Third Edition | April 09

Why time
management is
essential to students?

Managing life | Exclusive Interviews | Highlights| Student Articles | Introspective

 Editor’s Note
Assalamualaikum wbt and Good Day!

E
veryone in this world has their responsibilities. It is a fact that older we
grew, the more responsibilities are put onto our shoulders. As university
students in the campus life, we are engaged in many curriculum
activities such as classes, tests and assignments. Some of us who are
more active also got themselves involved into extra-curricular activities by
joining clubs and organizing many student related events. Thus it is critical for all
of us to have effective self-management skills in order to accomplish these tasks
organized and produce great results. ADVISOR
Tn. Haji Abdul Jalil Abdullah

In this edition, The Inspirer brings you gripping views and opinions about EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
how to manage your life by AP Dr Hilmi Mukhtar. Next, we bring to you the Ahmad Bakri Zubir
remarkable story of Dr. A Vasu - of how he triumphed his life from a failure
beginning to success. Besides that, this edition also include how-to's and EDITORS
interesting articles from students which we can use and apply together to enrich Siti Sara Lyana Badly Sham
our lifestyle. Nawal Shamsuddin
Mohd Ashraf bin Nor Azrol
Muhammad Abdul Hadi

sometimes it goes up; and sometimes it goes down. Self-management is very TECHNICAL
much important so that you can keep balance of the part to always make it up. Muhammad Sufiyan Abd Rani
Just in case you fall down good management can
ARTICLE CONTRIBUTORS
quickly rotate your life back up. Ultimately, effective Wassalam,
Ahmad Firdaus M. Fariddudin

Bakri
management cannot be in just theories. You have to
start doing it to get a good feeling of the outcome.
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Ahmad Bakri Zubir Ahmad Bakri Zubir
Editor-in-chief

Why time man- From Put First Get High

agement is Failure to Grades by Just My little Story
Things First  Managing Your life
essential for Success Attending - Page 10
Page 6-7 the Simplest Way
students? Page 4-5 Lectures -
Page 2-3 Page 11
Page 8-9

1 TheInspirer | April 09
Exclusive Interview

Interview by Muhammad Sufiyan Abd Rani

ME - 2nd year 1st semester

T
he university life is very different
from the life we have had during
our previous school years. As uni-
versity students, we are free to do
whatever we want to do at any-
time we want. There a very few restrictions
which are imposed onto our lives now. Free-
dom is a right for everyone. But too much
unmanaged freedom can lead to wastage of
time and personal resource. Thus, effective
time management is crucial to manage our
life according to bring out the most of our
university life towards gaining success.
The Inspirer (TI) has consulted the Director
of Undergraduate Studies, to obtain further
information and expert views from this
prominent figure of UTP. Holding the Doc-
tors of Philosophy from the University of
Wales with specialization in various fields in to student. I also need to
Chemical Engineering, lets hear it from AP
Dr Hilmi Mukhtar.
and rest. I f you fail to plan your time, many implication will happen such as
when you sleep late at night, when you come to class you will feel sleepy meaningful activities.
and does not understand the lecture.
TI: As most of us agreed, a good and well managed lifestyle is
always regarded close to the issues of effective time manage-
ment. Can you share with us your view upon this matter?
DHM: Effective time management means that you should be able
to spend your time in the meaningful activities. It is how you
arrange your time for your academics, co-curriculums and to build
your well rounded characteristic. It is also how you allocate your
wise. Not should be forgotten is the religious aspect of life as you
should also build your sahsiah and akhlaq.
TI: How highly do you rate effective time management in terms of
such as parental/peer support and revising?
DHM: Time management is very important. As a student you
should know, your prime job as a student is to study. Same goes
to me as a lecturer, my
prime job is to give lecture
Effective time
prepare for my lecture. I do management means
some reading and research
before go to class. So for that you should be
me, students should able to spend your
dedicate their time to study
time in the

