Reported by:
Khoo Xin Yi Sr1ScA
In the midst of the pandemic, the Senior Middle 3 students of 2021 found themselves pacing for time as they were forced to cram three years-worth of syllabus within 7 months before taking their Senior Unified Examination Certificate (SUEC). This was due to the postponement of their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) 2020 which was delayed up until the end of March in 2021. Therefore, many struggled to catch up under the overwhelming pressure.
Even so, it is no surprise that the students of Kuen Cheng High School still managed to push through. On the 26th of January, the 2021 SUEC results were announced, and many students were relieved to find that their efforts had paid off. Thus, we, at Kuen Cheng Newsletter Club, interviewed a selection of the School’s top scorers in order to take a peek into their success and allow them to share their stories with all.
Lian Siang, Sr3A: Straight 11As
Lian Siang’s SUEC results were exceptionally delightful to him. While he was expecting to achieve such merits, he was still grateful and relieved that he did not disappoint his teachers, friends and family. Even though he faced setbacks during online classes, his self-discipline managed to turn his SPM B’s into SUEC A’s.
While most of Lian Siang’s expectations were brought upon by himself, he still faced difficulties in understanding subjects that he had no previous exposure to. However, he was able to overcome those challenges with the help of friends.
Lian Siang’s advice is to not only be self-disciplined in controlling oneselves, but to actively seek knowledge too. It is important to understand what we learn by cultivating interest instead of just memorizing. Using electronic devices to our advantage is also recommended.
“Study time is for studying. Play time is for playing.” This applies for co-curricular activities too. According to Lian Siang, we should always give ourselves ample time to relax and unwind from studies. A pro tip is to read the UEC textbooks instead of just notes since the exam questions are based on the textbook. Along with that, figuring out the patterns of past year papers is recommended too.
Regarding Lian Siang’s personal experiences, he mentioned that stress was inevitable. He coped with it by alternating between studies and relaxing hobbies such as listening to music, even recommending songs by YOASOBI. He stated that his SUEC results will be crucial when applying for universities.
“Even though the pandemic has taken away your senior-high lives, you must still put in extra efforts in order to catch up to the syllabus, but please believe in yourself and trust that there will be miracles. After SPM, the following days will be buzzling with work, so you must know how to restrain yourself. The most important aspect of revising is to find the best study method for yourself. Let go of all the study methods that are painfully bitter. That is the only way to study effectively. Be kind to yourself, don’t forget to eat, sleep and rest when needed. I wish you all the best. Face SUEC with provisions and excellence, and achieve results that won’t put your efforts to waste.”
Mar Ying Zhi, Sr3A: Straight 10A’s
Unlike Lian Siang, Ying Zhi was highly surprised to receive her results. She even had to double-check the announcement before she believed her eyes. She found that all her self-improvement and tuition courses had proven to be effective, thanking friends and teachers for encouraging her even when she wanted to give up on subjects like advanced math.
In Ying Zhi’s perspective, online classes were effective due to the convenience of the internet and class recordings, but she still preferred physical classes. For revising, she suggested getting the basics down and thinking of what questions could be asked about each topic. It was also made clear that feeling unmotivated is quite common. Ranting to friends and letting loose at times was her main coping mechanism. When relaxing, she would spend time with her family and watch YouTube together.
Ying Zhi mentioned that her motivation came from aspiring to be like successful YouTubers. She stressed the importance of her SUEC results and was thankful for her achievements.
“Just walk on and you will be fine after everything. Self-inflicted negativity is natural, it’s fine to be down. Learn to communicate with yourself and think about why you decided to stay for Senior 3. Don’t waste the efforts you’ve invested all this while.”
Moey Sean Jean, Sr3ScA: Straight 9A1’s
Sean Jean’s SUEC results were beyond expectations and came as an appalling surprise to him. Even as someone who is enthralled by knowledge, he still found it hard to absorb the abundance of information encompassing not only studies but also competitions. However, Sean Jean was not as stressed since his trial exam results were exemplary.
“Read through topics before lessons and you will surely grasp the concepts easily.” Sean Jean emphasized on the importance of revising before exams too, noting that focusing in class is of utmost importance and that resting afterwards is a must. Around competition periods, Sean Jean would focus on that instead of juggling everything at once.
“Nothing in the world is difficult for one who sets their mind to it. Just understand what the teacher teaches, then there shouldn’t be much of a problem left.” Sean Jean advised.
Chan Wen Xu, Sr3ScA: Straight 8A’s
As someone who found difficulties in scheduling, Wen Xu was astonished by the 8A’s listed on his result sheet, especially since he was only expecting to achieve around 4 to 5A’s. The curiosity embedded within his mind directed at Science-based subjects was what pushed him further and beyond anticipation. Though Wen Xu’s self-imposed stress wasn’t inherently bad, he stated that being overwhelmed by even the mildest hints of stress was. Even so, he took it as an indication that studies are important and reminded himself to do his best.
Although online classes made it difficult for Wen Xu to concentrate in class, the flexibility in scheduling acted as a compensation along with the convenience of class recordings.
“Studying will always feel hard. If it feels easy, you’re not studying but just reminding yourself that you’ve seen this. Studying and reaffirming oneself, humans are bad at telling the difference between these two.” When revising, Wen Xu would prevent himself from hyperfocusing on a specific topic by revising subjects based on how much time he had put into studying them as of late. He recommended using an application called Anki which specializes in spaced repetition study systems, mentioning that he would typically spend 3 to 4 hours on daily studies.
Wen Xu’s SUEC results are incredibly important to him as it is the determinant of what university he ends up in. He plans to broaden his horizons in the field of computer science/software engineering and would ideally seize scholarships in order to lighten his parents’ burdens on the fees.
Ngew Ze An, Sr3ScA: Straight 8A’s
Similar to the previous top scorers, Ze An was astounded to receive his results. He did not think he would be seeing straight A’s due to the difficulties he encountered whilst completing the exams. He was relieved that the stress he put himself under was worth it.
In Ze An’s eyes, study schedules are unnecessary, but he does manage to file in 4 hours of revision per day. The main disadvantage he saw in online classes was the lack of physical communication between friends. In other words, he didn’t find any real challenges while studying, just a few minor problems when drilling through past year questions, most of which he overcame with the help of friends.
“The anxiety that comes with stress doesn’t aid me in my studies at all.” Therefore, Ze An shrugged off his stress with ease, usually after playing relaxing games or reading intriguing research papers.
“SUEC does not just encompass the efforts given within a week of studying itself, but accumulates from the beginning of the school year. It is the hard work you’ve put in since the start of the school year that affects your knowledge, not the insufferable last-ditch efforts made just weeks before the exam.” Even before his SUEC results came out, Ze An was accepted by National Taiwan University for pharmaceutical studies. Thus, his excellence was applied in scholarships instead of university applications.
Ng Choon Hau, Sr3A: 8A’s