Four economics papers in a week!

Yeayy I have finally finished my fourth semester! Wuhuuuu! I'm feeling great despite my lack of sleep. I have been really busy. My schedule obviously extremely packed. Lots of things to do. After one task done and another tasks were coming. It was extremely difficult but I'm loving it. I honestly love to keep myself busy and I love the feeling of being productive. In this post, I just want to sum up everything in short. Nothing particular. I'll be talking about each subjects, what is it like? How I study? How do I find motivation when things were getting difficult? What works for me and what does not. All these things are coming in my next post. InshaAllah (If God wills it)

This semester's final exams was not as different as compared with previous semester. The final exam timetable is literally not much of a gap just like previous semesters. We economics students only had a day or two days gap before next paper is coming. I'm so jealous with other courses as they have plenty of time to study as we were in a rush! On the bright side, we finished earlier! And also fully utilized our time to study because we literally had so many things to catch up.

This semester subjects I have taken International Economics, Macroeconomics Analysis, Managerial Economics and Econometric. Believe or not we had to sit for these subjects final exams within a week! I had only a day gap between International Economics and Managerial Economics. Following with two days gap between Econometric and Macroeconomics Analysis.

(I will be sharing with you my exam results and if I do well I'll be sharing with you how I study as well. Otherwise, I'll be sharing with you what you should not have done so you won't have to face exam results like I do.) For most people they find exam results are pretty personal. But I honestly don't. I don't mind sharing my results. Even if I'm not doing well, it does not mean I'm a failure. It does not mean that I do not deserve to live in this world. What matters is what have I learnt along the way. If you do not do well in exams do not worry. Maybe, it's not meant for you. Better things are coming, so focus on those!

During Managerial Economics's lecture with Prof Madya Zaidi.

Last lecture and picture time! Since it was Eid, Prof Madya Zaidi and the boys were wearing Baju Melayu (traditional malay clothes) 

During fasting month of Ramadhan, me and my classmates.

Last Macroeconomics Analysis's lecture with Mrs Fatimah Setapa. We had a quiz before this picture was taken. Everyone was messed up! We couldn't answer the questions but we smiled anyway. 😁

Last International Economics's lecture with Dr Siti Badariah. Those three boys were attempting to be cute. Not a chance buddies!😂

*No photos with Econometric's lecturer. We literally forgot to ask for pictures.

I guess that's all folks! Happy Eid Mubarak to all my muslim readers. And for those who just finished final exams (like myself), Happy Semester Break yall!! Take care. 😊

Happy Birthday Ayah

Thank you for all the things you have sacrificed for all of us. We love you unconditionally. You have shown us such a great example to be followed. You have been working so hard to make our life and others so much easier. You have reduced tons of our burdens and carry by yourself without asking for a single help from anyone other than The Almighty. You have inspired us in tremendous ways. We are so grateful to be given such a wonderful father who taught us the importance of education for women and also what it takes to be successful. We have realized and completely understood the implied reasons on the methods of parenting you have practiced upon us. Certainly, we are grateful and thankful for the uncountable efforts you have put on. There are no such ways we can do to show that how much we love you and to repay your kindness as we are normal human beings with tremendous in-capabilities except by praying to The most gracious and merciful, Allah SWT. May he will be placing you and your wife at the highest level in his paradise and pays you with everything he has to offer, certainly he knows what best for you. Ameen. 💖

I had been left out at University

University sounds great. Yes it is. It is great. Unfortunately, not everyone thinks uni is great. Especially being a full time student who sticks in campus for years. If you are surrounded with amazing people that you think they are amazing, then your life at uni is great! Please not forgetting there are minorities who have been struggling with their life at uni. They are crying pretty much every single day, wonder if such situations they are facing are not happening in real life and begging to end before they know it.

And here was my life in freshman year. Before I jump into my freshman year story, i would like to tell you a bit about my character before hand. I am friendly, outspoken and resilient. I can get along with strangers easily and i know exactly how to introduce myself. I have to say my social skill is pretty good. Unfortunately, social skill itself is not guaranteed you are not going to be left out.

