Hello there curious soul! Firstly, as the title mentioned, I was awarded Top 20 Student (Sains Hayat) due to my outstanding achievement in Final Semester 1. I was so grateful indeed. Believe me, I was not expecting to receive this grand award of PASUM at all! However, at the back of my mind I had a tiny piece of dream to be among the Top 20 as I had always look up to the ex-PASUM students that received this award in the past. Saying that it was an easy pathway is an understatement.
There were twists and turns along the way alongside rough patches, but I glad I did it! I got CGPA 4.00 for both semester. To give you an insight about my educational background, I was not the genius type. When I said genius it referred to someone that sleeps, plays video games, does barely exercises yet getting 4.00(it seems like an exaggerated statement but it's not, I've met these kind of person in reality). For me, one word to describe about me is hardworking. Nothing is impossible if you work on the things you have wanted so badly but remember it must be in a smart way. This post is not intended to prove that I am berlagak or anything but solely for knowledge purpose. So here goes the tips and tricks for you to survive PASUM and graduated with 4.00!
1) Finish Every Single Tutorial
Alright this one is like the most important out of all because I kept getting this exact advice from my fellow seniors. To put in simple words, tutorial is like worksheet that the tutor will give you as a homework for every subject. 'Fresh from the oven' topics are featured in every tutorial. It's easy and very systematic because firstly, you just learned about it from lecture so you must have the momentum to test your understanding about that topic. If you find it's hard for you to complete the questions given, fret not you have a bunch of helpful classmates and lectures/tutors are just one call away, you can simply message or call them if you find difficulty in some questions, and surely they will guide you along the way.
Once again I repeat FINISH YOUR TUTORIAL by hook or by crook. Even if you don't have sufficient time to finish it due to other commitments, complete it at least a week before your exam. This is because majority of the questions that come out in final is based on tutorials. The questions are not the same but understanding of concept is the same. Lectures consist of vast array of things that you need to learn but for tutorial it magnifies the scope on the things that will come out for finals. Hence, it will ease your burden to study for finals as you just have to put more focus on the sub-topics/concept that revolve around the tutorials.
2) Do Past-Years Exam Papers
You can purchase both mid-sem and finals examination papers from KUAZ printer shop. I would say that doing past paper really helps in engaging familiarity on how the questions look like in real examination. Personally for me, mid-sem questions are repetitive (as the format is MCQ), so please take a look on the questions even the night before exam, and if you can't answer certain question, use this opportunity to discuss with your friends or revise back the topic that you are unsure of.
As for final paper, the chance for it to be repeated is minimal (but during my time there were some concepts applied in exam that similar to past paper) . This is because final paper mostly depends on the tutorial and every year there is a slight differ in the sub-topic that you need to focus on. So, for the third time I am repeating this, do your tutorial kid, it's really gonna help you in your finals!! 100% guaranteed! Although, I said it was minimal, I suggest you should peek at the format of the paper just to get a rough idea on how the real exam paper is going to be.
Oh, one more thing, before final examination, there will be a study week (1 week), and during the study week, PASUM provides clinics for every subjects so, I am sure you wouldn't want to miss the clinics as you can make a full use of this clinic to ask opinions from the lecturer regarding your answers in past paper and the most significant one, you can ask for their last words ;) (sometimes it's so vague so, be attentive!)
3) Focus During Lectures
Every lectures has a maximum period of 1 hour (unless which is rare there will be kelas ganti). Honestly, I have to admit that as a mediocre student myself, I couldn't resist the temptation of sleeping during lectures. In PASUM there are two lecture halls which are DKU and AUDI. Both are very cozy and trust me you will find utmost serene there. However, it is still our responsibility to listen to the lectures.
Open your mind and open your eyes, because you will probably missing out hints and tips from the lecturers without full-focus in the lecture hall (especially bio!!!) Even if you have missed something, please ask your friend about it later as you don't want to be left out till the examination day. If you still are not clear about how lectures are being held. It is basically you need to watch and listen to the lecturer's presentation and you will be provided with lecture notes that you have to buy from KUAZ printer shop. Soft copy is also provided thru Spectrum (which is UM website for educational purpose, don't worry every UM students get to access it at anytime at anywhere). But don't be surprised if you are not provided with lecture notes because some of the lecturers want to initiate you in making your own version of lecture note. So, just go along with it & be tough okii!
4) Don't ever give up
This one sounded so typical that you might ignore it. But please don't. At times, life in PASUM can be a bit overwhelming and makes you doubting about your decision to be in PASUM. You are surrounded with top-tier students and sometimes you couldn't help yourself but to think that you are the dumbest one. Every so often thing doesn't happen as what you have expected. Low grades for quizzes, tutorials or even mid-sem. Grade for every subject is based on 50 (final) and 50 (continuous assessments e.g: quiz, tutorials, lab reports, midsem).
If you happen to flop in continuous assessment, my advice is it's okay to feel sad but don't let it engulfs you permanently and makes you numb to do next move. Chin up you still have finals, you still have next examination so focus on that. I believe with your determination you can ace it!
On a spiritual note, if God has faith in you, why aren't you.
++ Notes
All the best to future PASUM students!
You can also check this website for ultimate guide
https://muhdrahiman.tumblr.com/post/174244636151/pasum-a-complete-guide
Don't hesitate to drop any comments/questions below or you can do so in contact form. I am really looking forward to help you in any possible ways. Whoever made till here, you guys are amazing! Thank you :D
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