KUCHING: How important are the roles of parents, teachers and friends in helping students achieve outstanding results in their exams?
“Very important!” said a high achiever from SMK Sungai Maong, who was one of thousands of students that received last year’s Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) results on Wednesday.
Constance Wong Chia Yii said her parents, teachers, and friends gave support, comfort, encouragement and assistance to her while she studied hard for the examination.
Even then she felt that the results were rather unexpected.
“Actually I was disappointed when I was sitting for my English paper, but I got A+ for it,” she said.
“I studied for three to four hours and when I felt tired I took a nap for 10 to 15 minutes to recharge myself. Sometimes I listened to music to relax. Relaxation is really important.”
Her interest is dentistry and she is now looking forward to find a scholarship to make it a reality.
Her father Edmond Wong, 61, said he was proud of her achievements. She is his youngest daughter.
“I won’t want to interfere with her choices. I would advise her to take up the best offer, but the final decision will be made by her,” he said.
“Actually, I expected her to get eight As and not such an excellent result.”
Another top scorer Nur Amirah Ibrahim from Kolej Datu Patinggi Abang Hj Abdillah is also lucky to have supportive parents.
This ambitious girl will pursue aviation and is in the process of applying for a scholarship.
“My parents have given me the utmost support by sending me to school daily, and my teachers at school and tuition classes helped in my development. And my friends also play some roles in our study group,” she said.
She stressed that the biggest challenge when studying was the process of understanding all the subjects.
Nur Amirah also advised her juniors (SPM 2019) to try their very best.
“At the end of the day they are the one reaping the results. Even if they don’t do very well, at least they had done their best.”
Her mother, Amiza Morshidi, a special officer to the chief minister’s wife Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, said that she was very proud of her daughter’s achievement.
“I would like to congratulate her … tell her that I’m very proud of her and hope that her dream all come true,” she said.
She said despite minimal supervision due to work commitments and constant travelling, she still managed to keep track of her daughter’s development via social media.
Amiza, who was supposed to be in Sibu, flew back to Kuching to share in her daughter’s joy.
“I returned on Wednesday night without her knowledge to surprise her today.”
