Treasured moment: Gurjit (left) posing for a photo with Fadhlina, along with other course participants.
TEN months in the Education Ministry’s matriculation programme may seem like a long time to the new batch of students starting their orientation for the 2025/2026 intake tomorrow.
However, having recently completed my studies at Pahang Matriculation College, let me say this – those months will slip through your fingers faster than you expect.
I used to count down the months on the calendar in my room. Nine left... eight... and then I stopped counting. Before I knew it, only two months remained.
That realisation hit hard. Strangers had become family, and lecturers had become my second parents.
I truly enjoyed my time there, and now have friends from every corner of Malaysia.
From student council meetings to international competitions, and from late-night study sessions to bonding over steaming, curry-flavoured instant noodles – I have been there and done that.
If you are a new student starting out, allow me to share a few truths that helped me make the most of this transformative journey.
Consistency is key
With classes from 8.15am to 4.15pm, followed by extracurriculars and other responsibilities, managing your time becomes crucial.
As the student council secretary, I had to learn to balance my commitments. I began allocating specific hours for studying, council work and rest.
I also created a daily to-do list every morning so I would not forget tasks or carry mental clutter. This practice helped me stay focused, organised, and emotionally lighter.
It can be tough at first, but once you build self-discipline, it gets easier. When you respect your time, it rewards you.
It gave me time not just to survive, but also to truly live: to stroll around the campus lake, write poetry and reflect.
The secret lies in consistency. Discipline does not demand perfection – just the effort to show up daily for yourself and your goals.
Find your ‘why’
Matriculation is not easy. It is a fast-paced programme, and there will be days when you will feel exhausted, demotivated – even defeated.
When that happens, pause and ask yourself: Why did I begin this journey?
Your “why” can be anything – “I want to make my family proud”, “I want to get into my dream university”, “I want to prove to myself that I can do this”.
It does not have to sound deep; it just needs to be true.
Write it down. Stick it to your wall. Carry it in your heart. When things get tough, your “why” becomes your anchor.
For me, it was simple. I wanted to go to medical school and show my parents that their sacrifices were worth it. That conviction carried me through every storm.
Say yes
Many students worry that joining extracurricular activities will jeopardise their academic performance. But in my experience, saying yes to opportunities opened more doors than I could have ever imagined
I represented my college at a national bridge design challenge and won bronze. I led the National Pledge during an Education Ministry’s leadership course last October, in front of Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek – and I even got to speak with her. It was an unforgettable moment.
One of my proudest achievements was joining an international innovation and invention competition, where my team conceptualised a vending machine that turned plastic bottles into three-dimensional printed items. We won the gold award.
But beyond the accolades, it was the process – the brainstorming, the teamwork, the setbacks and the triumphs – that transformed me.
These experiences taught me confidence, leadership and adaptability – skills that no textbook could ever teach. So, take the leap. Say yes. You never know what paths will unfold when you simply choose to try.
You are not alone
Most importantly, remember this: it is perfectly okay to not be okay – though it sounds clichéd.
There were nights when I felt like the world was closing in on me. But I discovered that opening up – whether to a friend, a lecturer or a parent – made all the difference.
Speaking up is not a sign of weakness – it is strength and self-respect. And always remember: no storm lasts forever. The rain will pass. The sun will rise. And you will rise with it.
At the end of this journey, you will walk away with more than just a certificate. You will leave with friendships, memories, resilience and wisdom.
To the next generation of matriculation students, my juniors: do not merely endure these 10 months – experience them.
Matriculation is not just a stepping stone. It is a once-in-a-lifetime chapter. Make those months count!
Gurjit, 19, a student in Pahang, is a participant of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) team. For updates on the BRATs programme, go to facebook.com/niebrats.
With the theme of the article in mind, carry out the following English language activities.
1 Reflect on your goal as a student. What do you want to achieve? Why is it important to you? How do you motivate yourself when you feel like giving up? Share your thoughts in class. Listen to others and learn from their experiences.
2 Work with a partner to role-play a situation where one of you is unsure about joining an activity (e.g. a club, event or competition), while the other offers encouragement to give it a try. Then, swap roles. At the end of the activity, discuss how to tell the difference between good opportunities and those that aren’t right for you. This isn’t about peer pressure – it’s about making wise choices.
The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) programme promotes English language learning in primary and secondary schools nationwide. For Star-NiE enquiries, email starnie@thestar.com.my.
