MAKING FRIENDS

Hello! My name is Novenna Amanda Binti Lorensius Amabajo with matric number 67044. People used to call me Nov, but right now I prefer Amanda because I find that it is hard for some people to remember ‘Novenna’. Actually, I am from Sabah but my family and I moved to Kuching during 2010. I used to stay apart from my parents since I was in form 1. And to be very honest, I did not expect to get UNIMAS as it was not my first five choices in UPU. UNIMAS was located at the 7^th place. I was so shocked because, if possible I want a university that is not in Sarawak, especially UNIMAS. However, my parents were happy that I got UNIMAS because they really wanted me to be near to them.  

This picture was taken when I was hanging out with my new friends in UNIMAS.

At first, it was hard for me to accept that I will be going to UNIMAS. I thought that I have no friends. Because when I was in matriculation, I did not have many friends. And most of my best friends enter UMS. I was very happy to find out that one of my classmate’s enters UNIMAS and both of us will be in the same course. However, I am not that close with this classmate because I did not really like to talk much and I am a bit worried about it.

I realised that both of us can be a good friends after being together for almost every time after MAP. During MAP, it was hard for us to meet each other because I was joining choir for MRB. Talking about choir, I met more new friends and I can say that almost all of them were from Sabah. And by joining choir, I really hope that I will talk more with people and not going to seclude myself from people anymore. Because I realise that in counselling I need to talk more. And, I did it!

                Moving on for the first week of class, before entering Dr Fa class, we had a few lectures and I almost gave up on counselling. To me, it was hard to accept because this is not my first choice and I also decided that this course was not fun from the start. However, on 20^th September 2018, I felt very happy to enter Dr Fa class. This is because she was able to make me felt comfortable. She is a very caring person towards her students. She even try to make everyone participates in class by asking them to tell our own strength. At first, the class was very quiet but she managed to make us talk by asking us more questions and keep smiling.

   I hope that this change on me could stay as I will be learning counselling for 4 years.

EVERYTHING IS FINE

Hi there! My name is Nuraini Hafizah Binti Wedhuru@Mohd Zahir with a matric number 67260. You all can call me Aini or Aiyai. I was born on 2nd May 1999 at Hospital Melaka, but now I lived at Kota Belud Sabah. My family and I moved to Sabah since I was 8 years old because both of my parents are original Sabahan. This is my first time being in Sarawak. Actually, UNIMAS is my 5th choice. I don't really expect that I will go here. At first, I reluctant to accept it but my mum gives me some advices and motivations then I decided to go. Furthermore, I am curious how does Sarawak look like because I never been here before. I think if I'm not get Unimas, I'll not get a change to go Sarawak. 

At KKIA to send me off

   Now, I want to share my feelings about my first time I came to Sarawak. I am a bit worry and nervous because it was my first time go to some new place alone without any my family members come with me. It will be a lie if I say that I am not feeling disappointed and sad to go alone without anyone accompanied me, but I can understand the issue. My mother just had surgery, so she not feeling well. But, I'm still grateful because my friends from KML are waiting for me at Sarawak's airport. Even I came late evening, they still want to welcome my arrival. So, I 'm not elt that awkward alone. 

   Well, counselling is my sixth choice. I felt a bit down when I saw my UPU's result because I don't get my first's choice to fifth choice. I'll try my best to do better in this course. I believe that there are reasons why I've been choose to this course. So, I've to just follow the flow.

   Lastly, I want to share about my experience for the first time attend class Dr Fa which is Basic Helping Skills(KMC1083). It was on 20 September 2018. I really curious how do the lecturer look like. When Dr Fa entered the class, the first things I see is her smile. It look like she is a loving and caring person. I like to see her smile because when she smile I can see her dimples. It remain me of my mother. It is because my mother also has a deep dimple on her both cheek like Dr Fa. During the lecture, I learned about helpee, helper and the basic skills of helping. I was really enjoyed Dr Fa classes. 

   I hope I can be a successful woman in the future and help other people. I am really grateful to have a family members and friends that always support me to be a better person. 

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF AND WHAT YOU PRAY FOR

Hello everyone! My name is Rolynxia Anak Robert. I was born on 17 August 1998 in W.P Labuan. I left my hometown and moved to Miri, Sarawak. I lived in Miri almost 12 years and the half. There were so much sweet and sour memories that couldn't describe by words. I'm the eldest daughter out of three siblings which is I've younger sister and younger brother. Some people doesn't know how to pronounce my name. Just called me "Xia" or "Rolyn". It's easy to remember. I'm half Chinese and half Iban. I admit that I've blurred facial expression but I'm very talkative and happy go lucky person which is I'm easily approach myself to make friends with others. At first, it isn't easier for me to adapt and communicate with strange people because I've low confidently in order to be better understand but manage to do it. After I was finishing my studies in STPM level, I was working at supermarket in Miri as a cashier.  I've a lot of experiences in my daily life facing with rude customers. Since that day, my life completely change as a student became a employee. I never thought that I'll survive those 7 months working as a cashier with all the dramas and problems around me testing my patience to the limit.

