KMB & IB, an unbiased perspective for juniors.

Dedicated to the juniors asking me about IB and Kolej MARA Banting.

Cautionary note: None of you are allowed to cast this up to me/ blame me for this in the future.

I shall try to be as objective and unbiased as possible, but, as you will soon learn in TOK, as humans this is not completely achievable.

The Program

The IB Diploma Programme is designed as an academically challenging and balanced programme of education with final examinations that prepares students, normally aged 16 to 19, for success at university and life beyond. The programme is normally taught over two years and has gained recognition and respect from the world's leading universities.

Through the IB Diploma Programme, students gain rigorous and balanced academic preparation, an ability to draw on knowledge and understanding of various cultures and histories, and the experience of learning how to think critically and apply what they have learned in different contexts and across disciplines.

The IB understands that success in higher education and beyond involves thinking critically and creatively. The IB Diploma Programme’s challenging curriculum educates the whole student, developing the capacity for inquiry, research and problem-solving as well as essential skills for communication and collaboration

(http://www.ibo.org/recognition/)

To summarize, it means that IB is focused on more than academic achievement only.

If you're studying style is pretty much like SPM, A-Levels is a better choice cuz it is academic oriented and your subject combinations are focused on your field of choice. 

If you're looking to be all-rounded students and are interested in concerning yourself with more than just studies, than IB's just the thing for you.

Kolej MARA Banting itself.

Studying at KMB: 

MARA offers:

Medicine (bound to any of the following: UK, Ire, Aus, NZ, India, NuMed, PMC, IMU etc) 

Engineering (bound to UK, US, Canada, Aus etc)

Biotech (UK, US, Canada, Aus etc) 

Economics/Finance (bound to US)

JPA offers:

Medicine, Dentistry and Engineering

Petronas offers:

Geology, Petroleum Engineering (bound to Canada, US)

FELDA offers:

Biotech, Engineering 

The class system is Monday-Thursday, 8.00-2.20pm on CAS week or 8.00-1.30 for non-CAS week. Fridays is till 12.30. The system is a lot like school BUT do not mistaken the subjects or the teaching style or workload to be like SPM again. Paradigms have to be shifted, no matter how much this place feels like school, it is, in its essence a college, and thus demands more from you.

Living in the College

Ex-boarding schoolers should have no problem. KMB's pretty great for boarding school standards.

Laundry service is STELLAR! The Ko-op and the Cafe and DS food provides enough sustenance for 2 years (ha, I hope!) There's a gym, excellent jogging track, 2 people per room....

If you're expecting private college comforts, this ain't the place to go. The key is to focus on why you've come and be thankful :)

The community is very supportive, especially spiritually. One of the reasons I'm most thankful for KMB.

No matter what you hear, if you do get IB, it proves you're tough and can withstand anything IB throws at you. 

I look at my seniors and I see heroes and warriors who've held strong and made it all the way to the very last hurdle. Drawing inspiration from them, I'm sure if you've landed in KMB, you're going to be a survivor too!

10 things I love About KMB

10. Breathtaking views during sunset and sunrise! And the rainbows....

9. Uplifting Usrahs

8. Doing class projects (G4, International Fair) when everyone's stressing out at the concourse, while setting up our boards

7. There's a different week all the time (Int. Fair, Mental Health, BM, Social Sc....)

6. When mak cik DS lets you take 2nd helpings of kuih if you ask her nicely :)

5. The way so many things happen in one week that last week seems like a lifetime ago

4.Co-Q class (terbaikkkkk cause we haven't had one this semester!)

3. The really nice Lab Assistants and LRC librarians (such sweet people)

2. Thursday night ceramah

1. The teachers who stay on till 5.30 just to help you during consultation. Really the most dedicated ones I've ever met. 

Additional Components
Lets just say, this can be pure pleasure or pain depending on how your outlook on life is.


