By, Nur Arina Maisarah binti Ahmad Azhan
Most students enter the university, freshly graduated from matriculation or diploma, with the mindset to excel academically and graduate with honour! However, university offers more than quality education. One shall learn to adapt, communicate, interact, administrate, presentation skills and even leading a programme. Thus, university is an institution that develops social and practical skills which are really demanded in the labour force nowadays. Companies now are not only looking for excellent students with perfect academic scores, but seeking for well-cooperative characteristics. In a way, we are allowing ourselves to experience the real work environment and prepare ourselves for our future.
Sure, focusing in class and answering the examination papers well will increase your CGPA, but does it contribute to your self-growth and skills development? The first option is by joining clubs or programmes. It does not matter whether it is a big event that involves the entire university or a minimal event that may be under respective department; either both are granting skills that cannot be acquired in usual daily classes. At the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) itself, there are lots of different clubs with different motives and activities like humanitarian-focused, helping the orphans and indigenous community and even animal rescuer. It is up to the students’ interest and passion to choose which clubs to invest their times and efforts into. Along the way, students can expand their networks, try different position and tasks, and create bonds with different people.
In order to nurture healthy students, encouraging sport events or active skills such as swimming, hocky, and archery is very optimistic. Physical-related sports are extremely good as it allows students to have a complete break from their textbooks and academic stress in a fit way. IIUM offers lots of skills with credit hours; archery, horse riding, football and netball and lots of sports competition among the students and even with other universities. Not only that, baking skills, cooking skills and sewing skills are also available on campus, fostering multi-talented students. In a long run, such benefits allow students to nurture competitive spirit, which can be a motivation, and live in a healthier form.
Most people overlook the importance of the arts in one’s personal growth and value due to its complicated reputation and Malaysia society’s stigma. The arts is present in many forms; martial arts, painting, singing, dancing, musical instruments and multimedia. These skills are oftenly underestimated as a ‘knock off’ or a waste of time. The arts may not directly contribute to one’s skills, but it allows one to express and be thorough with his or her emotions. Most of the time, the arts is hidden. Great arts contains undefinable explanations, which can be as complicated as the artist’s feelings. The arts allow students to express themselves and this is mainly done by those who are struggling to convey their deep feelings.
Academic excellence is important, but never disregard the role of cocurricular activities and its impact on one’s skills, comprehension, and confidence. Students can use their participation to reduce stress while fostering a sense of sympathy and expand their knowledge about the world and relative community. A true supreme student can promise a brighter future, leading the world while making positive changes and ensuring harmonious outcomes.***
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