when time comes. I am not kidding when I said 8 hours. Please don't drop your jaw, because this is the extent of craziness that form 6 demands from a student. If you are not prepared to do so, think twice, form 6 might not be your choice.
If one really plans to go to local university, there are more reasons for you to study extremely hard. If you hadn't know, a cgpa of 3.5 will not get you any good course. Even courses like forensic science, physiotherapy etc etc will need a cgpa of 4.0 to ensure entrance to such courses. Do keep in mind, the percentage of students getting those grades is less than 1%. So it is seriously difficult to get such grades.
Posted by
RyanTaggy |
Sunday, June 03, 2007 2:00:00 AM
hello there .is it true that stpm in science steam is very hard.i heard from my friend chemistry is divided to 4 different part.is it true?can you explain all about chemistry and physic stpm.i mean how much paper i have to answer in chemistry and physic subject.also about math t.is it same as add math or it more like basic math in spm.i hope you can answer my question in fast time.
Posted by
drakfallingpetals |
Friday, June 08, 2007 7:37:00 PM
I personally find that STPM science stream, when compared to SPM, is extremely hard. I do believe that STPM art stream is tougher than SPM arts. However, STPM is hard or not is very subjective and hence I would suggest you to ask others who have finished their STPM. By the way, why did you ask this question? Will the response influence you decision or choice?
STPM Chemistry is divided into 3 main parts, namely Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Inorganic Chemistry. Each Science subject has 2 papers, paper 1 consists of objective questions while paper 2 has subjective questions. For Science subjects, candidates are required to carry out Science practicals in schools and submit the reports for assessment by school teachers. Maths T is a lot harder than SPM Additional Mathematics. It has two papers -- Paper 1 and 2 -- both consisting of subjective questions.
For a clearer picture of the format of the question papers, why don't you visit your nearest bookstore and have a look at the model papers and even the pass-year papers available?
Posted by
Chong |
Saturday, June 09, 2007 9:09:00 AM
Hello chong.thanks for your help.for your information I was a new form six students.You can say "enam rendah".I want to take science stream in stpm but my teacher advice not to take the risk .She say "awak cuma tempah jalan bahaya jika ambil course ini.tingkatan enam sains is only for very very excellent student ".he ask me to take art stream but i don't want to.So what your opinion about this ?should i follow my teacher advice or obey it?for your information,i got 1a 3,3b 7,5c 1..
Posted by
blacksheep in the parade |
Sunday, June 10, 2007 9:14:00 AM
I always believe that one should decide his or her own future. You're the one to decide your own future! Science or arts is up to you. Were you a SPM Science stream student? Once you've made your decision, go for it and never regret.
Posted by
Chong |
Sunday, June 10, 2007 7:44:00 PM
I am just start my Lower six this year.My teacher want us to do Folio Pengajian Am.Can someone teach me how to do?
Posted by
Anonymous |
Tuesday, June 12, 2007 4:01:00 PM
Hi, thanks for your informative post. =)
I have a couple of questions though...
1. What are the best ref. books for:
Chemistry
Biology
Pengajian Am
Physics
Maths T
2. Which are the best tuition centre's in KL/S'gor for STPM?
3. Is Physics are pre-req for Med? Locally and international U's.
Thanks.
Posted by
Kristal |
Thursday, June 14, 2007 11:38:00 PM
Form 6ers are not all experienced in co-curricular stuff. And I totally agree with the way some schools offering clubs' responsibilities to Form 5 students rather than Form 6 students who came from others schools during their SPM. No offence, but these new Form 6s students are new to the school and the Form 5 students should be given fair treatment.
I was a Form 6er 3 years ago and I stayed in my school since Form 1. I saw many cases where teacher advisors of various clubs tend to choose Form 6ers to take on important positions in clubs regardless of whether they are old or new students. This is really bias.
Posted by
kevlinefm |
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 4:37:00 PM
mm.... im student from penang.
juz left few day for stpm...
no motivation, and feel strees..
anyone can help??
