Tabi basa & greetings everyone. In this post, I would like to share about my recent experience in advising a junior in need for some way out regarding her study.
Prologue
When it comes to motivation, it is nothing more than a feeling. But it does not end there because if we rely on that motivated feeling, it won’t last. It is not sustainable. That’s why it has to be backed with a conceret game plan. That’s where this story unfolds.
SPM Is Coming
For many 17-year-olds in Malaysia, this year is the year that determine where their next path in will go. The trial exam is ongoing now until August, depending on their school calendar’s.
This is where pressure begins to take place for many of these students.
However, for the more ambitions ones, they actually started with their SPM preparation since their early Form 4.
Talk About PMR
When I was in Form 3, I was still preparing for PMR (Penilaian Menengah Rendah), or Lower Secondary Assessment in English. It is considered an examination that will determine where the student go after Form 3.
My father was a strict guy. No games during weekdays. My brother and I can only play PSOne during Friday evening until Sunday evening. After that, we’re back to business.
Honestly, I like this arrangement. It helps to minimise distraction although there were a lot coming in the form of TV, radio and endless entertainment outside the house. We are still very much outdoor kids that time.
Close to PMR, we were not allowed to play games at all. I take this oppportunity to study and really understand the art. In the end, I managed to score 7A for my PMR. Praise the Lord!
SPM: Master of Arena
This is where the challenge begins because I failed my first Additional Mathematics test, which gave me a wake up call. It seems like Add Math is my kryptonite. But unlike Superman, I can do something about it and can turn it into my strength.
The other subjects are alright. I ended up with 7A for my SPM out of 10 subjects. That is the best that I can do during that time and given the limited resources, I won’t ask for more.
The Damsel In Distress
I was chatting with my junior when she opened up the topic about SPM trial that gave her the headache. She said she was having trouble focusing on her effort. That is where I offer my advise regarding her schedule, life in general and what she needs to do.
The Gameplan In A Nutshell
I told her that eventhough we came from a different generation, but the challenges are still the same: endless distraction. Now it is even more important than ever to safeguard our attention because everything is trying to capture our attention, especially those social media.
Seems like capturing attention equals to increased profit. No wonder they spend billions to work on socmed so that we are hooked. Remember, if you are not paying, you are the product.
Therefore, for her, it is important to eliminate the distractions and focus on her current true goal: SPM.
The End of the Session
At the end, she told me that even though there were a lot of motivation sessions done at school, but she didn’t expect that the best one comes from an unexpected 1AM.
That that I replied, God works in a mysterious ways. He sent His angel to help us when we least expect it. Therefore, it is important to keep our prayers always.
Epilogue
No matter what challenges in our lives are, it is important to keep our prayers. At least when we are facing this world’s challenges, we are well-prepared spiritually.
For those who is fighting SPM War this year, all the best to you. God bless.
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Emcee Claud
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