Focus on the positive

SUCCESS is not final, failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts, the late British Prime Minister Winston Churchill once said. This saying resonates with Keethanjeli Palaniyappan, 22, who was recently awarded the President’s List Award for her excellent achievement in her studies at MSU College.

Scoring a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.00, or four flat, for three consecutive semesters, she owes her success to her family, lecturers and friends. She said this award is especially meaningful as all her hard work over the years has paid off.

“I would not be where I am today without the blessings of God and both my parents who have always encouraged me to work hard, be humble and pursue my dreams.

“Family, friends and lecturers helped me throughout the three years of my studies. My success is their success too,” said Keethanjeli.

“Earning my diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology did not come easily. I faced challenges and hardships, but I have always found a way to persevere and overcome adversity.

“Everyone faces hardships and has low points in their lives, but they need to work harder during those times, focus on the positive, and forget about the negativity of the circumstance that they are facing.”

Sharing her secret to success, Keethanjeli said: “I rarely burn the midnight oil or do lastminute revision as I believe in concentrating during classes and I take the opportunity to ask the lecturer on the spot if I don’t understand certain topics.

“Focusing during classes is better than lastminute revision. After class, I made notes to help me study.”

The Penang born intends to pursue a degree in biomedicine at MSU

University in Shah Alam. Meanwhile she is undergoing practical training for six months at Penang General Hospital.

“Being in the medical lab is my passion, and I am excited to see where it takes me next,” she added.

In the case of Sabahan Ronie Boy Voo, 20, he has to be smart in juggling his duties as president of the Students’ Representative Council and his studies at MSU College in Sarawak in order to maintain his grades.

A Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering student, Ronie scored a CGPA of 4.00 in his previous semesters and continued to do well this semester by obtaining a CGPA of 3.91.

“Juggling my responsibilities as president and a student is difficult but I am handling them pretty well. I just need to focus,” he said.

Ronie has two more semesters before he graduates. He plans to further his degree in the same field at MSU University.

MSU College recently held the President’s List award ceremony to laud students’ excellent achievement for the 2015 and 2016 academic years.

The event was also held to instil a culture of excellence into achievers and further motivate them to embrace competitiveness.

Thirty-nine students received the award based on their CGPA of 3.75 and above, which they garnered from three consecutive semesters.

Award receivers pursued various courses at MSU College in branches such as Shah Alam, Sentral, Ampang, Terengganu, Seremban, Sungai Petani, Sabah, Sarawak, Penang and Kota

Baru.

I faced challenges and hardships, but I have always found awaytopersevere and overcome adversity.”