I'm Happy With My Uni Results!

I checked which university I got accepted into and yes!!! I got my first choice! Cool, huh? I'm awfully happy. And no more worrying if I'll ever be offered a place in university or not. All my worries are over! Well, almost over. There's still life in university that I have to think about.

Most of my friends are glad with their offers but unfortunately, there are some who aren't. For example, those who did not get the course they want or their universities are too far away! Well, who asked them to list out the far away universities? I'm not sure if they listed them or not. Maybe they were just offered some course as the course still has not enough students in it. I don't know but they can either appeal or just go on with their given course.

It's absolutely tiring and busy for me nowadays. I have to help take care of my nephew! He's so active and naughty. Oh, he's a little, tiny terror! You wouldn't believe his tricks! Haha! Mischievous little fella!

Okay, it's time to say good night!

University Results Available Next Week!

Sorry! Us post-STPM students have been duped. Yeah, we got the news that the university results would be out yesterday. But, my friend sent an SMS and got no reply. I checked the Ministry of Higher Education website and checked but nothing concerning me. False alarm lah.....

However, it's official that the results will be known by the middle of next week. That's what they said in The Star newspaper. And we have to register at our universities on July 1, 2007. Ah, that's only 2 weeks away! Yes, I'm quite nervous actually. And I don't know which uni I'll get. I'm hoping I'll get somewhere near.

I have fears if I were to get a place. I'll miss my home, my bed, my computer, my bathroom, toilet, TV, mom, dad, family! It's also quite scary to know that I'll be sharing a dorm with a complete stranger! What if it's somebody that I cannot stand? What if she can't stand me? Appeal for another dorm?

But, I'll be happy to get a place, that's all. Gotta pray hard!

What if you and your loved one were separated?

Now that the STPM results are out, I have to think what course I want to study and which university to go to. Well, my dad has made his decision for me. I have to go to USM. It's fine with me anyway.

I know something is going to happen after my results. I know something will happen and it will make me hopelessly sad!

My guy and I might be studying at different places.

Yeah, it's horribly bad news to me. Just now, he told me he might be going to Johor or even Perlis! What places are those??? So damn far away from Penang. But, he has no choice I guess. He said he'll try to find the course he wants in Penang.

I don't know what to do. I don't know what to think. I know I can cry and that's it.

I am not in the mood now.

Life sucks.

Why do I cry when watching Hindi movies?

Why do I always cry when watching Hindi movies? Maybe the story is just touching or maybe it’s the exaggerated background music. Yeah, I think it’s the music. What else can it be then?

My mom likes to watch Hindi or Tamil movies now. She said that they have good stories to tell and good moral values to convey. Well, I think she kind of like Shah Rukh Khan. Haha! Just kidding!

Anyway, there are only 3 days left. In 3 days time, I’ll know my STPM results. Oh, how I dread it and yet I can’t wait for it so that I can get it over and done with.

Which course should I apply for? Which university should I go? Should I try for a scholarship even though I know my results would not be that outstanding? Ah, I don’t know, I don’t know.

I’ve kind of made up my mind to go for Mass Communications. A couple of my friends are doing it now and they said it’s fun. One is in US and one is in Lim Kok Wing. Nah, not going to go to either place. I’m thinking of a public university like UM or USM, which is close to home.

If I go UM, I’ll be far from my family. Then, I can only get to see my nephew and nieces once in a while. I’ll miss my home so much. I’ll miss my parents. Most of all, I’ll miss my bed and bolster. Hmm, what if I brought them along with me? I meant my bed mattress and bolster. Okay, the pillow too.

Well, first things first. First thing to face: my results.

STPM results out next Thursday! Run!!!

The long-awaited STPM results will be out next week on the 15^th of March 2007 and it is on a Thursday. Well, who cares what day it will be released? As long it’s released then it’s all right.

A few days ago, my friend had been bugging and asking me when I think the results will be announced. I told him I have no idea but he still asked me to ask my friends. Haha! I guess he must be really, really anxious about his results. Well, I am too! Who wouldn’t be?

I know for one that my Chemistry is a total goner. I’ll be happy if I passed the stupid subject. I mean, I studied Chemistry very hard but it’s a mystery why I can’t answer the questions in my exam. Actually, even my brainy friends had to guess the answers. Was it that tough or what?

I’m also sorry for not updating my blog. I’m sorry for myself too. Just been busy, that’s all. But, I’ll try to update regularly after this.

By the way, the SPM results will be out on Monday the 12^th of March and like I mentioned earlier, the STPM results will be out on Thursday, 15^th of March. If you want to check your STPM results next Thursday, you can go to the following website after 11am.

http://www.mpm.edu.my/

You can also key in STPM, followed by space and your identity card number and send it to 39003 via SMS.

Analytic and Sequential Learning

I received this in my e-mail today. As I read along, I began to think I'm kind of an analytic learner. Let's go over the characteristics, shall we?

An analytic person likes to learn things step-by-step, or sequentially.

Sound familiar? If so, look over these characteristics to find out if these traits hit home, as well. Then you may want to capitalize on the study recommendations and improve your study skills.

