The period after completing Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination, getting the result and enrolling in tertiary education is marked by a mix of happiness and nervousness as school leavers await the next chapter of their lives while enjoying some free time.
During this time, many of the 18-year-olds have taken up jobs and new hobbies while some prefer to stay at home and relax.
For Natania Abdullah, she spends most of her time post-examination dancing and attending classes to learn and expand her dancing skills.
She also attends dance workshops and performances to gain experience and exposure to the arts. It’s also a good way for her to know others who share the same passion as her.
"If I get invited to perform, I’ll join to gain more experience. I also practise at home by myself, posting my dance videos on social media like TikTok as a way to build my profile," she shares.
Similarly, Azra Nabihah Ahmad Humaizi uses this time to train extensively for her triathlon that consists of cycling, running and swimming.
"I decided to take a break from the sport to prioritise my studies, so now I’m using this period to get back on track and to become even stronger than before," she says.
"I’ve also been working on becoming a better version of myself, spending my time building my character and defining who I truly am."
Meanwhile, those who choose to pick up a job spend their time gaining experience in a new field.
One such person is Puteri Elshazira Dania who helps out her mother at her beauty clinic.
"Other than working at the clinic, I fill my spare time by watching TV shows and playing online games," she says.
For Thivagar Shankar Naidu, he decided to work part time in customer service.
"By working, I get to gain some work experience and get a chance to develop my communication skills in customer services. I believe it’s very useful in the future."
Time to relax
After the long and often sleepless nights of studying and preparing for an important examination, a sense of relief and relaxation is sure to wash over these young people once it’s over.
Natania relaxes by doing the things she enjoys such as dancing, listening to music and playing games which inspires her and helps calm herself.
"It's also a good time for me to spend exploring performing arts more deeply and focusing on dance since I didn’t have much time for it during school and during the exams," she notes.
Similarly, Azra Nabihah relaxes by going back to training to take her mind off SPM. The stress took a toll on her health both mentally and physically. She finds solace in the people she trains and surrounds herself with.
"The light they bring into my life makes me forget about all my worries – especially my mum, who’s always trying her best to make me the happiest girl in the world."
On the other hand, Puteri Elshazira prefers to stay in bed most of the time to recover from those sleepless nights.
"I needed some time for my body to recover. This is also a good opportunity to clear my room, the study books and modules have taken over my room for quite some time now."
Interestingly, Thivagar likes to socialise and meet new people on his days off from work.
“When I get a day off from work, I will go to my favourite places to relax. I will also spend some time with my family since I couldn’t do so during SPM season since I spent most of my time studying.”
Keeping calm
As the awaited results day gets closer (it was released on March 31) these young people experience a similar stress all over again and heart rates increase.
Natania feels a mix of nervousness and excitement but also curious about what the outcome will be. She tries not to overthink too much to stay calm while waiting for the day.
“I keep myself occupied with things I enjoy. I also try to maintain a positive mindset and remind myself that I have done my best no matter what I get,” she says.
On the other hand, Azra Nabihah can’t help but feel anxious. Despite the mixed feelings, she tries to remain positive.
“I often dwell on my past callous mistakes and wonder if I did well enough to be able to reach my goal, but I know I’ve given my best and that’s what matters.”
Similarly, Puteri Elshazira feels the same but also excited at the same time.
“I have very mixed feelings because I’m scared my results might not be what I expected it to be. This is my first big exam and I put a lot of effort into it.”
Thivagar mentions that his heart beats faster while thinking of his results.
“There’s a lot of ‘what if?’ thoughts, worrying whether I did well enough but at the same time, I feel curious and can’t wait to know the results,” he shares.
For those who will go through the same thing, Natania advises to use this waiting period wisely instead of just overthinking about the results.
“This is a good time to explore new hobbies and try things that you may not have had time for during school. At the same time, it is important to rest and take care of mental health after a long exam period,” she says.
“I believe this time can be a chance for self-discovery and growth.”
Azra Nabihah echoes the same sentiment, adding that time is precious.
“Live your life to the fullest and explore the countless opportunities out there. Take this chance to carefully prepare and plan out your future, learn new skills and hobbies. Don’t limit yourself and always follow your heart.”
Now that the results are out, all four of them look forward to stepping into the next phase of their lives, which is tertiary education.
They hope to continue in their preferred study courses in the near future, equipped with their effort and dedication that has been paid off well.
