Trees That Wood by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown

Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, "Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty."

Then the second tree said, "Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull."

Finally the third tree said, "I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me."

After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, "This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter" ... and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.
At the second tree a woodsman said, "This looks like a strong tree, I should be able to sell it to the shipyard." The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.

When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. One of the woodsmen said, "I don't need anything special from my tree so I'll take this one", and he cut it down.

When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for. The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end. The third tree was cut into large pieces and left alone in the dark. The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.

Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time. Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and he stood and said "Peace" and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.

Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.

The moral of this story is that when things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, He will give you great gifts. Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined. We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We just know that His ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best.

The other school

Sunday February 20, 2011

By ALYCIA LIM
educate@thestar.com.my

Whether tuition is conducted by individuals or at a centre, it is evident from the large number of students attending such classes, that it is a service that most Malaysians cannot live without.
STUDENTS these days are expected to excel in everything they do, and for the generation born with a silver spoon, it is only natural for the expectations to be higher. In the pursuit of academic excellence, parents are willing to go to great lengths to ensure their children are “fully equipped” to stay ahead of the game.
Those who can afford to have opted to send their children to private schools for the sole purpose of getting a quality education. But for the majority of middle-class Malaysians, it seems that the more viable option would be to send their child for tuition.
Parent Action Group for Education (PAGE) chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim believes that the number of students attending tuition classes has increased in recent years because of the different teaching standards in the classrooms.

 

Secondary school students walking up the stairs to their tuition centre. Most centres are located in rented shoplots.

“I believe if the teaching quality had not declined over the years, the number of students seeking tuition would not have increased so quickly.”

However, she says it is not the fault of the teachers, as they have more non-teaching responsibilities today compared to teachers in the past.
“If we can take away their clerical and co-curriculum responsibilities, they would be able to focus on teaching.”
At the same time, Noor Azimah is also of the view that there seems to be a weakness in teacher training in recent years and this has affected the quality of teachers.

Schools are unable to function effectively as centres of learning because of the poor teaching standards and this has compelled parents to look for private tutors or tuition centres to help their children.

Some parents feel that teachers in government schools are becoming more like office employees where they have to deal with paperwork and administrative chores.
“They are forced to complete the syllabus which has to fit in into the academic year. There are hardly any allowances made for weaker students who can’t follow the lesson plan,” says Anusha Nathan, a parent.

To have a better understanding of their school work and for fear of being left out, they have no choice but to seek help outside, she adds.

It is indeed sad that many do not have faith in their teachers and the education system and have resorted to seeking help elsewhere. It has been said that the single most important factor determining how much students learn is the quality of their teachers.

However the Education Ministry’s Private Education Division director Khairil Awang, says that it is not fair to say that all school teachers lack quality.He reiterates that many of them demonstrate a high level of professionalism and integrity.

Due to competition, tuition providershave resorted to putting up banners at bus stops near schools and public areas to advertise their centres and services.

Minimal effect
Based on the statistics provided on tuition centres registered with the ministry, the contribution and influence of such centres seems to have a minimal effect on the overall education of school-going children in Malaysia.

According to the figures provided by the department’s data and information centre, there were 2,967 registered tuition centres with 194,567 students as at Dec 31, 2010 throughout the country, compared to the previous 2,487 centres with 202,327 students in 2008.

While the number of registered centres had increased during this period, the number of secondary and primary school students seeking help at these centres had reduced from 3.76%, in 2008 to 3.71% in 2010.

As for the number of home tuition providers, Khairil says they are deemed illegal, as they are not registered and the department has no records.

Form Four student Sheryl Teoh, who attends tuition for Bahasa Melayu, Additional Maths and Chemistry is an example of a typical secondary school student in Malaysia. While she admits that she is not happy with tuition, she knows she cannot do without the extra lessons.
“I think tuition classes are necessary for me because I don’t easily grasp all that the teacher explains at once ... I need to listen, understand and slowly absorb what has been taught to me.