Posted by
Anonymous |
Tuesday, November 06, 2007 9:42:00 PM
wat is da life of a private candidate takin form6??? do we hav 2 go thru all da assignments, projects & monthly test like all other sch candidates??? wat bout participation in co-co as well???
Posted by
Marc |
Tuesday, February 19, 2008 9:30:00 PM
No formal textbooks for Form 6 students??????????
Why?
Posted by
Anonymous |
Thursday, March 20, 2008 11:12:00 PM
1. What are the best ref. books for:
Pengajaran Perniagaan
Perakaunan
Pengajian Am
Ekonomi
Maths S
MUET
2. Which are the best tuition centre's in KL/S'gor for STPM?
Posted by
Limloong |
Monday, March 24, 2008 1:25:00 PM
Hey, I will be registering for form 6 soon. I'm in science stream and i planned to take physics. Most of my friends are taking biology. I prefer physics more to biology but when i tell people that I will be taking physics, most of them will be shocked because they think that physics is more for guys. I was just wondering if I study physics in form 6, will I be able to switch to arts' courses like business admin in university?
Posted by
JJ |
Friday, May 09, 2008 4:14:00 PM
About there are more guys taking Physics, yes, it is quite true but this shouldn't discourage you to pursue Physics stream if you really prefer Physics over Biology.
Yes, it is possible to switch to Art stream for your university study if you take Science stream (physics) in your pre-university (form six / STPM).
Read this thread at Student Malaysia Forums: One of the advantages of taking Science stream over Art stream is Science stream students can change to Art stream whereas Art stream students can never change to Science stream.
For example, if you take Science stream for your SPM, you can choose Science stream or art stream in your pre-university education such as diploma or STPM. However, once you've taken Art stream in you SPM, you cannot choose Science stream for your pre-university education. This is because the requirements of Science stream are your results in Science subjects.
So, this advantage applies to your situation. In you choose Science stream in your pre-u, you are able to choose Science or Art stream for your tertiary education.
Have any other questions? Please ask them at Student Malaysia Forums.
Posted by
Chong |
Friday, May 09, 2008 4:42:00 PM
Hey Chong, thanks for your quick reply. I really appreciate it. By the way, do you know any website that provides the info on careers in physics? I tried searching on the internet but I was not very satisfied with the result. If you could share with me, I would be very grateful!!
Posted by
JJ |
Saturday, May 10, 2008 11:26:00 PM
Don't worry JJ.
Being a girl myself, I have chosen Physics instead of Biology and I do not find anything wrong with that.
Yes, I did get the "Hah? Why Physics? Boys' subject la" kind of reaction when I told others about my choice.
If you like Physics itself, just go for it. Just for you to know, the class I was in has 10 girls and the other 20 students are all guys. (again. nothing wrong with that).
As info careers on Physics, the most known career is engineering and engineering itself has many different subs such as mechanical (which include wide job aspects too), chemical, electric and electronic (e&e).
You can click :
http://www.malaysia-students.com/2008/05/popular-engineering-courses.html
for a (quite) brief info on different types of engineering.
Posted by
Nevvy |
Tuesday, May 13, 2008 11:33:00 AM
Anon, no idea why there is no formal textbook for Form6.
But usually the teachers will recommend the same text book for the classes they teach in.
Also, try look for second hand books from the seniors. It's much cheaper and if you're lucky, the books will be in a good condition.
Speaking of which, anyone in Klang wants to buy Form6 text books? I am from Science Stream (Physics.
For more info, you can email me at
nevaehelle@gmail.com
Posted by
Nevvy |
Tuesday, May 13, 2008 11:41:00 AM
Thanks, Nevvy for the encouragement!! =)
Posted by
JJ |
Tuesday, May 13, 2008 3:52:00 PM
hi...i had 3.58 cgpa in my STPM...can I get medicine programme in local university?...or which is the best private university to go in malaysia?
is it IMU or AIMST or perak medical college or UCSI...plz do help me wit the in4..thz
Posted by
Anonymous |
Friday, May 16, 2008 12:24:00 PM