2 TheInspirer | April 09
Exclusive Interview
TI: Taking on an average basis of most students, what
do you think is the best division of time to be applied
in their daily routine to become successful physi-
cally and mentally? For instance, is it 60% studies-40%
activities or 50%-50%, or is etc?
DHM: For me there is no specific time division of
time. As you can see, in a day we already spend at
least six to eight hours just for sleep. Besides the
student does not have the same responsibility as
some student have their other commitments such as
clubs and society. Student also should know environ-
ment of study. Some people cannot study when there
were too many people around. This is a process of
learning. Student should know academic is the top
priority.
TI: In your opinion, considering its
overwhelming significance, why is
it that students continue to something you
overlook this aspect and perpetu-
ally commit procrastination, the
should do the best.
thief of time? Know their priority
DHM: Student continues to when to do
overlook this aspect because they
have forgot what they have been something. Know
train at home and school on how
to manage time. At home or at
which things you
school the student have to follow have to settle first
the time which had been set by
the school, which time to eat, and which can do
which time to study and to sleep.
Besides, most students are also
highly influenced by their com-
rade. The environmental factor also contribute to this
phenomenon. Some student does not know their
priority and distracted by the environment.
TI: As we all know, UTP students always strive to be
well-rounded. However, sometimes in the quest for
this goal, we end up being sidetracked by obstacles
and glitches. From your point of view, what should a
student do if his/her involvement in activities and
events is limiting his/her study time?
DHM: Student must put their priority for the tasks
that have been given to them. As the more senior you
get it require more demand on time. So, know your
job priority which is academic and prioritize it well.
Could you suggest to our readers methods on how
UTP students should go about in their search for
what stage will they realize when they have obtained
it?
It should start from the beginning. Student should
know to manage time properly and it should start
and tend to finish it when it was too late. You also
must know what you have to do. Make a do list for
3 TheInspirer | April 09
each and every day. In other word, have daily
planner, weekly planner monthly planner. You
should plan ahead what you are going to do.
TI: There is a saying that goes: old habits die hard.
Surely one cannot just transform into an efficient
person in just the blink of an eye. So what do you
suggest students can do to gradually incorporate
this attitude in them?
DHM: Have a mind set and always be positive. Do
some reflection of the day. What you have done for
the day? Is it good? Or is it bad? If it is good, keep it
up and if it is not good, try not to repeat it again. In
whatever you do you should try to strive for the best.
As a companion of our prophet
determination in your heart and
you should be successful.
There are many tools out there
that supposedly help in managing
time: Gant chart, schedules,
timeline. Do you think any one of
these is practical for the current
crop of university students?
Yes, the method is practical for the
student. Like I said before, student
should have their own schedule
and there should be no problem
for them to apply it in their daily
life. The question is here whether
they want it or not?
TI: Adding to that, would you mind sharing some of
your personal methods or habits which have helped
you in managing your time so efficiently?
DHM: When you do something you should do the
best. Know their priority when to do something.
Know which things you have to settle first and which
can do the last. Student also should put some key
performance indicator (KPI) for themselves. As for me
as a lecturer, I should obtain my KPI by the end of the
date line.
TI: As a final word on the topic, could you give some
words of advice for current and future well-rounded
students?
DHM: Take this opportunity to strive for excellent to
the fullest in term of academics, characters and
spiritual. Make use all the facilities well for the good
activities and not for the bad.TI
Everyone needs counseling and advices:
Face to face counseling Hotline Counseling Service
Hj. Abdul Jalil Abdullah Mrs Maznah Ramli
05-3688438 05-3688430
UTP Counselor UTP Counselor
Exclusive Interview
Interview by Nawal Shamsudin
ME - 2nd year 1st semester
T
he first impression upon en-
tering the office of Dr. A
Vasu was one of awe and a
bit overwhelming. The furni-
tion were warm and inviting enough
certificates and pictures hanging on
the wall of his office, a range of degrees
and awards testifying his life achieve-
ments. While the average person in his
life time might have three or at most
four degrees, for Dr. A. Vasu the MAS-
TERS degree that he is taking now in
Universiti Malaya will be his second
MASTERS degree and in total his sixth
degree so far.
The INSPIRER was fortunate
enough to have an interview session
with this inspirational figure. Dr. A Vasu
is a member of the Royal Malaysian
Police Force with the rank of Assistant
4 TheInspirer | April 09
Superintendent of Police. Currently,
he is a Senior Prosecuting Officer,
attached to the Ampang Jaya