“Not every school teacher’s teaching methods are suitable for every student, but we can’t choose our school teachers the way we choose our tuition teachers.”

She adds that tuition is also a way to “force” herself to study, as otherwise she tends to procrastinate when revising at home.
However, Ain Anisa Abdul Samad, 15, considers tuition a big help. “Tuition has helped me a lot in my studies, and I really enjoy the sessions because I can understand the tutors better than the teachers at school.”

Since there are fewer students in her tuition class compared to her class in school, Anisa feels more comfortable discussing her work with the tutor and is able to open up.
“I feel a little intimidated to ask the teacher in school for fear that those who know the answer may think I’m stupid.
“ It is different at tuition, as the tutors tend to me more patient and are willing to explain a topic over and over again compared to teachers in school, who have time constraints.

Another student Samantha Gomez* says tuition teachers often teach students better methods of solving questions and problems.
She adds that such techniques give the students an extra edge over their classmates as their approach in dealing with a question may be more current and superior compared to the conventional methods taught by teachers in schools.

A Bahasa Melayu tutor and parent, Anisha* believes that the purpose of tuition is to help the weaker students learn, understand and improve, and not just master examination techniques.
“To gain a better reputation, some tutors spoonfeed their students with examination questions and techniques to obtain better grades. But often, the child does not learn anything. They are simply regurgitating the facts in their exams,” says Anisha.

The unfortunate situation she says is when when parents are aware of the situation, yet do nothing to change it because they want their child to do well in school.

She said: “Weak students need to be coached, and teachers should not lose hope in them. If a teacher has made up her mind that the child is hopeless, the child will not improve.”

With smaller class sizes, and a cosier classroom environment at tuition centres, students are able to focus better on what is being taught.

Only the best
Housewife and mother of three teenagers, Nadia Lai believes in giving her children the best when it comes to education. She does not mind sacrificing her time which is spent driving her children to tuition classes.
“Almost all my time is spent taking my children to private tutors instead of tuition centres.”
Lai, who spends about RM500 to RM600 each month on tuition fees says that she selects tutors based on references by friends.
She added that tuition has become a necessity for her children, especially her eldest son who is in Form Four.
“My son is in the first class, and all his classmates had straight A’s in their PMR.
“So the teachers tend to go through the syllabus quickly and expect them to know it. After all, they assume that everyone in the class goes for tuition,” she says.
Despite attending a private school, Lim Yan Yin, 15, attends tuition classes for Bahasa Melayu and Chinese.
“I did not see the need for tuition but my parents wanted me to go.”
“I understand what my teachers teach us in school, but at tuition class, we get additional information on the subject,” she adds.
Her teachers in school are open to questions, she says, but feels it is appropriate only to ask questions after class as it will not interfere with the lesson.
Yan Yin also adds that she is intolerant of classmates who go for tuition classes just because they do not want to lose out.
“One of my classmates started to get really good grades for her Bahasa Melayu paper, and everyone in the class wanted to know her tutor’s name and how much he charged. They also wanted to sign up for the tuition class. People in my class are so kiasu (not wanting to lose out). It is like a disease.”
Tuition nightmares
Recalling his experience as the only student who did not attend tuition class in Form Six, B. Mahen said there were 37 students in his class, and all of them would attend the Additional Mathematics tuition class offered by their school teacher.

Noor Azimah says teachers these days are burdened with many non-teaching responsibilities.

“Since I was the only one who did not attend her tuition class, she would constantly pick on me in class.
“There were instances when she would teach something in her tuition class and not in school, but she would deliberately ask me to solve that problem during lessons.”
He said that if he could not, the teacher would say how the others in class knew how to solve the problem because they went to her tuition class.
He added that the school did not care much about what actually went on, as long as the students had good results at the end of the day.
Unfair as it may seem, many school authorities seem to condone such teachers, so long as the school’s good name is not tarnished.
Noor Azimah is of the view that teachers today should earn the same respect and dignity that those in the profession had a few decades ago.
The authorities, she adds, should allow teachers to focus on teaching instead of being burdened with non-teaching chores.
*Names have been changed.