Are You a Sequential Learner?

• A analytic or sequential learner may be more likely to respond to a problem with logic first, instead of emotion.

Logic? I approach a problem with curiosity to see if I can answer it or not.

• If you’re a sequential learner, you may feel the need to understand each part of an algebra equation.

Yup, that's me. I read through the whole question and put brackets or underline each question/task.

• You may be good with time management, and you probably get to school on time.

No, this does not describe me. When I got the chance to drive to school by myself, I was late. The punishment was collecting rubbish. Got the chance to talk to a cute boy though. =)

• You tend to remember names.

Hmm...sometimes.

• Your notes may be divided and labeled. You categorize things a lot.

My notes are definitely not divided. I write everything in one book.

• You plan ahead.

Yes. I plan ahead.

Problems

• You may get hung up on details when reading.
• You have to understand something before you move on.
  You might get frustrated easily with people who don’t understand things as quickly as you do. (so true!)

Analytic Style Study Tips

Do you become frustrated when people assert opinions as facts? People who are very analytic learners might. Analytic learners like facts and they like learning things in sequential steps.

They are also fortunate, because many of their preferred methods are used in traditional teaching. Teachers also enjoy giving tests that favor analytic learners, like true and false or multiple choice exams.

Since your learning style is compatible with traditional teaching styles and you enjoy order, your biggest problem is getting frustrated.

An analytic learner may benefit from the following:

• Ask for clear rules. You need clarity. Without rules, you might feel lost. (I kinda like rules. Without rules, there will be no order.)
  
• Don’t get frustrated by opinions. Some students may offer opinions in class, especially the holistic learners who want to make comparisons! It is just their way of understanding, so don’t let it bother you.
  
• Don’t worry about not finishing a task. You may not want to move on to a new task if something (like a lack of supplies) interferes with your work. Try not to get hung up. Sometimes it’s okay to move on and re-visit a project later.
  
• Don’t worry if things don’t seem logical. We don’t make the rules sometimes. If you come across a rule that doesn’t make sense, don’t let it bother you to distraction.
  
• Group your information. Analytic learners are good at categorizing information. Go ahead and place your information into categories. It will help you recall the information when you need it.
  
• Sit in the front of the class, to avoid distractions. If you’re annoyed by rowdy or talkative students in the back of the class, try to sit where you won’t notice them. (I'll be so lonely if I sat in front. All my friends either sat in the middle or in the back. I like to sit in the back too. I really loved my place at the back of the classroom for the past 2 years. Very windy.)
  
• Don’t worry about big concepts right away—give yourself time. If you’re reading a book or chapter and you don’t seem to be “getting the message,” give it time. You may need to know all the details first, and then put them together.
  
• Take things step-by-step, but don’t get hung up. If you’re doing a math problem with an equation, don’t get hung up if you don’t understand a certain step. Take a leap of faith!
  
• Ask for specific goal. Analytic learners may feel the need to understand the specific goal before they can get into a project. Go ahead and ask for clear goals if you need them.

Hope you discovered something about yourself! Enjoy learning!

Source: Analytic and Sequential Learning

What Course Do I Go To???

The STPM results may come around March right? I'm only guessing but usually, all exam results will be released around that time. Ahh....I hope I don't fail anything! *crosses fingers*

Now, since I'm so free, I scour the newspapers every day to see if I happen to spot a course that I would like to study. Since I was in the Science stream, it makes sense for me to continue studying something in the Science field. The thing is: will my Science subjects' results be good? I truly doubt I'll get a fairly good score in Chemistry. I only hope to pass that dreadful subject. =D

I am certainly not interested in cutting up more rats. The rat dissection was disgusting at the thought of it. I salute everyone who managed to cut up their rat and explored the insides. When the teacher was briefing us about it, I thought I couldn't do it. I made up my mind to let my partner do everything! Haha! Yeah, I felt really freaked out. Finally, it was time to make the rats go to sleep.

A Muslim classmate said a prayer for them too, at the teacher's request.Then, we had to pick a rat. I looked into the bin at the pile of sleeping, drugged rats. I gingerly put my hand in the bin and took one by its tail. My hand was literally shaking but I did it. I held the rat into the lab and dunked it into some liquid, I don't know what liquid it was, and took it to my table where my partner and I laid out the rat into the required position.

After that, the cutting up began. It was supposed to be smelly but I didn't put on any mask. Not that smelly after all.

So, what do I learn next? Which university should I apply to? I was thinking of learning English or going into Mass Communications. Maybe something like Journalism or Broadcasting. Too bad I can't learn everything at once. A little bit of science, a little bit of English.

How is Pharmacy like? I gotta get more information on this.

I like Math too. But I'm not interested in problem solving kind of questions. I hate Vector. I like Paper 1 of Math T. My favourites were Integration, Differentiation, Matrices, Numbers and Sets, and maybe Probability. You need time to do Math. Well, to me, I need time. What kind of job needs Math? Engineering?

Okay. I'll go back to deciding the RIGHT course, which I'll have a lot of INTEREST in.

