KEEP going – that is the advice students who recently received their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) 2025 results have for this year’s batch of candidates.
Fernandez Minggat knows all about pressing on. Even though he was left paralysed from the waist down due to Ewing sarcoma, a type of bone cancer, and spent time in hospital wards, the 18-year-old managed to complete his secondary education with three As and four Bs in his SPM.
“I didn’t expect these results because I fell quite far behind in my studies,” the SMK Tinggi Kajang, Selangor, alumnus said.
“I didn’t go to school at all in 2023. When I was in Form Four in 2024, I only attended school for half the year. It was only in 2025 that I went back fully,” he added.
Despite the challenges, the Sarawak-born student pushed through with resilience and the support of those around him.
Unable to attend physical tuition classes, Fernandez turned to online learning and self-study, developing his own methods to keep up.
“When studying felt difficult, I reminded myself that other people struggle too – it’s not just me,” he said, adding that his teachers even built a ramp to help him get to class.
Fernandez has set his sights on pursuing interior design, driven by his interest in designing homes and his background in the arts stream.
“I hope people don’t give up. When you give up, you start to feel down.
“And if you feel that your life is hard, remember there are others who are struggling too. Struggle first, ease comes later,” he said.
Leong Keng Nam, also among the SPM 2025 candidates who received their results on March 31, advocated self-improvement.
“Work hard, rest well, enjoy every moment in school, and always try your best so that your future self will have no regrets,” he said.
The SMJK Yu Hua, Selangor, 10A scorer also emphasised the importance of having a support system to stay grounded throughout the journey.
“I did feel stressed while preparing for the examination, but luckily my parents and friends gave me a lot of support and love, which kept me motivated,” he said, adding that he hopes to continue his studies to become a veterinarian.
His schoolmate Dhiya Zuhayra Hairul Azman, who scored 8As, highlighted the value of having a clear sense of purpose.
“Laziness is something everyone deals with. What motivated me was my dream – to be successful in whatever I pursue in life,” she said, adding that she is particularly interested in technology development and hopes to major in information technology.
