Personally, I rarely care about serious social matters. As you can see from my previous posts, I am a free-spirited person who just loves "sugar, spice, and everything nice, plus, a little bit of chemical x".(adapted Power puff Girls) Honestly, that is me which I still don't know why I had chosen to take an engineering course. Oh well, maybe, in my next entry, I will explain.
Okey, back to the serious matter that I am going to discuss today. With the unlimited amount of time in hand, I find time to really think about the recent issues. Today, I read about an article in the newspaper(Sin Chew Daily, 2008) about a girl who received her STPM(Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia a.k.a Malaysian Higher School Certificate)(Wikipedia, 2008)results. Well, she scored straight A for her tests, which is about 5 A. Congrats to her! However, with that kind of good results, she was not given the first choice of her application, which was medicine in a local university. She was absolutely disappointed. According to the article, she said that she studied very hard in order to gain a place in medicine, if studying hard is no guarantee to secure a place in local university, then, what is the point of studying hard. I agreed with what she said. This is mainly because not only she was a straight A student, she was even awarded as one of the top scorers in the country. That award should have act like a plus point to her. At the end, she decided to go to Singapore to further her studies. She even added that the government is letting the professional people to other countries. This is absolutely the main reason why our country lacks of talented people in certain fields. In the article, there is also a mention the regulation for applying the admission. 90 percents for the results and 10 percents for extra-curriculum. From the point system, it is very obvious that the results is the main contributor to determine whether the admission is successful or not. By blaming on the shortfall of extra-curriculum, it is not logical at all due to the fact that extra-curriculum only play a very minor role in the application. Based on the point system, it shows that results will be prioritized. (Sin Chew Daily, 2008)
Apart from that, I also went back to my secondary school to have a visit. It was shock to me because currently, there are more and more students giving up to continue Form 6. I could understand the reason because I also decided to continue my studies in elsewhere. The top 3 reason for me and most students not choosing Form 6.
Okey, back to the serious matter that I am going to discuss today. With the unlimited amount of time in hand, I find time to really think about the recent issues. Today, I read about an article in the newspaper(Sin Chew Daily, 2008) about a girl who received her STPM(Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia a.k.a Malaysian Higher School Certificate)(Wikipedia, 2008)results. Well, she scored straight A for her tests, which is about 5 A. Congrats to her! However, with that kind of good results, she was not given the first choice of her application, which was medicine in a local university. She was absolutely disappointed. According to the article, she said that she studied very hard in order to gain a place in medicine, if studying hard is no guarantee to secure a place in local university, then, what is the point of studying hard. I agreed with what she said. This is mainly because not only she was a straight A student, she was even awarded as one of the top scorers in the country. That award should have act like a plus point to her. At the end, she decided to go to Singapore to further her studies. She even added that the government is letting the professional people to other countries. This is absolutely the main reason why our country lacks of talented people in certain fields. In the article, there is also a mention the regulation for applying the admission. 90 percents for the results and 10 percents for extra-curriculum. From the point system, it is very obvious that the results is the main contributor to determine whether the admission is successful or not. By blaming on the shortfall of extra-curriculum, it is not logical at all due to the fact that extra-curriculum only play a very minor role in the application. Based on the point system, it shows that results will be prioritized. (Sin Chew Daily, 2008)
Apart from that, I also went back to my secondary school to have a visit. It was shock to me because currently, there are more and more students giving up to continue Form 6. I could understand the reason because I also decided to continue my studies in elsewhere. The top 3 reason for me and most students not choosing Form 6.
- It is a waste of time, the duration of Form 6 is about 2 years.
- It is not safe for students who is planning to take medicine because matriculation students have privilege in choosing course.
- The syllabus is just too hard.
Well, these are the reasons that I can come up with. If you have any more, feel free to add on.
Moreover, I also feel that Form 6 students are in weaker spots compared to matriculation students. Not only matric students can save a year in their course, they even have privilege in obtaining a spot in local universities. Well, with that kind of disadvantages, I think Form 6 is going to "bankrupt" soon.
In my thought, being a Form 6 student is not easy, even if you score straight A, there is not secure, especially for medic students. Oh well, this is my personal thought.
Agree or Disagree - It is opened for argument.
Reference
- Sin Chew Daily(2008, July 22).没获首选马大医学系:全国最佳考生就读新国大. Sin Chew Daily, p.11.
- Wikipedia(2008).Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia. Retrieved July 22, 2008, from World Wide Web:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sijil_Tinggi_Persekolahan_Malaysia.
15 comments:
not hard but study smart ya!!!
well this is a very common problem we have been facing since long long time ago
remove the word verification !!! just hate it
I totally DISAGREE.
Even though studying form 6 takes around 2 years, it is good as it provides a platform for the student before entering university.
Research shows that those who studied form 6 are more mature, good in problem solvings and analytical thinking.
Also, they have the chance to learn double maths which is very useful. Note that you do not learn all that in university. The only subjects you got to learn are such as calculus, engineering maths etc.
Those who do not study form 6 tends to be more childish, manja and not able to think rationally.
