Taking on the next challenge
School-leavers have to decide on the next pathway after receiving their SPM results.
FOR the last 17 years, triplets Dhivaashiny Makendren, Divesh Makendren and Diinesh Makendren have studied together in the same primary and secondary schools although they were in separate classes most of the time.
What they look forward to next is moving onto university.
As they have different ambitions, they are unlikely to end up in the same university.
The eldest of the triplets and the only girl, Dhivaashiny obtained 9A+ in the 2017 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) at SMK Alam Damai in Kuala Lumpur. She was also named as one of the top students in Kuala Lumpur.
For her, starting university marks the beginning of independence.
“We’ve been together since young and have done everything with each other; from staying back in the library to study History because we were weak in the subject to taking part in the same activities. “Separation is inevitable. “However, while we look forward to enrolling in different varsities, I feel this is the moment we make new friends without being dependent on each other,” she said in excitement.
Dhivaashiny wants to study at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and is trying to decide on veterinary medicine, architecture or computer science.
Divesh who is the eldest male triplet, scored 8As and 1B in the SPM.
He feels that the time spent apart will not only make them more independent, but assist them in making wise decisions.
“Being triplets, we always stick to ourselves in social gatherings.
“Time apart from each other will force us to venture out of our comfort zone and communicate with others,” he said.
Divesh who is hoping to enter Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) to study either chemical engineering or electrical and electronics engineering, is interested in becoming a professional footballer.
“UKM has a very talented team of footballers who are currently playing in the Malaysia Premier League; I will have to train hard and be consistent in order to achieve my goals,” he said.
Diinesh, who is the youngest among the triplets, obtained 4As and 5Bs in the SPM.
He plans to study Computer Science in Universiti Tenaga Nasional (Uniten).
“We consider ourselves as close friends.
“When it came to studies, my sister was our mentor and she consistently encouraged us to work smart,” he said.
While the siblings studied according to their own styles, Divesh said being triplets was definitely an advantage as they were always there to assist each other in topics they didn’t understand.
The next step for Dhivaashiny and Divesh is to pursue a Foundation in Science in UPM and UKM respectively while Diinesh plans to do a Foundation in Computer Science in Uniten.
Growing up in a family that values the importance of education, Divesh commended their parents for their support.
Echoing Divesh, Dhivaashiny said their parents have never compared them to each other and often helped the triplets in their studies.
Diinesh said their parents allowed them to excel at their own pace.
“They also understood that we will succeed if we are allowed to pursue our interests,” he added.
The triplets were among the 443,883 candidates who sat for
their SPM last year.
Meanwhile, Sharifah Zeynah Al Hadad was one of the students who obtained straight As at SMK Convent Bukit Nanas in Kuala Lumpur.
“I wasn’t expecting straight As as I found Biology, History and Add Maths very challenging,” said Sharifah Zeynah who scored 8A+ and 3As.
Due to her anxiety, she hardly slept the night before the results were released.
Sharifah Zeynah plans to become a doctor as she loves science and wants to help those in need.
SMK Convent Bukit Nanas principal Rosemand Lawrence said 228 students sat for the SPM last year.
Sixteen obtained straight As, eight with 8As, seven with 9As and 10 obtained 10As.
She said the school’s average grade improved from 3.28 from the previous year’s exam to 3.19 in 2017.
A lower score indicates better performance.
“Our teachers conducted programmes according to our students’ capabilities.
“We focused on the techniques of answering exam questions and also invited experienced teachers from other schools to give a different perspective,” said Rosemand.
She also met with each of the Form Five classes to find out how the school could improve its programmes to meet their needs.
Pravena Sreetharan, who obtained 10As and 1C, found the Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) questions difficult.
Despite getting a C for Add Maths, she was ecstatic with her results.
The aspiring lawyer commended her teachers for their dedication, stating they would come in before school started and stay on till after school hours to coach the students in subjects they struggled with.
Obtaining 9A+ and 2As came as a sweet surprise for Yenn Kay Chan, who was also the school’s best student.
Yenn who’s undecided about what she wants to study next, said she did her revision by identifying the areas of a subject she was weak in.
Shazreen Nadia Teh who scored 9As and 1B, thanked her teachers for their help, saying they went all out to support the students and even communicated via Whatsapp.