STPM Countdown to Pengajian Am 2

In The Name Of SCIENCE?!?

In the name of Science, how many bugs have to suffer in formalin?
In the name of Science, how many white rats have to be killed alive?In the name of Science, how many plants have to lose their source of energy?
In the name of Science, how many factors than maintain the ecosystem in equilibrium are disturbed?

The answer, A LOT!!!

I went to school today to "cut open" a rhinoceros beetle that I caught yesterday. I have this school project or rather known as PEKA, asking us to catch 25 different species of insects, and preserve them. I was thinking to myself, "The Biology syllabus also teaches us how to take care of the environment, and ways to prevent the animals from going extinct. And by doing this project, isn't this also harming the environment?". Funny, they teach us this and yet do the opposite.

I wasn't feeling too good when I killed the rhinoceros beetle that I caught. It was so cruel. Who are we to kill such animals? Imagine being pierced through your stomach. What would you feel? The pain one would have to bear. AH! Science oh science! Why art thou so cruel?

Form 6 School Woes...

For the past 6 months of my life as a Lower 6 student in Keat Hwa, I've been made to stay back in school on Sundays and Mondays for extra-curriculum activities and so called "R&D (Research & Development)" sessions. And we have no choice, it's compulsory, as school authorities say they are orders from the Education Ministry.

At the start of this "programmes" after school, we were called to do "kerja amal" a.k.a. free labour to the school. We were asked to scrape the school walls, so that they could be repainted, and paint some of the walls we scraped. And this is said to give us marks in our curriculum activities. I bet the school saves tons of money not needing calling outside painters to paint the school.

I mean, why make us stay back to do such work? We have already had a long day at school, now, more work to tire us further? I tell you, we're dead tired after such heavy activities. The whole day will end up wasted.

After a few weeks, the R&D sessions officially started. It is said to help us in our studies. Let me tell you what happens there. R&D sessions, first of all, are divided into the 4 sessions for different subjects, except for Biology and Physics. We have R&D sessions for Math, MUET, PA, and Chemistry. And we don't do much in those sessions.

With 4 classes combined together, do you expect 2 teachers to cope with so many students? In PA R&D sessions, we would sit there and chit-chat, in that small chair-cum-table (the ones commonly found at tuition centres). We can't revise either. We're tired, the room is stuffy, the chair-cum-table isn't big enough, and it's noisy. And this happens for MUET too. In Chemistry R&D sessions, each group is given a task to speak about something. But, when groups go out to speak, with mic isn't functioning well, we end up hearing blurred sentences, which we can't make out what he or she is trying to say. For Math, yes, he will be teaching, and this is the only subject, that truly helps us in our STPM.

Why can't we be like Kolej Sultan Abdul Hamid? They incorporate this R&D sessions into the schooling time. And they end at 2:10p.m. everyday. But, if I'm not mistaken, starting for next year, Form 6 students will end school at 3:00p.m.++, if i'm not mistaken. Sigh. It's a waste of time. We don't get much out of it. Don't you school authorities get it?

MUET (Malaysian Univeristy English Test)...

I sat for my final 3 papers of MUET today. It was, urm... okay? I made a few careless mistakes here and there. But I guess that happens, nobody is prefect right? :)

I sat for Reading (Paper 3), Writing (Paper 4), and Listening (Paper 1) today. As for Speaking (Paper 2), I sat for it about a month ago.

Paper 3 was, tougher than all the exercises that I've done in school or in school-based exams. I've a bad habit when tackling a paper, that is always starting from the back to the front. I guess I was already blur when I reached the first text, and made a really CARELESS mistake! What was I doing? I can kick myself for that! I think I became rather panicky after I've read the last text!...because it was so hard to understand what the writer was writing about. Oh well, it has passed. Maybe I shall take it again next year.

As for Paper 4, I guess it was rather okay? Question 2 (the factual essay) was:

"In an arranged marriage, the choice of husband or wife is made by parents and elders. What do you think of this practice in today's society? Discuss. You should write at least 350 words."

