Student Crisis

Alert!If you notice any kind of change to your behaviour, attitude and response, any abnormal or extraordinary pattern in the way you react and respond to simple daily chores - check things out and reflect. Why? This may very well be manifestation of crisis which needs immediate attention or help. Unless changes happen intentionally, it is best to be cautious and take the necessary steps to bring things back to normal.

In layman's term, crisis can be defined as conflict, problems, dilemma, anxiety, etc. In this predicament, an individual will not be able to use the common and familiar coping strategies and tension may arise. Common types of crisis include financial , identity, as well as relationship crisis. At university, decline in academic performance, peer pressure and conflicting priorities may pose an obstacle in the everyday pursuits. Hence, crisis erupts and the individual becomes easily agitated, disorganized and hostile.

Can crisis be avoided? Well, some matters in life are simply unpredictable and we may become victims of circumstances. Nevertheless, I believe that we can prepare for crisis by observing a few simple procedures daily:

1. maintain good friendship and relationship with people around so that they can alert you about any peculiar patterns of attitude or behaviour

2. whenever you are upset or disturbed, do not suppress your feelings but try to find a suitable way to express your fruestrations, and anger. Some people scream!!!, write in the diary or talk to somebody close and trusted

3. have faith in your life and future. Believe that God has created different pathways for different people in the different pursuits of success. If you meet an impasse, perhaps it's time to try another solution - opt for the road not taken and less travelled...

4. never give up! Seek for help and assistance. You should never be by yourself in circumstances like this... contact your friend, roommate, lecturer, mother, or counsellor, for help.
Lastly, crisis lurks in every corner of our challenging life. If we are prepared for it, there's hope that we won't fall prey to emotional outbursts or immature decisions. At UNITEN, there is a special club called PRS that trains its members to help peers under pressure. Of course, if they figure that the situation requires professional help, you will be referred to the counsellor or anybody more senior like the lecturers or the advisor.

Recently, the PRS at UNITEN organized a knowledge-sharing forum entitled: Student Crisis. Congratulations to the organizing committee. I think it's a brave and noble effort to carry out such an initiative. Students should be exposed to realities like this in order to better equip themselves with coping mechanisms to handle unforeseen circumstances.

Here are some photos of the event. Great job Mai (chairperson) and the panel speakers: Dominic (COE Third Year student, 7 times Dean's list award) and Muhammad (UNITEN alumnus, successful entrepeneur). I was also invited as a speaker, and I hope I have shared my ideas, thoughts, and experience well with the audience that evening. Last but not least, thumbs UP:) to Firdaus, project Chairman.