I felt old, seeing all of my juniors' Instagram stories about their SPM Result Day. Although I sat for the papers just two years ago, I remember everything. There was a lot of studying and crippling pressure to do well. Some time nearing D-Day, my friends and I began thinking about other things like – What should I study in college? What field should I pursue? Do I need a scholarship? How much will everything cost?
We were making plans, but not everyone had a well-written plan for after SPM. Neither did I.
Backstory time:
I was a Pure Science stream student in secondary school. The only reason I got placed into that stream was because I performed well in PT3, not because I had some deep passion for Science. Of course, back then, I wasn’t thinking about the future yet. So, I went through with the whole Science-y thingy. Somewhere during the end of Form 4, it hit me: “Shit, I don’t want to do Science.”
I have nothing against Science. In fact, it is rather fascinating, but honestly, I couldn’t picture myself having a career related to Science. On top of that, I had been far more in tune with writing since forever (This is a story for another time). Secretly, buried deep down in me, I wanted to be a writer – a Malaysian J.K. Rowling, a subpar version of Rick Riordan or whatever. If I could put my skills to use and make a living, why not?
Who was I kidding? A career like that wouldn’t work out in the future, and I knew it very well.
Maybe the Universe heard my despair or something similarly dramatic, but something pulled through. Close to mid-2018 and also GE14, I learnt about Mass Communication field, thanks to the media who were busy keeping us updated. Among its various specialisations, journalism caught my attention immediately. Case closed.
Well, not quite yet.
Thinking everything was settled, I made a plan: Enrol into A-Levels (because I'm a person who can study), do the Humanities stream, apply for a UK university, graduate and get a job.
Obviously, I was thinking too simple because one day, someone told me: “I thought you had to be practical for Mass Communication?” Suddenly, I was back at square one. I thought I had it all planned out. By that time, I only had around three weeks left to any college's March Intake Orientation Day.
In the end, after one long discussion with my parents and another with an education counsellor, I settled for Foundation in Communication at Taylor's College. Today, I've finished the programme and I'm glad I chose it over A-Levels.
TLDR; what I'm trying to say is that not everyone has a straight-cut-out plan of what comes next after SPM. I mean, you think one would (just like I did), but there's a lot more thinking that needs to be done for college plans.
Easily, I've heard friends complaining on how tough their course is and wondering if they should just drop out to choose another. See, it's not an A-B-C decision making process here.
So, can I advise you something?
Here's something I learnt from my experience (and also from some friends).
DISCLAIMER: I'm not an expert at this. Results my vary.
1. Know your options
I wish I knew this before making plans for college.In Malaysia, we're lucky because we have a broad range of options for pre-university level sourcing from both private and public institutions:
PRIVATE:
Cambridge A-Levels
Australian Matriculation (AUSMAT)
South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE)
Canadian International Matriculation Programme (CIMP)
Foundation programmes
International Baccalaureate (IB)
American Degree Programme (ADP/ADTP)
Honestly, so many
PUBLIC:
STPM (Form 6/Tingkatan 6)
Program Matrikulasi Malaysia
Program Asasi
I could be missing out some
Besides the generic route to taking a pre-university programme, you could even opt for Diploma (Hence, IB) or a direct entry (ADP). Then, once you know your options,
Yes, DO YOUR RESEARCH. Find out what each course offers, the pros and cons, price and etcetra. Ask yourself if the course is suitable for you and whether it can act as a 'bridge' between secondary school and university. The whole point with Pre-U programmes is to provide you with the knowledge and skills that will help you cope with the challenges of an undergraduate course.
2. Please kindly inquire colleges and universities
You're not going to get all the information just by Googling it. The official websites contain the basics. By going to the college or university, you can ask the counsellors everything and anything.
On the same note, DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT follow whatever course your friends are choosing. I've noticed this and #sorrynotsorry, that's ridiculous. Psychologically speaking, people tend to follow the crowd because of social norms. In terms of our Asian culture, some have a fear of “losing face”. Choosing a field of study or even an institution fairly concerns your future and no one else should be deciding it except you (and your parents).
This is one thing you shouldn't be FOMO-ing about.
3. Discuss with your parents
At the end of the day, you're still going to have to sit down and have a chat with your parents. I know some people avoid doing so, merely because they fear of not getting approval or being forced to fulfil something opposite. Eventually, the discussion will happen.
I mean, who is paying for your education again?
IMO, it's crucial you and your parents speak about this particular matter. On one end of the spectrum, they want to be investing in the right education pathway. Higher tertiary education isn't cheap. While on the other end, parents just want to ensure we'll come out as a "useful, resourceful, knowledgable, bla bla blaa" person when we enter the workforce.
Our parents care about us a lot more than we think they do, especially when it concerns our future. Besides, I'm sure they would be glad to help sort and decide.
4. It’s okay to not know what you want to do in the future.
While making plans seem to be important, it's okay if you don't know what's coming next. I know you'll be tempted or pressured when you see your friends being clear with what they want and how to get it, but delaying is better rather than jumping into something you're not interested at all.
You can defer to a much later intake or take a gap year. I had seniors who took a very long time off after SPM. Sometimes, it's just to do whatever they've wished to do. Other times, it's just to figure things out.
FINAL NOTE:
Look, the journey will get tougher from here onwards. I'm not gonna lie and sugarcoat reality to you. Yeah, I'm 19, what do I know? True, but I simply just want to share something in hopes it would be useful to someone. Whether you'll take this advice, it is truly up to you because like I said, I'm not an expert.
Until my next post, see ya. Peace out.
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