Sessions Court, Selangor. To have
reached this position in life he
The MASTERS degree
that he is taking now in
Universiti Malaya will
be his second
MASTERS degree and
in total his sixth degree
so far.
started from very humble begin-
nings. He was born in Georgetown,
Pulau Pinang into a family of
eleven and he is the second child.
He grew up in a Malay village in
which he described the community
as if it was a close knit family
regardless of the boundaries of
different race, religion and
language. He shared, that during
the Ramadhan month he would
also join the other villagers for
beside his house.
Dr. A Vasu came from a
very modest family, his father
worked as a laborer while he had
many siblings and was the oldest
son in his family. After passing
the Lower Certificate Examina-
tion (LCE) at Sek. Men. Kebang-
saan Tanjung Bungah, Pulau
Pinang he then sat for his SPM.
He was forthright in sharing with
us that he failed his SPM and he
was not even eligible to receive a
certificate. This was the defining
moment of his life. He said to
himself that he wanted to
Exclusive Interview
change his life around and made the
decision to leave Pulau Pinang and
joined the police force.
During his training in Ulu Kinta,
he chose to retake the SPM examina-
tion at the age of 18 years old. At night
operation exercises where trainees
have to carry bags that weight up to 50
pounds, his bag would be slightly
heavier from his other members as it
would be filled with books for his
revision. Dr. A Vasu would also study
into the wee hours of the morning
while his peers would sleep after a
long day of training. His relentless
effort bore its fruit when he received
his SPM certificate, not stopping there
he then sat for the STPM examination.
After passing the STPM examinations
he was promoted to the rank of
Inspector police at the tender age of
twenty two. He managed both these
feats on his own and at the same time
underwent his training as a police
officer.
He has served in the police
force all over Malaysia, to name some
are Perak, Pahang, Selangor and even
Sabah. Explaining about himself, Dr. A
Vasu revealed that he practiced a 5
year life planning. His plan included
greater heights and further miles to
reach. For each state he was posted he
would save his travel expenses that he
received, until at one point he man-
aged to save up to RM9600. The
money was used to further his studies
overseas, his first degree was from the
University of London and the rest of
his degrees followed suit. Not only did
he manage to recover from his past
failure but he also managed to further
his studies overseas using his own
money earned with his bare two
hands.
His true life story of failures
and successes enraptured and inspired
us. Throughout the interview it was
obvious that Dr. A Vasu is a very busy
man. People kept popping up into his
office from lawyers to police officers;
he treated all of them courteously and
with ease. When asked about what his
5 TheInspirer | April 09
daily or weekly activities consisted
of. His position as a Senior
Prosecuting Officer already has
command most of his time yet he
still has the time to be an adjunct
lecturer for Akamai University,
carry out his research for his
MASTERS degree and attend
classes in UM. More important so,
once every fortnight he would visit
the Kajang Prison to give motiva-
tional talks to juveniles. Life he
The money was used
to further his
studies overseas, his
first degree was
from the University
of London and the
rest of his degrees
followed suit.
says is not all about academic
achievement but you have to give
back to the community. He
manages all of these activities
while still spending time with his
lovely wife and daughter which he
describes as his joy and happiness.
The amount of commit-
ments that he has prompted us to
ask how does he manage it all? His
reply was, all that is needed is
Anything in life that
you want to achieve or manage,
discipline must entail us. He also
stressed on the point of appreciat-
ing time and utilizing time to its
capacity.
He is a veteran
athlete for the
country,
representing
Malaysia in
various sport
competitions all
around the world.
is a
saying that he has practiced in life.
We also asked how he avoids
falling to the pressure of his
commitments and experience
stress. His response was short and
our question. He explained that
although he has achieved many
things in life he realizes life is
temporary and our actions in this
world will be accounted for in the
hereafter. Therefore he stressed
that in anything that you do you
must have sincerity and take things
easy. Be content with what you
have and not be greedy.
Besides from spiritual
strength to avoid stress, Dr. A Vasu
also leads a healthy life style. His
exercise regime includes a 10km
run every week. He is a veteran
athlete for the country, represent-
ing Malaysia in various sport
competitions all around the world.
He neither smokes, drinks nor
consume caffeine. He will obedi-
water prepared by his wife every-
day and practices eating healthy
and nutritious food. Coming to the
end of the interview it was clear
that Dr. A Vasu is an exemplary
figure in terms of time and finance
management and an individual
that leads a full life. At the age of
forty nine he has no plans for
man? He has set his eyes on
completing his second PhD and
representing Malaysia in the
Olympics. The question left is, what
about our plans? TI
Book Review