Here was my life in freshman year. I always by myself all the time. I was studying alone, going to classes alone, eating at the cafeteria alone and etc. I have not belong to any group of people, in fact i also do not have close friends (buddy). I am not a quiet person, in classes or lectures I do have friends. But only during academic period. After classes/lectures I have no one to hang out with. I felt like I had been left out, I felt empty and lonely. I felt like nobody wants to make friends with me and nobody sees me as a person. I did felt offended at first, where my classmates hanging out but never had a second thought to ask me to join them. Eventually, I get used to it and couldn't even bothered anymore. At first, I thought it did not last long. "Well, its a freshman year, what to expect." Let me tell you, it lasts until today. I am now currently in my forth semester. 😂

In fact, I also have met minorities who could relate. They had to face exactly what I have said. But one of them even worst. Until she had to quit and changed her course as her classmates left her out. She was lonely and had no friends at Uni. Plus, she was struggling with study at the same time. She had been crying all day all night long, she couldn't handle it anymore and she decided to quit. Her classmates were not even be bothered to get along with her. I feel so sorry for her as I know exactly how she feels.

Back to my story, I was praying all day all night long, asking my Lord if he could give me friends so I do not feel alone and have someone to hang out with as I live far away from my parents. I have realized, the problem was not me. I definitely can talk to people, introducing myself and socializing. The problem was that nobody feels like I was part of them. That's why they do not even bothered to invite me to be part of them whenever they had agendas, But, I did get calls and messages whenever they needed help in terms of academic. And I am happy to help (except for one, I felt so bad because I refused to help my classmates when they were in need).

After freshman year had past, I had been told by someone that she had heard a lot about me (bad things). I was shocked. I thought that I was invisible. Nobody knew me. Surprisingly, I was wrong. I was quiet overwhelmed with the cheap rumors about me. First, they said I was chasing over this boy. Second, I did not do my part in group work and so many more. Only these two I can remember. I was laughing and speechless at the same time. I had no idea how the heck are these coming from. Even though, I can tell who's invented these in the first place. But, like it matters. After I have heard all these things, I have realized that there are reasons if you do not get what you have wanted, Yes I did not have close friends. But let say I did, does this type of friends worth it? I am sorry, I don't think so. Besides, I am sooooo grateful I do not have any close relationship with people who carry bad characteristics and attitudes. Since then, I have realized Allah Swt has protected me from bad things. Things that you want or seems nice are not necessarily good for you.

Whoever's reading this, if you feel you have no friends,left out, feel lonely, alone, betrayed, hurt, empty and so much more. Please do not prolong the sadness. Certainly, there are reasons behind it. Perhaps, there are no good for you. You should be grateful because you have been protected. Avoid toxic people who certainly do not belong in your life, Keep doing your thing where you think its important to your life. Ask help through prayers and patience.

Love always. 💙

10 things I do to achieve my goals and happiness

Hello everyone. I have been soooo busy. Finally, I have time to write as a reward for all the hard work I have done. 😊

Last post i've posted about study tips or how i study economics generally. If you haven't read it, click here.

In this post, I'm going to tell you based on my beliefs/thoughts regarding what have made me to achieve a dean's award. I had achieved multiple dean's awards through out my study in public policy school. And I am so grateful that Allah swt has given me an opportunity to achieve it again in business school as well. I have noticed, I have achieved my goals and made me happy when I do such "things". Which is the purpose of this writing is to share with you what are the things that I have done that I strongly believe have made me where I am standing. Working hard is one thing. Although, I am not going to talk about how hard you should be working, but being a better individual should you be working on. I am happy to share with you(whoever's reading until the end). Plus, I hope you'll learnt something from it.

Here are my beliefs.

1. Pray harder.
I know you've been working hard, studying like crazy until late night. Read all those thick text books with hundreds of pages. Yes, it works and it's good for you in the long run. But still, pray harder than what you have been put on your efforts. Ask him anything what you want. Do not limit your prayers. If you are ambition enough to do all those complicated things and achieve things that you have not achieved before, then pray harder than you used to.

I once prayed that I passed this particular exam. And I really did passed. Yes, only passed! Not excelled. Since then, whenever I pray. I pray harder. I ask him everything that seems impossible to me. If I have not gotten any of those prayers, that's fine too. Knowing that I've done my best through working and praying.

2.Do things with good intention.
Everything that you do goes back to your intention. And I wish I have known this since I was in primary school. Nobody tells me this until I went into public policy school. Since than, my way of thinking has changed.

We all can do the same things, but we all have different intentions. Ask yourselves why are you doing all these things. What are your purposes? If you work hard and want to excel in your field in order to show that you are better or superior than anybody else. Well, that's not good. You need to change your intention. Certainly, Allah swt knows what's in your heart. He knows what you want and why do you do it. If its not good, perhaps he wont giving it to you because it's not good for you.

