The school days are crammed with facts and figures, encompassing various subjects ranging

from English to Mathematics. All of these require students to learn, memorise, understand and
to be tested. Besides grades and examinations, the school also encompasses a wider curriculum
including character moulding, citizenship building and personality development. Indeed, I think
the school does prepare us for life.

Firstly, the school teaches us self-discipline. We learn to keep to a schedule and to adhere to the
timetable. We also learn to appreciate time and to be punctual. Moreover, we are trained to
plan and manage time wisely. We also abide by and respect rules and regulations. The
disciplined students will grow up to be disciplined adults and they will do well in their future
undertakings.

The school also helps to fortify our determination and perseverance. We learn to fulfil the
demands of the school. We also learn to meet deadlines and hand in the homework on time.
Moreover, we learn to face stress and pressure. In school, students learn to overcome
challenges. Students with strength of character will be well-prepared to face the challenges of
work and life in the future.

Co-curricular activities are part and parcel of a student’s life. They help to mould students’
character and personality so that students learn to be confident. They help to hone the
leadership qualities in the students themselves. Students learn to work together and co-operate
with others. They also learn to appreciate good values like esprit de corps. Students learn to
contribute positively and to put their best foot forward besides to take success and failure in
their stride. We as the students learn to honour values of sportsmanship and fair play. Through
co-curricular activities, students also learn loyalty, commitment and responsibility. When they
grow up, they will work well as a team with others and committed in serious work.

The school is a micro-society. The everyday social interaction is an excellent preparation for life
in the society outside. In school, students have the opportunities to interact with other students
from varied background, creed and race. Indirectly, they learn tolerance, acceptance and
understanding. The students also have the opportunity to work and to mingle together. This can
help to foster an open mind and promote unity.

Just mention the word ‘school’ and images of grades and examinations come to our mind.
Indeed students spend a lot of time and energy preparing and sitting for examinations. Along
with that they gather a string of qualifications as well as knowledge and skills. They are crucial
since they are the stepping stones and the foundation for the future. They can help students to
secure a good job and successful career.
In short, school does prepare us for life. It helps to nurture and to build strong character in
ourselves. School also prepares students with the necessary ‘tool’ so that students can fit into
society and contribute positively to the nation and people in future.

This article was written by Kwan Will Sen, a third-year Law student at University of Malaya.

“You take the blue pill -- the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you
want to believe. You take the red pill -- you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the
rabbit-hole goes." – Morpheus

Although fictional, the Matrix world as in the blockbuster movie ‘The Matrix’ by the Wachowski
Brothers is very relevant in the context of our society today. Undergraduates, especially the
ones from local universities are akin to those stuck in the Matrix. Fed with the belief that they
will make it in life, armed only with a scroll, they succumb to complacency. Their minds start to
rot, intellectual growth is suppressed, and the end result; they hit rock bottom in the ‘real’
world. Groping in the dark, they try to find a way out, but to no avail. Thereafter, enlightenment
ensues, a harsh realization, that the scroll in their hands is merely that, a scroll.

Since pre-school, our parents and teachers have constantly imparted upon us, that success in
life can only be achieved through education. This is true to a certain extent, but apparently, as
we grew older, something got lost in translation along the way. Education is no longer
interpreted in the normal sense of the word, but solely equated with academic achievement.
Our undergraduates are products of a system that hails the number of As and a CGPA of 4.0 as
the only testament of success, indicating a bright future ahead. Rote learning seems to be the
order of the day, while the holistic approach is now almost obsolete.

Such ‘values’ to life in university defeats the whole purpose of a tertiary education.
Undergraduates strive to get CGPAs of 4.0, and are further exhorted to do so, especially when
an ex-Minister proclaimed that it is their duty to get 4.0 in university. As preposterous as this
may sound, it is very real. A right-minded person would shun such statements, but for some, it’s
almost like a matter of filial piety. Time spent mugging and memorizing might get you good
results, but it does not prepare you for the ‘real’ world, where problem solving skills and the
ability to think outside the box is valued instead of the text book stuff.

Students spend so much time studying, they forget about everything else, except where to find
that particular book in the library. Ask them if they know anything at all on current issues, and
they respond with a blank look, expecting you to fill them in. The other problem with our
undergraduates is that, they seem to idolize pop culture a tad too much. Try organizing a public
lecture by Warren Buffet and a concert by some Akademi Fantasia singers on the same day. It is
not that hard to predict which event will have a bigger crowd, unfortunately.

