韩中之杰出的模范学生 ——访邱永明同学
能够在兼顾学业之余也积极参加各种学术比赛并非一件不费吹灰之力就做到的事,但本校有位多次在校外比赛获奖的模范学生——邱永明同学却做到了。面对着纷至沓来的挑战,他没有弃甲而逃,而是把一切当作可贵的经验。就算遇到了无数一知半解的课题,他也尽力而为,最终凭着日积月累的实力捧着一个个金灿灿的奖杯和奖状凯旋而归,为校争光。
为中学生涯留下闪耀的足迹
如今就读SE21的邱永明同学,曾经在过去几年里参加许多校外学术比赛,同时也获得了相当不错的成绩。其中包括了2019年国际地球科学奥林匹克竞赛(IESO)个人铜牌和两个团体银奖、2016年世界数学奥林匹克竞赛(WMO)铜牌、2020年国际天文与天体物理学竞赛National Award(IAAC)、2018年陈景润杯数学竞赛全马第一、2018年亚洲科学与数学奥林匹克国际竞赛(ASMO)铜牌等。邱同学表示,他所参加的比赛对他而言都是十分宝贵的经验。有些比赛是在国外进行的,因此他可以借此机会游览其他国家并亲身体验不一样的文化,甚至可以结交来自世界各地的朋友,为中学生涯增添更多色彩。
如何为比赛做准备?
邱同学提及,学术比赛所涵盖的课题常常会超出学校的教学大纲,这也是参加学术比赛最大的挑战之一。然而,当老师在课堂上教导类似课题时,他能较轻松地掌握其知识。他坦言,对于诸如地质学、天文学、天体物理学等从未学过的学科,他必须从头开始,并且多阅读相关资料以理解这些学科。至于数学,他经常会通过做历届考题训练自己。准备过程中遇到具有挑战性的题目时,他会凭着自己所学的知识仔细思考各种有可能的解决方法,或者尝试询问身边的朋友和上网查询。
那邱同学会不会在参加比赛时因压力太大而产生退赛的想法?他的回答是,由于他会尽量避免在像考试期间的情况下参加比赛,所以参加比赛不会给他造成压力。他也扬言,在兼顾学业之余也积极参加比赛并没有大家想象中的困难,只需要养成自律的习惯和充分利用时间备赛即可。因此,邱同学指出,当他感到迷茫时,他都会借助打游戏来让自己放松心情。
全力以赴,保持乐观
每当邱同学在比赛中荣获佳绩,他都会很有成就感,也很感激自己的努力有所收获。“一旦我下定决心参加某个比赛,我便会全力以赴。如果我没办法尽力而为,我宁愿不报名参加。” 邱同学说道。他也认为,与其死记硬背,理解某个课题的概念是最佳的学习方式,因为这有助于激发你对某个课题的兴趣,令你想知道更多。另外,粗心也是许多学生在做数学时最大的烦恼之一。对于粗心的错误,邱同学一直都抱持着“抬头面对错误,然后继续前进”如此乐观的心态。他会仔细分析自己所做错的地方,以防重蹈覆辙。他坦言,粗心的错误是很难避免的,所以他都会尽量避免,并且勇敢抬头面对自己所犯的错误,随后抱着积极上进的心态继续向前走。
IGCSE考试目标与未来计划
如今,邱同学已经是一位高二的学生,也即将面临IGCSE考试。为了确保有充足的时间为IGCSE考试做准备,他不得不在今年减少参加校外比赛。他也认为,IGCSE考试是一个让他自己知道这五年以来究竟掌握了多少知识的评估,也是学习路上重要的关卡之一。因此,邱同学表示,他会尽力在即将到来的IGCSE考试夺得佳绩,并且希望父母可以为他感到光荣。在IGCSE考试之后,他也计划报读A-level课程,并且希望可以考上自己理想的大学,而他目前还在考虑自己在大学会往哪个科系深造。
赠言
最后,邱同学想要感谢一直都陪在身边的父母,以及老师们所给予的支持与鼓励。此外,他也要特别感谢本校的教务主任——林松锦老师,感谢他这几年以来协助和支持他顺利参加各种校外比赛。即将在今年为中学生涯挂上句点的他也表示,对于即将离开度过了许多美好岁月的韩江中学,他的心情十分沉重。他会永远珍惜在韩中的所有回忆,并走向人生的下一个阶段。
成功的人不是特别聪明或厉害,只是特别懂得承受挫折,忍耐失败,然后继续努力往前走。是邱永明同学不屈不饶、努力上进的精神,造就了他如今的成就。希望他可以顺利在IGCSE考试考获理想的成绩,前途光明。
“The only secrets to achieving your goals are ample preparation, hard work and learning from your failures,” an inspirational quote that ideally encapsulates Khoo Yun Meng’s notion towards his outstanding achievements. Since enrolling into Han Chiang High School four years ago, Yun Meng has exhibited outstanding, if not phenomenal performances in countless competitions and contests, each time more astounding than the last. His accomplishments include an Individual Bronze Medal and 2 Silver Team Awards at the International Earth Science Olympiad 2019 (IESO), a Bronze medal at the World Mathematics Olympiad 2016 (WMO), National Award at the International Astronomy and Astrophysics Competition 2020 (IAAC), Top in Malaysia for the Chen Jingrun Cup Secondary School Mathematics Competition 2018 and a Bronze medal at Asian Science & Maths Olympiad (ASMO) International 2018, just to name a few.