Driven and led astray by emotions

Sunday February 13, 2011

By TAN EE LOO and PRIYA KULASAGARAN
educate@thestar.com.my

While the current system may have its shortcomings, those suffering from depression can still rely on the mental health services available at schools, hospitals and other centres.
AT THE age of 17, Adam* appeared to have the life that most teens had.
He had good grades, supportive family and friends, and enjoyed playing football and going to rock concerts.
The world only learnt of his inner battle with depression the night he wound up in the intensive care unit at a local hospital after attempting suicide.

 

For some, confusing thoughts and emotions might result in suicide attempts.

Fortunately, he survived.
The 26-year-old, recalls the reaction of his loved ones then.
“I had just broken-up with my girlfriend of three months, and everyone assumed that this was the only cause of my ‘incident’.
“The truth was that I was feeling really down for a long time, but no one noticed because I always had this mask on; in public, I was a cheerful and carefree person.
“But inside, I couldn’t stop thinking about how horrible the world was and felt completely hopeless.
“When I tried to remind myself about everything good in my life, I just felt more guilty for being depressed,” he says.
While Adam’s experience is just a sliver of the complicated issue of mental health, it may hold some insight into the death of Sally Lee Qian Chun.
On Wednesday morning at SMK Seri Kota, Malacca, Sally suddenly walked out of class, going onto the second floor ledge of her school before falling backwards and suffering fatal head injuries.
Described as a bright and well-behaved student, her actions shocked those around her.

Dr Chiam: Malaysians must be more sympathetic to those suffering from mental health problems.

Sally did try to reach out for help — she had voiced her desire to end her life on her Facebook account.
Tragically, no one took her seriously.
Awareness and stigma
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), depression is the fourth most disabling disease in the world, and estimates that the lifetime occurrence of depression in any country is between eight and ten percent.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai says that he is “sad and worried” about the number of people who turn to drastic measures in order to cope with their mental health problems.
“People need to know that it is okay to be depressed and there are healthy ways to handle it,” he tells StarEducation. “The ministry has been conducting nationwide campaigns on managing stress for quite some time now.
“But in order to focus on promoting mental health programmes, we set up the National Mental Health Advisory Committee in August last year.”
One such initiative is the pilot mental health project scheduled to start in four local secondary schools.
A joint collaboration between the Health and Education Ministries, the project will see trained teachers carry out mental health evaluation tests on students.
“The teachers are currently undergoing training and being equipped with the guidelines needed to conduct the tests.
“The project is scheduled to be completed in six months time, and we hope to introduce it to schools nationwide by the end of the year,” says Liow.
Liow adds that the public should not discriminate against those who are afflicted by mental illnesses.
“We need to remove the stigma attached to mental illnesses such as depression and instead focus on offering them support,” he says.
Similarly, social psychologist Datuk Dr Chiam Heng Keng believes that negative societal attitudes cause even more harm.
“Malaysians must be more sympathetic to those suffering from mental health problems, and not look upon them as ‘nuisances’.

