Aria

Well, since everyone is doing this< I guess I am going to follow by the flow and also reminiscence on last year's SAM programme in commemoration of of SAM March 08' very first anniversary. Reminiscence isn't something I do best.


Well, this is the happy family of SAM March intake after our final paper, Chemistry, if I am not mistaken. Many were missing out in the photo for only-God-knows reasons. So this is not a perfect family picture yet.

I still remember vividly how I chose to follow my brother in taking the SAM programme, the only difference is in the location of the education institute. Then, out of the blue, I was introduced to SAM's 50/50 marking system, where 50% of our score coming from our coursework. Immediately, I felt that this is the right programme for me because I have always hated the idea of public exams. In fact, I came down to this conclusion sometime during my torturous work after SPM. I was lost, not sure what step should I make after SPM at that moment.

One day, I took the commuter down to Nilai to visit the faculty. Satisfied, I went home to report to my parents. Then I came down to enrol during the same week, knowing fully that class commencing the very next week. I didn't really get a holiday break after SPM, but I was mentally prepared. So I bravely took the gamble.

For 8 whole months, I was experiencing the long-awaited college life, which was not as I expected it to be: it was stressful and difficult. But thanks to the support from SAM peers, I was somehow able to cope on. I was never hardworking or studious, and SAM's marking system allowed me to outperformed myself when compared to the rigid and boring system of the past's secondary education. At the end, I got a well-above-average score for my SAM programme, which allowed me to further study into my first degree without much complications.

The SAM clan, as what some of the SAM students called themselves, maybe divided in ambitions and desires, but somehow we SAM student were united in achieving one goal- to successfully complete this programme. I do treasure the moments we spent together, like how we used to play basketball or badminton in the evening, our usual dinner gatherings (our only salvation after a long day of classes) and of course, the scene of us cramming together for tomorrow's quiz or test at the common room. Those days were memorable and pleasant, like how I would describe my Form 3 life, which I cruised through these two periods with little worries and plenty of hardship.

So good luck to all of the 08' SAM clan members, 'coz you all would be needing it in order to continue walking down the path to your dreams and aspirations.