3.Treat your parents nicely.
As a full time student, I barely have time to go home and spend quality time with my parents and family. I have missed lots of family events just because I have had tons of work load to do. I have to sacrifice my time with my loved ones. Due to that, I always keep in touch with my parents especially my mom. Make time to call and text her. And also not forgetting my sisters and my nephew. I try to treat them nicely with intention that he rewards and bless me for what I have done.

4.Be nice to each other.
Other than your family, you should not forgotten your friends or whoever you have met. Be nice to them even though what you have done seems no point of doing so or too simple. Smiling for example. I realize not everyone loves or wants to smile. Even though it takes nothing in your pocket to smile. Yet, it still hard to do it. Or sometimes, you've smiled but only to certain people. Why is it so hard than to smile to everyone?

5.Help those who in need.
Some people are asking for favors, and some are clearly taking advantage on you. But that's okay. Your purpose of living is not to please them. If you can ease someones burden even just a bit and you are certainly competent enough to do it. Why not? Perhaps, Allah swt rewards you with something you have not thought about it.

6.Be happy towards others achievements/accomplishments.
Okay, this is crucial. When you surround yourself with people who have common goals as you or as ambitious as you are, you might have friends who are not feeling comfortable with your accomplishments. Perhaps, you are one of them. I tell you what, stop it. Be happy for them for what they have achieved. This will give you inner satisfaction and also motivates you to be better. Your day will come as long as you are not giving up.

7.Trust him.
Trust, trust, trust, trust and trust. Trust Allah swt for what he has written for you. Stay and try to keep your faith in him as he makes no mistakes. Believe in him and believe in yourself no matter how hard things are for you. Things are meant for you will come to you no matter what. However, things are not meant for you will not stay. Everything happens for reason(s). Just believe in him. He is testing you. One day, you'll look back and think none of these really matter. There are so many other things that are way more significant than what you had gone through.

8.Have patience.
Plus, this is proportionately related to previous point. Trust and patience come together. If you trust him, you need to be patience. Some say good things come in a small package, well I do not. For me, good things come in trust and patience. Life is full of blessings and so do the testings. Patience helps you develop positive thinking simultaneously eliminate negative thoughts. He knows exactly what to give to his slaves and when is the right time to give, but not us. We do not know. We humans even make mistakes. How can we know everything?

9.Speak good things.
I know this is hard even I'm still struggling to speak only good things. But still I have to try no matter what. I try to speak only good things and hoping good things come back towards me. If you are surrounded with people who love to say bad things about others or yourself, I guess it's time to find new friends. They have influenced you no good. Or try to stay away from them. I honestly sick of people complaining about others. And I honestly wont consider to listen. I just don't want to listen as I think it gives no benefits to me. I rather stay alone rather than complaining about others bad attitudes or problems. I feel like those things are part of my shortcomings. But those things are not. Those things are not belong in my life. In fact, I wont let them be.

10.Love others unconditionally.
Finally, regardless of burdens have been on your shoulders for ages, love others as much as you love yourself. Regardless how hard people have been on you, keep the love by praying for them. By praying for others help to develop self-love and love towards others. We all have struggles, we all have different stories. What matters is we do. What we do defined who we are. If we love others, it shows that we love ourselves. This also helps in fighting stress and depression. When you love others, you'll love yourself even more. You wont do things that hurt others and also yourself. Well, at least this helps me. And I am happy to share with you.

I may not know what you have gone through and what you really want in life. But I know you can do this. We all can. Allah swt will never over burden his own slaves if they are not competent for such burdens. 💗

How to study microeconomics effectively

Hello everyone.  😉

Today's post I thought that i want to share with you how I study for Microeconomics for undergrad. I am happy to share with you what I had done in order for me to get an A /4.0 for microeconomics. For those who new here, I'm an economics undergrad student. Last semester had been intense for me to be honest. I was crying during final exams. Thank God, everything went very well. In fact, the result that came out was quiet unexpected. To be honest, I was not expected to get an A in Microeconomics, but I do know that I worked really hard. Excuse the other subjects please. This post is specifically for Microeconomics. 😁

1. Attending to all lectures.
Please attend classes even though you're late. This is because your professors are going to explain all those complex theories which are quite difficult for you to understand by your own. Since, economics consists of theories, applications, mathematics and graphs. If you don't understand how to calculate, please do ask your professors instantaneously.

2. Write and draw them down.
You have to write your notes handwritten and draw the complex graphs by yourself. This is crucial because even though you already understand how the graphs work, for instance why the slope is shifting to the right/left or etc, but it does not mean that you can actually draw it by yourself. Simply look at the textbook or how your professors are drawing are absolutely not enough. If you think you can draw them, trust me, You really don't.

