sunflowerdaisy.

Hello, Degree Life!

Hellooooowwww earthlings. What a sudden update. I was actually thinking of shutting down this blog already. Not sure about that yet. What do you guys think? Hmmm. Okay so, I'm going to make this very quick, since I'm having quite a lot of assignments to do this week. I'm literally crying inside. I just finished Week 3. Lol.

Spent months and months at home, until 1st September 2019, I finally started my Degree life. Phew. After going through several interviews and the long wait for the results, I managed to secure my place for a Degree course that I've always dreamed of which is, Medicine! Alhamdulillah. Alhamdulillah. Alhamdulillah.

I'm currently in my Semester 1, 4th Week of degree in Doctor of Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia. It is under the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UPM. Located beside Hospital Serdang. Hehe. Yeap, bye-bye Universiti Malaya! Lol. Obviously, UM's Medical School was my first choice since I took my foundation in PASUM, but Allah knows better. I believe being in UPM's Medical School is what best for me. And I'm still beyond grateful for everything.

An update on my previous Foundation studies, I managed to graduate PASUM with an overall CGPA 4.0! Again, alhamdulillah. I couldn't be more grateful for what I've achieved. It was such an exhausting yet amazing journey. I miss my Foundation life in UM so much, especially my friends. They were the ones who helped me a lot to survive PASUM. Most of my friends managed to enter the course that they aimed for, and I'm so damn proud of them!

Anyways, you can read more about my Foundation life here.

I miss my class in PASUM, HE1, so damn much. Ugh.

Anyways, as for now, I'm really enjoying my life in UPM. I got lots of new, amazing friends. My housemates are awesome. I also have some old friends that came from PASUM as well. Studies? For now, so far so good. Everything is still fine, since we are still learning the first module which is Human Biology. Very basic, we've learned most of the topics during foundation. Just refreshing them back.

Not going to lie. Of course, I'm quite excited yet so scared. I've always enjoyed learning Biology, especially about the human body. But we all know that this course I'm currently taking is quite a tough one. With 5 years of study and only 3 weeks of Semester breaks, not to forget the packed schedule as well. And so many other challenges not only during the degree, but also the life as a doctor itself. Wow.

We all don't know what's going to happen next. I'm just praying that I would survive these 5 years in medical school. Despite all those negative things I've heard, I hope I can make it through. After all, nothing comes easy, right? Whatever it is, I'm so grateful to have supportive family members and friends.

Again, alhamdulillah. God bless.

Meet my new degree batchmates, MD24.

To all my friends and '00 buddies out there, all the best! Every course has its own challenges. And to everyone else too, of course, good luck in whatever you guys are working on! I'm rooting for you guys!

Always remember to stay positive and work smart. Don't push yourself too much. Remember to have time for yourself too. Find the best way for you to study, and find the best way for you to release your stress as well. Time management, of course.

Oh, and the most important thing is to maintain a good relationship with God. Don't ever leave Him behind, because He'll never leave you behind. That's the key. Have a good relationship with people around you as well, especially your family, friends and lecturers.

Please do pray for me, guys. Wish me luck! I really hope I will survive this medical school with ease. InshaAllah. Aamiin, ya Rabb.

Here's a du'a that I always practice. I would recite it every single time, every single day and night. Ever since my SPM journey, until today. It might sounds simple and typical, but for me, it really helps a lot. Alhamdulillah.

Thank you so much for reading. Feel free to leave any comments down below. I would love to update more whenever I have time. Now, back to reality! Assignments are waiting for me!

'Till then, see you when I see you!
xoxo

7 Keys to Increase Productivity

We’ve all had those days when we feel like we are not accomplishing anything no matter how hard we work. Looming deadlines, increasing workload, multitasking and stress could all disrupt a person’s productivity. “Work smarter, not harder” has become a famous motto among the workforce. And this statement actually has merit. Sometimes, when we wear too many hats, take on too much work, instead of becoming more productive, our productivity actually decreases. So what can we do to increase our productivity?

1. Have a healthy breakfast… or skip it!
I don’t mean to confuse you, but there are studies showing that skipping the most important meal of the day can benefit various brain functions. Intermittent fasting has been gaining popularity lately, and there are scientific studies to back it up. However, if you want to give this a try, it is best to ask for a doctor or a nutritionist’s advice first. For anything to work, one has to have the know-how and the right motivation. On the other hand, if you are a huge fan of breakfast and could not possibly start a day without it, by all means, eat! Fuel your body with the right food. Make healthy choices.

2. Take that coffee break
Though it might be tempting to just keep plugging away at work and skip your breaks in order to meet your deadlines, it would not be a very good idea. You need to relax and take a breather. This will give your brain a much needed break and you a chance to walk around and enjoy a nice cup of joe, maybe even socialize with your other harried co-workers.