By Siti Sara Lyana Badly Sham

CV - 2nd year 1st semester

We spend our time in one of four ways which is illustrated by

the time management matrix. Activities were divided into four

he Seven Habits of Highly Effec- Research had shown that most people spend too much
time to the urgent matters of Quadrant I and III. However,
Covey listed Put First Things First as the Quadrant IV was left behind as it represents the unimportant
matters. On the other hand, Quadrant II activities are vitally
third habit that is shared by all successful important as it is very essential for characteristic building and
people. This is very much related to how they actually plan relationship nurturing. Yet it is always being put aside as it is
and go trough their days. not urgent.
The Time Management Matrix
Leaders

glory of living
lies not in never
falling, but in
rising every time
you fall

-Nelson
Mandela

6 TheInspirer | April 09
Book Review
Whatdoes each quadrant means?
Quadrant I
Both "urgent" and "important" things fall under
this quadrant. Here is where there is a need to handle
things which are under time constrain or emergency.
For example, meeting deadline, repair a broken-down
machine or undergo heart surgery. Like it or not, we
have to spend time on Quadrant I. If we ignore it, we
might be buried alive. Red alert! Procrastination and
poor planning caused many important activities
become urgent.
Quadrant II
It includes things that
important." This is the quadrant of deception. The
urge of urgency creates the illusion of importance.
This is the reason it is called the phantom of Quadrant
I. But the actual activities, if they're important at all,
are only important to someone else. We spend a lot of
time in Quadrant III meeting other people's priorities
and expectations, cramping it all in Quadrant I.
Want to stay organized?
Try your own time management Matrix
7 TheInspirer | April 09
Quadrant III
This includes things that are
important." This is the quadrant of deception. The
urge of urgency creates the illusion of importance.
This is the reason it is called the phantom of Quad-
rant I. But the actual activities, if they're important at
all, are only important to someone else. We spend a
lot of time in Quadrant III meeting other people's
priorities and expectations, cramping it all in
Quadrant I.
Quadrant IV
"Not urgent and not important" activities are
reserved in Quadrant IV. This is the quadrant of
waste. Of course, we really shouldn't be here at all.
But we often escape to Quadrant IV for survival when
we are already tired with activities from Quadrant I
and III. Activities such as reading addictive light
novels, habitually watching "mindless" television
shows, or gossiping, qualify as Quadrant IV time
wasters. Quadrant IV is deterioration. It might makes
us happy but it actually makes us forget of the more
important matters. TI
Highlights
By Mohd Ashraf Nor Azrol
PE -- 1st year 1st semester

E
scapism during lectures is either inevitable
or intentional. This article is not meant for

lectures) but rather for those who wanted

to but had specific exclusions. They might have
had several events to participate in, pending tasks
to be completed or a few meetings to attend. In
fact, most UTP students are in this category of
people. The key to maintaining successful
academic performance despite relentless social life
activities is actually simple: Do not to escape your
lectures!