(This photo is taken from google. It is purposely for an example.)

3. Do past papers as much as you can. 
Practice, practice, and practice. Do them by yourself. Try to find the answers by yourself, instead of copying your friends' answers. Even though, you are copying directly from the textbook, but at least you are striving to find the answers by yourself compared to your friends find the answers for you. No ones are going to spoon feeding you. You have to work for them.

4. Explain the theories out loud.
This helps for you to understand and memorize the material quickly and easily. However, in order for you to maintain the knowledge in the long run, there is no other ways other than understand them well enough. Or you could explain to your friends and classmates. Perhaps, this might helps them as well.

5.Apply those theories with your surroundings.
Apply those principles according to your environment. Make it simple. Whatever that relates to you based on your interest, apply them with microeconomics. This helps you for your essays section, where you have to give examples based on your understanding. If you already have examples that could relate with your interest, it will be much easier for you to understand and remember.

6. Do not memorize.
This is what lots of economics students do, they memorize instead of understanding the materials down. There is no such thing that you can memorize all those graphs at hand. No way, you'll go nuts. The graphs are tremendously complicated. In fact, the questions are going to test your understanding by alter some of the characteristics. This is to see either you are able to explain it well and draw the graphs based on the situations.

7. Write in your own words.
This is crucial for you in order to tell either you can write the essays without relying on the textbooks and notes. It looks quite easy by reading your notes or textbooks. But when it comes to the test or exams. You just can't answer the questions even though you had studied enough. Writing skill is crucial when it comes to any essays. In order to get them right, unfortunately is by write them right. If your first language is not English, it is okay if your grammar is incorrect. Through out the time by lots of writing practices, it will improves eventually.

8. Ask your professors for your mistakes.
If you don't get your answer correct, ask your professors what are your mistakes. This is crucial for you to learn from your mistakes. There is no point of doing the exercises again and again if you keep repeating the same mistakes. Every time you get your tests/quizzes, ask them why do you didn't get full marks.

In conclusion, regardless whatever you do, work hard because life is hard. No ones are going to help you other than yourself. Be consistent and be discipline. My dad always tell me that if you want to be successful, you have to be discipline. Best of luck 😘

Life lessons that I've learnt

Hello everyone. Happy New Year. May this year is going to be full with his blessings. InshaAllah :)

The reason i'm writing this is to remind me of my mistakes that i had done in the past as my remembrance and also hopefully whoever's reading this finds something beneficial.

I don't know about you, but i'm gonna tell yall a bit of myself. I honestly do not have lots of friends. I can defined myself as an independent individual. I have already get used to it due to my upraising. I live with one of the rules.

 "Go for quality friends not quantity"

I always keep telling myself that friends are crucial. They are going to make a huge impact on myself. Due to that, i have to be extremely careful when choosing friends. I always tell myself that i am going to pick my friends like i'm picking up my makeup stuff, but way moreeeeeeee careful and choosy. And that's why i literally don't have much friends. I guess i do have lots of friends but they are not close enough.

However, i do have friends and i feel like they're more likely as sisters to me. But honestly, i can count them with my fingers. 

I guess I have never told anyone about it, but we all messed up sometimes or most of the times. Including me i must say. I used to be extremely sad because someone i barely know left me. At that time i certainly had no idea why i had to be so sad. I keep telling myself that i am so grateful with everything i have. I guess since i was in my public policy school i have this kinds of issue where i feel so sad because i dont get what i want. As i'm growing up i feel like this issue is going to happen in my life anyway. The difference is that what are the "things" of making me feel sad about. The "things" are vary from times to times. Even though i know for fact that Allah swt gives me things that i need the most instead of things i want the most. But it is certainly easier said than done.

It is extremely hard for me to deal with it. Every single day i wake up and i feel sad. Plus, i'm comparing my life with everyone else's life where i see happiness which i don't see in myself. Until to that extend i feel like probably this is my life, I'm going to feel this forever. But the feeling of sadness is sort of like ups and downs. It's not consistent. Sometimes i feel okay sometimes it is sort of coming back. And let's be honest, I think i have never found anyone who can give me somethings sort of advice/motivation that satisfy me 100%. Until I read the Holy Quran translation and i've gotten my answers. Somethings that could relate to me, answering my questions and thoughts that have made me wondering all these times and in fact something unbeatable. It really satisfy me more than 100%. And i wish someone has told me about it earlier. Due to that, probably things were different.

