PMR results and 2012

PMR results this year will be released on the 22nd and I'm very sure that most of you are already sweating to fight off those nerves and anxiety. Here's one thing that you should know, as of 2012, your PMR results will be nothing but the past and it won't be much help anymore. The next matter would be choosing which stream to study in.

Today, I'm going share with you my personal experience of my form 4 journey.

Choosing the right stream for you really depends on what you want and plan to do in the future. Understand that SPM is the equivalent to the British O Levels. Basically your high school finishing exams. To make a decision, you have to understand and know what are your objectives. Do you wish to learn and understand your subjects, or are you studying for the sake of good grades? Do not be ambitious and egoistic. Be REALISTIC.
Recognize your strength and weaknesses. In PMR, what did you enjoy studying? Which subjects came naturally to you and what did you pick up easily? Let's break things down. Take it easy and understand the subjects you're going to be studying.

In each package/ stream, you will be taking a total of 9 subjects. 5+4.
5 subjects are your core subjects which comprises :

• BM
• English
• Modern Math
• History
• Pend. Agama Islam / Moral

4 subjects will be the subjects packaged according to your streams. For students sitting for SPM in 2012, the streams were organized in such :

Pure Science - Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Add Math 

Sub Science 1 - Chemistry, Physics, Add Math, ICT 

Sub Science 2 - Chemistry, Physics, Add Math, Accounts 

Arts 1 - Accounts, Add Math, Economy and Science 

Arts 2 - Economy, Commerce (perdagangan), Geography and Science 

Arts 3- Economy, Commerce, Visual Arts and Science

Science stream subjects are very detailed and requires you to have some level of mathematical standards. Each topic are almost inter-related (especially add math) which requires you to understand earlier chapters before you can move forward to the next chapter. Focuses on micro understanding

The arts stream subjects have fewer chapters but are somewhat lengthy. The subjects in the arts stream are less detailed and there are lots of concepts and over all things you need to remember. The subjects are designed to prepare you for further studies in the economical and business sector. The arts stream subjects is what I would say, interactive to daily life and how you take systems around you and understand it. Focuses on macro understanding. 

People in Malaysia have this stigma whereby studying in the science stream means you're great and all mighty. People also assume that the subjects studied in the science stream is more superior than the arts stream just because the arts stream is apparently 'easier'. The difficulty level of a subject is really determined by the individual's ability to take onto a certain subject. As mentioned earlier, know your strengths and weaknesses. If you've had problems with subjects like science and mathematics in PMR, then the science stream may be a struggle. If you've had problems with subjects like history, geography and KH, then the arts might not be a good choice for you. I'm not trying to discourage, demoralize or scare you from trying, but that's how it is. Some people are just not cut out for certain subjects, be it arts or science related.

Lets address those students who wish to study in the arts and cannot make up their minds. I know many students, friends, peers, etc. who wish to study in the arts stream but forced themselves to study in the Science instead, suffering and cursing all the way. It is okay to be in the arts stream. If you want to study those subjects, don't give yourself excuses or reasons to stop yourself. All those other people out there telling you what to do, they're not taking the exams and studying for you. You have to enjoy doing what you do.

In my case, I studied in the science stream all the way until September and switched after the Raya holidays. I'm much happier now and I do wish that I'd just listened to myself and switched to the arts stream earlier in the year instead of cramming 9 months of syllabus to rush for my end year exams. In my case, my first official exam for my new stream were the finals. It took me a good 3 months of thinking over and over if I wanted to switch and start over or keep pushing on studying in something I did not have the interest of doing. Yes, if you look at it, I did waste lots of time. But I'd rather have wasted all that time than to keep pushing on in the science stream and hating it. (I had issues with add math and Physics, whereas Bio and Chem were subjects I loved) Because of those two subjects, I swapped anyway. It was an experience I find worth sharing.

I got a lot of different reactions and opinions when I changed streams, most of them were shocked, some of them who understood me were relieved, some thought that this will be the end, some agreed, some didn't. After all that, I realized that people forget after awhile anyway. What I'm trying to say here is, don't bother what people have to say about you. Listen to yourself.

Reasons that I (most likely you will use as well) made my deliberation process so darn long.

"But I can't do anything science related anymore!"
Sometimes your strengths and weaknesses are in different places.
"Fewer career options!"
There are many career options in relations to the art stream.
"People will think I'm stupid" 
You're taking the exams, not them.
"My friends are in the science stream!"
If they really are your friends, they will understand and accept you for who you are.
"Art stream students are less smart laaa" 
There are plenty of smart art stream people. What type of smart are you talking about? Academical or street smart?
"Art stream students play a lot and don't do their work" 
It's really almost the same in the science stream. In fact, they're so good in their studies they almost don't pay attention in class and just play.. of course, which distracts others even more.
"I don't want to be labelled as 'taking the easy way out'" 
All subjects have their own challenges in their own way. Taking the easy way out is copying homework and answers during exams.

If enough of you art stream gifted people are daring enough to make a move to the arts and forget about all those doubts, the arts stream would be a more popular choice. Right now, stigma and peer pressure are most probably the two main reasons why so many are still in the science stream when they know they would do better in the art stream. My friends in the art stream are no less talented, academically competent and witty as those who are in the science stream. It took me so much trouble and time to realize that I've been making excuses because I was simply just scared of what people would think about me.

Form four year is the year of many challenges. Time management has to be the key. You will discover yourself. Your friends.

Bottom line : Do things according to your own abilities.

Written by : Kimberly Ong.

There's so much more to say and share (gosh I feel like an old person) , if you really want more advise regarding this issue or have found this useful, feel free to drop us an email at seafieldfm[at]gmail.com