The Day After

Now is the time

Beginning today there will be many decisions to be made by parents and their children; where to go next and what to do next.

Those who are eyeing for financial help and scholarships from the private and public sectors have to brace themselves against the stiff competition that they are bound to face. Those who have straight As but not yet perfect enough may or may not get what they want. Again it will depend on the courses they hope to pursue and it will be wise to consider carefully the course with the nature of the scholarship offer. Be a banker if you want a bank to sponsor you; don't try to be a doctor. Put on different hats when you aim for scholarships. But is that the true way to go? Do you go for your heart's appeal or the financial aid? I told Sara if she wanted a government aid after her SPM she should go into the medical line; she refused and even with that perfect score she was denied one because she wanted to do law; not medicine. That was the past.

Soon there will be scores of students coming to school to ask for verification of results and a frantic application for scholarships; it will be another really tough fight. Be ready for any outcome. Some who have scored all As may also realise that no one will offer them anything and the disappointment will set in. Do not be disheartened. There are many roads to a destination ; so find one that best suits the size of your pocket and the desire of your heart.

Those who are already enrolled in private colleges will continue the pursue and be prepared for the journey that is to come. Yes , life begins now. You are no more under the eye of your hawky teachers and aren't you happy you can wear the hairstyles that you always long for and wear shoes and clothes of your choice? A new sense of freedom. But surprisingly you may realise one day that you have been disciplined so well in school that you do not want to change...

And yet there are some who will take the road less taken; coming back for Form 6. Strange but true that there may be some late developers who though they did not achieve the perfect score in SPM end up achieving the perfect 4 in STPM. Many will avoid STPM; it being a long and hard stint but if you come out of it unscathed, you will sail through any tertiary institution.

So dear boys and girls, be ready for the real world. It is only the beginning of everything.

May the best be with you all.

This year's SPM results has left a very sweet after taste and an encouragement to the teachers of the school.

The real challenge is next year; to maintain it.