Students await pre-uni results

STUDENTS planning to go for higher level studies now feel some relief as pre-university exams are finally over. But the end-of-year euphoria comes with the stress of awaiting results.

For many students who took the General Certificate of Secondary Education, or GCSE 'A level exams, the next few weeks will be a nail-biter. What happens if they miss their target grades?

Nineteen-year-old Siti Aishah from Maktab Duli, who plans to be a doctor or a physiotherapist, has sent in her applications to universities in the United Kingdom and is eyeing a government scholarship.

"If I don't get the required grades, my ambition will be gone just like that, so it would be an understatement if I say the next few weeks will not be rough on me," she said.

Hakim, a student from Maktab Duli who wants to be a lawyer, said he is counting on a government scholarship to fund his studies overseas because Bruneian schools don't teach law. "I don't come from a wealthy background, therefore, my parents will not be able to afford to send me overseas," he said. "What is worrying me, right now, is that I will not be able to attain the grades required for scholarship."

Siti Diana from the Berakas form Six Centre said although she's happy the exams are behind her, she is stressed out over the wait. "My mistake can cost me another year at form six or a place in my dream course in university," she said.

Parents are also having sleepless nights over the wait.

Hj Salim Hashim, 43, a civil servant, said that with entrance exams for various professional courses now being more difficult, he cannot help but worry for the future of his daughter, who wants to become a doctor.

"As a parent, I try to stay positive. Her AS results were very good, so I try to remind her about that whenever she gets to that panic stage, even though I myself am worried sick."

The Brunei Times