By Wan Muhammad Shadiqin bin Wan Halim
In the last episode of “Inspirasi Luahan Insan” on IIUMtv, Soo Wincci who was known as ‘beauty with brain’ of Malaysia was invited to be the final guest for this season.
The theme for the episode was “To Infinity and Beyond” where the talk was mostly centred on how students could learn from Soo Wincci’s experience towards achieving success.
It was in the first quarter of the talk show where Dr. Soo Wincci told the fact that before her success, she had gone through many obstacles and challenges in life. Comfortable to be called as Wincci, she stated that it wasn’t easy for people to achieve something that even she herself had almost given up throughout her journey in becoming who she is today.
She was once called insane by her own parents for wanting to pursue her education for a second PhD even though she already had a stable life at that moment. Furthermore, she also had started a number of business but all of them failed. Even so, she still managed to be positive and finish up all she had started with the support from her supervisor and friends because sometimes parents don’t really understand your situation.
Asked about her own choice of role model, she categorised them into two. First, she made Dato’ Siti Nurhaliza as her local idol. Internationally, she look up to Angelina Jolie as a good example for her to chase her dreams. She also said that she look up to those who actually strived for success, especially women.
Being a celebrity and at the same time a student, she is currently completing her second doctoral degree (PhD) in Spain while still an active figure of Malaysian entertainment industry. During the 40-minute talk show on IIUMtv YouTube channel, there were several tips shared by Soo Wincci herself that I want to highlight:
- Think about the future generations
Her opinion is that everyone should have the awareness that they hold a big responsibility for our success. Every generation is a bridge towards a successful society. If one generation failed to undertake the duty, the next group would be in trouble. In that case, Wincci stressed upon the realisation and mentality that if no one would do it, we need to do it.
- Don’t get emotional with critics
Being an education enthusiast, she received a lot of disagreements when she decided to continue her study in Spain for her second PhD. Wincci remembered that she was once chased away from her own house by her father because of that. Despite that, she took that as motivation to prove that it is not wrong to follow your want until you achieved it. Critics should be taken rationally not emotionally. Especially critics from those who loved us. She said, “let the success do the talk”.
- Enhance your soft skills
Students in general must not only focus on the academic side, but they also need to sharpen their skills in communication. Living in today’s society where we need to compete with a lot of other people, we have got to possess a unique ability so that we have an advantage when it comes to job opportunity. Wincci does not recommend people to follow only what our parents want, instead we need to really focus on what we want and integrate between academic and special skills.
- Do not limit yourself, manage time wisely
Being a celebrity and a successful student, she said that people need to be open and diverse when it comes to talent. We cannot only focus on the academic side because it is not enough to be proud of. She mentioned about her study life back before that she also did music at the same time. She added that, when we are able to manage our time sagely, we can achieve more than those who are committed with one task only. One thing she noted that we have to also seek for entertainment. Do not stress ourselves much. Time management is the key.
If readers want to listen more of what Dr. Soo Wincci shared, do watch the episode on IIUMtv YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z30OfRj-e8