In Malaysia, Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) is widely regarded as an important examination, and when I sat for my SPM in 2023, I remember staring at my notes late at night, wondering if all my efforts would ever be enough. There were days when I slept past midnight and woke up at 4 a.m. just to continue studying. After school, I ate in the car on the way to tuition and returned home late, with weekends filled with extra classes and little time to rest.
The pressure was not only internal; it was also shaped by the environment around me. Conversations at the dinner table were always about results, university choices and future pathways.
At that time, it was easy to believe that everything depended on this examination. However, looking back now, I realise that success cannot be measured by examination results alone. While SPM is certainly an important milestone, it does not fully define a person’s potential or future. Many people discover new interests, strengths and opportunities after leaving school, and these experiences can shape their future just as much as academic achievements.
Today, success means something very different to me. It is no longer about meeting expectations or seeking validation from others through grades, but about recognising my own effort and growth. Even without perfect results, I have learned to value the discipline, resilience and strength I developed along the way. It is reflected in the perseverance built during long nights of studying, the discipline developed through daily routines, and the courage to keep moving forward despite uncertainty. When I chose a path that suits me, instead of one defined by results, it has given me a stronger sense of direction, purpose and confidence.
This became clearer to me through my own experiences beyond the classroom. With encouragement from my scriptwriting lecturer, I began stepping into creative projects and competitions. At first, it felt uncertain, even intimidating. But through those experiences, I slowly discovered what truly excites me. Being recognised as an award winner at the Melbourne International Screenplay Awards for Best Short Screenplay was a turning point. It reminded me that growth often begins when we dare to move beyond what feels familiar and that success can take shape in places we never expected.
I have seen this in the experiences of people around me as well. A friend of mine, whose SPM results did not turn out as she had hoped, came to better understand her strengths and chose to pursue a path in the beauty industry. Today, she is taking on clients for makeup services and has even participated in competitions abroad, representing her art and gaining recognition. Her journey reminded me that success is also in discovering your passion and growing where you truly belong.
On the day I received my results, I remember feeling extremely anxious, my hands cold as I held the result slip, hesitating before unfolding it. In that moment, I realised that no one else truly knew the effort I had put in except for myself. Although I did not achieve straight A’s, I knew that I did my very best and had not let myself down.
As my teacher handed me my results, she said this quote that I will always remember, “Life is a series of choices. If one path does not turn out the way you hoped, you can always choose another.” That was when I understood that there are other doors that are waiting to be explored.
To students who have just received their SPM results, it is completely natural to feel a mix of emotions. Whether you feel proud, relieved or disappointed, remember that this is only one part of your journey.
Your schooling years represent countless hours of effort, sacrifice and growth, and every step you take along the way counts. Do not feel trapped by a single set of results. Instead, see it as a starting point to move forward, explore new opportunities and shape the future you want. After all, SPM is just one chapter, what matters most is the story you choose to write next.
