Simply Beautiful

It’s almost 2 full years now that I’ve been an IIUM student. It certainly didn’t feel that long but I guess life’s like that.

During my first week here, I remember being in a state of awe as I listened to the words of the former IIUM rector, Prof. Emeritus Tan Sri Dr. Mohd Kamal Hassan during Taaruf Week. What he said made perfect sense to me and was absolutely sensational in a whole new level, especially as it was conveyed with his one-of-a-kind accent. I was all for what he had in mind.

Along the way, I think it was all good, living life as a degree student and all. But the more I went to classes and delved deeper in my course, I realized that it’s not how I expected it to be, for better or for worse. For worse, probably. But the lecturers are alright, of course. I would never blame them.

I just think that there’s something big that’s missing, you know. Like a big piece of puzzle and because it’s absent, things just don’t work out for the department. But of course, I’m in no position to elaborate further on that so I’ll just leave it there.

After some while, Covid hit the country all so suddenly and classes are online ever since which really took a toll on me on many levels. I even have three entries on my online blog dedicated to my personal rants the ERTL system, if you must know. It felt real good to let them all out there, to be honest.

I’m not afraid to admit that, and I also know that I’m not the only one who feels that way. I’m well aware of how things are really hard for a lot of people lately. Students are stressed out and worried, and probably for a good reason.

To all those who are struggling out there, just know that you’re not alone. I know people always say that a lot like it doesn’t mean anything but it actually does. Recently, what I often remind myself when dealing with hardship is this very sentence,

“Susah di sini, senang di sana”

Just be patient. Our time here isn’t that long and as long as we show patience for all the struggles in this short time we have in this world, the rewards that await us in our final abode is immeasurable, InshaAllah.

Anyway, you still a need at least a few practical things to do to keep you going, right? What I suggest is first and foremost, leave social media. Or at least, spend less time with it. Trust me when I say that you’ll feel better once you start disengaging with it.

Next, try to keep a manually written journal where you write anything in there. The idea is you pour out whatever’s in your head into a piece of paper so that your many negative thoughts will be transferred there and therefore your mind will be at ease!

Try it. Who knows, it’ll work wonders.

Wallahua’lam.

Written by,

Amirul Shaqil bin Azmir