3. CBD Oil
Adderall has been making the rounds around colleges and even work places. However, if you prefer a more natural approach to boosting your concentration and productivity, why not give CBD oil a try. It has been known to increase alertness, help calm nerves, and boost your mood. So when you find yourself stressed with your head all over the place, why not try popping a CBD gummy, or some tincture, or even straight up CBD oil to help ease your stress and calm your nerves. Unlike its addictive cousin, THC, CBD will not get you stoned or slow you down.

4. Don’t multitask
Multitasking is not something the human brain is built for. It has proven to cause loss of productivity. Doing too many things at once will take away your concentration from the crucial things that need doing. This will make your work prone to errors and cost you time that you were trying to save by multitasking in the first place. Do one thing at a time before moving on to the next task. This way you can ensure each task is accomplished properly. Try doing the tasks that take the least amount of time to accomplish first. This will get these tasks out of the way and allow you to focus on the more complicated ones.

5. Take exercise breaks
Isn’t it ironic that a post about being productive is talking about breaks a lot? That’s because taking breaks in between tasks is a good way resetting your brain and preparing it for the whole new task ahead. Exercising will send a rush of much needed oxygen to your brain and will help loosen your muscles that might have bunched up from getting the previous task done. Taking a brief walk, or a short stretch, will allow your brain to stop thinking about work and “breathe”. This will help bring your focus back to where it is supposed to be – your looming tasks.

6. Use tools
Using online tools or apps to track your work and tasks for the day is one easy way of getting your day organized. When you have your day organized, you won’t need to spend extra time trying to remember what to do next; you would already have it laid out for you. Most of these tools are free and can be linked to your personal or work email. Just make sure that the apps abide by your company rules and risk profile.

7. Say no to meetings
Meetings take time. And a lot of the time, these meetings are not even really necessary. If you have a lot of things to do, and someone schedules a meeting, try to find out if your presence is necessary in the meeting. Or if the items in the agenda could be discussed through email, that would be a better venue. You only get so many hours in a day, after all.

This article first appeared on MadebyHemp.com.

End of Foundation!

HELLOOOOO EARTHLINGS. HAHAHAHAH. So, based on the title, I guess y'all already know what I'm going to talk about. Yes gang, I just finished my Foundation in Biological Science Programme at the University of Malaya. FINALLY. MERDEKA!!! No more Asasi.

Unboxing My 2019 Planner

Yay! I'm on a holiday again. Our break starts a day earlier since UM is in WP Kuala Lumpur, and, today is Hari Wilayah. This is probably the last holiday for us this semester. There are SO FREAKING MANY big events coming soon. This semester would be a 100 times more hectic than the first one.

Since this semester is going to be even more packed, I decided to start using a planner this year. I can't even remember when was the last time I actually had one. Lol! I've actually received this planner weeks ago, earlier in January. The pictures here have been taken ever since that time. It's just me who didn't have time to update about it.

2018: A Year To Remember

I took this picture. Hehe.

I know this is a bit late, it should've been posted in earlier 2019. My bad! I was quite busy earlier this month because we had our mid-semester test. So, I just finished the exams and now I'm finally home! A short, 1-week mid-semester break (yup, our mid-sem break is literally only 1 week). Oh well, I only have 4 months left before foundation ends.

Let's talk about the past (lol). I know, past is past but why not? 2018 was honestly one of the best years of my life. I met a lot of new people, been to new places, got some new stuff, and a freaking driver's license (best thing ever)! What an amazing year, a year that I will never forget.

JANUARY

Had my first part-time job! I worked at Famous Amos, Melawati Mall for 5 months. These are my work colleagues, Kak Sya & Kak Yana. I honestly miss working here so bad. It was a very new thing for me. Sometimes it was so fun, sometimes it was quite painful. I guess that's what working is like, right? But still, I really miss those times where I get to eat those delicious cookies for free, every day to the point where I was so sick of them. Whatever it is, working there was an amazing experience for me.

FEBRUARY

My little brother's first day in MRSM. He is my youngest sibling and the only one who got into a boarding school. So, it was our first time, quite a sad moment for us. We didn't really expect him to get the offer but alhamdulillah he did! We were very proud of him but so sad as well. I was the only one who cried during that day, lol. He is in MRSM Tun Abdul Razak, also known as MRSM Pekan located in Pahang.

MARCH

I'm sorry I looked ugly here, but yayyy for holidays! I went to Hong Kong with my family and of course, gotta drop by Disneyland! It was a wonderful place. I've always love theme parks. The one I enjoyed the most was the night parade. Let me tell you, it was BEAUTIFUL. Very, very well-planned. I miss it so much! I've recorded a full video of the parade but it was too long, I can't upload it here.

SPM Results Day! Of course, I will never forget that moment. I've never cried so hard in front of many people before! It was truly embarrassing. Oh well, alhamdulillah for everything. Honestly, it wasn't really for me but for my beloved parents. Alhamdulillah. I'm very proud of all my batchmates, especially my clique, Awaw!

