Introducing our High Achieving Students initiative, where we interview nominated students to celebrate their amazing academic and extracurricular achievements! We hope you enjoy and are inspired by the stories to come!
To begin this series, we'd like to introduce you to Jiin-May Ho: a final year Bachelor of Economics student at the University of Adelaide. Here's her story:
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• What are a few of your proudest achievements?
JM: 1) Receiving a double scholarship from the University of Adelaide 2) Being an international student support peer mentor at the University 3) Learning how to do laundry!
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• Reflecting on those achievements, can you emphasize on them and explain what/ how much they mean to you?
JM: 1) In 2013, I had let my 1A from SPM determine that I was a failure. However, I didn’t let that discourage me but instead, I worked extremely hard determined to get good grades to get into a good university. Fast forward one year, I received a double scholarship from the University which meant the world to me because it was living proof that hard work and determination will always pay off. However, my proudest achievement was my 1A because, without it, I would’ve never taken a different journey that shaped who I am today and allowed me to discover my dream.
2) Given the opportunity to be an international student support peer mentor was a huge honor because I got to help new students adjust to University life and also step out of my comfort zone to improve my social skills. However, the best part was the friendships I had formed with my fellow peer mentors whom I can call my family.
3) As for learning how to do laundry, a girl needs to change her outfit, right? Hahaha!
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• What are some of the struggles you have faced in your ‘journey’ towards those achievements?
JM: 1) I faced a lot of doubt and fear because I was afraid that history might repeat itself and I wouldn’t be able to get into a good university. 2) I was terrified on how to approach new students. 3) Let’s just say the dryer and I weren’t besties and it took me three tries to get my laundry done correctly.
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• What is one piece of advice you would give to other Malaysian students who have their sights set on lofty goals and achieving big things?
JM: My advice is to always tell yourself that it is not the end of the world when your life comes crashing down. Things WILL and CAN get better. All it takes is your attitude to be willing to get back up, work hard and persevere because that spirit of not giving up is the key to shaping your own future and who you will become.