Graduating with Grace: Expecting Graduate inspires with her Strength and Dedication

By, Amni Azizan

GOMBAK, 25 December 2024: Every student dreams of walking on stage during convocation day after four long years of pouring their blood, sweat and tears into their degrees. This culminates on graduation day before stepping into the working industry. However, this life-changing moment is even sweeter for one graduate, Aishah An Nur Fitri binti Parman for one small reason. She walked onto the stage not only by herself but with her unborn baby whom she is carrying almost full term to accept her degree with a smile on her face.

Aishah An Nur Fitri binti Parman, a graduate who was conferred with a Bachelor of Education in Guidance and Counselling from Kulliyyah of Education on 18 November at IIUM Gombak, revealed that she was nine months pregnant in an exclusive interview with IIUMToday shortly after she walked on stage.

“I married early in February and by the time I was about to start my practicum at school, I got pregnant. It was difficult for me during my first trimester because I got severe morning sickness,” she said.

As future teachers to the next generation, education students will experience firsthand how hard it is to control a class with different personalities during their practicum. For Aishah, the difficulty was raised tenfold with the effects of pregnancy.

Aside from the support she received from her loved ones, she became her own biggest cheerleader as she felt like it was a disservice not only to herself (at that time, she was already in her 4th-year 2nd semester) but also to her family and parents to postpone her study, “They already sacrificed a lot to send me to school, raise me and love me unconditionally as their child.”

Most importantly, she learned not to give up or be overwhelmed by her situation or else she may feel that she cannot go on anymore. Plus, she also discovered that she must have more faith in herself to make it to the other side.

“Never give up because you never know when the table is turned. Sometimes, there is a day that we feel like giving up and are unable to cope with it but believe me, when the going gets tough, the tough get going,” she advised students who may be struggling with their studies.***