CAS!
Creativity. Action. Service. 
This would be your thing if you want to fill your college days with meaningful/creative/challenging experiences outside the classroom.
The best part of IB to me. I know 180 hours seems like a bulk, but it really isn't. Mr Latiff's favourite quote on CAS: "4-5 hours a week and continuous involvement!"


Who's Mr Latif? Come to KMB and meet him yourself.


You get to work with kids with special needs, teach Orang Asli kids, and help out people with Downs' syndrome fortnightly for External CAS (which is one school day where you go out and be help out the community!Wicked, no? I'm going to miss CAS day)

There are the usual sports clubs, with a few cool additions like lawn bowl, and FRISBEE (my current fave) and other clubs like GEM, Performing Arts, English Club, Creative Club, HOPE, Taska etc. If you're really enthusiastic, there's stuff like Fish4Life, Cambodian Project, Sehati Serumpun, Love Symphony and Smiling Soul which are different groups who organize their own service projects overseas (Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam) and locally (Sabah).

There are competitions, and activities organized by clubs, and you'll never have nothing to do in the IB. It will never leave you alone. Seriously.


TOK 
Theory of Knowledge.

Don't worry if you're first response to this was "Heh?!" I've been at it close to a year and it still never fails to make me go "HEH?!" often. It's basically like philosophy and aims to try to get students to THINK.


Which we're surprisingly terrible at. Reminds me of the joke that says Malaysian brains are the most expensive. Why? Because it's rarely used. =___=


You get to question knowledge, in all areas, and discover the ways of knowing and your perception of the world will change.


And your perception of the word "perception" will too.


You don't have TOK exams, but you have to submit a TOK essay on any of the 10 prescribed titles and you'll have to do a presentation which will be recorded and sent to the IBO. All this accounts and EE accounts for the 3 marks in your final IB exam.


EE

Extended Essay.
For all the ex-MRSM-ers, it's akin to Project SEM, only longer, more specific.
It's a research paper done in any subject that you take that analyses elements of that subject.


Like you could do research on Bio about the effect of acid rain on the growth of Mung beans. Gotta be more specific though.


Or you could do one in the languages, like English, and compare the syntax and diction of 2 magazines in Malaysia and how it appeals to teens.


(These are just examples of EEs done by seniors so no plagiarism here)


Your research has got to be 4000 words and has to be thorough and contributes to society in some way. 


EE will introduce you to a handful of emotions you never knew you possessed. (And I haven't even gone pass the table of contents yet ...)


World Literature 


In Malay A1, you learn world literature novels in your 2nd sem so at the end of it you have to produce 1200-1500 words on a comparison of 2 of the novels you learnt.


I love learning the novels in IB, simply because it's like actual literature, where you're free to interpret and analyze without having to memorize the given themes and other aspects from reference books. The novels themselves are, well, matured to say the least like Madam Bovary, Great Gatsby, Pride and Prejudice etc. You really get different insights from all over the world as it stresses on Cultural Interactions. 


There are other parts of IB but I can't expose too much for fear of allergic afflictions and premature panic. (I remember panicking myself when I first heard about IB...)

IB will give you plenty of moments to make memories. When you solat berjemaah, study berjemaah, stress berjemaah, you realize that you're not alone on this journey.  


Any further questions, just drop 'em in the FB inbox. See you loves in June. Secretly, the would-be seniors are anxious to see which one of you guys will take our place and join us in this IB World School.

Maaf, jawapan tiada dalam skema.

Read this letter written to the editor in the STAR recently about this girl in Form 5 who wrote an answer that used her logic in her Moral paper (What qualities does Mother Teresa possess? = Caring) and got it marked as "Incorrect" because it wasn't in the answer scheme.

Honestly, it doesn't take a genius to know that Mother Teresa is caring. The limitations of an answer scheme doesn't make this wrong.

But, according to the Malaysian education system, the answer scheme is always right. 

Thus, as far as Moral Education goes, Mother Teresa isn't caring.

Oh ha, what does this say about the Malaysian education system?

What does this say about MALAYSIANS?

I remember the "Zaman Kegemilangan" post SPM results when I was reassured that I was "smart" and that my future was going to be "OK".