Then, there is the other group of students, i.e. those who believe that life in university is a bed
of roses. There is, of course, nothing wrong with that. Problem is, some tend to stretch it a little
too much, so much so that they don’t even know what they are doing. They believe that just as
in the university, everything will be taken care of when they are out there in the ‘real’ world, i.e.
that their precious scrolls will take them places. No effort whatsoever is made to improve
themselves and participating in ridiculous activities is deemed to be the ultimate indicator of
what is to expect in the ‘real’ world. For instance, a senior while ordering around a junior to do
this or that project will justify it by saying “This is to prepare you for working life, especially
when facing employers”. And the poor subordinate believing it, bids the senior’s wishes. We
should never send across such wrong messages. Kow tow is not fun, and will never be. Period.
Furthermore, why should we continue the negative and perpetuate such myth? Whatever
happened to entrepreneurship?

Another issue which bugs a portion of undergraduates today is the inability to converse and
write in English. Needless to say, in the era of globalization, the importance of English cannot be
over emphasized. One might have plenty of mind boggling ideas, but without the ability to
articulate them, such ideas cannot be conveyed to others. While such facts are known to every
student, they prefer to converse in their mother tongues. Getting out of the comfort zone is
often the toughest nut to crack.

On the other hand, the introduction of a compulsory soft skills course serves only to magnify the
deficiencies of our education system. Students have forgotten how to interact, how to
communicate, and how to ace that interview, to the extent that such drastic measure has to be
taken. While this solves the problem on the surface, it effectively sweeps the bigger chunk of it
under the carpet. Undergraduates cannot be expected to learn the art of eloquence and to gain
self confidence overnight. It takes more than a course to create the wholesome undergraduate.

More importantly, undergraduates must be provided with room and space for holistic growth.
Intellectual discussions, debates and forums on any topic at all should be encouraged and the
underlying fear that students will rebel, retaliate or even form extremist groups, I would like to
state, is unfounded. As adults, they should be respected as such, which means also to be given
inter alia, the right to freedom of expression. What is right or wrong is not the point. The focal
point is, undergraduates must be allowed to think, to express themselves, and to dissent if they
want to. Keep pushing them around, and what do you get? A bunch of pushovers in society.
The bottom line is this. Whether or not an undergraduate will ever be ready to face the ‘real’
world is essentially a matter of choice. Choose to maintain your status quo, you continue in your
temporary bubble in Neverland, waiting for the ‘real’ world to come crashing through. Choose
to free your mind from the fetters of tradition for tradition’s sake, and to move out of your
comfort zone, you embark on a journey with nothing guaranteed, except unfamiliarity. The
latter sounds like a better deal, at least to me.

This friend I have is special, whilst young, intelligent and righteous. He lives with me since he
was born, a pleasure to have all these years.The strength to face each day can sometimes be
drawn from knowing him.

When I watch him dribble around with the ball at the street soccer court then knocking it into
the goal leaving the opponent frustrated there is unspeakable pride and joy emitting from the
core of my heart. How this fine young man has grown from a novice soccer player just three
years ago to a forwarder that instill fear to defenders who have to mark him. A elusive player
who pass his opponent with ease and elegant he can match the highest standard of the land.

The fond memories of the time we spend together still lingers in my mind. Bringing him to the
movies, watching him fight with his sisters still sits in my mind. When he is younger, he never
kept still and even climb out of the cradle that is meant to restrain him. That is when he is only
two years old and that time nearly got a spanking from his grand mother.

The coolest transformation is his hair. It uses to be always gelled and groomed into the "curry
puff" look that is the trademark look that signifies his childhood days. Curry puff is a local snacks
that has ultra ordinary puff when fried. Youth has robbed away that and reinstall a new image to
befit the modern time. The "anime" type spike hairstyle is now the replacement. Skinny jeans
with a smart tee shirts is the order of the day when he needs to go for a outing. While I would
prefer him to be in long sleeved shirt and a business pant, his peer may feel out of place with
this sort of strange outfit.

Our favorite chat always centered on his favorite Barclay Premier League Club Chelsea and my
Manchester United Football Club. Our exchange on the matter can turn into a feisty with each
not giving way to the other. Glorified Manchester United has done it once again but the arrival
of Ancelloti this season and the departure of Christano Ronaldo has up the challenge for the
rivals.

Every weekend is spent at the soccer field where we conduct soccer lessons for children under
ten. He is my coach while I am his manager and together we managed to keep soccer alive for
these kids who showed up every weekend. Our effort has rewarded us with two championship
through the years and the greatest pride is the one that Chris has played in.

Chris is more of a friend than a son, we spend our time together like most friends do. I am proud
of him both as a friend and a son.

