10 THINGS HIGH SCHOOL TAUGHT ME

I used to wish to graduate and get out of high school as soon as possible. Now I look back and I realize that I have left high school for 5 months. Being in the class of 15’ is stressed yet fun. I would conclude that high school is one the important stage in your life. You like it or not, you should to make it a memorable one.

Besides solving the endless mathematics questions and memorizing plenty of scientific terms, there are plenty of fresh experiences you will definitely gain. As for me, these are what I gained throughout the two years.

If you obey all the rules, you’re going to miss all the fun.

I am not encouraging people to break the rules (although rules are meant to be broken) but it is a necessary to challenge certain rules to make life a fun one. It is okay to eat in class, challenge the dress code or maybe skip some lessons but it is not okay to get involved with bullying or be rude to the teacher. Know the limits and do not go too much beyond the boundaries so you won’t end up in the discipline room most of the days. 

Love Yourself.

Love yourself because if you do not love yourself to the fullest who is going to do so? I do not really care about myself and neglect about my health which make me a ‘huge fan’ of the hospital. I ended up being hospitalized in my senior year. I was referred to a few doctors as I was having a chronic gastric ulcer which is consider quite serious for my age. I was warned that if I continue all my bad habits sooner or later I will be one of the stomach cancer patients. So love and care about yourself and treasured your health.

Do not wait.

Always keep in mind that you have only one life.  Take the risk and do things you like to do. It is good to think twice before doing something but do not hesitate too long. Grab the guts and daringly make your life an adventurous one. Do not always think that there are still senior year, sometimes it is now or never. Make yourself proud for once. Make changes and not wait for opportunities to arrive.

Talk to people from all walks of life.

After senior year, you need to decide on many things so it is really important for you to spend some time to interact with people. Do not be shy and stop being an introvert. Seek for advice from the teachers especially the school counselors as well as your seniors who have went through the path. I love to talk and listen to different people as I really like to know wide range of people and also get expose to different world. This will help you a lot in making the best decision and can prevent you from being loss.

Friends are vital.

I am so lucky to know this group of friends which we actually stick together since middle school. I wonder will I still survived high school so smoothly without them and I am sure the answer is NO. They are the ones who gave endless supports to me in various aspects and tolerated me throughout the years. Without them being so understanding and helpful, I won’t be able to sail through the years so easily. I am beyond grateful to know them as they are the one who guide me to a brighter path and let me stay away from the darkness. You do need to have a big bunch of friends; just a few trustworthy ones will make your life full of stars.

Keep a journal.

I find that it is really important to keep a journal and record those memorable moments in your life. I used to have this habit but stopped for some time. When I actually flipped back those journals, I realize how much I have changed and grown up throughout the years. You can look back and know that you are currently progressing with your life really well. You have done a good job surviving those bad days which indirectly become a really useful motivator to me.

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

It’s true that school is a place to learn but not only on how to ace the examinations. Focusing too much on the books and the only place you visit in school is only the library is going to make you regret years later. Get out of the classroom and take part in outdoor activities which suits your interest. This is the time for you to identify your strength and who you really are. Have plenty of fun when you are still young.

Overcoming heartbreaks is easy said that done.

If your first heartbreak happened to be during your high school years you will understand. Before that I do not really understand the song lyrics but later I feel that every heartbreak quotes just hit me hard. People keep saying that let time does its job but days before things faded away seem like forever. All those night you are down on your knees: kept replaying those best memories which now brings more sorrow than ever is hurtful. Moving on is something so difficult for me at that moment when I kept holding on hoping for a miracle.

Academic results are somehow important.

You need to have a work-life balance and do not think that academic results are not important. At the end of the day when you need to apply for Ivy League or scholarships then you will start to regret for not doing well in the examinations. Yes, exams are not everything but still you need to put in sufficient effort and give your best. Even the results turned out to be disappointing, it is okay because you tried. Students with better scores usually will get more benefit to pursue their tertiary education. No matter how much you hate studying, just bear with it for a better future.

No one can help you except yourself.

You said you are hungry and I gave you a bowl of rice but you refused to open your mouth to eat. In the end I am sure that you will starve to death. It’s the same concept. If you skip classes or sleep in class even if you got the best teacher you will never get any better. Study yourself if the teachers are not doing their job as this is not a reason for you to give up. People by your side can only guide you but you are the one who can turn dreams into realities.

