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As a Male Student Studying English Language for Early Childhood Education at IPG

Stepping into IPG as a male student in the Early Childhood Education programme — particularly in the English Language stream — felt like walking into unfamiliar territory. Surrounded by a field often dominated by female peers and societal expectations, I initially questioned if I truly belonged here. The stares, the silent judgments, and even my own self-doubt whispered that I was out of place.

However, it was in those exact moments of discomfort that I began to discover strength I never knew I had.

Studying English as a second language came with its own set of challenges. There were times I stumbled over pronunciation, misunderstood texts, or felt inadequate during classroom presentations. But instead of letting these weaknesses define me, I used them as fuel to grow. I spent extra hours improving my fluency, practicing storytelling techniques, and even exploring how language could become a tool to connect with young children in meaningful, creative ways.

The hardship wasn't just linguistic — it was emotional too. Being one of the few male students meant I had to constantly prove that nurturing, creativity, and empathy weren’t limited by gender. Slowly, through group projects, microteaching, and classroom observations, I realised that my presence brought a different yet valuable perspective to early childhood learning — and that difference was my strength.

Today, I stand more confident. The journey hasn’t been easy, but every struggle I faced taught me patience, empathy, and resilience. I learned that true strength isn't just about pushing forward when things are easy — it's about growing through the moments that try to hold you back.

In discovering the strength to persevere, I also discovered my purpose — to be a caring, inspiring male educator who brings both heart and language into the lives of you

ng learners.

1.Adam

2.Akmal

3.Aflinn

4.Arif

5.Hakimi

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Adapting To IPG LIFE :

Entering Institut Pendidikan Guru (IPG) marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life, filled with anticipation and uncertainty. As someone passionate about teaching, the idea of being surrounded by like-minded individuals excited me, but I couldn’t ignore the fear of stepping into an entirely new environment. Leaving the comfort of home, familiar routines, and friends was daunting, yet I knew this journey would play a pivotal role in shaping my future. My first impressions of IPG were a mix of awe at the structured learning environment and nervousness about whether I would fit in.

My first few days at IPG were overwhelming. The campus buzzed with students from diverse backgrounds, each carrying their own dreams of becoming an educator. I vividly remember the orientation week, where every session felt like a flood of new information. From understanding the course structure to navigating the sprawling campus, I struggled to keep up. Adjusting to communal living in the hostel was another challenge. Sharing a room with strangers required patience and understanding. I often found myself missing the comfort of my family, especially during meal times when I sat among unfamiliar faces. However, small moments of connection—like sharing stories and helping each other with tasks—slowly turned acquaintances into friends. The academic life at IPG was equally demanding. Balancing lectures, assignments, and co-curricular activities was a juggling act I wasn’t prepared for. Yet, amidst the chaos, I discovered a supportive community of lecturers and peers who encouraged me to persevere. Participating in group projects and cultural events not only helped me build confidence but also made me feel part of something bigger.

At the beginning, feelings of excitement and pride often accompany this decision, especially as it opens up opportunities to enhance knowledge and skills. However, emotions such as anxiety and stress also often arise, particularly when faced with significant academic responsibilities, adapting to a new environment, and managing time effectively. Additionally, feelings of homesickness or difficulties in balancing studies and personal life can be emotional challenges. Nonetheless, with the support of friends, lecturers, and family, these emotions can be overcome. The sense of satisfaction and pride upon completing a task or achieving success makes the journey more meaningful. Overall, the journey of pursuing further studies is an emotionally complex but valuable experience that helps shape one’s inner strength and maturity.

In the IPG environment, my actions focused on actively participating in activities and adapting to new challenges. I made an effort to join group discussions, complete assignments on time, and seek help when I faced difficulties. Sometimes, I hesitated to ask questions in class because I felt unsure, which affected my understanding of certain topics. However, I realized that taking initiative, such as discussing with friends or approaching lecturers, helped me overcome these struggles and improve my learning process.

After entering IPG, I learned to wake up early again since a long holiday after SPM. Besides, I also make new routine like reading Al-Quran once a day because of these IPG morning program which is MBQ. I also learned new study method and I becoming more proficient in using computer software like Microsoft Word, Canva and others

In conclusion, enrolling in further studies is an important step to enhance knowledge, skills, and personal potential. Although it comes with challenges such as academic pressure and adaptation, the experience provides opportunities for personal and professional growth. With the right support, this journey becomes a valuable investment for the future.

Members :

1. Amanina

2. Izzah

3. Fazrin

4. Aina Batrisyia

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Breaking Out of My Comfort Zone: Semester 1 at IPG

Reflecting on my first semester at Institut Pendidikan Guru (IPG), I realize how much it pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and grow in ways I never anticipated. Coming into this new environment, I was both excited and nervous about the changes ahead. Leaving behind the familiarity of my previous surroundings, adjusting to a new academic structure, and meeting people from diverse backgrounds felt overwhelming at first. However, these very challenges became the foundation of my personal and academic growth during this pivotal time.

