SPM leavers. A tittle I have gained after successfully went through the battles of wits with the Lembaga Peperiksaan and came home in one piece. Though the outcome of the battle is not yet published, I can at least relax my mind after a few years of constant struggles - at least that's what I thought.

The 2014 public examinations, i.e PT3 and SPM had a change in format. With PT3 a totally new and unfamiliar format, a descendant of the previous PMR left people in shocked with its unamusing results. Though public were told not to compare both PMR and PT3, but we can't help but wonder the effectiveness of this new system which really emphasise the importance of Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS). On the other hand, the application of HOTS in SPM was said to only start on the 2015's SPM but it seems like they forgot to mention that the 2014 SPM takers are going to be the lab rat experiment for the minor HOTS questions. Though minor as it seems, with no actual exposure to the new system, the 2014 SPM takers were shocked at the sudden changes - including me.

The HOTS system was formatted to produce youths with great critical thinking skills and maturity, which is what I actually wanted to talk about. Maturity.

As I previously mentioned, I thought I was going to get an enjoyable holidays after SPM is over. A hasty assumption made. Rather, I was exposed to the world of the adults and grown ups. Although its just a small part of the adulthood but with no warning or preparation of what's it like to be adults, the 'Welcome to the Adult World' seems like an entrance to the ghost house.

Since we are no longer going to school, we no longer get allowance which opens up the new reality of life. NO EFFORT, NO MONEY. With expensive driving lessons fees and soon to be college fees in mind, we can't help but feel sorry to our parents.

SPM results are just around the corner and we, of course want the best of results. The BEST grades to ensure IPTA college placements with scholarship or sponsorship hopefully. And here comes another scary part of graduating high school. Finding your path in life. Even if you know what you want to be, achieving it can be challenging. Especially if you come from a normal family with standard income. I you want to become a doctor, you can't expect your parents to pay for it. You have to aim for scholarships. But aiming for scholarships is easy, getting one is the toughest part. Or the worse case is that you don't even know what you want to do or what interests you, and just try to go with the flow - hoping that fate will fare you well. Either way, its a major headache.

For the SPM leavers, good luck in starting over in this adult world. I hope fate will fare both you and me well. Anyhow, the future is abstract and not us to see but rather to experience when the right time comes.

xoxo, Sol.