By Fatimah Fawziyah
Its a welcoming day and congratulations to the new students who have successfully registered and gained entry into the university. All praises to Allah that you got a chance to further your studies at this university (IIUM).
Its a brand new day, juniors are coming and we would see new unfamiliar faces in the university campus who are ˜cluelessly finding classes, looking at the signboard, asking the seniors as they pass by. It is a normal situation every year in every university. Nevertheless, we hope that all of you are ready to go through new phases in life. You are no longer in a school environment, everything is going to be different. Studying in the university means you hold a bigger responsibility towards the country, university, parents, and yourself.
Therefore, you must be ready mentally and physically by now as you set your feet into the university. I share with you here 10 tips to guide you around:
1. Dont forget Allah.
Never leave your five times prayer no matter where you are. In university life, nobody will care about your prayer or whatever you are doing. Its your responsibility to think which one is priority and whats not. You live your own life. Going through ups and downs in life, Allah is the most important to get closer to. Be grateful, make a lot of dua. University life is different. You wont find people who will nag 24 hours like your mom and sister do to remind you about the tiny things.
2. Recite Al-Quran.
Recite Al-Quran every single day and make it as your best friend. You will need it the most when once you lose hope and seems no one there to encourage you. By getting close to Al-Quran, Allah will reveal his ˜rahmah and make things easier for you to go through the difficulty.
3. Make dua for parents.
Wherever you go, remember to uphold your dignity and parents name. They are the reason for you to succeed. Call them every day if you can and dont forget to pray for them. Respect your parents and follow their advice. Live your life by following and remembering all their advice although they are not around you.
4. Never give up.
There are times you would feel like giving up on study. Just hold on and stay strong. Be patient. Its normal to get bored or homesick but never give up on studying. Just do it slowly, no need to rush on everything. Get ready physically and mentally. You are going to make it.
5. Respect the lecturers.
Lecturers are your teachers. They teach us a lot of things so respect them. Students are far away from parents, therefore you need to treat lecturers like you treat your parents. Accept their advice in a positive way, dont get hurt if they are angry. They are also human beings and have mood swings. Just be patient and smile. Forgive them for being harsh, they just want to teach us to be real ˜human being.
6. Find a good friend.
Finding a good friend is the most important thing. A good friend takes care, reminds, and helps you during your university life. He or she will bring you closer to Allah and never leave you while you are having difficulties in your life. Its just that you need to know which one is the ˜good friend. Some people say do not easily believe in people, not even your roommate, but it depends on whose judgment. Choose your friend wisely.
7. Be humble and be good to your friend.
Although you can live alone but be humble and be good towards others. You might need their help one day. Dont be stingy, arrogant, and selfish. Respect the seniors. This is because in university life you are not living with your parents. Besides, friends are your family here. Hence, you do not always have the capability to do everything alone. Just be friend with everyone, treat them nicely and always avoid conflicts with them. Treat people with kindness then they will no doubt help you when you are in difficulties. But that is not the real purpose because being kind is a Sunnah in Islam. So why be stingy, arrogant, and selfish?
8. Learn to work in a team.
If before this you love to do things alone now you cannot afford to do that anymore. Learn to mingle with others and work in a team. Give your full commitment while doing the task. Learn to accept peoples opinion and smile while your opinion is being rejected. Know that we are not always right and they are not always wrong. So, live in peace, grab a lot of knowledge and stay cool. However, be picky in choosing your group mates, just because they are your friend, it does not mean they will be good in group assignment.
9. Focus on study.
Focus on your study and leave everything that is not beneficial outside the university or just throw it away. This is the new phase in your life, a new spirit keeps you going till the end. There is the Hadith reported by Ali ibn Hussein: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, œVerily, part of perfection in Islam is for a person to leave what does not concern him. Source: Sunan al-TirmidhiÌ„ 2318.
10. Eat Breakfast.
Usually university students like to do away with breakfast. It is really a sedentary lifestyle. In fact, a healthy student is a good learner. Thus, dont forget your breakfast.***