Why is this so? One problem is that students keep saying that they will revise back the topic they skipped
during lectures but ironically, the majority of them will not do the exact thing they just said. Secondly, if you do not
even have time to go to lectures, will you have time to study? Most probably not. Even if you did study, you would

In the end, whatever you do outside a lecture is not equal to that in a lecture unless you are a super hardworking
person.

maximise your knowledge and comprehension in the subject. By doing so, even if you do not have the time to
study, you still can face quizzes and tests with confidence. The following are several steps to help you empower
your lecture sessions and gain as much as possible.
Read More

8 TheInspirer | April 09
 Highlights
The 5 P’s of Lec t u r e O p ti m isati o n Skills
Preparation
Pre-reading lecture to
Take 5-10 minutes before each
tes, textbooks
browse through your lecture no
l picture of
or past notes to create a menta
ing to learn
the topic and things you are go
for the day. This will help you me
morize the
syndrome during the lecture.
Point
of information. Blur
and confused? Raise
your hand and ask.
You can ask your
lecturer or your friends to clarify on parts that you did
not get. Many refuse to ask question, but just think of
this. Out of the lecture, you might not find another time
really understand it now than later. The busier you are,
the more question you should ask in the lecture. By
asking questions, you develop comprehension which
reduces your memorisation load. Generally, you do not
have to memorise things that you understand. It comes
naturally.
Post-reading
Take 5 minutes to read back what you have
jotted down to recap and store the memory
deep inside your sub-conscious mind.
Highlight any section that you think you still
need further reading or explanation on.
Depending on the issue, consider meeting the
lecturer right after the class, discussing it with
friends, or plan to meet the lecturer in his/her
office.
9 TheInspirer | April 09
Have enough sleep before go
make sure all the materials for
ready; notebooks, assignments
ing to lectures and
the lectures are
, calculator, station-
ep and forgetting
eries, textbooks, etc. Lack of sle
will give you stress
to bring any study material
ly deter you from
during a lecture. Stress will on
m down and refresh
concentrating in a lecture. Cal
lecture. Try having
your mind before attending a
spaper.
light refreshments or read a new
Powerful
notes.
Writing
notes
keeps
you active in engaging with the lecture. Sleepiness
simple notes. Jot down the critical points and the
topic as well as the subtopic of the chapter. Very
few know that this will reinforce their memory.
Also, personalise your notes (e.g. signing your
notes after each lecture, colour code, etc.) to make
it easier for you to recall them in the future.
-in-one
lecture; study, learning and note taking, which
enable you to understand better on your course of
study. It helps you to empower your memory and
accelerate understandings during lecture sessions. If
you are able to master your lecture session, you
could save up to 40% of your study time. This is
not to say that you do not have to study, but that
that 40% could be used for question-solving
practices (which are much needed for a busy
person) instead of trying to grasp back the
contextual basics of the chapter. By then, high
grades are not very far from you! TI
 Highlights

T
I was a promising kid with full of potentials. I have come to a decision to turn my whole life around. It was during this
can still remember my very first day at school; I was
punished to stand in front of the class for being too

my new friends. Destined, at the front I stayed, both

academically and in co-curricular. I was always in the top 3 in my class
both school and state level. Naturally, I was offered
a place in a respected boarding school. The future
looked wonderful.
Later, 2000 to 2005 The teenage-bug got me.
Everything and everyone was not right. The
studies seriously and hangout with the wrong
people. My attitude changed. Gone was the lively,
bright boy to be replaced by a sluggish, undisci-
plined, good-for-nothing punk. I flunked my SPM (5
managed to do just enough to secure a place in
UTP, sponsored by PETRONAS. I was offered the ICT
interest at all (I was doing technical science back in
high school). I started off with the wrong mindset. I
kept telling myself that I can never understand the
subjects, that I was in the wrong place. I paid no
make sense. I was in my ninth semester of studies with three more of
extensions. My CGPA was very low, if I was to just score average GPAs I
will not be able to graduate at all! And that decision has made all the
difference. I started to go to class (I learnt that
this is the most important part), do my
homework, and engaged the lecturers for
guidance. To my surprise, everything else has
become easy for me. Once I made that decision
millions of times before
that, but somehow it more than willing to help and guide me. I
started to make sense. I participated actively in class and started to enjoy
was in my ninth semester the subjects (even the dry ones). From that
point until my final semester in UTP, I scored
of studies with three more The first time I did it,
of extensions. My CGPA
was very low, if I was to
just score average GPAs I
will not be able to class, but I know should I have started sooner; it
graduate at all!
either; I take it as the most precious lesson in my
life.

