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After a few weeks in my new school (for F6)... I'm awaken by the fact that Matriculation is JUST a place where you can go after SPM. What I mean is.. it's not like, well, the best, prestigious (or whatever big word you describe it) place you should go to pursue your studies. It just coincidentally happened that many best SPM scorers (9:1=bumi:non-bumi) are "gathered" there, that must be why most parents think that's the best, good, popular place they can send their children to (and brag & show off about it later...*duh*).. & F6 became the place for "rejectS" & most non-bumiS, giving it a somewhat ugly reputation.

Parents should do their homework.

Matrics = 1 year only? No. Wrong. They have 2 years ones too.

I grow up with the idea (influence from my surroundings) that Matrics are better than F6 (which is not really true). Since I'm in form 1, I already set a target that I'll go to Matrics after completing F5. People said F6 is 2 years whereas Matrics is only 1 year. That's why at that time I prefer Matrics to F6. Moreover I was thinking of getting out of school quickly (because since the first day I'm in SM〇〇, I already could feel the tense, stress & tight competition in my class. I could't stand it, & wished that time will run faster so that I can stop suffering). Even when I was in F5, the thought of going to F6 never occurs me.

Then, last year, came a big turn over.

Because I didn't study well enough (due to some problems) last year (for SPM), I was afraid that my bad SPM results will affect my admission to matrics (at that time-lah) or any other places (excluding f6) to pursue my ambition (doctor or any other profession in the medical field). So I surfed the internet, looking for info on "where can I go after SPM" (things like that...).. & discovered that STPM is the most suitable way for me. It is also recognised by most universities in the world (UNLIKE MATRICS). Referring to this, (I copied it here):

It would be easier to go to overseas universities (of course with good results) with STPM certificiate. Of course. You can go to local universities too. (Foreign university branch campuses -- limited options ne?)

& puh-lease...FYI, Australian and Canadian pre-u and matriculation is NOT equal to local matriculation. I remember going to Hyatt Hotel few months ago (for some *what do you call it? short seminar to intoduce their uni?* from Monash University).. There's this friend of my mum's daughter who "graduated" from matrics, 'showing off', saying that I shouldn't go to f6, "It's hard. It's better in matrics. They use this semester system...bla bla bla".. & while she's talking all that craps I can see that "stupid & naive" label on her head. Her father included.. Anyway. The ppl from Monash Uni were stating the qualifications to enter the uni.. & WALA~! In his presentation slide -- No mention of matriculation (only South Australian matriculation). Local matriculation that is. STPM is there but no local matrics. So those ppl with the "S & N" labels on their heads asked.. well, of cos I knew that local matrics is *somewhat recognised* cos that uni is in Malaysia, (can't you tell?) so it not's really a problem for local matics graduates to enter there... but the pleasure of looking at that "undeclared embarrassment" was REALLY GREAT. They think local matrics is SO that great, that they expect that everyone in this world should know about it.

Anyway, back to my school stories... Some teachers said we are lucky to be in form 6.

(I know it sounds like they were just trying to cheer up those that didn't get any offers to uni & matrics)

My Maths T(Pure Mathematics) teacher, Mr. R (he said he was a teacher in matrics b4.. but I'm not really sure) said the maths for STPM are 10x harder than matric's maths. If you get A for matric's maths, it's a D in STPM's Maths T. Also he said that although in matriks you can get [C?]GPA 4.0 easier, they will FACE difficulties later when they enter university.

"So be proud that you are in Form 6."

p/s: Of course, I may sound biased cos I want to believe what I believe. But this really happens. & I'm glad I chose this path.