Careers Day

Waiting for the next batch of students

This was the second time I volunteered to talk to students at Idlan’s and Irfan’s school. An intimate session with the Year 11 students who were making their A-level subject choices. I missed the event last year due to work and calls. This year seemed to suit my diary better.

The morning started off with parents having sessions with the current A-level students trying to have a taste of what they were going through and what the school had to offer in terms of University applications and course choices post A levels. Anita was there with Idlan. In the end, it sounded pretty certain that Idlan was interested in Maths and Economics. The third subject was still up in the air at the moment, but it looked unlikely that he will take up Medicine.

After that session was done, it was my turn. I was one of the 17 volunteer parents for the morning, four of whom were Doctors. There were four sessions, with up to seven students per ten-minute session.

I spent the time showing slides on my iPad about my A-level journey, my University years in England and how I finally got to where I am today - the ugly truth and all. A few of the students looked set to read Medicine, and I told them what to expect. It will be a long and often brutal journey.

View of the new sixth form centre and Sports Complex

Lots of question in the end, and by the time I was done, I had to rush back to Subang as I had the afternoon clinic to run. Anita was at the car park waiting for me as she thought my session would just take an hour. It turned out to be a couple in the end, and it was too late for me to join her for lunch.

A very fruitful morning and the next time I volunteer, I would sure be cancelling the afternoon clinic. When I was deciding on what to do after my SPM, I did not have this opportunity. And frankly, I was not even clear what I wanted to do, or the opportunity I would have on offer. That was in the past. At least now, both Idlan and Irfan had some idea of what they can try to achieve and all I can do as a parent, would be to support them. Although everybody was hoping that they would take up Medicine.