I wrote more than required, I think, about 500 words on approximate count. I only had two main points, and the rest were examples and effects of the points that I've stated. Hopefully, the examiner understands what I wrote. :)

Listening (Paper 1), I was rather blur I think, or in the state of panic. I couldn't catch question number 3's answer, about when conservation on turtles started. It was hard to hear when you can hear 5 radios playing the same text but at different places. The listening test were held in 5 different classrooms, and the text being played above or beside the classroom I was in were so loud, it was distracting!

According to Wikipedia, did you know that MUET is only accepted by two countries? Malaysia and Singapore ONLY? How about other countries? Why isn't it recognized? All the hard work for nothing. I'm considering IELTS, another English test that is accepted worldwide. Anyone interested?

Females oh females... Why are you beating the males?

Statistics recently have shown that there are STILL MORE females in universities compared to males. It is also proven right in Form 6! There are more girls compared to guys in my class. I think this trend came about since 2006 or '07? This is a rather alarming trend, don't you think? Where are the MALES?

One would ask, why is this so? In the past, guys dominated the universities. These days, the education system has evolved as such that females benefit more than guys. The current education system in place is class-orientated, meaning students are required to sit still for long hours (about 5 to 6 hours) a day, with just a short 30 minute break in between. Can you imagine males sitting still for such a long period of time? No, right? Us boys, due to our biological make up, are programmed not to be able to sit still for more than our hour. Any more than that, we'll get restless, and this would result the ability of us males, learning much slower compared to girls. As a result, girls are able to do better than guys!
To overcome such a problem, I believe changes should be implemented in the current education system to reverse the current trend. A more interactive and practical-based education system which will benefit both sexes should be introduced. With a practical-based education system in place, males can learn better, as guys learn faster through their hands. As a result, the guys can catch up with the girls. A study conducted recently has also indicated that instead of punishing the boys for not being able to sit still in class, teacher should allow them a little freedom in class, meaning that if the boy wants to sit other the table and listen, he shouldn't be punished. It doesn't mean total freedom though, if it were so, the class would be chaotic. By allowing this little freedom, they have found that the guys learn better! Surprising, eh?

But the problem is, the education ministry believes such freedom should not be given, as it is seen by not instilling discipline in them. I also found it hard to believe when I first heard about it... One actually has to be open-minded to accept and implement such an idea. So, what do you think?

PMR and UPSR exams may go...

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) and Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) examinations may be abolished.

Finally! They are doing something to CHANGE the rather RIGID education system of Malaysia? Students these days are all EXAM-ORIENTATED! All students think about these days are about how well they can do in EXAMS, whether the student pass or fail the EXAM, or whether the student goes to enough tuition to pass in EXAMS. Notice that everything has to do with EXAMS? EXAMS, EXAMS, EXAMS! What happened to those days where in the evenings one could play sports with friends? Or developing hobbies? Interests? It seems with the EXISTANCE of exams, 24 hours is just NOT enough for a day. There are just TOO MANY things to do. And speaking of exams, I think my first Form 6 exam is round the corner. It's time to cut down on luxuries. Sigh.

I have a friend who is taking SPM this year, going to 6 or 7 tuition a week! Can you believe it? It's sure insanity! Every single day, there is a tuition to attend to. There isn't even enough TIME to reflect on life and have a good REST. One is almost oblivious to the surroundings. And for what purpose does one go for tuition? To get tips and notes on how to pass the exam with flying colors. I wonder how much extra pocket money tuition teachers earn on top of their fixed income. It's no wonder why teachers who give tuitions are so RICH nowadays.

And even in Form 6, many (I think all) of my friends all currently attending tuition for EVERY subject. Hm... This got me thinking. Is this implying that the government has failed to ensure that the schools give the proper education to students? I mean, if schools can teach a student the stuff they need to know well, there will be NO NEED to attend tuition right?

He said the exam pressure was wrong and defeated the true purpose of sending children to school.

Another quote from our Minister of Education. And I have to admit, the exam pressure is KILLING students. Come to Keat Hwa, and sit in any of the top three classes of any form, and you can feel the PRESSURE! Even in my class, during free periods, almost everyone is flipping through some notes and STUDYING. Talk about PRESSURE.

“The main objectives of education is for children to gain knowledge in a holistic manner - where creativity, innovation and interaction thrive,” he said.

