2012年5月1日
When I just came back from the UK about 6 months ago, and
started working at the university, some of my previous juniors told me that
students today are very different from our generation. Most importantly, they
have mentioned a similar point – those came in with Matriculation results are immature
in many aspects. I am not sure how valid is the statement, but I am sure it
cannot be applied to all students.
After being here for 6 months, I think I could verify some
statements and tell the reasons. The University has taken in many Matriculation
students since few years ago. If we trace their academic performance/result, these
batches of students have scored perfect (4.00) or almost perfect in their
Matriculation. If we further the investigation, majority of them have also
obtained excellent results (MANY As [meaning 10, 11, 12, 13…], including A*, A+ and
A) in their SPM.
I am not here to criticise how easy or how tough their SPM and
Matriculation were, though I have reservation about the result improvement
every year. Their excellent results in SPM and Matriculation have attenuated
their ability to overcome/recover from failures.
For many of them, failed to score 3.50 and above are
considered a failure. From my observation, many of them get their first B, B-,
C+ and C in their life, these grades will not only lead to a CGPA less than 3.50,
but might be less than 3.00. They may collapse in split second with their
results.
Other than academic result, challenges like homesick, friendship,
relationship, tension and pressure are awaiting them. I hope I will have chance
to write more about these topics next time. But one of the distinct differences
between the students at my time and today is the STPM. When I was in my Form
Six, me and my classmates were trying so hard and struggle for just not to fail
in monthly test. Yes, just not to fail because the syllabus of STPM is so much
tougher. Passing the test is a grace, and scoring A is mission impossible. As a
result, we were ‘trained’ to accept and satisfy with what we have. This does not mean
to give in, but move on to the next challenge, and to the biggest challenge at
the end of year 2 – STPM.
STPM may give some advantages compared with Matriculation in
term of academic performance (due to syllabus), but the university academic
performance relies so much on a person’s effort. The core distinction between
these two groups of student is their personal characteristic. Students that have
gone through the ‘STPM process’ may cope better with failures, stress, and depression
compared to those from Matriculation.
当我刚回到来大学时，就有人告诉我，现在的学生已经不像我们以前。与经过两年中六的学生相比，靠着大学预科班进来的学生在许多方面都比较不成熟。对于现在的大学生或许不能一概而论，可是许多朋友都有相同的经验。
经过六个月的工作，空穴来风未必无因。近几年大学都招收很多大学预科班的学生，其中一个原因是他们的成绩都非常好，或是满分（4.00）、或是近乎满分。如果我们再深入调查，他们当中有许多在大马教育文凭考试中都有骄人的成绩，都获得很多很多A（10, 11, 12, 13…），包括A*，A+ 和A。
我并不是要批评他们的大马教育文凭考试（SPM）或是大学预科班（Matriculation），虽然我对每年都‘更卓越’的成绩有所保留。这个疑团可能永远都不会有答案，但是他们的好成绩却间接削弱了他们对于失败的应对能力。
在他们当中，大学成绩在3.50以下就可能被归类为失败。当中，更有许多的学生第一次在他们的生平中获得B,
B-, C+ 或 C。这些评级不但促使他们的学期学分少于3.50，更可能少于3.00。这可能是他们生平最差的成绩，让他们瞬间崩溃。
除了学术成绩，大学生也还得面对许多的挑战与问题，当中就包括友情、爱情、家人、压力和沮丧。我希望有机会能分享这一方面的经验。但是这群大学生和我年代大学生的最大分别就是大马高级教育文凭（STPM）。还记得我还在中六时，我和同学们在月考中都非常挣扎，挣扎就只为了及格。大马高级教育文凭的课程是全世界公认的其中一个最难得公共考试，甚至比剑桥A水准（A Level）还要难。及格对我们来说已经是恩典了，A则是遥不可及的事。因此，在两年的严格 ‘训练’ 后，我们都明白、接受，也满足于我们的极限和所拥有的。虽然如此，这并不代表我们会就此放弃，只不过让我们能继续走下去，去面对更大、更重要的考试——大马高级教育文凭。
大马高级教育文凭可能因着它的课程让它的学生在学习上（比起大学预科班）有一定的优势，但是大学的成绩卓越与否还得看个人的努力。不过，这两组学生的最大分别是他们的处事和处世的态度。相对的来说，经历过大马高级教育文凭磨练与朔造的学生，更能够 ‘抵抗’ 失败、压力和沮丧。
