The Annual Marathon

SPM
STPM

Perhaps the path is mountainous and hilly but the consolation is ; it is still achievable.
The SPM is famous for its gruesome, lengthy run what we some taking as many as 12 papers. The most challenging is when papers are taken in both the morning and afternoon sessions. You are tired out when you have to confront days when such timetables run for days. But the human race is strange; somehow the adrenalin will also rise up to the occasion and you will complete the race.
From my years of experience I know that if you make the grade at the SPM level and score well; you have already secured a pre-university ticket. Strange but true to say Malaysian students exiting at the SPM level will sail through most pre-U programmes. When many say the Malaysian education system has lost its standard I find the SPM ticket still so valid.
The STPM is for the brave and sturdy. When you exit through this ticket you have already secured a degree in the university. I have witnessed so many students faring extremely well in various courses in tertiary institutions after this credible entrance exam. Content and grit are tested to the maximum.

So, for this 2011 batch of students, I wish them all the best and may the journey be a good one.
I hope horror stories of this nature will not happen:

• forgetting to get up on time for the paper ( a student once walked in half an hour after the exam started in home clothes for the Art paper; she was allowed in with tears in her eyes... the good part is she scored a distinction!)
• a student refusing to continue the second part of the paper thinking he had failed the first part but after much coaxing, he continued( he scored a strong credit)
• students with broken arms and legs ( I already have a student with a broken arm this year...)
• students purging ... do avoid public food.
  

As a mother and teacher, we must remember to thank our children for working hard. It is indeed true our children have to bear much perseverance and grit to go through such challenges. When they are around, we give them our best by giving them good meals and full moral support. Little do we know that the real test starts when you cannot be with them if they do go overseas. That's when prayers help the most.

So for the 2011 cohort of students ; once again rise up to the occasion and fight for yourself, parents and lastly but surely your Alma mater.

ALL THE VERY BEST