From Undergraduate to Postgraduate

After waving good bye to university not long ago (approximately 1 year+), I now find myself in another level of university study. Some people say too much education aren't too good, though I sort of buy into that idea but I am a firm believer that if one could use whatever learnt in the classroom and apply them in the field then it would give themselves a sharp edge in the market place. 

So here I am,  

University Malaya, must say it is my dream too to study in this university where many regards as the prime university in Malaysia. I understand many may have so many things to say about the good and bad, but I just wish to have a moment to dwell in a feeling of pride being able to study in the country's prime university. As I strongly believe, the way for Malaysia's university to go up is to retain local lads in local universities, so I back it up with my action by enrolling into one these universities.

Having missed out on getting into the university in Bachelor level, it is a dream come true.

The application for admission was simple and straight forwardly done at the university's postgraduate admission website, and after uploading certified copies of relevant supporting documents I am then done with the application for the postgraduate program. The admission results was released 2 months after the application as stipulated.

After receiving the results of admission, I attended a program briefing on the last week of August, registered myself and enrolling to courses in the week after on a separate occasion. Done and dusted, I am now officially a postgraduate student of University of Malaya. 

Another new chapter of my life. I am living my dreams now, working as a scientist and now also postgraduate student. 

Thank you Jesus.

University of Malaya Postgraduate Application for Admission website: http://pgadmission.um.edu.my/

What's after Form 5 -- Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia

In this series of "What's after Form 5", I'll post up different opportunities that one may take on and pursue after your form 5 studies and it is based on personal experiences and opinions so feel free to correct me if you found what posted isn't the fact right now.

So here it is: What's after Form 5? 

First up: Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia or in short STPM

A brief introduction on STPM. STPM is a pre-university course in Malaysia run by Malaysian Examination Council, which takes 2 years time for completion. Many has argued that STPM was one of the toughest pre-university examination due to its broad scope of studies as well as how results of students were determined in one final exam towards the end of the studies. That was the case during my time but recently the government had revamp the previous system to a semester-based modular system that will be implemented in the 2012 Lower Six batch of students.

Choice of streams:
Science stream or Arts Stream

As mentioned STPM is a pre-university course so it allow students to take up subjects according to their interest. But bare in mind that your choice of subjects may affect the types of degree that you could apply to when you have completed your STPM. Candidates are to take at least one and not more than 5 subjects.

#It is good to note that from 2012 onwards the government had revamped the STPM, so students will be accessed in semester basis, with a GPA each semesters contributing to the final CGPA.

Possible advantages
Relatively cheap
(Need not pay anything except for school maintance fee provided you're studying it in a local secondary school)
Gives you more time in thinking what exactly that you want in the future
Broad syllabus

Possible disadvantages
The length of studies
(From the day you finish SPM till the day you enter public universities is approximately 2 year and 9 months)

Personal view
I myself have been through STPM, though some may argue that the standard of STPM had dropped compared to earlier days but I can say that it is still a very good Pre-university course that has international recognition. When I was in my degree studies I can really see the benefit of studying form 6 as most subjects and scope of studies in my first year of study had already been covered or brief during my form six days. This has got a lot to do with the broad scope of knowledge that you would gain if you enter form 6.

Having said that, most students whom had studied form six intended to get entry into local public universities but if you want a relatively cheap Pre-univeristy education with international recognition form six would be your choice as it cost as little as your typical secondar school fees if you study it in local secondary schools. And I have friends that took STPM, got great results (National Top 5 scorers) whom are studying medicine now in King's College London under scholarship. So if you decided that you want to go abroad after STPM, not an issue as it is internationally recognized.

Form six life was some of the best days of my life thus far I could say, teachers don't treat you like they used too, they are more like your friends in form six! Time together with friends are always great and sometimes, in my opinion, there is no need to rush into the society as you will have plenty of years for that.

Stay tuned for the next in What's next after Form 5 series: A-Levels