On 29th August 2018, I was received an offer letter from Unimas in counselling program. I was very excited because counselling program was my fourth choices out of twelve. In the same time, I was very disappointed that I wouldn't be able to become a teacher as I dream for. So basically,I managed to apply for UPU and finally got these opportunity walked in interview. The sad things is I failed my interview but it wouldn't stop me to continue my further study. One thing that i always believe, "God plans will always be greater and more beautiful than all ours disappointment."

On 31st 2018, I decided to resign and had to move forward for looking something new. I had conflicted with my previous employers company because i didn't give any early notice before i quit my job. On the next day I went to Kuching with my mom which is on 1st September 2018. I really nervous and worry about how could i'll survive without my parents. I've bad expectation how I supposed to adapt in new environment and meet my new roommate. Otherwise, it's just my expectation , I've managed to adapt to the new surroundings and meet new friends and very kind lectures.

- ROLYNXIA ANAK ROBERT (68419) -

Who Am I?

Hi everyone, my name is Wendy Ting Siew Khin with matric no 68049. You all can call me Wendy. I come from Sibu Sarawak. The reason I choose Unimas as a university to pursue my studies is that Unimas is located in Sarawak which is near to my hometown.

This is my photo with Sally, the first friend I met in Unimas

Now I want to share with you all about my feelings when the first day I come to Unimas. I still remember that when the first day I come to Unimas, I feel very unhappy and I cry after my father goes back to Sibu. I have this feeling because this is the first time I live far away from my family. During that time, I really miss my family and friends in Sibu so much. Besides that, I also cannot adapt myself with the life in university because I have to be independent. After a few weeks in Unimas, I started to adapt myself with the life in university because I understand that everyone is facing the same situation as me.

After STPM results were released in March 2017, I apply for UPU because I want to continue my studies in university and get a degree certificate. During that time, some of my friends keep going ask me what is my interested course. I did not answer their questions because even myself also don't have the answer in my heart. Actually, I ever think about who I want to be in the future but there is no answer in my heart. I apply for UPU and fill in the course selected at the last minute, which is a few days before the due date. I choose counselling course because I think that this course will give me a good job after graduation. After a few weeks I attended the class, I started to regret with my choice. I must admit that I am not interested in this course and I feel very stressful. I think that this course is not suitable for me because it is not fit with my personality. I also not interested to become a counsellor in the future. Now, I have think of my dream course and I wish to change my course. I have think it wisely because I do not want to regret for the second time.

When the first day of Basic Helping Skills class, Dr Fah asked us to think about one of our strengths. From this activity, I get to know the strengths of myself and my friends. My first impression of Dr Fah is I think that she is a good lecturer and she always has a smile on her face. She does not scold the students who sleep in class but instead ask them to wash their face or go out for a walk. In the first class, Dr Fah taught us about helping, helper and helpee. Besides that, Dr Fah also asked us to give feedback about Basic Helping Skills subject after attending the class. For me, I am not sure whether this subject is easy or difficult.

Thank you for taking the time to read. Wish you all the best and have a nice day.

Journey

Assalamualaikum and hello again dear readers! It’s me, Siti Salwanizah (65225).  As you all know, it has been a month and a half I think since all of us came to UNIMAS to continue our studies. Well, it has been hectic throughout those weeks and in week 8, we will have our mid-semester exam. Huh, tiring. Well, that’s normal as a university student. We cannot just down and relax like what we normally do when we were in primary and secondary school. That’s reality hahaha.

Me....

            But forget about that. Let me tell you about what I’ve gained in Basic Helping Skill class until now. I’ve learned about what is the role of a helper and helpee. I’ve learned about what are the skills that a helper should have when doing a helping session such as minimal response, restate, paraphrase and many more. I have also learned what are the Do’s and Don’t when conducting a helping session. In fact, most of the Don’t, I realize I’ve done it many times already or should I say, always… Oh my god! How could I’ve been so wrong? Hahahaha. Alhamdulillah, know that I know about it, I won’t do the same mistake again.. I hope!

            Oh, I also learn a few theories from this class. You know, like Sigmund Freud theories, and person-centered theory. I also learn the theories from my other classes. So, yes. I hope I won’t get it all mixed together Haha.