APRIL

Went on a date with my mom! This is our first time going on a vacation without my dad and my brothers. Since I'm the first and only daughter in our family, I'm quite close with my mom. She was kind of sad that I'm leaving for university soon so she decided to bring me to Japan! Also as a gift for my SPM results. We went there during the first week of Spring. The sakura blooms so well. I didn't go to Tokyo, but Osaka. It was an amazing trip and I really, really miss Japan. Badly.

After 5 months of trying, I finally got my driver's license! Alhamdulillah, I've been waiting for sooooo long. Fyi, I started my class in December. Then I failed, like, 2 times. Seriously. I failed both the circuit and the road test at first. Then, the next one, I only passed the road test. What a waste, lol! Honestly, it was still a great experience and I'm so happy I get to drive now! Hehe.

MAY

Since all of us are continuing our student life in different pathways soon, we decided to go on a short trip together! Here are my cliques, Awaw. We've been together since Form 2 (2014) and they are literally the only best friends I've ever had in high school. There are actually 7 of us but one of us couldn't join the trip. We didn't go far, tho. We randomly searched for a nice Airbnb somewhere in KL, with a swimming pool. At least we got to hang out for 3 days 2 nights together. Here's a picture of us riding bicycles around Taman Tasik Titiwangsa.

JUNE

Raya! 2018's Aidilfitri was one of the best ones I've ever had. Well, our family rarely got the chance to take a good picture like this together. And we also rarely have an actual colour theme. Well, this year we chose to wear dark blue! This was taken at my kampung in Petaling Jaya (not really a kampung area but my grandparents' house is there, so yeah).

JULY

My journey as a foundation student begins! Here are my lovely roommates. The tallest one on the right has actually moved out from PASUM, she got another scholarship offer. She's now in Kolej MARA and there are only 3 people in my room. I love them, I'm honestly so grateful that they are my roommates and not some other people. They're the ones who will cheer me up whenever I had a bad day.

AUGUST

Nothing much but here's a picture I took this month. My classmates (excluding the boys)! I swear to God that they are the best. We have lots of lovely memories together, we clicked in so well. They're the ones who are so helpful whenever it comes to studies, homework, assignments and others. We worked together a lot.

SEPTEMBER

Celebrating Merdeka & Hari Malaysia with them! My college held this event to celebrate these special days. I wish there were fireworks but oh well. The performances were great. There are so many talented people here at my college. Singing, acting, name it! My friend in the middle performed as well.

OCTOBER

Some of you might have seen this picture. Hehe. After weeks and months of discussions and meetings, our first event went very well! Feed The Need 1.0: Kids Fun Fest. Alhamdulillah. I'm very happy with the outcome. Our team is spectacular, we got compliments from the Felos and other people for our teamwork.

NOVEMBER

Had my final semester examinations and then, of course, semester break! Again, 1 week only (duh). Since it was also a school holiday, my family and I went to Sabah! That's me featuring Mount Kinabalu at the back. And that other picture was taken by me at Tanjung Aru Beach, one of the best places to watch sunsets in Sabah. To my giveaway winners, if you guys are wondering why there was a Sabah souvenir in your mystery boxes, it was because of this trip that I had last November! Hehe.

DECEMBER

Semester 2 begins. Again, after lots of meetings, finally we had our second volunteering program, Feed The Need 2.0: Health Care. It was a success as well, alhamdulillah. We are so happy to get to help the people in need, and also gaining new experiences from time to time.

And finally, a full, proper picture of my class, HE1! Can y'all see that theme? The guys were wearing white while the girls were wearing black with different shades of hijabs, forming like a rainbow (sort of) effect. Lol! That one in the middle is our class mentor, Dr Ungku.

WOW. That's pretty much a lot, right? There are actually more things I want to share regarding 2018 but this is already too much, I guess. About my Hong Kong, Japan, and Sabah trips, I wanted to make separate posts for each of them but it's kind of too late. I wish I could share more about those trips, especially Japan.

As you guys can see, there are lots of different faces in all these pictures I've posted. I really, really met a lot of new people this year. Honestly, I was quite introvert before. Like really. After having a part-time job, I learned to communicate even more. I'm now a bit more extrovert. Entering PASUM, I was really afraid I won't have friends (lol, but alhamdulillah, turns out I have many now! I have more friends that are not in any of these pictures I've posted.

Sums up, 2018 was amazing. I learned a lot. I gained so many new experiences in different places. I achieved a lot. Alhamdulillah for everything. Thank you to every single person who made my 2018 great. May 2019 bring new happiness, new goals, new achievements and a lot of new inspirations on your life. Wishing you a year fully loaded with happiness.

I guess it's already too late to say this but I don't care, so, HAPPY NEW YEAR PEEPS! 💘