Celebrating My Pandemic Children

Hi,

What a busy week it's been in the School of Math! It's all about final year presentations, and let me tell you, the math-a-thon is in full swing. Tomorrow, I have four students I've been advising presenting their projects. Wish them luck!

I'm also on the panel for six other projects this week. Four wrapped up today (phew!), with one more on Wednesday and the final one on Thursday. Reading these Final Year Projects (FYP) is always a blast. It's like a mathematical treasure hunt! The topics are so varied and genuinely fun. While they might not be ground-breaking theories, it's fascinating to see how these bright minds explore so many real-world applications of math. Who knew numbers could be so adventurous? 😉

With Intan Nuraini. She may be small, but this girl is absolutely bursting with energy!

Ain Suraya and Hasliza. I've witnessed first-hand their incredible resilience, watching them bounce back even after facing tough times.

This batch of students is about to graduate with their Bachelor's Degrees, and a wave of happy tears is definitely coming. Why, you ask? Because my very first group of students I advised are among them! I affectionately call them my COVID-19 children because our first "meeting" was virtually, during the pandemic. Our communication mainly happened through the wonderful world of online platforms. Can you imagine starting your university life without even stepping foot on campus? It was a wild ride, but I tried my best to make sure they still felt connected and enjoyed their first year, even if it was through a screen.

Once the pandemic decided to pack its bags and they finally arrived at USM for physical classes, we started a beautiful tradition, pizza parties at the end of every semester! Being an academic advisor isn't just about handing out advice, it's about making sure these young minds get the right guidance to not only graduate on time but also choose courses that truly spark their interest and align with their strengths.

I'm really going to miss our lively gazebo parties! Academic advising sessions were always so much fun with the never-ending flow of pizza and boba tea.

I've watched them grow from being a little naïve and unsure of themselves, making a few 'oopsie' decisions (some even hitting the P1 and P2 stages, don't worry, those are just academic pit stops, not permanent parking spots!). But they didn't give up! They buckled down, caught up, and are now ready to graduate with their friends. It's truly inspiring. 

No matter the hurdles they faced, I truly hope they gained something valuable from me, the school, and their time at USM. My biggest wish is that these past four years have felt like a second home to them, and they know they're always welcome back, pizza parties or not! 🍕🎉