Then IB happened and the truth of my SPM education was revealed.

a) I've just been memorising answers and workings all this while, cause thats a fail safe way to a sure A right?

b) Imbibe the answer scheme and you shall triumph.

c) Thinking is limited to certain subjects only.

d) You cannot challenge the knowledge. The textbook is always right. So be it if it was last revised 5/8/10 years ago. It is the truth. Period. And what's with the undecided language for Maths & Science? Still questioning to academic reasoning versus the political rationale for this. I know I'm going to get haters for this statement but I don't see what's wrong in the English system. Come to Pre-U and tertiary level, English is still the medium of instruction, no? 

e) SPM results means NOTHING once you're in IB. Not an assurance of continual success. Trust me, I should know a lot about this one.

No offence to the awesome high-flyers in the recent SPM, you guys did great, but before you rest on your laurels when entering pre-u, reevaluate the system you guys have just left. Note that it is an exam-oriented (memorize and regurgitate) system that puts most emphasis on studies. 

I don't remember studying without a major exam to pass as the ultimate goal back in high school.

I didn't even have Sports Day in Forms 4 and 5. Most of my Form 5 year was spent cooped up in my room surrounded by books and past years.

It's really not surprising why breaking out of that mindset and dealing with IB takes ages. We've been trained like this for 11 years, much change 2 semesters's gonna make. 

So I know stellar SPM results are to die for, but high school and scholarship apps is where it ends. 

In the harsh reality of pre-u (ok fine, maybe just IB) it really doesn't measure up to much. 

The thing that I never understood till IB:

Education is about learning, for knowledge's and God's sake. 

kids, think thrice.

Hello and welcome to REALITY. 

Please keep your arms, legs and thoughts in check at all times.

You are kindly reminded to leave all emotions at the entry, and enter this space calmly.

Yes, you have to discard sloth, envy and that lingering frustration too, Ma'am. There's no place for these items in REALITY.

Now, let us display whats on our menu today:

A good healthy dosage of homework, for starters, we ensure you that all this will greatly benefit you in your later life. You are advised to finish all of it and not complain about the copious amounts you are served.

Did we mention that complaints are prohibited on board reality?

Well now you know, so kindly zip it.

Next up, your Extended Essay. A marvelous project intended to give you exposure to research. Of course there are side effects but permanent head damage is something you have to deal with on your own terms. We apologize but we do not carry anything in our stock for stress relief. 

That affliction is deemed trivial and sympathies are all we can offer you.

Now the main course. Seasoned with topic tests, and rich garnish of Internal Assessments, specially put together to enhance the taste and quality of your education! 

Bitter? There must be something wrong with your taste buds. We've specially prepared this program to fulfill and nourish your last years of your teenage life!

The best for last, your dessert for today is Theory of Knowledge, a gastronomical masterpiece! We'd like to add a word of advice that this dish may contain elements and may induce constipation, constriction of bowels and spur sudden panic attacks for those with allergies.

The sponsors would like to remind you that if you do not reach your target of 36 points (that is 36 for now, until a further point in the future when we may decide to torture you further) you may face sudden termination and you're time, sweat and sanity are strictly non-refundable. 

We are glad to announce that we are on a one way express, going 500 mph. We have uninstalled the brakes  to optimize speed and you are again reminded to not complain.

Our destination today is success. Our estimated time of arrival, is, well we haven't a clue yet but will keep you informed when we do.

We apologize deeply for any inconvenience caused, but really, there is no room for mistakes or apologies on board REALITY.

Enjoy your time here. There is really nowhere else for you to run anyways. As mentioned, this is REALITY, and we ARE taking over.

Hello IB, my new reality. 

Dear Jumnik, with love.

Where do I begin? *chokes*

The past 3 months wasn't easy. 

The sacrificed weekends, 

the cake cutting mornings, 

the 55 boxes, 

the re-planning activities.

 But the moment I stepped off that bus, 

into the arms of the Jumnik villagers,

They told us they were counting days till we arrived.

