There are always challenges in learning. How students see these challenges, understand themselves, and find suitable ways to move forward is a common issue for many of them.

On 17 December 2025, a talk titled Prinsip dan Kaedah Mengharungi Cabaran dalam Pembelajaran (Overcoming Learning Challenges: Principles and Methods) was held at Desa Mahkota Form Six College in Kuala Lumpur. The talk was delivered by Dr. Tan Giek Lian, who shared her learning and work experiences and guided students to rethink the meaning of learning from a lifelong perspective.

Who Am I?

Dr. Tan began the talk by asking, “Who am I?”. She shared her different roles in life, including entrepreneur, wife, mother, and life education practitioner, as well as her own learning journey. She openly reflected on the challenges and changes she faced at different stages of education, from the Standard Five Assessment (PDL), Lower Secondary Examination (SRP), Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM), Malaysian Higher School Certificate (STPM), to her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral studies.

She explained that learning is not only about exams or certificates, but a continuous process of building oneself and enriching life. True learning involves growth in knowledge, skills, character, and ability, and it continues throughout life.

Transition from SPM to STPM

As the audience consisted of Form Six students, Dr. Tan focused on the challenges of moving from SPM to STPM. She pointed out that STPM is not just harder in content, but also requires a major change in learning style. Students are expected to do deeper exploration, analysis, presentations, and more systematic academic work. At the same time, they need stronger self-discipline, independence, and time management skills. These changes often bring feelings of unease, anxiety, and self-doubt.

During the talk, Dr. Tan repeatedly stressed that effective learning depends on understanding both “knowing” and “doing”, and that these must take into account both knowledge and emotions. She encouraged students to understand first before taking action, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and build support from family and friends. She also shared principles and methods to practise “knowing” and “doing” in daily learning.

Feedback

During the question-and-answer session, Dr. Tan invited students to share their thoughts. Some students said they chose Form Six because they could go home every day. Others shared that they worked part-time to cope with financial pressure. When talking about their next step in education, some had clear plans for specific academic programmes at local or overseas universities, some chose to go with the flow, while others still felt uncertain.

Dr. Tan did not give fixed answers. Instead, she reminded students that it is important to find methods that suit themselves, to understand and be kind to themselves, and to build a support system with family and friends. Everyone’s education path is different, but learning is a lifelong journey.

May every student, when facing challenges, be able to use the right methods and also take care of their emotions, even in times of uncertainty and confusion.