“For instance, if someone is already dealing with acute depression, this sort of rejection will heighten their sense of worthlessness and despair.
“Furthermore, our schools need to focus on developing children’s emotional intelligence, instead of just stressing on academic achievements,” she says.
Dr Chiam adds that counsellors in schools should be more professional. “I’ve had cases of students turning to me instead of school counsellors because they thought the entire school will find our about their personal problems.
“While this may not be true, the students had the impression that they could not trust their teachers,” she says.
School counsellors must first earn the trust and respect from students.
However, retired teacher Cindy* of Penang says some school counsellors may be facing difficulties establishing a rapport with their students due to certain constraints.
“They have minimal contact with the students because they don’t normally enter classrooms or see them on a daily basis, which makes it difficult for them to spot the symptoms.
“The cases are mostly referred by teachers, peers or even parents,” says Cindy, who was also a school counsellor.
In contrast, school counsellor Mandy* strives to take a more proactive approach when dealing with her students.
The 28-year-old graduate teacher does not mind giving out her e-mail address or even mobile phone number to her students because she believes her number would come in handy when the students need to speak to her.
She even adds her students on Facebook and uses the social networking site to get to know them.
“I want my students to understand that I am here for them whenever they need support or a shoulder to cry on. In fact, part of my job now is to monitor the entries on Facebook.
“You will be surprised at the type of photos and messages that young people post online. It offers you a peek at their lifestyle and the problems they face,” says Mandy.

Recent newspaper articles on emotionally-troubled youths.

Relating a case she handled last year, the counsellor says she knew something was amiss because of a troubling comment made by a student.
“He said to me ‘I will decide whether to jump or not after the counselling session’,” she says.
Although the boy had asked Mandy not to inform his family about his suicidal thoughts, given the seriousness of the issue, Mandy had little choice but to call his mother.
“It turned out that the mother was also suffering from depression, while the boy’s father was away most of the time because of work.
“I ended up giving the mother some family and marriage counselling as well,” she says.
However, she says, there is only so much that a school counsellor can do because of limitations such as time constraints.
“Having suicidal thoughts is a symptom.
“Finding out the root of the cause is far more effective than treating the symptoms,” she says.
National Union of the Teaching Profession secretary-general Lok Yim Pheng says such symptoms could convey and give away clues about issues that a child may be facing.
“When the child starts a different routine or behaves differently such as isolating himself or not sleeping at all, parents should pay close attention to the changes in the child’s behaviour,” she says.
Making assumptions and ignorance will do no good to the child.
“A person may appear happy, but you wouldn’t know what is really going on in her mind,” says Lok.

Teachers should refer the students to school counsellors when they observe behavioural changes in their students, Lok adds.
School counsellors should then work together with the parents to find a solution to help the child.

Lok’s other suggestion is to include proper channels in schools to enable students to have telephone or online counselling.
She adds that counsellors should be given more recognition and opportunities for promotion.
*All names have been changed

AL FATIHAH !!! TAKZIAH KEPADA CIKGU YUSNITA

AL FATIHAH !!! TAKZIAH KEPADA CIKGU YUSNITA

Petang tadi lebih kurang jam 6.15 petang Cikgu Yusnita dan suaminya Cikgu Zuber serta dua orang anaknya menziarahi saya di rumah. Dalam keadaan rancak berbual kurang lebih jam 6.50 petang, Cg Zubir menerima panggila telefon daripada adik iparnya di Pulau Pinang memberitahu berita yang sungguh menyedihkan, bahawa bapa mertuanya iaitu ayah Cikgu Yusnita meninggal dunia. Saya turut terkejut dan menasihatkan beliau agar bersabar. Perbualan terhenti kerana Cikgu Yusnita sungguh terperanjat dan minta diri untuk balik dan sedang memikirkan untuk balik ke PP pada malam ini juga.

UNTUK ITU MARILAH KITA SAMA-SAMA MENGHADIAHKAN AL FATIHAH KEPADA ALLAHYARHAM ENCIK YUNUS AYAH KEPADA CIKGU YUSNITA, SEMUGA ROH BELIAU DITEMPATKAN DI KALANGAN ORANG-ORANG YANG SOLEH, INSYAALLAH. AL FATIHAH.
Dari Allah kita datang kepada Allah kita kembali

5 Easy Success Secrets to Follow

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Do you know the easy way to success? Find out how greats like Federer, Muralitharan and Tiger Woods do it.
The key to success in any activity is a dream. Dreams push you to action. They work on your subconscious mind even when you’re asleep. Dreams give you a burst of fresh energy. Think of what you want to achieve, everyday. Visualize what you want to do. Read about it. Know what it takes to reach. Eat, sleep, dream your way to success. Feel the success in your mind. Psychologists suggest you to think about what you want to achieve before sleep. And after waking up.

