Life After SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia)

My eighteen-year-old nephew who got his SPM result last month was asking me for some advice about life after SPM.

He’s asking which college he should go to, which course he should be taking, whether he should go to Form Six for 2 years, and many more questions.

In return, I ask him what’s his interest and from there to see what are the plan to meet his interest.

My thought on a life after SPM

Personally, I believe the preparation for life after SPM is also important. So, I’ve also shared with him the following:

1. Do reading and research on different disciplines

I think other than the special gift or talent that we have, what we enjoy doing is very much link to our knowledge and our life experience.

If the father is a doctor, very likely one of the children will become a doctor. If the father is a lawyer, high chances his children will become a lawyer.

Likewise, if the father is a businessman, most probably his children will also become a businessman. If the father is a successful athlete, his children could excel in sports too.

You see, there is really a link somewhere.

So, since not all of us are lucky enough to have a doctor father, a lawyer father, a successful business father or a successful athlete, the least we can do is to read and research on a different discipline.

In this way, we can expose ourselves to other branches of knowledge. So that we can have more choices.

2. Pursue something you enjoy doing

After been in employment for many years, I realized that the most rewarding job is the job which you enjoy doing.

What we enjoy doing might change from time to time, but, deep in our hearts, we know best what we enjoy doing.

Maybe your father is a doctor and he wants you to become a doctor. If you know your interest is not in medicine, but in the arts, you should really follow your heart.

But of course, the best would be if your family background is in medicine and you have an interest in medicine, then you’ll really be a successful and happy doctor.

So, it does not matter either employment or entrepreneurship, one would greatly benefit from doing things he enjoys doing.

3. Do not follow your friends

We all have good friends and some friends who might influence our decision. It is important not to simply follow friends.

If your friend wants to study engineering, it is not wise to follow him to study engineering while your interest is in the arts.

If your friend wants to go to Kolej A, it’s not wise to follow him to Kolej A just because you’re afraid you could not find new friends when you go to Kolej B.

I believe you will find and make new friends no matter where you go.

So, follow your own path and do not let yourself fall into paths that might not be the best for you.

4. Believe in yourself and fight for yourself

Lastly is believe in yourself. We’ve heard this many times. As I grow older, I have to admit this phrase is becoming even more and more significant.

Therefore, if there’re limitations of the number of students in a certain course, do not just accept it. Try to appeal or look for other alternatives somewhere else.

Final thoughts

Most probably my nephew will go to Form Six. Mainly because with STPM, he will have a higher chance to get a place in the local university.

The other reason is, Form Six is the most cost-effective way for pre-university preparation.

I really hope that he’ll find something he enjoys doing.

And for the rest who’s in the same boat with him, I also wish you all the best in your future undertakings. Some say real-life starts after SPM!