I think this has to do more on the teacher's side rather than on the students. If teachers can't teach in a creative, innovative and interactive manner, education is rather boring. Take history for example. If a teacher teaches by dictating notes in a monotonous manner, learning is DEAD. There is NO LIFE in it. The teachers teach for the sake of teaching, and the students learn for the sake of learning. End result, students passes the exam, and throws everything away after the exam. True...?

So, is taking away PMR and UPSR exams a good thing? And oh, taking away this exams will mean a DEATH to tuitions for UPSR and below PMR level. Hahahahahaha... =D

Form 6.

I'm beginning to wonder how one can survive in an environment so pressured? In my class during free period, among the 4 science classes, it's the quietest. And it's the class where you can see my fellow classmates studying and revising. And that's where peer pressure comes in. After all, I was brought up in a "kia su" environment, and I'm a little "kia su" myself, although how hard I try to make myself not to.

This year, I begun attending tuitions, *finally!* my friends told me. *laughs* I was known for not attending tuitions for form 4 and 5, except for Accounts (because it wasn't taught in school) and the other language subjects. I'm now currently attending Chemistry and Biology. I'm thinking of stopping Bio tuition, because I think I can study it on my own, after all, it's a study subject right? I'm thinking of trying a month of Maths tuition. Should I? Or should I just borrow the notes from my friends? Hmmm....

Hm. My advice to all the future generations of after SPM-ers, do not take form 6 UNLESS you can stand the pressure. If not, you'll be feeling pressured all the time, and in the end, end up tired JUST because of the pressure. =)

SPM Results Out Today!

Results are OUT! >.<

Career Test Center...

I was searching for career possibilities when I stumbled upon this website, called Career Test Center. After doing their test, I just realized that it was another personailty test. And, having done a personailty test two years ago at NSCFL, and twice at home online, I'm still an INTJ.
So, it still goes back to square one, what career should I study??? Any suggestions?

Countdown to SPM.

SPM is in 14 DAYS!

The New SPM Timetable...

The new and finalized SPM timetable. My SPM papers are going to start on the 18th of November and end on the 14th of December. Those who are not taking Chinese will finish on the 8th! This means that they can go for camps, and I can't. T.T

Why does the Ministry of Education have to put the Chinese paper SO late? Before this, Chinese paper was on the 9th of Dec. Now it's on the 14th! Why can't they put all the language papers first? Sigh. My hopes of going for camps are gone, some more I have NS to "look forward" to. Sigh.

18/11/2009 Wednesday
0800-1015 Bahasa Melayu Kertas 1
1100-1200 Sejarah (Aneka Pilihan)
1400-1630 Bahasa Melayu Kertas 2

19/11/2009 Thursday
0800-0945 Bahasa Inggeris Kertas 1
1030-1215 Bahasa Inggeris Kertas 2
1400-1630 Sejarah Kertas 2

20/11/2009 Friday
0800-0915 English for Science and Technology Kertas 1
1000-1100 English for Science and Technology Kertas 2 (Aneka Pilihan)

23/11/2009 Monday
0800-0915 Mathematics Kertas 1 (Aneka Pilihan)
1000-1230 Mathematics Kertas 2

24/11/2009 Tuesday
0800-1030 Pendidikan Moral Kertas 1
1400-1630 Bible Knowledge

25/11/2009 Wednesday
0800-1000 Additional Mathematics Kertas 1
1400-1630 Additional Mathematics Kertas 2

30/11/2009 Monday
0800-1030 Biology Kertas 2
1100-1215 Biology Kertas 1 (Aneka Pilihan)
1400-1530 Biology Kertas 3

01/12/2009 Tuesday
0800-0915 Prinsip Perakaunan Kertas 1 (Aneka Pilihan)
1000-1230 Prinsip Perakaunan Kertas 2

03/12/2009 Thursday
0800-0915 Physics Kertas 1 (Aneka Pilihan)
1000-1230 Physics Kertas 2
1400-1530 Physics Kertas 3 (Amali Bertulis)

08/12/2009 Tuesday
0800-0915 Chemistry Kertas 1 (Aneka Pilihan)
1000-1230 Chemistry Kertas 2
1400-1530 Chemistry Kertas 3 (Amali Bertulis)

14/12/2009 Thursday
0800-1015 Bahasa Cina Kertas 2
1100-1245 Bahasa Cina Kertas 1

Pegawas Pusat Sumber Farewell Celebrations...