How do achievers SUCCEED effortlessly? Read their secret right now!
They commit to their DREAMs. You can do it too. Commit yourself to the dream. Write it on a piece of paper and stick it on your desk or workspace. Let the world know your dream. You`ll learn to live up to it. The poster will remind you of the dream and pump up your confidence levels. The family will give you all the support. The entire home will be charged up with positive feelings. Now, ask yourself, how can you ever lose!

Succeeding is as easy as swimming. Hard to believe, right? Find out.
No one succeeds without a plan. What`s yours? Put down all the details. The minutest things to look out for. What you need to learn. Hours of preparation. Partners to search for different functions. Best technology to implement. Getting finance ready for the next 12 months. Then, document the plan step by step. Discuss the pros and cons. Choose the alternates. ALL READY. Now get your plan B ready and you’re all set to win.

How to make bitter halves, better halves? Want to do it now? Press here.
Get buy in from spouse, family. You need all their support, don`t you. Be frank with them. Share your dream, why you're doing it, money you can make etc. Give them the confidence that a lot of thinking has gone into it. But seek their opinion. Listen with an open heart. They will rave and rant. They’ll be angry and insecure. Be patient. Answer their anxieties objectively. Tell them you have not decided as yet. Give ‘em time. They will support when you actually begin the new project.

Did you hear about the “man who knew all.” He never made it in life. Guess why?
Listen to your instincts but share plans with those you trust. Discuss plans with professors, peers you trust. They may see another side of it. Your passionate involvement may turn a blind spot and prevent you from seeing certain possibilities. Hearing different views helps you look outside your limitations. This makes you better prepared to launch your activity. Find answers for their questions. Know the challenges ahead. That’s as good as doing it.

MUKJIZAT TIDUR

“dan di antara tanda-tanda kekuasaan-Nya ialah tidurmu di waktu malam dan siang hari dan ….

Dalam studi baru-baru ini (yang diterbitkan dalam jurnal Nature Neuroscience) para ilmuwan menemukan bahwa tidur pada malam hari tidak cukup untuk manusia, tetapi harus tidur siang hari untuk waktu singkat (satu setengah jam, misalnya). Para ilmuwan telah menemukan bahwa otak sebetulnya merasa lelah di siang hari akibat akumulasi informasi yang sampai kepadanya sehingga kinerjanya menjadi kurang efisien dan dengan demikian memerlukan rehat sejenak. Rehat ini bagi otak merupakan penyusunan kembali informasi dan pengorganisasian gelombang-gelombang sel dan memantapkan informasi yang diperoleh di siang hari.

 

Oleh karena itu para ilmuwan menegaskan pentingnya tidur malam hari atau tidur sebentar siang hari dan bahwa pemberian rehat kepada otak ini memperkuat memori. Mereka menemukan bahwa orang yang biasa tidur sebentar di siang hari, kinerja ilmiahnya mereka lebih baik, dan kemampuan mengingat sesuatunya akan lebih cepat.

 

Para ilmuwan mengatakan: Fenomena tidur adalah sebuah sebuah mukjizat yang layak direnungkan dan dikaji lebih dalam karena ia merupakan fenomena kompleks. Maha Suci Allah yang telah mengisyaratkan dalam kitab suci-Nya al-Quran tentang pentingnya tidur di malam dan siang dan menegaskan bahwa tidur adalah salah satu tanda kebesaran Allah dan mukjizat yang harus kita renungkan. Allah berfirman:

(وَمِنْ آَيَاتِهِ مَنَامُكُمْ بِاللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ وَابْتِغَاؤُكُمْ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَآَيَاتٍ لِقَوْمٍ يَسْمَعُونَ) [الروم: 23].

