“That’s what university life is all about. Challenging, questioning, enjoying good people and friends, and pushing yourself to the limit” – American former professional basketball player, David Robinson.
ENTERING university is a pivotal moment in a young person’s life. It is a time filled with anticipation, excitement and a fair share of nervousness.
Over the weekend, my social media feed was filled with postings of friends and acquaintances sending their younger siblings to university.
The pictures and videos showing smiles of proud parents, the nervous excitement of fresh-faced students, and the bittersweet farewells as families said their goodbyes were heartwarming.
As I scrolled through my social media, I could not help being flooded by a wave of nostalgia and started thinking back to my own university days.
When I completed my Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM), I remember having my heart set on furthering my studies overseas.
The allure of foreign lands and the promise of academic adventure tugged at my ambitions. However, the ties that bound me to my loved ones were stronger than any dream of international education.
The thought of being thousands of miles away from home, navigating a foreign culture and missing the warmth of my loved ones seemed daunting.
So, I made the decision to stay close and enrolled in Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) which is a decision I do not regret.
My journey at Unimas was marked by a series of adventures, challenges and self-discoveries. To be honest, I lost count of the times I found myself lost and trying to navigate my way around the 810-hectare campus.
Despite the initial disorientation, I found a sense of belonging within those vast grounds. The camaraderie among students, the wisdom of academic staff, and the aura of knowledge that filled the air created an intellectually stimulating environment.
My first taste of independence came during orientation week when I moved into the student’s accommodation. Minus the three months I spent during the National Service Training Programme (PLKN), it was the first time I was living away from the comfort of my home.
The experience was a mixture of excitement and trepidation. While I did not particularly enjoy the activities organised by the Majlis Perwakilan Pelajar (MPP) during orientation week, I recognised their importance.
However, there is room for improvement. I personally believe that there should be a more diverse range of activities catering to different interests and personalities which could enhance the experience of incoming students.
It is crucial for universities to ensure that activities during orientation week not only ease the transition of students moving away from home but also foster a sense of community.
At the same time, I think the duration of orientation should be reduced to three or four days instead of one week.
I remember being extremely exhausted during the orientation week because our schedule was packed from morning till night time.
The morning session was filled with generic activities like touring the campus and learning the university song whereas the night session revolved around activities organised by the respective student accommodations.
While different universities have their own traditions for orientation week, I believe the essence of it is to make newcomers feel welcome and a part of the institution.
It is also a platform for new friendships to form and bloom. These new friendships may last a lifetime.
I am grateful that I made some friends for life during my time in university. There are those who I see almost on a daily basis because we are colleagues while others I meet up with every time I am in Kuala Lumpur.
As I reminisce my university days, I cannot help but marvel at the transformative power of higher education. It is not just about acquiring knowledge from textbooks or earning a degree, it is a holistic journey that moulds individuals into well-rounded, empathetic and resilient human beings.
The memories of my time at Unimas are not just fragments of the past but are the foundation upon which I continue to build my present and future.
To all the fresh-faced students embarking on this exciting chapter, I say embrace every moment, face every challenge with courage and cherish every friendship.
Your university years will be a tapestry of experiences, weaving together lessons, friendships and memories that will stay with you for a lifetime.
So, here’s to the adventure called university life – may it be as enriching and transformative for you as it was for me.