only to stay awake during night times hanging out with my friends.
My results were terrible. I was put under academic probation and
warning on numerous occasions. I was only lucky not to be booted-
out from UTP (I came close to academic dismissal a couple of times). It
was by far, the lowest time in my life.
Not so long ago, 2006 to 2008 People say you get wiser by the time
Now, 2009 I am living the life in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, attached to
PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad (PDB). It was not an easy entry, nor an
easy job. PETRONAS expects so much from its scholars and I am
determined to show gratitude for all that trust and support the
for this. The most important lesson for me is; learn to love what you do
and always live your life to the fullest! TI

cal development or life experience itself but somehow I seemed to

10 TheInspirer | April 09
 Highlights
By Muhammad bin Hasan Azahari
Foundation 1st Semester

Everybody wants to live happily and get the most out of life in spite of the overwhelming demands of work and tasks.
To accomplish that effectively, it is very essential to take care of The Six Main Elements of Life and nurture them.

MIND We have to provide

some time to feed
our mind in order to widen our perspectives and
BODY It is very important
to spend some
time to ensure our health and strengthen our
sharpen our thinking. Things that we can do to body. It is a good idea to:
improve our life in this aspect are:  Practice your favourite sport.
 Read newspapers, magazines, self-  -kwon
improvement books or anything that may
concern.
 Play mind-challenging games such as Su-
doku, chess and many more.
 Attend conferences, talks, or forums. FINANCE
a good idea to set apart some time to do
It
is

SPIRITUAL
This aspect focuses on your religious routines. In
financial planning and saving in order to
achieve financial stability. The following
might work:
SAVE FIRST
every religion, there are things compulsory to be Set a time each week to deposit some money
done and also those encouraged to be done. As into the cashbox. For example, deposit RM 10
Muslims, we should: every Friday. Save a certain amount each month.
 Pray 5 times a day. Open an account and deposit an amount of
 Recite the al-Quran.
 Fast a day or two in a week. per month.
 Attend religious activities (talks, forums, smart Shopping? Plan your expenses:
group meetings).  List all the things to buy.
 Wake up at two thirds of the night (qiyamullail). 

RELATIONSHIP The
world is full of relationships. We live in a society
 Go and buy those relevant things on the list.
These steps will not only prevent unnecessary
purchases but also help to save your money from
that consists of multiple ages and races.
leaking out of your wallet. Try it for a month and
Maintaining a harmonious environment is very
important. The point here is to flourish the
relationships that we have. FRIENSHIP CON- taken just 5 minutes before you enter the
SISTS OF A WILLING EAR, AN UNDERSTANDING shopping mall.
HEART AND A HELPING HAND:

SELF
-NOURISHMENT
 Spend some time together with friends to
Everybody loves to
be pampered and
 Contact long lost friends through e-mails,
nourished. The
person that holds the responsibility for doing that
message.
is ultimately ourselves. Appreciate yourself as a
 Do something together such as playing
person in this world. Take some time to do what
football, swimming, having a picnic etc.
you love to do and eventually it will lift yourself
upwards. CHOOSE YOURSELF:
Listen to music, watch movies, read novels etc.
Hobbies such as collecting stamps, enjoying video
games etc. TI

11 TheInspirer | April 09