Tan Zing Hern
Coming from a modest background, I never imagined I’d one day walk the halls of Sunway University. Thanks to the Sin Chew Daily Education Fund, I pursued my dream degree, the Bachelor (Hons) in Biology with Psychology, and challenged myself academically and personally. From overcoming language barriers to building meaningful friendships and gaining confidence, Sunway shaped me in more ways than I could have imagined. Here's to growth, gratitude, and giving it your all.
I doubted that I would be able to afford the tuition fee of Sunway University. I came from a mediocre family, where my parents must work to accommodate our living expenses. Although we used to visit Sunway Pyramid on several vacations, it was still a rhetorical question if I would have the chance to step into Sunway University as a proud student. Fortunately, I stumbled upon a golden opportunity as I was shortlisted for an interview to become one of the Sin Chew Scholarship Awardees. This opportunity made me feel very grateful because not only was I able to pursue tertiary education with ease, but I was also able to relieve the financial burden on my parents.
I was offered to pursue Bachelor (Hons) Biology with Psychology in Sunway University which sparked tremendous interest in me as I was always interested in the field of neuroscience. However, it meant that I would have to face twice as much pressure academically as the others. For instance, I had to learn two different writing systems and two distinct hands of knowledge to excel in this field of study. Due to the difficulty of this course, my friends from the same cohort and I felt that we were not knowledgeable enough in biology or psychology compared to other students who were majoring solely in either of those subjects. However, I pushed these negative thoughts away and instead, cultivated a positive approach to face this as a challenge. Thus, whenever I had any doubts or difficulties in my studies, I made sure to reach out to my friends and lecturers for assistance. Hence, I would like to thank my fellow friends and beloved lecturers who were always there to support and provide guidance to me throughout my tough times.
On the plus side, Sunway University offered various opportunities for me to continue improving my skills and knowledge. As I originate from Kelantan, I lacked fluency in English, as this language was not commonly spoken there. Nevertheless, an English-speaking environment in Sunway University has honed my English command to a level that I am confident enough to speak with the people around me with ease. Furthermore, I utilised my chance to explore numerous intellectual resources not only from the campus library but also from the discussions with lecturers who are very intellectual.
Additionally, from my experience thus far in pursuing tertiary education in Sunway University, here are some tips that I would like to share with my fellow juniors:
- Sunway University has plenty of student clubs and societies, so make sure to join them and strike a balance between academic and co-curricular activities. That makes a balanced study life!
- Create great connections with your friends and lecturers as they may help you in the future.
- Make sure to explore and have fun!
With a great 3-year experience of my bachelor’s degree, I am prepared to face harder challenges in my postgraduate study in the future. I believe this experience of mine has enabled me to gain invaluable knowledge as well as useful skills to further develop myself. Thus, I would like to express my gratitude towards Sunway University which has provided significant support and shaped me into the person I am today. Thank you for reading #MySunwayStory.
Tan Zing Hern
Bachelor (Hons) Biology with Psychology
Sin Chew Scholarship Award