Besides, i also have things where things do not turn out the way i want them to be. Honestly, it is really frustrating. I can say that i felt like i didn't want to be existed anymore. One thing  that keeps me stay is my faith. That's all i can say. I know things happen for reasons. The reasons why are certainly something i have no idea. But i keep thinking positive where Allah swt has better plans for me and it's fine to cry. I feel lonely. I feel no one can helps me out. No one feels me. But i know he knows and he's listening. I know he loves me that's why he's testing me every single day. I know that the "thing" that makes me sad is definitely going to happen anyway. Perhaps, it might be different. But the feeling that i'm feeling regardless of different "thing" is definitely the feeling that he wants me to feel. What i'm trying to say is that i will feel it no matter what. It's the causes of what make me sad perhaps may be vary. So, why i have to be continuously feel sad. Things are meant to happen. That feeling is meant to feel.

Prior to that, what should i do? My answer is hold on to your faith tightly. As close as you can. Do not forget where you belong. You belong to him, to him you put your trust. Just trust him, Trust him as much you trust him let you breath every single day without you realize that you're actually breathing without controlling it. Who controls it? Who has the power to do that? Certainly, we all know the answer. Same goes to the other things. He has the authority to plan what he wants, Everything he says is definitely going to happen. When you feel that means you care. When you don't feel that means you don't care. I can talk about this for ages. All i can say, regardless what happens hold on to your faith, stop crying, stop thinking about what makes you sad because it does not do you any good, do not take too much time try to calm yourself down, instead, get up and enhance your strength. Keep doing good things and striving your goals. Make sure one of your goals is to achieve a place for you and your family in paradise because we all know this world will end soon. Certainly, my family and i need a better place to stay. Hihi :)

I'll add more afterwards. It's time to sleep. Gotta go! Adios Amigos.
Thank you for reading until the end of this post. I wish you and your loved ones are doing well. Alhamdulillah :)
Peace be upon you :)

The end of week-14 and the beginning of study week.

Hello my friend,

I've been busy with assignments, tests, quizzes, presentations and etc. There were so many things needed to be done within the limited period of time given. And it was ridiculous! Surely, lack of sleep yet need to wake up early to catch up for other things coming up. Finally, after struggling and juggling from week-1 until week-14. Here comes to an end of the academic weeks. And say hello to study week (which I'm not ready, but let's pretend I'm ready).

To sum up, from week-1, obviously week-1 was quite freely and steady. However, when it comes to the middle of academic weeks, things became quite complicated. I can say, I slept averagely at 2-3 am in the morning. That's pretty normal for me.

Parts that I certainly enjoyed the most were English presentations and statistical methods lectures. I think it's quite relaxing compared to other assessments. Of course, there were times where I felt not motivated at all to do homework and exercises. Since, economics is a quantitative subject, massive amounts of homeworks and calculations needed to be done. I always try to finish my homework a couple days before as I'm a slow learner. Sometimes, I had to postponed my works (I should not have to) due to other important things needed to be submit early.

Here are the pictures of me and my classmates through out the semesters.

Me and my classmates during our last class and test with Dr Rosilawati. She teaches us Intermediate Microeconomics/ EC0539. 

This is how intermediate economics looks like. But this is quite okay (I think) 

Miss Zuraidah Derasit teaches me Quantitative Business Analysis. Thank god, I switched classes because I love her teaching style. It suits me really well. Yeayyy!

Arabic class with Ustaz Ramlee.

Here comes my favorite part among all the pictures. Me and Dr Chuah Soo Cheng. She teaches me Statistical Methods/ECO541. In fact, she's also my academic adviser.  She's definitely one of my favorite lecturers. (No offence, all of my lecturers are my favorite, but this is quite special case lol)

Atiqah is one of my economics friends. She's nice ,sweet and friendly. We're actually from different groups.

My project paper teammates with Dr Chuah Soo Cheng.

I actually have so many things to share. Perhaps next time would be great. Thanks for scrolling down and reading everything through out the end. 

Nevertheless, I wish all the best to all my friends for your finals and future endeavors. I apologize for my mistakes, weaknesses, selfishness and anything in between. I really hope we all make use of the knowledge that we have learnt all these times for good and intentionally for him, the most gracious and most merciful. Certainly, university ends but learning does not. Embrace the knowledge for the benefits of ourselves, families, friends, societies and everyone in this world who needed. That's all that matters. Regardless of our results and cgpa, certainly there are so many things out there to learn other than books. 

Until next post, thank you. :)

****(All the photos are mine, please ask my permissions if you want to use them)