By Azra Farzana Shuib
Convocation ceremonies are just wonderful, despite the fluctuating love and pride students have towards their universities. Amid the enthusiasm and jubilance, we can’t deny a little sadness trickling in, knowing that an undergraduate’s life is over.
In order to rejoice the moments we still have in these study years, I met university students who are still yet to graduate, to inquire more about varsity life that they’ll definitely miss after being granted the scroll.
A lot of us enrol in university unsuspecting of what is going to come. Like Aqielah Mohd Shabri, 22, who is now studying Pharmacy at University of Zagazig, Egypt. She didn’t immediately venture into the medical study field, as she was an Engineering student for a few months at the Centre of Foundation Studies, IIUM.
“I was okay with Engineering,” she said. “But lastly, I opted to study Pharmacy to fulfil my family’s wish.”
As someone who has experienced higher education system in two different countries, she noticed some quite distinctive features for each university she attended.
“We don’t have those Malaysian university things like co-curricular activities, assignments, tutorials and such. The grades come from written and practical exams, as well as oral assessment. However, the passing mark is higher, which is 60 percent,” she explained.
Aqielah also shared one of the unforgettable moments she had while studying in Egypt. The Islamic ambiance in the country that houses the cradle of civilisation is deeply felt during the month of Ramadan.
Lively fasting month in a foreign country
“Fasting month in Egypt is celebrated much like Hari Raya celebration in Malaysia,” she said, adding that most of the wealthy locals will organise a maidah, or a feast for the poor throughout the fasting month.
In certain places, they will reserve food for Malaysian students. The lecturers will also take part in contributing meals in the blessed month. Apart from the feast, the celebration invites more excitement with bright and colourful ornaments. If Malaysians have candles to light up the dark festive nights, the Egyptians have fanoos, which are their own decorative lanterns. Of particular interest was also about how she isn’t worried about getting home late during Ramadan, since there will always be kind strangers giving out food to people on the streets.
“And tarawih prayer was quick, like half an hour or so,” she joked, before seriousness takes in, “well, since the last Ramadan was during summer, the nights were short. If the prayers took a long time then there’s not much time left before sahur. Fajr prayer will be at around 3 a.m.”
Ironically, she mentioned that it was only during the fasting month that she eats a lot more lavishly compared to other months.
“Lecturers, university, my landlord, imams, the sheikhs from al-Azhar, and the wealthy Arabs won’t stop giving foods. Sometimes in a day there is more than one place to choose from to break my fast.”
Failing a subject
However, despite all those free and scrumptious offers, the somewhat beautiful place to study isn’t free of any downturns. Aqielah had a share of a sad experience while studying in Egypt, of which she failed a subject.
“I have a lot of sad and bad experiences, but I’ll just share that one.
“I don’t think I’ll miss studying after graduation. But I’ll definitely miss the atmosphere,” she mused.
Learning cultures of people from Sabah and Sarawak
University life is a little more joyful for Nurul ‘Izzati Md Ali, 22, who is studying at the University Malaysia Sabah (UMS) International Campus in Labuan.
“I love travelling in flights each time I go back for semester break,” she admitted.
‘Izzati didn’t let the opportunity of studying in one of the islands of Borneo goes to waste. There, she learned about a lot of cultures that are uncommon for a girl who lives in Peninsular Malaysia.
“I have several friends from Sabah and Sarawak. I have learned about their cultures, lifestyle and even their languages. It’s quite unique and interesting.”
When asked if she had any bad experiences while studying in UMS, she confidently said that there was none, although she does feel homesick at times. She is now in her last semester, and she thanked Allah that her path in UMS was memorable, saying that “there’s no such thing as a bad experience”.
Relatable summons story among IIUM students
For Murshida Abd Ghani, 22, a Law student of IIUM, she mentioned a particular unforgettable experience that almost all IIUM students can relate to – getting summons. It happened to her last semester because she didn’t turn off the lights in her room. But she didn’t know that she was issued with a summon until she realised that she couldn’t check her examination result.
“I didn’t know it for three months,” she laughed.
“I only knew about it when I checked the portal. Like, who checks the student portal everyday anyway?”
Murshida has done her internship at a legal firm in Kelantan. Therefore, she already had a rough idea of what she’ll miss after she finishes her study probably in a year from now.
“The best thing about being a student is having the privilege of doing mistakes,” she said in a blank stare.
Things will be different when one has a career, according to her. It’s quite unacceptable to commit even a single mistake that every student makes, like not doing a proper research before presenting a case.
“No one will get angry at you if you didn’t even do your assignment in university, because it’s your own loss. But when you work, you are liable for almost everything. Like, if I didn’t know a thing or two about a case due to lack of research, I’ll waste everybody’s time,” she said.
Different cultures in one place
As for her life in IIUM, she described the best thing about the university was the manifold of events happening around the campus.
“I love the Global Ummatic Week the most. I don’t have to go to their countries to experience their culture. It’s like the whole world is at one place in that particular event,” she added, “I think all students should take such opportunity. As for me, I love talking and get to know people, so events like this excite me.”
Although pursuing her studies in IIUM was her personal choice, Murshida has chosen to go to universities in other countries if she ever got the chance to do a Master’s degree. She regarded life in IIUM, although embellished with diversity, is pretty much predictable. She wants to experience what it is like to adapt to a new culture and encounter unexpected things.
“It’s been a wonderful time, but it’s time to move on,” said Murshida with a grin.
Knowledge is more important than early graduation
She also felt that it is unnecessary to rush for graduation, expressing that knowledge is more important than chasing for a job.
“Yes, a lot of students are impatient to graduate when they face a hard time in university, but then again, bad things don’t happen everyday, right?
“What’s more important than graduating is acquiring knowledge. When you have the knowledge and expertise, you don’t have to go around chasing for jobs. Instead, these jobs will chase you.”
Suggestions for better memories to cherish after graduation
At the end of the day, most of us students will face graduation day; it’s just a matter of time. In light of the coming convocation ceremony, a lot of us are eager to wear the robe and visualising the future professional life. But it is also important that we cherish the moments that we face now and not to worry so much about the future. This is the time to try new things, create meaningful network, and of course, to do a lot of mistakes while we still can.
We have roughly around four years to enjoy life in a university, which is not that long anyway. Life is short, so make it sweet.***