The main reason Yun Meng participates in innumerable competitions is that they give him invaluable exposure and new experiences which could not be obtained at school. “Some of these competitions were held overseas, so this gives me a chance to traverse Malaysia’s boundaries and enjoy the sights and experience the unique cultures of other countries.” Moreover, he also managed to widen his social network by engaging with people from all around the world who share the same interests as him, in turn widening his horizons as he conversed and exchanged different ideas with them.
Yun Meng shared that before stepping into any competition venues, he would make sure that he has made a sufficient amount of preparation so that he will not have any regrets, even if he did not do well. “Once I have decided to participate in something, I would be fully committed to doing my utmost best.” For subjects that he had never learnt before such as Geology and Astronomy/Astrophysics, he had to start from scratch and read the relevant materials to grasp and understand the subject matter. On the other hand, for subjects like Mathematics which are taught in school, his preparation process mainly consisted of looking through past year papers to get a sense of the style of the questions. Yun Meng believed that in an effort to learn materials beyond the school syllabus for competitions, it has made understanding easier when teachers at school teach similar topics.
“I believe that understanding the concept is the way to learn.” Adhering to this philosophy of his, Yun Meng has not only strived to impressive heights in terms of competitive activities but also managed to attain remarkable academic results at school. He believes that understanding the subject matter instead of aimless memorising will evoke students’ interests and spur them to learn more proactively. Besides that, Yun Meng also shared that in order to achieve efficient absorption of knowledge, students should try to link the new things they have just learned with the knowledge that had already been in their minds so that they can envision the image more acutely.
When asked about how he juggles between hectic school work, competitions and extra-curricular activities, Yun Meng pointed out that it all comes down to being disciplined and managing his time wisely. He also mentioned that he normally tries to choose competitions that do not clash with any major events so that he does not get too stressed out. However, he does not think that it is humanly possible to stay constantly motivated without burning out. Thus, whenever he hits a blank wall, he will take his mind off things for a while by gaming.
Being so active in competitions, it is no wonder that there are instances where mistakes were made and expectations were not met. When faced with these occurrences, Yun Meng would handle them based on his belief, which is to “deal with it and move on”. He would analyse where he went wrong so that he will hopefully not repeat the same mistakes.
He voiced that careless mistakes are unavoidable, so he just tries his best to minimise them as much as possible.
With the IGCSE examinations right around the corner, Yun Meng claimed that he will have to be more selective in the competitions he is taking part in this year. He believes that though examinations are important as they are checkpoints in the academic journey, other forms of learning to complement the formal education process are also crucial, so he will not be bailing out of competitions entirely. “I will be narrowing it to only a few of my favourites as I also want to do well in IGCSE and make my parents proud.” After graduating from high school, Yun Meng plans to enrol in an A-level programme.
Lastly, he is most grateful to his parents, who have always been there for him through thick and thin. He is also thankful to the school and teachers for their support and encouragement. He would also like to thank the Dean of Studies, Mr Lim Seong Gim, who has been very helpful throughout his time at Han Chiang High School.
With graduation approaching ever so quickly, Khoo Yun Meng conveyed that it is with a heavy heart that he leaves the school where he has spent so many wonderful years as he embarks on the next phase of his life.
“I will forever cherish my memories here.”
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