I am done with high school and somehow I wish to turn back times. I miss high school and I miss those dasys. Get out of the box and shine throughout the high school years and you will be amaze of how much you can do.

 Happy schooling people!!

If your uniform isn't dirty, you haven't been in the game.Ben Bernanke

TAYLOR’S WORLD CLASS SCHOLARSHIP 2016

This post is just to share about my own experience going through the TWCS interviews which I hope will indirectly help others too.

So the recipient of TWCS will receive a free tuition fees for foundation as well as degree and also a 6 months internships with Taylor’s University partner company .Therefore, the whole process is definitely not easy. If you want to know more about this scholarship do check out Taylor’s University website.

First Round

Date                     : 23rd April 2016 (Saturday)
Venue                  : LT 14 at Block D, Level 1, Taylor’s University Lakeside Campus

After submitting the online application form I waited patiently for about 2 weeks and finally I got an email from Taylor’s University Bursary and Financial Aid Unit. It actually took me some time to decide if I should attend this interview because I was quite busy at that time.

Why not just give it a try? That’s what made me turned up in Taylor’s University on that day. Till today, I have not regretted the choice I made.

This is the most fun interview that I actually undergone. The first round is a group interview or maybe more to group discussion. Being a team player is really important so to excel in this interview, you need to learn to be a leader as well as a follower. You can come out with your own idea but at the same time listen to others opinion. Do not dominate the whole discussion this will not show that you are any better than the rest.

I was so lucky that I was placed in Group C which consists of 3 girls and 2 boys. Before the discussion, we were told to share something about ourselves and also our favourite TV show. Later, we were given a topic about gender equality. 

Then we were given one minute each to sum up the whole discussion. The whole discussion turned out to be a really fun and interesting one. Everyone contributed fresh ideas and thoughts which contributed to the final agreement.

When the whole interview is done, we sat together and talk about schools and futures. No one left after the interview end as we seem to share endless topics.

That day turned out to be a really memorable day for me as I had the opportunity to meet and know them especially the Penang girl, Jia Li.

It’s really important to be yourself and enjoy the whole process.

Final Round

Date                      :  10^th May 2016 (Tuesday)

Time                      :  1.00pm
Venue                  :  Enrolment & Admissions Services, Taylor's University Lakeside                                       Campus (Block A Level 1)

            

                      

After 2 weeks I received another email form Taylor’s University and I myself could not believe I ace the first interview and are shortlisted to precede to the final round!!

I was scheduled an interview with BDO Malaysia, the fifth top accounting firm after the Big Four as I applied for Economics and Finance. I was told to read up about the organization and prepare a Curriculum Vita.

It is important to do some research about the company you are applying for and remember some facts about them. For the CV, keep it simple and nice. Do not write in paragraph or make it few pages long. Just summarize up everything and make them in point form. Take some time to go through samples of CV on the internet.

I would say that this is a really good exposure for me.

When I registered, I was given a case study about virtual store which is widely available in South Korea and need to discuss about the business issue relating to it. As I am from the pure science stream, I struggle to come out with fresh points. One hour is so insufficient for me.

My interviewers are

Dato’ Wong Wing Seong, the Executive Director of BDO Malaysia

Ms Thong Siew Fong, the Director of Talent Requisition from BDO Malaysia

Mr Chua Hiang Kiat, the Deputy Dean of Taylor’s Business School

They are all ‘somebody’ and this thought doubled my nervousness.

I went into the room, greeted them and started to share my opinion about the case study.

Later I was threw questions from them and the questions are not easy. You need to take some time to come out with an impressing solutions or answers.

I would suggest that you can go through the case study in detail and if possible minimize the assumption. You need to think from different edges and cannot only focus on one side. Take your time to think and do not rush to answer the questions. The interviewer will appreciate if you take some time to think. Do not be defensive and accept others comments openly.

To sum up the whole final interview, this one is more stressful and is more difficult. You need to have certain level of knowledge to do well which I think I have not reached the standard yet. The whole interview process kept replaying in my mind and I felt really upset with certain answers of mine.

This is indeed an important experience I had gained. At least I know how I am supposed to work things out in the future.

Please share with me if you did have any interview experiences too I will be really glad to know them!!

“Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted. And experience is often the most valuable thing you have to offer.” ― Randy Pausch