Interview with Hillary :D

Ehem, hem, this interview is copyrighted to Ying Ling and me. :D Mahahaha. Here goes! XD

Chia Hui Min and Chin Ying Ling had been asked by Puan Lim Swee Hong to interview Hillary Yap Lok Lee, the top student in Labuan. Here is the summary of the interview:

(From left to right: Hillary, Ying Ling and me!)

YL : Chin Ying Ling

HM : Chia Hui Min

HY : Hillary Yap

HM : Hi, Hillary. I am Chia Hui Min.

YL : Hi. And I am Chin Ying Ling.

YL : Firstly, we would like to congratulate you for getting 12A1’s and became the top student in Labuan.

HY : Thank you.

HM : How did it feel after you received your SPM results? Happy? Relieved?

HY : I was very happy with my results. Actually, I was not really that confident to get straight A’s in SPM because I rarely get an A1 for my history paper.

HM : Who motivated you?

HY : I think mostly it was my mom who motivated me. She guided me through my studies and made sure that I spent time for studying. She also never fails to encourage me every single day. Besides that, the teachers here motivated me too. Puan Hanijah told me once that I would be top student in Labuan if I managed to get straight A’s.

HM : How did you manage to divide your time efficiently between studies and sports?

HY : Well, I usually played sports in the afternoon and did my revision at night. I also went for tuition to polish up my studies. And when exams were just around the corner, I would focus more on my studies.

YL : People expected you to get good results in your SPM. How did you cope with that kind of pressure?

HY : I think is with the motivation from my family and teachers. And with true spiritual too.

HM : I heard that you went to Singapore to study. Which college are you studying in and what course are you taking?

HY : I am currently studying in Catholic Junior College in Singapore and I am taking A Level. It takes 2 years to complete.

YL : So, what subjects are you taking?

HY : Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Economics and General Paper. The General Paper requires a lot of general knowledge. So, I have to read newspapers to keep up with the current issues.

HM : Why did you choose to study in Singapore?

HY : Actually, my aunty introduced the ASEAN scholarship and she helped me to apply for it. I went for the test and interview. However, I didn’t manage to get the scholarship. Instead I got the Merit Awards which enabled me to study in the college with a cheaper fee.

YL : Why did you decide to take A Level instead of enrolling in a foundation course?

HY : I need more time to decide on which course I should take. So, by taking A Level, I have more time to plan for the future.

HM : After completing your A Level, will you stay in Singapore or come back to Malaysia to study?

HY : It depends on my results. I might go to Australia or continue studying in Singapore or come back to Malaysia for further study.

HM : How’s the college life in Singapore?

HY : One thing’s for sure that the life there is very hectic. We study until 4 or 5 in the afternoon. At night, there’s just enough time to finish my homework. It’s very challenging since each of the homework has its time restraints.

(Psst, why do i look weird? =.=??)

YL : What are the differences of the education system in Singapore compared to Malaysia?

HY : In Singapore, the standard of education is generally higher than the one in Malaysia. For example, getting an A1 in English SPM doesn’t mean that it will be the same in Singapore. Also, the co-curriculum is more active, which is twice weekly.

HM : So, which sports are you taking?

HY : Volleyball.

YL : Do you have any pointers for the students?

HY : Well, paying attention in class is very important. You need not to spend too much time in understanding the topic again. You must also revise and do a lot of practices. Practice is important as you will be familiar with the style and format of the papers. And you will know how to answer the questions correctly. This will allow you to be more prepared for the upcoming exams.

HM : Finally, any words of wisdom for the students of SM St Anne.

HY : Firstly, the teachers of SM St. Anne are great. They give good advices and you need not to be afraid to turn to them when you need help. You can consult them personally as sometimes one to one is better for some students. As I said earlier, the most important thing is to pay attention when teacher is teaching. Finally, you must respect your teachers and listen to their advices.

YL : Thank you for the interview.

HM : Thank you and good luck in your future.

HY : Thank you.