The third semester of my master's degree was no joke.
The ride is getting tougher, not easier.
I’m jealous of seeing all my friends who are pursuing their masters abroad
because they’re having the time of their life.
UiTM is tough.
I salute all UiTM graduates because the assessments require hard work and deep understanding.
You have to be fully committed to ace.
As a full-time working mother of 1,
I struggled last semester, and I foresee things not gonna change.
I will still struggle this final semester.
May Allah bless all my lecturers for their dedication,
understanding and supports, and because so far, the classes are still online (which I appreciate most!),
I could hear their babies crying in the background.
They have their own struggles and yet still do their best.
That gave me a hard slap. Why couldn’t I?
I took study leaves when I was drowning with assignments and tests,
I didn’t mind spending my annual leaves on my study.
I had to do what I had to do.
The amount of time my daughter and my whole family fell sick throughout the semester.
When I had to defend my proposal, I had conjunctivitis.
I was so stressed out. You had no idea how many times I forced Pan to listen to me rehearsing. Alhamdulillah, all praises to Allah,
the defence went well, and they accepted my proposal with minor comments.
Yes, it's not perfect; it still needs improvement, but I’m glad it went well.
One of the examiners mentioned that I sounded like a news reporter. I hope in a good way, haha!
March 10, they announced our results online and for the first time in a long time, I got all As!
All As! 4.0!!! I’ve never gotten a 4.0 before!
My husband was the first to know, and I was so happy that day!
And I know this was not because of my hard work
but the prayers and sacrifices of so many people around me.
Especially my husband,
who has to listen to my rants,
my crying sessions, my rehearsals,
my ideas, my complaints,
who has to take care of Iryss on weekends during my classes,
at night after work, because I have assignments to complete.
I love him so much!
My parents and parents-in-law for the moral support,
for taking care of Iryss on weekends when we're exhausted,
for keep pushing me to the limit,
for encouraging me and, most importantly, for their endless prayers.
My Tok Mak, for being the most feminist woman I know,
for believing a mother could achieve anything her heart desires.
For always telling me to dream high, work hard, and pray harder to achieve those dreams.
To my siblings for making me push myself harder because
I want them to know that they can achieve more than I do.
Family > anything!
Sounds like a graduation speech over there, but I realised I didn't celebrate my wins enough.
So, today, after the second week of my final semester,
I realise if I didn't celebrate my wins,
I didn't do justice to myself.
To dear self who had to stay up late and wake up early to study and finish up assignments,
who had to breastfeed a child while having another hand typing on keyboards,
who had to work late during peak season yet needed to squeeze time in between for research proposals,
who had to stay healthy even you got so sick because
dear self, you're doing 4 major jobs -- a wife, a mother, s student and a worker.
Pat yourself at the back.
Tell yourself that you're proud of yourself.
You can achieve what your heart desires.
Believe in yourself even if you're belittled and doubted by your own little mind.
Congratulations, Aliah!
For getting a 4.0 in one of the toughest semesters of your Master's degree.
You deserve to celebrate your wins!