What did I give to them, till I deserved to receive so much? 

The way they treated us like kings, served us with the best food, how our house was the only one with electricity, while they lived in pitch darkness. 

The night sky, sprayed with stars.

How all the kids and boys would sit and talk to us at night.

The way the boys in my class welcomed the little knowledge I gave them. 

The way the grandmothers hugged me when we gave them donations. 

The smiles, the tears, the sweat, the laughs.

The way everyone called us 'Sister' and 'Brother'. 

God willing, we'll come back. 

Their voices singing, and their laughter in my ears,

the cute babies, smiling adults.

How their lives are so full and happy, when they have so little.

Really, with the contentment they have, 

we're not the lucky ones, 

they are.

Thank you, Jumnik.

To the team,

We had our fights, our breakdowns, our skirmishes,

but we came out of it, together.

We lived this moment, as a team.

We gave them the best of us,

but they gave us even more, no?

To Miss Loh (mummy) and Pak Lan (bapak) 

your kids LOVE you very very much.

Was it just 5 days there?

Our lives have changed.

I'VE NEVER FELT BETTER IN MY LIFE.

Now that its all over, 

their faces replay in my mind,

the laughter, the tears,

how do I even put it into words?

"Brother what is that?" he said as he points to the moon.

"Its the moon" replied one of us.

"I will look to the sky every time I miss you, brother." 

browsing memories.

Dahulu,

Kini, 

I know from that day to this, we've not grown taller.

But, I hope our souls have grown by leaps and bounds.

The distance has put us apart,

But I hope that its only made us closer to Him,

And as the days go by, we're getting even closer to death; and even further from our past.

heck-i'm-in-kmb. ah-duhhhhh.

Its been a real hectic few weeks in KMB. (Like when is it NOT hectic again?!) 
Its like I'm unconsciously stretched to new lengths which I didn't know I could reach. 


The bad bit bout this is: One twitch too many and you could snap and suddenly the drama and tears are released.


In my effort to not procrastinate and finish EVERYTHING on time, I came up with a 17 item to do list. 
Plus with the fact that today was especially tight with class ending at 2.30, then having to prioritize between Religious Talk on Apostasy / Nottingham Uni Briefing / English Club Meeting all happening at the same time.  Sweet. 
Then misplacing your handphone due to the "luckiness" of being among the 3 classes who have to float this semester. Realizing its TWO WEEKS to Cambodia and we've got so many loose ends to tie up. And money to seemingly generate from thin air.
Then Karate and Cambodian discussion at the same time.


Can anyone text me Hermione Granger's number? I need to borrow her time turner ASAP. 


I didn't expect that we'd start to grate at each others nerves till tonight when everyone was really down, and the negativity was at an all time high. Post meeting, in which no one laughed at all, Razan, Aizad, Lingesh and myself just sat ourselves down at the KFC, and started to unload (and I had to ignore that looming checklist).


Our convo really put things in persepctive again.


1. We're all pushing limits we never knew we had. And learning how hard it is to say no when a teacher goes like "Could you please do this....."


2. There should be an 11th IB Learner Profile: Sleep deprived multi-tasker


3. We'd gladly trade our monthly $$$ for 30 hours in a day.


4. Though we'd be getting a way more exhilarating/ glittering/ happening life outside this palm oil plantation,  we secretly don't wanna leave. We're like Stockholm Syndrome sufferers, in love with our captors :)


Though Aizad would be the oldest freshman in America, and Lingesh could spend more time living if he was in ICPU and Razan and myself would just be able to just focus on STUDIES in A-Levels, we'd really not want to give this IB Life up. 


Its these @#$#$%$^^@#$#$ moments that'll make us tougher for whatever we might face. 


I don't want this place to be different from MRSM, but I wouldn't forgive it if it was the same cause then it'll just be repeated challenges. 


I mean which other pre-u in which other college would you get the opportunity to go learn about goat rearing, much less milk one.

And God would never burden his slave beyond their capabilities. So I have it in me to handle this. 


