Advice for SPM Leavers and Undergraduate-to-be

Guest post by Syawalynn Zain (Share your personal tips with 50,000+ Malaysian students)

It is the season where SPM leavers are thinking about their future. Where am I going? What am I going to do? Am I doing the right thing? These questions will be asked among SPM leavers who will be going to face the real world. Oh well, I am not saying that all your life is a dream or unreal. It’s just not even half of what you are going to see in university or in life after school. No matter where are you going to further your studies, no matter in what field, I think these tips or more accurately advice, might be useful for you. This is just a sharing based on my own experience. These tips shall be used once you have entered matriculation, foundation, degree etc.

First, finance.

This has been the main and major problem among university students. As in matriculation, you’ll be given allowance RM250 per month which means, you are going to buy your food, your needs, books etc using that money and probably your parents’ money. Trust me, for most students, RM250 per month is not enough. It is good and recommended if you can look for a part-time job after you have finished your SPM. Or, it is good that you have your own savings before you further your studies. Seriously, no matter how rich your family could be, no matter how many cars your father might have, no matter how expensive your smartphone is, spend your money on your needs and not on what you want. Prior the needs. Don’t trouble your parents with your financial problem too much. It is okay to ask for money sometimes but not too often. Use your money wisely. If possible, limit your expenditure to how much to spend for a day. You’re going to need a lot of money once you enter university. Books, notes, food, assignments and whatnot.

Second, friends.

Just befriend with anyone you meet in the class. If you don’t know them, how can you judge them as a good or a bad person? It is not necessary to be choosy with friend as all of them are in the same boat as yours. Newbie and everyone needs somebody to talk to or ask for help in time of difficulties. No matter how bad or good a person is, it always depends on yourself whether to get influenced by them or not. Some people befriend with people who always go to the mosque but they themselves don’t go to the mosque. It’s just “the friends” who go to the mosque. Some people befriend with smokers, but they’re not smoking. Just get to know as many people as you could. Just talk and have friendly conversations. At the end of the day, it’s you who can be a better person or it’s you who could change persons to be better. It depends on how you communicate.

Third, be patient.

In studying, it takes a lot of effort, time and money. You will have to sacrifice a lot of things. You know this well already, don’t you? We all experienced the moment when we’re dying to get a sleep but we have to finish our homework first or to study till the last page. In university, it will get worse. Some students do not know how to sleep properly anymore. Sleep for 5 minutes in class is like the pleasure of sleeping for 5 hours. Every minute, every second counts. You’ll also get tired easily and feel like giving up at some point. All you have to do is take a little time to calm down and remind yourself that you’re doing this because your parents expect so much from you and you, yourself don’t want to suffer in future and disappoint people who expect so much from you. And of course, most importantly for Muslims, you are studying as you are doing what have been told to you by the Prophet Muhammad, “Studying is compulsory for all Muslims”. Be patient in whatever it takes in studying at a higher level. It’s normal to be stressed but if you keep feeling tensed by what you’re doing, you’re not going anywhere. You will still have to move on and get up and get the work done. That’s how you score. If you work super hard and you don’t get what you want, such as passing with flying colours result, do not worry. Do not cry. Do not be disappointed in yourself. Let others be but not you. You know you have done your best but it’s just God is testing you. Sometimes, He sends us messages in a way that we can’t see or understand. Bad results are not always bad. It’s probably a reminder for you. Look back at what you have done before the examinations and reflect your purpose of studying.

Last but not least, faith.

We have our own religion and we all believe in God. If you love God and trust Him with all your heart, you will not suffer and always have a positive look on everything that might happen to you. If you have faith in God, you will not do anything that will cause you trouble because you know, God is always watching you and always be there for you. You just have to communicate with Him. Do not complain about anything that’s been written for you. Bad result, get matriculations instead of foundation and so forth as He has a plan for you and knows the best for you. As for now, we can see, He gives us air without us asking because He knows exactly what we need.

Last words from me, best of luck to you. Worry not of the future, do not think too much of the past, just live your life and do your best at present.

Nur Syawalynn Natasya binti Mohd Zain, 20 years old, is currently studying for second semester for the course, TESL in Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI). She hopes this article is useful for the readers. Liked this post? Subscribe now to read more post like this one! Tweet