            For the assignments, I guess all of it is manageable.. In other words, it can be done. If I’m not wrong, there are 4 assignments. 2 individual assignments and the other 2 are group assignments. I’ve done my first assignment and have submitted it. It’s not that hard and I have fun doing it. All the assignments that I’ve done, including my assignments from other subjects, have taught me how important the format is and also the references… Some are to time-consuming and the others aren’t. Fiuh, nerve wrecking catching the deadline…

            Well, that somewhat sums up to all that I’ve been through since day 1. Thanks for reading this. See ya!

            

STICK ON YOUR DREAMS

Hello everyone. My name is SallyTchee Zhin Hui (67625). I am taking a degree in counseling. Why did I choose this course? Let me tell you my reason. I used to have an unhappy childhood. My mother chose to abandon this family when I was 11 years old. Although I was so depressed in that bad days, because my friends and fathers have always given me a lot of encouragement and love, I have gradually turned from a very sensitive and melancholic person into a cheerful and optimistic person. I want to help those who are still living in pain. That's why I choose to study counseling. I learn to show empathy because I’ve been through the same weakness. When I knew that I had to get this course, I was really happy and grateful for the opportunity God had given me. I hope that I can continue to learn and progress in these four years and become a qualified counselor.

Next, I want to share my feeling when attending first class Basic helping skills (KMC1083). I have been to this class on 20 September 2018. I feel very excited to know more about basic helping skills because before that I never heard of.  When I first time heard this course name, I thought this subject is about some basic medical knowledge. In fact, this is the subject that teaches about some techniques in counseling. I am very interested in this course. Every time Dr. Fa lectures, I can always learn a lot of things about counseling. I also like to listen to Dr. Fa to share her life story, especially her coaching experience because I can learn many things about it.

Lastly, I am grateful to have my father who always by my side. He always supporting and believing in me. When everyone tells me that after I finished my degree in counseling, it is difficult for me to find a job. Everyone advised me to consider other courses such as human resources, accountants and so on. But only my father fully supports me. He respects my choice and tells me: "Don't influence your decision because of other people's opinions. Just stick your dream and determine that you’re going to make them true. Dad knows that it is what you like to do. One day you will become the person you want to be. I will always support you.” Dad’s encouragement and support make me become braver. I hope that I can become a counselor who can help others.

Sally Tchee Zhin Hui (67625)

Turn To Be Better

Have you ever wondered why you are here? Well, I have. Not that long ago I tried to deny reality and just stop everything there... Wait. Hold up, boys and girls! I didn’t mean it in a bad way. Haha!

            Assalamualaikum and hello dear readers! I am Siti Salwanizah binti Tujuh (65225). I am currently in my first year taking a degree of counseling. Before this, I studied at Pra-U Unimas for my foundation year in life science course at the east campus. Let me share a little bit about my life there before I tell you guys why I choose my title like that. Okay, when I came to Sarawak for the first time, I really didn’t know what to expect. I did hear about Sarawak a little bit from my teachers (I have two teachers from Sarawak but both speak English). I continued my study here without any friends of relatives. So I basically just shut my doors. I didn’t really tried to highlight myself(low profile) and always hide behind my new friends. And what I can tell you what I get from one year in Foundation is it feels like I am in a dorm. Just like a secondary school that lives in the dorm but in somewhat slight different, that is not strict. The student can go out freely at night and wander around college freely sometimes. I didn’t like going out that much so I didn’t know many people and I always stick to the same people I know. To conclude my life at that time, I am not that active and not sociable. Seriously.

            But it’s not all that bad actually. My one year experience in my foundation year is helping me in living my degree life. I didn’t feel threaten or afraid at all when I start to enter my degree life because I survive foundation year, so I am capable to continue the journey. Even though I know that my close friends in foundation year are taking a different course from me and I couldn’t depend on them already, I have more self-confidence in degree than in foundation year. I feel like I need to become someone more sociable and active as I know I need to start believing in myself and stop depending on someone else. I join many programs and get to know new people. I wanted to learn new things and show people what I am capable of.

            Basic helping skill class was the second class that I entered in my degree life. When I entered basic helping skill class, I get to know many people from my course. The lecturer briefly introduced herself. Then the first activity was to introduce ourselves and share what is our strength. Quite nerve wrecking I tell you. I really thought that “oh, I should make a good first impression, so I gather my courage and just say what I think about myself. Fiuhhh, it when well, thanks Allah. After that, the lecturer briefly explains what’s her subject is about and tell us about all the assignment and what to do and expect throughout the semester. I am both excited and scared of the assignment because to me, that’s quite a lot of assignment and some of them really need to apply all the skills that will be learned throughout the lecture. I just hope that I can manage to do all of it… Fighting!! Ganbate!!