Taking the days and weeks bit by bit, as they come. Impossible deadlines for EE & TOK, unexpected tests, more lab reports and IAs will come, ( I mean this is only half of the second semester, wonder how the seniors feel) but I guess I'll just have to see if I really can accept this new life, this KMB, and make it to the other side.


And to those not in the IB world, I know you can't appreciate this moment of realism, but try to picture the relief when you finally learn to accept a trying situation. 
Priceless, no?
I just might love you, KMB.

because i'll look back at this post

Peace be upon you :D


The week in rewind.
I'm really flabbergasted at the fact that I've been learning Pendidikan Agama Islam since Std 1 and the Prophets story isn't a new one, but yet, I feel like I've just entered Islam recently and just knew my Prophet. Allahuma solli 'ala Muhammad. Allah, grant peace upon our Beloved Rasul.


So everyone tells you, this ain't high school people. Hear it often enough and you'll either get ultra freaked out or you get immune to it. Sorry to say, I'm of the latter. 
Till Wednesday evening. 


Friday evening,
As I lie and ponder, at the amassing work pile, at the Holy Book with all the "nice" ayats neatly marked, at the EE timeline plastered to the wall, at the G4 proposal and ToK outline waiting to be completed, at the Econs IA left untouched, it does inspire some very nasty thoughts.

Its so easy for me to slip from conscious, sane thoughts that tell me, God is testing me, but never, never does he forsake you if you come to Him to straying thoughts that delve into darker treacherous waters.


Allah says, “If my servant comes closer to Me a hand span, I come closer to him or her an arms-length; and if he or she comes to Me walking, I come to him or her at speed.” (Bukhari)


Why is it that I have to consciously direct my thoughts to Him? A slave thinks only of his bondage, his master, executing his masters bidding, seeking his masters pleasure. Seems like acting like a slave ignorant of his situation is something I've been used to.


But His mercy truly knows no bounds. As I was being kept away by Leka from my evening nap (bad, bad habit), who else would turn up at my room if not NAILY and KIA! 


Truly My Lord knows best. Them being there, being able to hug my bestest friends again, was truly God's planning at work. He knew that sending them here was the best for me. And me, being the hothead, spontaneous, devil-may-care girl I am, upped and packed my stuff for a much needed sleepover at Naily's. Epic impulsive. But an epic cure.

Naily and Kia, Allah bless you!


Saturday morning.
I barely remember telling Mummy that I wanted to eat some fruits on the phone when she said she wanted to come for Academic Day. It still weirded me out why she'd want to drive all the way to this Palm Oil Wonderland just to see my teachers.


Not that she's really attended my report card days before this.


But Mummy turned up this morning, uber enthusiastic and I almost cried when she handed me 4 bags of fruits. And they were all cut up into little cubes. AND she used the fancy cutter that makes little patterns by the side. 


Although I didn't go with her to the hall cause I was in a Cambodia meeting, she took notes on what my teachers said, and, I don't know about you, but I felt like I was such a wretched daughter for not appreciating a mummy like this. Sometimes, all it takes is the little things for you to realize big facts. 


I love you Mummy, may Allah bless you, and have mercy on you the way you had mercy on me when I was young. And of course Daddy too.


Friday's usrah came rushing to me then.
Whoever favors Me over others, I favor them over others. I reward every single good deed ten times over or seven hundred times over to countless times over. I count every single bad deed as one unless the person repents and ask for My Forgiveness in which case I forgive even that one. I take into account any little good deed and I forgive even major sins. My Mercy supersedes My Anger; My Tolerance supersedes My Blame; My Forgiveness supersedes My Punishment as I am more merciful with My slaves than a mother with her child.” (Madarij As-Saalikeen by Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziya)


O Allah, I see now that you inspired Mummy's love, and all of it came from you. And its this thought, that made this week, that much better. The knowledge and reassurance, that My Lord and Protector, is merciful and always there.

So really, a week isn't filled with frightening instances, just depends on how you look at it. Thank you, Allah.