Getting used to KML

 Pasca Orientation

     First thing you'll notice about Labuan is that it is always HOT, sweltering HOT. Fan is a must! Many would prefer to wear only singlets in room. The absence of hot water is no problem, sometimes you might even want ice water to shower. After one week, your body will adjust to the climate. Still, remember to bring jackets because the temperature might plummet sometimes. 

   In order to lead a happy and peaceful life there, you must be able to blend in with your roommates and classmates. Sharing is caring~ If one of them accidentally poke your taboo, don't get too mad because all students come from different surroundings. I really learnt a lot by meeting many different people there. If everyone tolerates and shares happily, you might not wanna leave KML at all.

   Lectures started on 4/6/2012. Since then, life is hectic. Although we're only taking four major subjects, there is not enough time to do all the tutorials, assignments, reports etc nicely. Students need to spend their limited time wisely. There are so many things to learn in just one year. Don't give up easily. Remember to keep 4.0 in our hearts. =) 

    "Shoot for the moon, even if you miss, you'll land among the stars"

2nd Day- Orientation Starts

21/5/2012

   Orientation = Hell. The pattern is almost same for every year, very strict, exhausting, not enough time to eat, shower and sleep. In that one week, the facilitators will try to tame the students and stress on importance of punctuality, co-operation, respect etc. 

   It officially started that night and everyone immediately knew that it was gonna be tough week. All of us were punished and scolded for being noisy. We had to squat while biting our matric cards. So sad. Still I heard that the last batch had seen worse.

   Next day we had to wake up around 3am, maybe latest 4am to shower and wear formally. By 4.20am we must reach hall or surau (Muslims). The doors would be closed at 4.30am and the latecomers would see hell. The rest would get punished as well. *sigh* Thanks to the 'all for one, one for all' concept.

   Even though we always had to compress and get scolded, we had lots of fun, through learning funny moves and playing games and also doing aerobic exercise.

   We were released by 10.30pm or 11pm each day. Every morning and night we would receive punishment, so we kinda got used to it and didn't complain much. There were people fainting here and there though during 'denda', especially when we had to lift our bags high up for a long time. Not to mention the hall was jam-packed and stifling. 

   Nearing end of orientation, the atmosphere became more cheerful, as the punishment got lighter since we were tamer and we started to like the facilitators. You can really notice the changes. At first many didn't bother to greet the lecturers and facilitators. After five days you could see people greeting each other with smiles everywhere.

   After the end-of-orientation ceremony, my roommates and I slept for a long long time. >< We were all having sleep deprivation that week with only 2-3 hours of sleep each day. Many students  napped during orientation talks, so orientation week can also be called as zombie week, since everyone looked like zombies. XD

    Although I would never want to go through that orientation again, it was a valuable experience.

Life in Labuan Matriculation College: 1st Day of Registration

    It's been almost three months since I enrolled in KML(Kolej Matrikulasi Labuan). Now I'm nearing the end of my holidays but I still wanna share my experiences there. ^^

20/5/2012

    I went by early flight. More than half of the passengers were students. Upon reaching Labuan International Airport, we were welcomed by a reception group with banner. We didn't have to worry about transport because the college prepared buses to collect students along with parents from ferry terminal and airport during registration days. 

   At my first sight of KML I was like 'wow....' The campus was huge and it seemed like there was a carnival going on. The parking lots, hall and waiting area were seriously crowded. That time it was 10am. No doubt those early birds either came by ferry or already reached Labuan few days earlier. 

   Students must wear long-sleeved shirt with necktie and long pants (for boys) or 'baju kurung' (for girls). All must wear black formal shoes, and remember to cut your nails. All those rules and regulations can be found in KML website. Those who were not 'formal' enough were not allowed to register. 

   Registration took me two hours, and mine was considered very smooth already. Those without complete documents needed even longer time. After registration, students got their matric cards and headed off to their dorms. 

   If you wanna live on ground floor, come real early. If you wanna live on fourth floor (highest), come real late. >< I think that middle is the best. However, 1st floor life can be rather unfortunate in terms of drying clothes, because you'll have water dripping from 2nd, 3rd & 4th floors onto your clothes. Thus, most would buy large plastic sheets to cover their clothes. 

   The student hostels are quite nice, kinda like apartments. Four would share a room, two Sabahans, two Sarawakians & two Muslims, two non-Muslims. The room conditions are better than I expected, though too bad there is no air conditioner (asking too much XD)

   There is no problem with water supply, but occasionally there are pipe problems. Electricity, hmm..... Just don't use high-voltage stuffs or too many electrical appliances at one time if you don't want blackout ^^ 

  All in all, I think you'll love KML

Crowded waiting area

Dedicated parents waiting for their children to finish registration

The great hall of KML

MP- Office of Lecturers

The place to deal with hal ehwal pelajar

The area of girls' dormitories

Block C

Study desks

Four beds

Remember to bring a lock o~

Guys' dormitories and lecturers' apartments

The place to buy notes and photocopy stuffs

College library