Superhot Tips for Studying Specially for STPM Students

My STPM or Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia exam was last year and boy, did I wish that I had studied my butt off! I did study but it definitely was not enough cos I had to tembak (shoot or in my case, a slang for guessing answers) my answers during the test. I sat for 4 subjects and they are Pengajian Am or PA (General Studies), Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics T. I like Bio and Math but I detest Chemistry. PA was all right. Quite simple and we had to know how to draw different kinds of graphs.

I'm feeling generous right now, so I'll share with you some tips on how to cope with these 4 subjects. The tips could work for other subjects too. We'll start with my favourite, i.e. Math.

Mathematics

• Practise every single day. Even if it is only for 15 minutes or you can do at least 5 questions a day.
• Pay attention in class. Listen to your teacher while he/she is explaining. Copy down the examples the teacher writes on the board. They will come in handy when you are doing your homework cos you'll need them to refer to. Don't talk too much to your friends during Math class too.
• If you don't know how to solve a problem, ask a friend who's a whiz in Math or better still, ask your teacher. If your teacher doesn't know how to solve, find another Math teacher. Make sure you have tried doing the question before asking. If you keep on asking without even trying first, nobody will be happy to help you later. Remember: God helps those who help themselves.
• If you can't get the answer after 15 or 30 minutes of trying, mark it with a question mark or any other preferred mark, and skip to the next question. Come back to the question later and try solving it again. If you have no idea how to do it, then it's time to seek help.
• If you fail your Math test, don't give up. Learn from your mistakes. Look through your exam paper and see where you have gone wrong. Your teacher will explain every question in class after they have finished marking. If your teacher doesn't explain, then it's up to you to find out the answers yourself.
• Finish your homework on time. Don't leave them for tomorrow cos there will be new homework tomorrow. Then, your work will be piling up and up. Don't procrastinate.

Next up: Biology

• There's a lot to read for Bio. But if you read once, you'll get the main idea. It's better to read at least 3 times for each chapter so that you'll be familiar with the topics. Make sure you read and understand. Don't read blindly.
• After reading a chapter, do practice questions. There are questions given after a chapter.
• For essay questions, you really do need to read a lot. My friend used to copy back his tuition notes while he studied. I guess it helped him remember. He even drew out diagrams and pictures.
• There are new words you may not be familiar with while reading Bio. Write out these words and look them up in the dictionary. Purchase a Science dictionary, as there'll be specific explanations given.
• Read up the topic before your teacher discusses it in class. It'll help you understand.
• Study Bio everyday. =)

Chemistry

• A lot of reading involved too. There are calculations but a little different from Math.
• Memorize the important formulas and ions.
• Get familiar with the Periodic Table.
• Study Chemistry everyday.
• Find out the meaning of words that you don't know. Ask others if you don't understand something. Pay attention to your Chemistry teacher. If your Chemistry teacher is lousy, like mine, then you had better study hard. Don't rely on your teacher. They are there to guide. Not force you to learn.
• Like Bio, read up the topic before your teacher discusses it. Read up each chapter 3 times or more and understand what you read. That's IMPORTANT.

I do not like Chemistry but I made the effort to study it as often as I could. However, don't concentrate too much on one subject. Make time for other subjects too. Balance your studying.

Pengajian Am

• This is quite a simple subject. In fact, it's the easiest among the four. But, you still have to read your PA textbook and do the questions after each chapter.
• When you've finished reading the WHOLE textbook, you can start doing model tests.
• A little Math and thinking is needed from questions 45 until 60 of Paper 1. Practise doing these questions. They are considered easy but be careful that you don't make silly mistakes.
• Learn to draw common graphs like graf bar, graf garis, carta pai and so on. Be meticulous in your work and don't leave out important details on your graph. Colour neatly and quickly. Time is crucial.
• Read the newspapers so you'll know the latest news and issues. This knowledge may help you in your PA essays.

MUET (Malaysian University English Test)

• There are 4 parts - comprehension, writing, speaking and listening.
• To improve your English, read English language newspapers like The Star. You can read story-books too.
• Look up in the dictionary if you don't know the meaning of some words.
• Talk to your friends in English. Don't be shy to speak up even if you make mistakes. Learn from your mistakes. Don't bother if your friends make fun of you. They have their own weaknesses too.
• Practise writing essays. Include adjectives in your essays to make it more flowery and interesting to read. Don't overdo it though.
• For the listening exam, clean out your ears before coming to school. =D I'm not kidding. It may help you listen better. Haha! Don't dream during the test. The speaker will repeat the passage or conversation. If you don't understand the first time, make sure you get a clearer picture the second time.
• As for the speaking exam, speak loud and clear. Don't look down on your notes. Look at the examiners and other candidates when you speak. Stay cool and calm. The other candidates are feeling nervous too so don't worry too much.

It's also advisable to try out past year questions. Past year questions were more difficult but they are a challenge. It'll test how much you know. Trying other schools' trial exam papers is also recommended. Different schools will set different kinds of questions. Most importantly, don't spot or think that a certain topic may come out in the real exam. They are not accurate most of the time. To be safe, study all and have faith in yourself.

Well, that's all. Good luck everyone!