Congratulations on receiving your SPM results! All those hard work and worries are finally over! So let’s get down to some important business – what comes next? Do you celebrate your achievements, but for how much longer? Is it time to start looking for colleges? Would you rather work part time to give yourself more time to suss out what ‘s next? We’re aware of your problems – here are some ideas to help you with your next step after SPM…

Study

It’s never too early to start your research on courses that you’re interested in, possible universities with affordable fees and your dream countries to study and live in. Take full advantage of the educational fairs such as The Star Education Fair and colleges and universities’ open days. This is a great opportunity for you to meet the lecturers and clear whatever doubts you have. During this period, scholarships are also widely offered to deserving students, especially for those who have done exceptionally well in SPM and for those who are financially challenged. Look up our extensive range of scholarships– it’s so much easier than you think! Alternatively, check the Times Higher Education University rankings to see if your desired university is a good choice; from student satisfaction and university facilities to graduate employment opportunities. If you’re thinking of going abroad, Hotcourses can help you with this life changing decision, regardless of destination. We cover universities in the UK, US, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and even Singapore. So, if  New York’s always been your dream city for fashion studies or culturally rich UK for politics or literature, you’ll find all you need on our website. For those who prefer studying in Malaysia, we also have a wide selection of university and courses available here.

Work

It can be difficult trying to convince parents that you’d rather be working than continuing with your studies. Talk to them and discuss your options. Make them understand that you’d do better in a working environment. Different people have different interests and talents. Whilst some of your friends may be academically inclined, you’re probably more practical and prefer learning within an organisation. For instance, if you’re interested in accountancy, there are small accounting firms that are always looking for someone to carry out simple accounts tasks. Try out and if you like it, assure your parents that you can always pursue a professional qualification whilst working. From ACCA to CAT, the wide range of professional courses for working people are abundant. Find part time jobs here or look up professional courses here.

Take a break

Do you think you’ve been studying hard for the past 11 years and could do with a nice little break? How about going for a gap year – a year of travelling to different countries to experience different cultures whilst working in shops to help fund your interests? This may still be a pretty new concept in Malaysia, but our western counterparts have been doing this for years. The downside is that when you do decide to enter college or university, you may find yourself grouped with students who are younger. On the other hand, your knowledge of the world and life experiences will make you more mature, giving you an added advantage as a thinking student and it also eliminates the mistake of getting on a course, only to switch to a different one later; a common problem with students these days.

Don’t know

If you’re still not sure of what to do, you’re not alone. Don’t beat yourself up. Students at this age are still discovering themselves, so take your time. If you think a certain job sounds appealing, talk to people who are already working in the industry. Ask your parents, aunts, uncles, cousins and people your age for their opinions. Go on the web and read blogs of people who are doing interesting stuff. Does taking time off to row down the Amazon River sound appealing? Or explore educational websites like Hotcourses Malaysia to find out what courses are available, the type of universities you’d like to go to (a city university or one by the beach), the country you’d prefer to live in or read reviews of students who have been there and done that.

Find your dream course and university here. Good luck on your next journey!