I Have Graduated! + Updates

Assalamualaikum, everyone! I'm back after yet another loooong hiatus. I don't even think there's any readers left, but I still want to keep writing to spill my thoughts somewhere.

I don't know if I've mentioned, but this year is actually my last year of secondary school! Just a few days ago, my batchmates and I graduated, all at 16, after taking our IGCSEs. We've worked hard for so many years, and we're finally out of the first phase of our lives!

Out of 9 people, 8 of us have been at SAIS since primary, out of which 7 had stayed as long as 10 years! There's even someone who had stayed since kindergarten. Now, we all have grown, in more ways than one, of course!

As the second batch of Dar-Izzah (more like, the last of the first batch, as my friends say), we've had to encounter quite a lot of obstacles, be it in class or out. We have struggled together, learning new things while discovering ourselves and our relationship with others. It had been magical, truly. But I'm not gonna lie, I'm glad it's over.

It felt like it wasn't long ago that we all whined about graduating early. Now? We're already applying for colleges! (Or preparing for SPM next.) Speaking of that, alhamdulillah, I've been accepted to KYUEM just recently, please pray for my wellbeing, and for my results to satisfy the requirements as well so I can continue studying there after my first semester!


I've learned a lot this year, and not just academically too. It had been hectic, what with studying and a bit of drama here and there. Well, let us let bygones be bygones.

Just one thing I want to share with everyone: around my age, it is important to choose your friends. To all those younger than me reading, this is the time for you to decide who you'd want to keep company in the long run, especially now that you're about to enter a new, more serious phase in life. Find someone who would stick by you, but still point out your mistakes. Find someone who can help you, but not distract you. Find someone who can lift you up instead of dragging you down. And remember, as a friend yourself, you have a role for your friends too. :)

Yes, this is quite the cliche advice, but I find it crucial. Even the Prophet SAW said, “Your best friend is the one who: seeing him reminds you of Allah, speaking to him increases your knowledge, and his actions remind you of the hereafter.” (Al-Muhasibi)

Alhamdulillah, I have amazing friends surrounding me, keeping me company, and helping me when in need. Thank you everyone.

Of course that's not the only thing I learned. I learned to focus, to persevere, to be the best I can, either as a student, a friend, or a daughter. Now, it's time to step into a new world. Things are getting serious, and I have to focus more to secure my future. It is essential to not let things get to you. There are so many things waiting to block your way, influence you, waver your focus, but you shouldn't give in! It you find it hard to move forward, pause, think, and decide. Secondary school, up to college, it is a time to be wise. You know yourself better than anyone else.

Allah is the Most Generous and granted me one of the top colleges in Asia, and I'm so thankful for that. He knows what is best for me, and I am willing to accept whatever fate He had destined for me. But that doesn't make it an excuse to lay back! In fact, I should be more determined now, and learn from a wider range of people later in college. I am nowhere near perfect right now, but I'll make it my personal goal to keep improving myself each day. 

Now a bunch of 'thank you's to those who have played a huge role through my journey in Dar-Izzah up until I graduated:

To my Dar-Izzah juniors, thank you for showing your support. A lot of you made me smile and laugh, and you didn't even know I needed it! It always makes me so happy when you guys achieve something, even if you think it's not a big deal. I'm proud of you guys. I know you guys can do better than me, so keep fighting!

To my Dar-Izzah seniors, whom I consider my best friends as well, thank you for inspiring me. You guys have been through the most arduous of years, but all of you made it out alive, some of you even pursuing higher education! Thank you for putting up with me and my dumb jokes and questions, heck even listening to my rants. Your time here was fascinating.

To all my teachers, those in Dar-Izzah and all that has been teaching throughout my time in Sri Ayesha, thank you so much for all the knowledge you've taught me, and all the support you've given. I would be completely lost without your guidance, teachers. You've shaped me into who I am now, and I'm proud to be called your student. Thank you for being patient with us for so many years, we really owe you so much. 

To my precious classmates, and of course, my wonderful friends. Some of y'all reading this may find this cheesy, but without any one of you, this year would've been the dullest of all. I can't thank you all enough. Not only did you make me the happiest girl through our toughest year yet, but you also stayed with me through thick and thin, and I always learn from every one of you. I appreciate every single one of you, and I only pray the best for all of you. You've made my stay here truly special. Thank you for staying by me. Let's keep improving ourselves and do better!

And last but never the least, my beautiful family, especially my parents. Allah had blessed me with two of the best loving, supportive parents that always teach me to aim for the best. Without you both, not only would I have not been born, but I also wouldn't have achieved any of these without your push. I wouldn't have had the confidence, the motivation, to participate in anything that can qualify me for college! It's all thanks to you, my mom and dad. <3 I can never repay you.

And of course, my loving family, my beloved cousin Mai, my grandparents that cook my food and drove me to school, and everyone that prayed for my success and wellbeing. 

With that said, it was an incredible rollercoaster ride, but we've reached the end. Congratulations to my fellow classmates, we did our very best, now it's time for Allah to decide. Those who have found a place to further their studies, congrats, and I pray for your success! Those who haven't. hang in there, Allah knows what's best.

Now for some short life updates!

• I went to the United States last year. I wrote a blog post about it but never posted because it was never finished. :( It was for a couple of weeks and was very fun! Even though I was suffering from chickenpox, hehe.
• I also went for umrah with my family in December last year, alhamdulillah! There were so many people! And the ka'aba is so beautiful at night. I hope I can go again soon~
• I had the best experience in this year's Survival Camp! Thank you for the memories~ I also wrote a blog post about that and it almost finished but didn't make it because I couldn't find any photos. :(
• My family and I will go to Turkey in late December, so stay tuned for some blog posts!
• After this year, I may be busier because of college. I'm going to take A-Levels and will start on January 7th, insyaAllah. Wish me luck!

This is terribly long, so thank you for reading till the end! Till next time, assalamualaikum!