Yesterday, the Persatuan Pengawas Pusat Sumber celebrated the farewell of the form 5 librarians! We had food, games, and a souvenir to those who were in their form 5s!

I think the juniors planned the programmes pretty well. For once, I felt the games were fun and worth playing. Usually, the games are just so boring and childish. The MC of the day was Zhi Yan and Jane. Game master was Jia Tiek.

My school library, in the past 5 years, has changed tremendously. It started just with a few racks filled with books. After that, the other section was opened, and more books were bought and filled into the new racks. Later on, a new system was introduced for the borrowing and returning books. This year, CCTVs was installed, followed by the touch-in system. Truly, the library has changed a lot since I first arrived.

Ah, a souvenir to keep in my memory box as remembrance in time to come.

Advantage and Disadvantage of Using Computers in Schools.

Should computers be used in schools? I have gather information from all kinds of different sources and interviewed a few people on their views to this issue. This is what I gathered:

Using computers in school has many advantages. It actually makes learning more interactive. Lessons can now be taught through the LCD, and this will enable students to watch and picture what the teacher is teaching. For example, a physics teacher is teaching about the concept of nuclear fission, but the experiment on it cannot be conducted in the school's science lab, because it's to dangerous. But, with the usage of a computer and a LCD, students will be able to see that experiment done by others, enabling them to understand better.

The usage of computers also match learner' development needs with personal interests. Students are always finding something new to let their brains feed on, as they are born curious. With the usage of computers, it makes learning more real. They are able to picture it three dimensionally.

Computers also have efficient data storage. Data like good articles, exercises and notes can be kept in the computer, and are readily assessable by students and teachers. With the latest introduction of a terabyte storage disk, imagine how many articles, exercises and notes can be stored! And how much students will will benefit from it.

Students who learn using computer will be able to share information among the school community and family members too! This is because they have a much clearer concept on what has been thought by the teachers. Students might also pick up a few new skills, like leaning how to use the computer, and relate that knowledge to his or her family members.

But, every good thing has its cons too. One of the many disadvantages of using computers in school is all teachers and students enter school, most of them are computer literate. When students enter school, most of them are computer illiterate, unless they have gone for classes on learning computers or their parents have thought them. Furthermore, not all teachers are computer literate too. Therefore, a high cost is needed to send the teachers to learn these computer skills required. Teachers would also then need o waste quite some time teaching students how to use the computer, when this time can be used to start teaching the syllabus.

A large sum of money has to be allocated by the school too to pay off the high cost of maintenance of the computer. Computers need to be maintained by buying anti virus programs to protect the computer from computer viruses, and programs needed to use to teach and keep the computers in working condition. Instead of wasting this large amount of money on computer maintenance, why not spend it on something that will benefit the students? For example, more trees can be bought and planted in the school compounds to cool the school down with the money allocated for the maintenance of computers. In this way, students will be able to learn in a much more cooling environment.

The data available needs to be frequently updated too. Everyday, new things are being invented, new theories are being theorized, old concepts are being changed because of new findings... etc. This means the data stored in the computers for the students and teachers must be updated daily to prevent it from becoming stale. This involves great effort and loads of time.

There is also a risk of data loss and corrupted data. Sometimes, when a student doesn't close the program properly or doesn't save the data properly, it migh lead to data loss or corrupted data. This means, someone has to keep a backup for all the data stored in the computer and also monitor and check on the computer after each computer has been used. This job is tedious and not many people would want to hold this responsiblility.

Therefore, there are many advantages and disadvantages of using computers in schools. In the end, it's up to the students and teachers themselves to decide whether the usage of computer benefits them or destorys them.

Written by,
Daniel Ting
Reporter of ICT Magazine.
_____________________________________________________________________________
This was my essay for my EST, which helped me get a 90 for it! I was so glad. This is my first time attempting an real EST paper, marked by a EST teacher. =)

Update On My Grades...

