After The Exam: Self-reflection

Hip hip hoo - oops, stop right there. SPM might be over but your journey to achieve your dreams is just beginning. Benny Razali thinks there are a few questions you should consider.

You anticipated SPM your whole life and now, you are done with it. What now? There are many things that you can do while you wait for your results. Why not try a session of self-reflection? Here are some of the questions you could ask yourself:

Have you figured out your options? Did you fulfil your targeted subjects?

The subjects you took for SPM should give you an idea of the field of study that you want to pursue later. At the beginning of the year, you might have been rather chill about it and set a wide range of options to choose from. Now that SPM is behind you, it’s time for you to properly figure out whether you’ve found the one. No, not a life partner but the one field that you want to invest your time and future in. Whether it’s science, literature or law, that’s for you to find out. But of course, before you can proceed with the field that you want, you must ace a few particular subjects for said field. For instance, if you intend to pursue medicine, you’d have to pass both Chemistry and Biology subjects with distinction (that’s A- for you) along with Bahasa Malaysia as well. For the field of engineering, Physics, Mathematics and Additional Mathematics would be the subjects you need to ace. So, how did you do? Or better yet, have you found a subject that you’re surprisingly good at?

Found something new you’re interested in?

You might have your heart set on a certain field of study that you want to do after the results are out but, remember, you don’t have to limit your options just because you feel like you’re bound to your earlier plan. If you somehow discovered a new interest in a subject or a career path that you didn’t know existed before, it’s still not too late for you to start putting some effort into pursuing it. This doesn’t mean that you are abandoning your initial plan – take it as a back-up plan prepared for your further education.

Are you reconsidering your path of choice?

It is never too late to venture into an entirely different path, especially since you haven’t started your tertiary education yet. Never be afraid to do the necessary research or to voice out your interest to your parents if you decide to pursue a different path. Your path is your choice and it’s all on you to figure it out. There is no rush to make your final decision as every path has its own ups and downs. Be proud of who you are and believe that you actually know what you want for your future.

So, how did you do? Or better yet, have you found a subject that you’re surprisingly good at?