Friends are people whom we turn to when our spirits need a lift. They are always by our side
through thick and thin. They stand beside us even when our disposition is not perfectly right and
will fight for us if we are oppressed. Therefore, it is clear that friends play a vital role in shaping
who we are today. But what qualities exactly do we need to look for in a friend?

A friend should always be caring towards you. He or she should take interest in your problems
no matter how big or petty your problem may be. A friend should be able to sit beside you and
encourage you to keep your chin up even when everyone else is against you. A friend’s empathy
and lovingness will also replenish your worn-out soul and will make you realize how important a
friend really is.

Apart from that, a friend should be an honest person. An honest friend will dissipate any worries
that he or she is lying towards you. A friend’s honesty will enable you to trust his or she’s
opinion when it comes to telling you the truth about yourself. For example, an honest friend will
remand you on your declining grades and will ask you to work harder while a dishonest friend
will see it with a blind eye. Therefore, an overall improvement in yourself will be noticeable if
you have an honest friend.

Moreover, a friend should be generous both emotionally and knowledge wise. A friend who is
generous ought to be able to connect with you and provide emotional support. He or she should
also be generous when it comes to sharing knowledge. A true friend must be ever-ready to help
you when you are inept in certain subjects. A friend can easily guide you towards understanding
the subject matter better as he or she is often on the same page as you. The only difference is
that you can’t quite grasp the content of the page per se.

Besides that, a friend must also be able to humour you. Humour plays a quintessential role in
making your day more lively and enjoyable. Friends who pull your leg and mess about will
indefinitely make life seem so much better. As they say, laughter is the best medicine and a little
levity on rainy days is always welcomed.

In conclusion, friends are people we spend most of our time with. Thus, we have to be selective
when it comes to choosing our friends.
She looked so beautiful that morning. As I shifted my hands through her gorgeous hair, I kissed
her. “Take care, darling. Gotcha go to work,” I said, in my peculiar Australian and European
mixed accent. After waving at my wife, I got into my black Brabus S350, “sitting” in my porch,
growling. “Good day, Sir,” wished Mr. Baskaran, my personal driver, as he started to drive the
growling beast, ready to unleash its mighty horsepower. As I leaned back in the posh leather
seat, the 30 inch widescreen LCD screen started to unfold in front of me. It resumed the episode
of “House”, I was watching yesterday.

But no matter how I tried, I couldn’t enjoy the sarcasm of Hugh Laurie as I was too preoccupied
with what happened at work yesterday. Being a CEO of a multimillion dollar company like
Google does equate to a life full of stress and tension. The only consolation I got was, the
security analyst, who melted my heart and made me go on a cloud nine, Julie became mine. Her
smile made me euphoric, her eyes made me drool; her voice sent a tingling sensation down my
spine, which I longed for, every minute, every second.

“Mr. Mahen, we have arrived, Sir,” announced Baskaran as he opened the door and led me
into the giant headquarters of the world-renowned Google Inc. As I made my way through,
dozens of smiling faces wished me a good morning. But, the morning wasn’t good. The thought
of what I did yesterday was running all over my mind.

Hssh! the air-conditioner hummed as I went into my cabin. The most luxurious in the building.
The CEO room was finished with fine oak wood, enriched with blinds which are controlled
automatically, a foosball table and yes, a state-of-the-art computer system.

Slowly, I sat and took out the files. The figures were big and scary, some eight digits and some
nine. If it happened, I have no idea how I’m going to pay the foreign investors and even worse,
my staff! I need a solution, one which can solve this problem once and for all. Trying to think as
hard as I could, I closed my eyes. Just as I was trying to visualize some ideas, there was a knock
on the door. It was hard.

“Sorry to interrupt Sir, but here’s your cup of special Jamaican brewed mocha cappuccino,”
mumbled Sarah Lane, my personal assistant cum secretary. Still thinking hard, I brought the
porcelain cup closer to my mouth. There was a code on the cup. It read ‘CBSGOOGLEV2’. Just as
I started to take a sip, suddenly the missing pieces of the jigsaw in my mind came together. YES!
I’ve got it! It was all because of the ‘V2’ code on the cup. If it wasn’t for that code, I wouldn’t
have got it.
I immediately called my chief programming officer, Mr. Karl Benzer. A sore looking, depressed,
fat, belly-buttoned guy entered my cabin. “Take that look off your face at once,” I exclaimed.
“I’ve found the solution to our problem!” I shouted happily.

As though my words were words of some sorcerer’s magic, the sore look disappeared. His teeth
started to show and he was desperate to know further. I poured the whole thing. “Benzer, settle
down and I’ll tell you.” “Initially, as you know, we were facing a losing battle with those
scoundrels who stole our new unreleased software, Gamma Google. If it went into the pirate’s
hand, we would be bankrupt........ .” As I was talking, Benzer interrupted me. “But sir that is
what we were discussing the whole day long yesterday. Tell me how you are going to overcome
it,” blattered my impatient staff.