I didn't attend school today, because of two reasons. First reason was the school invited some monks (I think) to give blessings for those who are taking PMR and SPM. As I'm not a Buddhist, I decided not to go school instead. My second reason was because today, my school had extra curriculum activities. Although I can get out early, I still have to wait for my bus to take me home, which is at 4:30 p.m. A pure waste of time.

Anyway, my friend told me History Paper 1 marks. I got 30 out of 40. My friend said highest was 35, and the number of people who got above 30 are few, not above 10 people, according to him. Oh well, I'll know my actual marks when I see them tomorrow at school.

Wish me luck tomorrow as I get my results back.

P.S. I think I'll fail Chinese this time for sure. Sigh.

Doomsday Tomorrow!

Chinese Papers tomorrow. I'm going to dig my grave now and bury myself inside.

My Exam Results... ARE BACK!

I think I have to work harder on my Maths. I got back my exam results for Maths, Additional Mathematics and English today, among them are my 2 best subjects!

I got 98 for Mathematics! I'm am happy, but not happy enough. I was aiming for perfection for this paper, but I dropped a mark in Paper 1 and 2 marks in Paper 2, sadly. I guess, it means I need more practice, which means more time spent on Mathematics.

English was okay. I did pretty badly for my literature and summary though. I only got 11 marks for my summary, from my usual 13 or 14. I guess I made a few serious errors. And I lost quite some marks in my literature, if I'm not mistaken about 7 or 8 marks were lost there. I do not know about my essay though, because I have not seen my essay paper yet, but I know I got 71 out of 85, which brings my total mark for English to 84!

Additional Mathematics was a let down for me. I thought I could do better, but yet I didn't. I think I will need to spend some time on it. Additional Mathematics is one subject that you need loads of practice on. I only got 68 for it. Although it's still an A2, I'm not happy about it. Someone please teach me differentiation, I lost at least 12 marks there. And I heard it's one of the hardest topics in Mathematics in Form 6. I need to get my basics right!

School Again...

Ah... After a week filled with activities, it's back to school! I'm NOT looking forward to it. Going back to school means 2 things to me, Chinese Exam! & Exam Marks!

I do not even want to think of how badly I did this trials. I hope this serves me as a good lesson to correct myself and improve myself for SPM!

The papers I'm expecting to get back tomorrow:

1. Mathematics.
2. Additional Mathematics.
3. Physics.
4. Bahasa Malaysia.
5. Bahasa Inggeris.
   

Lets hope for the best. I know I didn't fail Mathematics or Additional Mathematics because the teacher said only one person failed Additional Mathematics, and I know who failed; and all passed Mathematics. Never mind, I'll know my results tomorrow. I hope it's not too disheartening.

Another Grave Dug. Focus.

It's one of the times, I feel so beaten. I thought I was prepared, but actually I'm not.

Today, I had accounts, Paper 2.

I had spent my whole day reading through my tuition notes yesterday, and was confident that I could answer any questions that were coming up today.

Unfortunately, that didn't happen.

I had trouble balancing the accounts of the first question. I spent an hour trying to make the accounts balanced. In the end, I realized that time was running out, and I spent the remaining time doing the other questions. I was panicking already! In the end, out of the 4 questions that needed to be balanced, I only managed to balance 1, and I'm not even sure whether it's correct.

Pathetic.

Trials has thought me a few harsh lessons, rather a wake up call to me. I know I'm going to fail 2 subjects, and this will affect me emotionally badly.

Throw away the distractions, especially facebook. It's time to focus!

You can do it, Daniel!

My Grave Dug.

I've unofficially failed Biology.

I felt totally beaten when I was doing today's Biology Paper 2.

When I was doing the exam, after flipping through the paper,
I started panicking,
I just felt like giving up,
I just felt like tearing the whole paper apart,
I just felt like shouting,
I just felt regret.

Must my whole life go around these stressfulness?

It's high time I start studying thoroughly, and start focusing on what I want. Before it's too late...

Leave me alone. I need to focus.

Judgement Day Tomorrow...

CHEMISTRY!

All 3 papers of it... TOMORROW!

Why are there so MANY experiments to remember?

Darn!

I hate Chemistry!