[Icfu]
You are right, study smart, don't just study for the sake of getting a good results. Because things just don't goes by your way sometimes.
Ok, I will try to remove it.
[benny]
You have your own opinion. I agree with you in minor part only. Like Form 6 is a platform for pre-U. However, Pre-U programs such as A-level, SAM, CPU, foundation program have their significances in preparing students for university. Form 6 tends to instill unnecessary knowledge to the students. Some might argue it is better to learn more. That is true for the case if students are learning something that are useful in the university. But, it seems that when students go to university, they tend to forget what they learn. Apart from that, because of Form 6's format, many of them face problem in expressing themselves. What they learn are only theory, whereby, other Pre-u programs provide flexibility and versatility. I think that we don't have to learn all the theories, but, some of them. Because there are some of them which are necessary. If students learn too much,they might not be able to handle it. Haha, "Those who do not study form 6 tends to be more childish, manja and not able to think rationally.". This statement, I think is your personally opinion. Well, I didn't choose Form 6, doesn't mean that I am manja, spoil, ... I just simply make a better choice, this has proven that I am mature enough to make my own choice. So many people just follow their parents' advice to go for Form 6 because they didn't fare well in Form 5. That is narrow-minded. Form 6 is just one of the many choices.(^^)
I'm not the only person who agree. even few doctors from universities agree that those who study form 6 tends to be more mature and independent compared to those entering uni/college straight away after form 5 which are usually being spoon fed.
"Pre-U programs such as A-level, SAM, CPU, foundation program have their significances in preparing students for university"
Yes. I agree with you but it's compacted in one year and this burden the students. Imaging taking 7 subjects in one trimester. Student will not enjoy studying and learning as they just want to get through with their subjects.
"What they learn are only theory, whereby, other Pre-u programs provide flexibility and versatility"
I disagree. Based on the Rancangan Malaysia ke-9 plan, all the schools are well equipped with tools state of the art labs where students can learn both theoritically and practically. Some good schools are St. Theresa in Muar, Chung Ling High school in Penang and Malacca High school where they produce top students every year. If you compare both form 6 and Pre-U, u get to learn more things and deeper in form 6 such as bio maths and double maths, unlike pre-u subjects which are not deep and shallow. A real case is comparing a student who join uni after form 5 and another one who did form 6 and join the same uni after that. Yes, he wasted an additional year but the knowledge and maturity is different between both people. You will be able to see the difference.
Everyone can make their own choice. There's choices in life for us to choose for. There's no right or wrong.
Hence I will still hold on to my stand that studying form 6 is good as it provides a platform, a strong base and foundation preparing students to work and survive in the ever competitive world and industry. Note that studying and working is 2 different thing. As the saying goes "The survival of the fittest"
Well, Form 6 students may be mature in their thinking due to excessive theory enhancement. However, in the aspect of maturity, there is controversial. How do a person rate another person's maturity. For Form 6 student, they might be mature in their studies. But, Form 5 students who go to college or university tend to be mature in their action and living. Form 5 students know how to live and realize that Form 6's textbooks are not part of their lives. Form 6 students might have an upper hand at first. But, at the end, in the maturity aspect, there is no justification.
Yes, the level of knowledge maturity is different. But, with differences exist between them, Form 5 students will be striving for their best to catch up. Form 6 students might be superior at first, but, there is no proof that they will remain superior because there is a big chance that me and my group will catch up sooner than your thought.
"Survivor of the fittest" - yes, this will make Form 5 students, the underdog, do their best in their studies.
Again, I have faith in my own choice. Different people make different paths for their lives. I made my choice with no regret.
"Form 6 students may be mature in their thinking due to excessive theory enhancement"
Nope. They are mature when making critical and important decisions. They are exposed to what's going on around them and the society. They can survive in any conditions while dealing with people in the world and industry as they have gone through the tough times.
"Form 5 students know how to live and realize that Form 6's textbooks are not part of their lives"
Wrong. Form 6 students tends to work independently and study deep, not just the surface. A good example is double maths and bio maths compared to relatively shallow and easy pre-calculus, engineering maths where students are being spoon fed by the lecturer and tutors by providing slides, notes, tips etc. Also, plagiarism is getting worst as young people tends to copy and paste while doing their projects and assignments.
"Form 6 students might be superior at first, but, there is no proof that they will remain superior because there is a big chance that me and my group will catch up sooner than your thought"
Form 6 students will always be superior based on surveys done and on historical data. As an engineer or technical person, we let the data to do the talking.
"Survivor of the fittest" - yes, this will make Form 5 students, the underdog, do their best in their studies.
Once again, the education system in Malaysia is no good. Sad to say, students are being spoon fed and are result oriented. Pre-U or marticulation saves time but imagine a student taking 7 subjects in one trimester consisting of around 4 months. Do you think he/she can absorbed everything they study? There's no such thing as underdogs etc. This is not sports or football. This is academic where a student is competing with his/her own capability and ownself.
Hehehehehe.
"Nope. They are mature when making critical and important decisions. They are exposed to what's going on around them and the society. They can survive in any conditions while dealing with people in the world and industry as they have gone through the tough times."