One of the biggest challenges I faced was adapting to the teaching-focused curriculum. Coming from a traditional learning environment, I was used to absorbing knowledge passively through lectures and textbooks. At IPG, the emphasis was on active participation, creative problem-solving, and hands-on teaching simulations. During my first group presentation, I struggled with self-doubt and anxiety, fearing I wouldn’t meet the expectations of my peers and lecturers. Standing in front of the class to deliver my part of the presentation was daunting, and I doubted whether I could project confidence or clarity. Despite my nervousness, I pushed through, and to my surprise, I received encouraging feedback. That experience taught me the importance of preparation and that stepping into the unknown often leads to unexpected success.

Another moment that challenged me was learning to live away from home for the first time. Leaving the comfort and support of my family was harder than I expected. Simple things like managing my schedule, cooking meals, and balancing study time became daily struggles. I had to learn to be more independent and resilient, especially during moments of homesickness. Slowly, I found ways to create a sense of home at IPG by building strong friendships with my classmates. They became my support system, helping me navigate academic and personal challenges. Through this, I learned the value of community and that asking for help is not a sign of weakness but strength.

One unexpected area where I broke out of my comfort zone was participating in extracurricular activities. Before IPG, I had always avoided joining clubs or events because I preferred to stay in the background. However, during my first semester, I was encouraged by my peers to join a cultural performance for a college event. At first, I hesitated, fearing I wouldn’t be good enough, but with their encouragement, I decided to try. Rehearsing for the performance and finally stepping on stage in front of a large audience was nerve-wracking but exhilarating. The experience helped me overcome my fear of judgment and realize that participation, not perfection, is what matters most.

Looking back, my first semester at IPG was filled with moments of discomfort and doubt, but those moments were also the most rewarding. Each challenge I faced pushed me to grow stronger, more confident, and more adaptable. Breaking out of my comfort zone taught me resilience, the importance of taking risks, and the value of building connections with others. As I move forward in my journey at IPG, I carry these lessons with me, knowing that the willingness to embrace the unfamiliar will continue to shape me into the teacher and individual I aspire to become.

Group members:

1)Adilla Syafiqa

2)Hani

3)Qistina

4)Alya

5)Khairi

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Facing My Fears in Public Speaking

I remember the first time I had to speak in front of an audience. It was a group presentation during my first semester at IPG. As my turn approached, my heart raced, my hands shook, and my mind filled with “what if” scenarios: What if I forget my points? What if they laugh? What if I fail? These thoughts nearly convinced me to back out.

However, I reminded myself why I was there. I had prepared thoroughly, and my teammates were counting on me. As I stepped up to speak, I focused on making eye contact with supportive faces in the audience. I stumbled over a few words at first, but as I progressed, I found a rhythm. By the time I finished, I was met with encouraging applause.

That experience taught me the importance of preparation, self compassion, and trusting my abilities. I realized that fear often magnifies the worst case scenarios in our minds, but reality is rarely as terrifying as we imagine.

Since then, I’ve taken every opportunity to improve my public speaking skills, from volunteering to present in class to joining group discussions. Each time, I felt less afraid and more confident. Now, I see public speaking not as a fear, but as a skill to be honed.

Looking back, facing my fear of public speaking taught me resilience and the value of pushing through discomfort. It’s not about being perfect but about being brave enough to try.

resilience = ability to recover from or adapt to change

self-compassion = being kind and understanding towards yourself

Group members:

afifah

aina nazirah

adila

raudhah

safira

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An Unexpected Lesson from Failure

Failing is never easy, and it feels even worse when it happens after trying hard. This is exactly how we felt when we got our trial exam results. Many of us failed several subjects, and it was a tough moment. We felt hopeless and wondered if we would ever do well in the actual SPM exam. But looking back, that failure turned out to be an important lesson about not giving up and working together.

When the trial results came out, we were shocked and disappointed. It wasn’t just one or two subjects, some of us failed more than half of our papers. At first, we felt scared and didn’t know how to move forward. But instead of giving up, we decided to take it as a challenge.

We started studying harder and smarter. Instead of trying to figure everything out on our own, we worked together with our own schoolmates. Those who were good at certain subjects helped explain them to others. We shared notes, tested each other, and encouraged everyone to keep going together. Slowly, all of us began to see small improvements.

Studying for SPM wasn’t easy. We stayed up late, did lots of practice questions, and pushed ourselves to keep going even when we were tired. But when the SPM results were finally released, it was all worth it. Almost all of us improved, and some even got grades we never thought we could achieve.

The biggest lesson we learned was that failure doesn’t mean the end. It’s a chance to learn, try again, and do better. The happy and sorrow during our trial results taught us to work harder, ask for help when we need it, and believe in ourselves. They also showed us the importance of teamwork, we wouldn’t have made it without supporting each other.

In the end, our failure in the trial exams was a blessing in disguise. It pushed us to work harder and taught us that with determination and effort, we can overcome even the toughest challenges.

GROUP MEMBERS

1. NAJLA

2. AISYAH

3. SHAZLIANA

4. FATIH