STPM high achievers attribute good results to online classes and hard work

Hui Li (second right) with her father Chong Ka Bu and sisters Hui Ming (in yellow) and Hui Hoong after obtaining her STPM results.

THE Physics paper in last year’s Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) was the “easiest one”, at least for SMJK Jit Sin’s top scorer Cheong Lee Hong.

“Many of my friends found the Physics paper very challenging, but I felt it was the easiest to score as I studied the detailed theories deeply and worked hard on past-year questions which

I thought would most likely re-appear,” he said.

Cheong, who scored a cumulative grade point of average (CGPA) of 4.0 in his science subjects, said he worked hard on making his subjects easier by focusing on formulae.

He attributes his excellent results to his discipline of revising five to six hours every day.

“I decided to study meticulously because I did not do so well in my SPM exam,” said Cheong, who lives in Permatang Tinggi.

Actually, Cheong got 7As and 3Bs in his SPM, but he was gunning for straight As.

He recalled his Form Six experience being tough because of the online-only classes, but it motivated him to instil an even harder discipline on himself.

“But the key to my success was my relentless pursuit for perfection. I knew that the six hours of revision every day would bear fruit,” said the 20-year-old, adding that he took tuition for Mathematics and Chemistry.

Cheong has set his sights on pursuing an engineering degree in a local university, either in the field of mechanics or electrical and electronics.

For Chong Hui Li, 20, also from SMJK Jit Sin in Bukit Mertajam, who scored a CGPA of 4.0 in Arts, it was only two hours a day of revision every day for her.

“I am a very attentive student and will not leave class without getting answers from my teacher for all my questions.

“I’m from a middle-class family. I have two sisters and our father teaches us that only good results will help us get into a local university.

“My teachers were very supportive. I divide my time between online classes and daily revision well, which finally helped me to excel,” she said.

Chong, from Bukit Tengah, said she would apply for a business management degree in a local university because of her passion for business and leadership training.

School principal Ang Kooi Looi said this was the fifth year in a row that the school saw 100% passes, with six students obtaining a CGPA of 4.0, 13 with 4As, 17 with 3As and 10 with 2As.

Chin Wei Liam from Tanjung Tokong, who studied in St Xavier’s Institution and obtained a CGPA of 3.67, scoring 3As and 1B, is set on a teaching career as he finds it enriching.

“I have always observed my teachers and diligently followed their instructions in class and I find teaching to be a very noble profession.

“I am happy with my results as it was tough doing online classes without physically being with our teachers, but I managed to pull through,” he added.