Even though what you say is nice to read, it is not entirely true. Form 5 student can be mature in making decision too. While Form 6 students are so rooted to the thought of getting good results and becoming a doctor, Form 5 students have become more open-minded and mature. They are not restricted to the narrow-thinking that most Form 6 students have - becoming a doctor if they have good results. This is the disadvantage of Form 6 students, they are being brain-washed into thinking that their results are everything. That's why the top student right now faces such difficult situation.
Well, other Pre-U students don't just study on the surface. There are reasons why these programs are being accepted in certain countries. Like SAM, students learn the foundation of the courses for Australia University.Unlike Form 6, a lot of the syllabus are simply unnecessary. They learn too much knowledge that they are going to forget in the future. Spoon-feed problem exists especially in Form 6, a fact for Form 6 students is that they go to tuition class almost 5 days per week. All the note and tip are simply given to them. When you take Pre-U such as foundation program, there will also be a little bit of spoon-feed. But, I am proud to say that in most aspect, students are capable of looking for information by themselves. Like my English course, it requires more than notes and tips. Our lecturer makes sure that we find our information, do our referencing correctly to avoid plagiarism.
"Form 6 students will always be superior"
Statistic and data are not the best way to grade this situation. According to my Form 6 friends in Singapore, they are having a hard time to catch the standard there. Therefore, Form 6 students are good in studies. But, there is no evidence that other students can't catch up.
Well, I have to admit that taking 6 modules in one semester is not easy, especially I have 3 semester in a year, which is totally hectic for me. But, the interesting part is that maybe my course is much more tougher than Form 6. I even learn other important knowledge such as IT. That is why the format for the Form 6 is not superior compared to other Pre-U pros, due to the lack of versatility and flexibility.
waa... so many comments here already. i change my mind. just want to say;
I was in form six before too.
Haha.
hoho, got terrified by the debate up there, izit??haha.
Ooo, Form 6 student..well, we choose our path differently.(^^)
Well, I dun understand why every student who score straight A in STPM wanna take medicine studies. Is this really their dream to be a doctor? Dun understand at all! x)
Aiyo, this is the society's norm. If you got good results, u either become a doctor, engineer, lawyer...Very common and conservative.
Hi,
I understand that Form 6 is goddamn tough. It's so tough that even a top student have to work his arse out for it. Now to say, happy-go-lucky students like me.
Currently I'm in Lower Six, Science stream. 'Not easy' is all I can say. Of course there are people (or should I say my friends) who're able to catch up with the crazy maths and the science subjects with dictionary-thick-like-text books, but too bad, too bad I find Form 6 isn't my cup of tea. Not even my cup of coffee.
Therefore, I'm considering to leave Form 6 for diploma. Or maybe foundation in IT, where I don't have to study irrelevant (yet super tough) subjects like Chemistry, which I scored worst for in SPM '07. I consulted my senior who's doing Software Engineering (degree course), he said whatever he learnt in Form 6 didn't help in degree, except for some of the maths. And yes, he did lousily in STPM.
My point is, I don't need Chemistry and some 'dead' general knowledge to do Software Engineering course, do I?
To me, doing Form 6 is nothing but a torture. Alright, that is IMO. Some might take Form 6 very seriously because they think that Form 6 is the cheapest and their only platform to get book a place in public university. Oh, did I mention the word 'book'?
Well, I mean, yeah, even if you get CGPA 2.0 or sort, you'll still be lucky enough to get a place in public university, but then, I bet you won't get your first, second nor your third choice of course. Seriously, no point dreaming. Even my friend who's in the Biology class decided to leave for Russia for Medicine course, since doing it at IMU would make her parents go bankrupt easily.
Of course I'm not saying Form 6 is nonsense. It is good. Very good.
Only I'm not good enough for it.
Cheers. =)
Dear Steven,
Form 6 is not easy. What you say, I totally agree with.
However, I know that some science subjects are really annoying, such as Chemistry. But, if you are sure that you want to do IT, then, foundation program might be a good choice. But, one of my friends who is taking the same foundation program with me "hits the wall". He took A-level before, but, he didn't take Chemistry. At the end, he had to redo the foundation program. To be on the safe side, it is more secure to take all the science subjects. After all, if you take science subjects, you can choose between science and art courses. Actually, my advice is that if you are sure to do IT, then, go for it. But, if you have doubt or anything, it is better you reconsider it. Because a lot of people waste time in choosing the right course. For me, my first choice after SPM was to do E&E engineering. But, now after my foundation, I am planning to Chemical engineering. People are everchanging. So, just be on the safe side, you must be sure that that is what you want or else, you might end up in the situation I mention above.
And that's what I'm thinking: leave for something I've decided to do. Because I have no interest in anything else but computers. Computer science is pretty wide so I chose Software Engineer, following the footsteps of my senior, who happens to be my sifu last time. Sifu in computer stuff, that is. Haha.
Anyway, this is a good post for people to really think of what they really want, rather than just wasting their time and effort for something that won't provide satisfy them in the end.
Cheers. And thanks for the advice =)
Regards,
Steven
Then, I will wish you all the best and may your future be as bright as light(^^).
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