“It’s like this. They’ve stolen Gamma Google which wasn’t ready and for testing purposes, I
secretly added a command which would allow the software to self-destruct no matter wherever
it is in the world. How silly of me to forget about that,” I explained contentedly to Karl. “Wow!
It’s a huge relieve to hear that, sir. I will start working on executing the command strings you’ve
put in,” said Karl.

That evening, I left early. I wanted to take my wife to an exclusive, select restaurant as a treat. I
hit the pause button of the LCD TV and I called my wife to inform her about the good news while
I was in the Brabus. Later, I resumed watching and yes, it was that sarcastic doctor’s show being
screened. Hey, who said being a CEO of a multimillion dollar company like Google equate to a
life full of stress and tension? After all, it isn’t that bad.

The haze is a constant phenomenon faced by Malaysia and her neighbouring countries. The haze
is basically pollution of atmosphere, which is clogged with pollutants and other substances from
forest fires.

The haze is a direct effect of forest fire in Kalimantan and other parts of Indonesia due to
slash and burn method of farming. The Indonesian authorities appear to have no power to
control farmers from practising such methods. The haze is further worsened by open burning
practised by most Malaysians. Open-field burning of rice straw by the rice planters and open
burning of dried leaves and garbage done by the public are a few examples that done by
Malaysian. Many are ignorant of the health effects of open burning.

During the haze, hospitals and clinic often report a dramatic increase in respiratory
problems, lung infections and asthma attack. The Air Pollution Index (API) usually indicates the
hazardous and dangerous levels of pollution during this period. The haze has long-term side
effects. Prolonged inhalation of polluted air will result in serious lung infection which particularly
affects the elderly.

The government must play its role to reduce the haze treat. It has to cooperate with the
Indonesian authorities to stamp out forest fires. The culprits must be brought to justice, either
through healthy fine or prison sentence. Constant vigilance would ensure the perpetrators do
not repeat their offence.

The government should also raise the public awareness of the dangers of forest fire. Continuous
campaign of the cause, solutions and steps-need-to-be-taken to reduce the haze need to be
promoted through all types of social media like television, radio, newspaper and even via
internet. The authorities should also provide assistance to farmers and introduce more
sophisticated forest clearing methods.

In Malaysia, strict laws must be imposed to penalise those who practise open burning.
On-going campaigns on the dangers of open burning should be intensified. Individuals too have
a role to play. They must participate in every campaign and stop burning. Students can advise
their parents not to practice open burning.

Every individual has to remember that we do not own the world, but instead we lent it
from our future generations. We must protect our world so that our grandchildren woulh have a
healthy earth to live.

Cell phones have lost their meaning over the years. These small devices were once developed to
get in contact with someone else in case of emergencies, and now talking on the phone while
driving has turned out to be a way of life for millions of American drivers. More than 85 percent
of the 100 million cell-phone subscribers frequently talk on the phone during
driving.(www.smartmotorist.com) Talking on the cell phone while driving should be illegal,
because of the dangers they cause. Driving while using the cell phone is one of the major
problems here in the US. Cell phones should not be used while driving. This matter is too
dangerous to let it go unnoticed.

According to the essay, Yes, Prohibit Their Use, which appeared on the congressional quarterly’s
web site on March 16, 2001, the Harvard Center for risk analysis printed a study in 1999. They
appointed a crash risk factor to using cell phones. In the summer of 2000 it came out to 450 to
1,000 fatalities each year. The NHTSH says that for every fatality, there are 666 property-
damage and injury-producing crashes. There are about 300,000 and 650,000 different crashes
due to cell phones! This same essay states that Japan is one of the 14 countries banning the use
of handheld cell phones while driving. The accidents caused by the use of cell phones dropped
by 75 percent the next month, proving cell phones are not necessary parts of the driving nature.

There are major dangers connected with driving and cell phone use. Drivers have to take their
eyes off the road while dialing. Also, drivers can get so deep into their conversations that their
ability to concentrate may be dangerously limited. This jeopardizes the safety of the people
inside the vehicle, and the pedestrians outside. In order to drive safely, the driver should be able
to put 100% of his or her focus on the road. Cell phones are simply a huge distraction while
driving.

It is understandable that there are some cases where the use of a cell phone is needed. In these
cases, I agree with the author of Yes, Prohibit Their Use, the driver should pull-over somewhere
safe to use the phone. If someone receives an incoming call, he should wait until the car has
come to a complete stop. Then he should proceed to use the phone. If he feels that the
emergency is urgent enough to take action right away, then the person should use the hands
free headset. Only in emergencies should cell phones be used.