“ dan di antara tanda-tanda kekuasaan-Nya ialah tidurmu di waktu malam dan siang hari dan usahamu mencari sebagian dari karunia-Nya. Sesungguhnya pada yang demikian itu benar-benar terdapat tanda-tanda bagi kaum yang mendengarkan”. Surah Al-Rum 23.

--------------------

Oleh: Abduldaem Al-Kaheel

www.kaheel7.com/id

Referensi:

Nature Neuroscience, November 2006.

Learning During Sleep, http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/12/061205215238.htm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/arabic/news/newsid_1299000/1299674.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/arabic/sci_tech/newsid_2189000/2189826.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/arabic/news/newsid_1826000/1826463.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/arabic/sci_tech/newsid_3177000/3177714.stm

Study Shows How Sleep Improves Memory, http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/06/050629070337.htm

THIS IS SOME INFORMATION...TO KILL CURIOSITY...

Stats for Tov Performance

When every sen counts

Sunday January 30, 2011

By LEE YEN MUN educate@thestar.com.my

Students at institutions of higher learning are finding it hard to cope with the ever-increasing fees and living costs.
HE HAS been awarded a scholarship that covers his tuition fees at a private university and has earned RM10,000 from a television reality show, but student Mohd Hazli Ali is convinced that it is only with a part-time-job that he can sustain himself and fulfill his family obligations.

He sets aside 25 hours a week teaching Economics, Accounts and Mathematics to secondary school students despite his own hectic schedule of tutorials, lectures and varsity-related activities as an Economics student at an institutionof higher learning in Petaling Jaya.

No idle moment: Farhana Amran, is pursuing a degree in Australia and is currently working at a beauty product outlet in Petaling Jaya, during her summer break.

Earning the top prize from the The Rookie, which is the local equivalent of The Apprentice in the United States, has put him in the limelight but the new-found fame and prize money still aren’t enough in settling all his expenses.
“The living expenses in the Klang Valley can be high,” says the 21-year-old who hails from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. In his case, he also sends back money to his parents. Like Mohd Hazli, juggling studies with work is something that many students may have to bear with especially with the rising cost of education.

The hard reality that confronts both parents and students is that paying for college is becoming increasingly expensive , says International Medical University (IMU) Malaysia provost Dr Mei Ling Young.
“The average inflation is said to be about two to three percent, and educational institutions have to bear in mind the current economic situation,” she adds.

It is difficult to state the increase in percentage among private institutions of higher learning, but an informal survey done by StarEducation reveals that the figure varies between two and five percent.

Very few universities, such as IMU, lock down the fees for their students for a certain period of time so that parents know how much they are paying in total and in advance.
Many institutions increase their fees almost annually, which may serve as a shock to some parents.
“A lot of factors will be at play, such as the currency exchange and the shift in demand for certain courses. I have never seen the trend down with education costs,” says Jan Clohessy, director of advancement group at Monash University Sunway Campus.

 

School leaver Mohd Ridzuan Roslee, 18, works at an icecream kiosk and hopes to save money for his tertiary studies.

Although parents are directly responsible for the financial needs of their children, Clohessy feels that the children, too, should play their part.
“The time has come for a cultural shift. Parents must start saving for their children’s education which should be as integral as paying for a house mortgage ... it should not be left to the last minute,” she says. However, she stresses that parents too, should impress upon their children the need to save.

Knowing your options
Choosing the most suitable educational institution for your children is akin to shopping . One has to explore different shops, shortlist the choices and pay only what you can afford. However, education is very much more costlier and requires prudent consideration.
“Many Malaysian parents are still sending their children overseas. The perception is that a good degree is only available offshore. But I beg to differ,” Clohessy says.
“With so many twinning programmes available, students can obtain a degree from an overseas institution locally.”When deciding on a university or college, Dr Young also advises that parents be thorough in their research.
“Most Malaysians who register at private institutions of higher learning are from the middle-income families. Parents may sell their land or mortgage their houses to put their children through university.
“Parents should make it a point to send their children to an institution they can afford. After all, they have various options considering the large number of colleges and universities in the country.”

Most private education institution owners are full of praise for the National Higher Education Loan Fund Corporation (PTPTN), which has disbursed billions of Ringgit to needy Malaysians pursuing tertiary education.

To apply, candidates must have been enrolled into an accredited course in an institution recognised by the Higher Education Ministry.
And having to repay the loan at a mere one percent is almost as good as a give-away for its recipients.

At your service: First year business and commerce students Julian Wong (right) and Derrick Lee, both 19, serving a customer at an outlet. Both are working part-time during the varsity break.

Finance manager Wong Siew May suggests that parents who lack the funds to put their children through college, should consider dipping into their Employee Provident Fund (EPF) savings.
“It is a good idea to use the EPF savings if the parents are still actively working,” she adds.

Students with excellent achievements, either academic or co-curricular, or both, should apply to the various organisations and corporations that award scholarships. She adds that students should look beyond the ones provided by only educational institutions.
“However, one must always read the fine prints of a scholarship as they normally impose a bond that requires the recipient to work under its terms and conditions for a number of years.
“Ask yourself if you are able to commit to the conditions, otherwise it will be a huge cost if you fail to fulfill by the agreed terms,” said Dr Young.

Some work to earn extra money while there are some who take on a job to keep themselves occupied during their free time.
It does not matter where students choose to work, Clohessy says, as long as they show commitment to their job as employers are looking beyond the academic paper presented to them.
“It is really important for students to work during their vacation as it increases their employability prospects .
“Potential employers want to know whether students will actually get their hands dirty,” she says. What is most crucial, adds Clohessy, is that students must exhibit their willingness to work even if it is in a kitchen of a fast-food restaurant.
“It does not really matter what kind of job they are doing, but they must at least work at it for awhile as it tells a lot about their character.”
Psychology student Grace Wong, 22, who works in marketing events for her university on a part-time basis, agrees that working is a good experience but the focus should be on studies.

Savings a way of life
To keep her expenditure down, Grace sometimes cooks a large pot of soup which she says would be her meal for the day.
She says that food is the biggest expense for students who stay out.
Third year student Shalini Julia John, 21, adds that she sometimes tends to bow to peer pressure which affects her budget.
“Although I try to stick to a tight budget and prefer my outings to be at a mamak restaurant or at regular eateries, there are times when I follow my friends to more expensive places,” says the student from Petaling Jaya.
To have a comfortable meal, Shalini says that she has to keep aside about RM25 for a meal.

The International Studies student tries to reduce her expenses by other means. She does not drive if she needs to travel far.
“For example, if I am going to the city (Kuala Lumpur) from Petaling Jaya, it is more economical to travel by train, ” she says.
Mohd Hazli adds that despite having the scholarship and a part-time job, he rarely eats out simply because it is expensive. Instead, he prefers to cook at home as it “cuts my expenses considerably”. Postgraduate student Lina Toon, 24, says that it was hard to stay on her own after completing her first degree.
“Most of us depend on our parents to finance our studies for the first degree.
“After I obtained my degree, I tried to survive on my own and was almost penniless for a few months. The situation only improved after I had a full time job,” adds Lina, who attends classes after work.
She adds that the biggest portion of her salary goes towards her rental, followed by her car loan payment each month.
Third year medical student Tan Si Han, 22, has a younger sister who has just completed her Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) exam.
Although he has been awarded a Public Services Department scholarship which takes care of his studies, living expenses and even enables him to have an allowance, Si Han has still taken on a part-time job during his study break.
“I don’t want to burden my parents, so I try to look for ways to earn some extra pocket money whenever I can,” he adds