Some people argue that there are other distractions other than cell phones. While using a cell
phone when driving may not be the most unsafe distraction, studies prove that it is the most
common cause of car crash accident, and common cause of death here in the US.

The use of cell phones while driving should be banned in Philadelphia, because many people die
due to distraction of cell phones. Cell phone distraction causes 2,600 deaths and 330,000
injuries in the United States every year. (www.livescience.com/technology). Another reason to
not use the cell phone while driving is devastating the many lives of the victims and their
families in the case of an accident.

When driving, cell phones should not be allowed. Help the statistics decrease not increase.

Feeling thankful is how I feel now. The greatest present to receive is the sense of content and
gratitude that I feel. No matter how much I earn or the value of properties I owe, without
sharing, how life can be?

Few years back when I was in school, my mind was set on money and branded items. No matter
how badly life has for me, nothing can bring me further away from my set-mind. From many
hardships, I struggle for a presence, a name, a status. I need to let people know what I have and
what I can achieve.
As time passes and sky is unlimited, people change so do I. I turn to God. I turn to my family. I
turn to my faith. Nothing can make me feel more content than myself. I need to satisfy my own
need before I make my way to the world. Love, Peace and Happiness are what I believe now. As
I mention earlier on, faith is the tool for all lives. Imagine a world without faith? How can one
trust someone or something? Take for an example a relation between two sexes. Both need to
gain the trust and belief before embarking a journey together. It’s a journey of understanding as
well as respect. Nothing can bring two down with the concrete tools both have.

No matter how much money is flowing in my bank accounts or how many properties waiting in
my list, as long as I don’t feel content with myself, nothing would. All these are material visions
that count only for a short period of happiness. I want a long lasting happiness. A happiness that
can be shared by everyone even passer-by.

I turn my life to myself, family and GOD. It revolves with them. Not that I’m a 100% believer in
God but somehow or another, it smooths my daily life whenever I trust on something. I believe
what comes around goes around in life. Why one should feels frustrated and irritated when aim
is not reached? Why? Ask yourself deep in your heart? Is it worth the temper-rush? The best
way to do is to look at the problem with a smile on your face and a relax heart. Turn back and
don’t let your anger out from your box. Think appreciation that mistakes are made and told to
you. All you need to do: CHANGE.

It is as simple as ABC.

In life, if only one can recognize the significant of Trust, Understanding, Faith and Love our world
is in its greatest condition.

Some of us may be selfish to share our study tips yet deliberately disturbing the others while
they are doing their works. Some might agree with such an attitude as a secret weapon for
crucial examination namely UPSR, PMR and SPM. But don't you agree that sharing is actually the
happiest thing we can do? We can share meaning that we have the capability. Sharing brings
more knowledge and ideas to be exchanged. Nobody will improve much if they are reluctant to
share. In fact, when we initiate to share, we will definitely get more and more feedback which
may be beyond our knowledge. 3 people are better than only 1. More minds contribute more
thoughts. That's why group discussion is highly recommended for it is an proven effective way
to catalyst our improvement of study.

Study is only a part of our life routine and being student is merely our temporary role . Actually
that time is our precious moment to develop into a better person. One cannot know and
experience everything with limited ages . However, we can gain unlimited knowledge and lesson
once we start to share and exchange. By sharing, we know more, we continue our learning and
without we can realise , we have fostered good friendship and become a better individual. Let's
have a very simple example,every of us owns one box of biscuits. Every box of biscuits have
different flavour. If we are kind enough to reciprocate our biscuits with each other, then we get
to taste a variety flavour of biscuits. Similarily, sharing and exchanging is something mutually
profitable for every of us. Through sharing,we apply our knowledge and subsequently we gain
more. Do share your knowledge with others as if you intend they share theirs with you. Only
those who are generous to share and humble to keep on learning deserve to possess more
power, wealth and knowledge.

Being students,we are still learning and painting our lives with endless colour and school should
be the safest platform for us to practice our behaviour. Here,sharing makes more sense to
complement each other. Nothing can be accomplished without a cohesive teamwork. One
cannot be successful without any assistance provided by the others. Frankly,have you shared
your fortune,wealth and knowledge with your friends? If not, try your best whenever you are
still able to do so. When we are stepping into the working world, seldom do we have such an
opportunity to share and enjoy anxiety-free student lives. A real success is more than just a
straight A result or thousands and one certificates but whether one really enjoys the process
towards success. And sharing will be a must for the particular joyful process.