Kolej Matrikulasi Negeri Sembilan (KMNS)

Kolej Matrikulasi Negeri Sembilan, KMNS was the college i went to in year 2013/2014. I am Khoo Yu Ting, from Penang. When I applied for matrics in secondary form 5, I applied for colleges near Penang and actually applied because most of my friends applied for it. I didn't know much about matriculation until I checked for form 6 offer and noticing my name was not in the list. I was so shocked when I found out that I was chosen for the matriculation program and was petrified when I know the location of the college was in Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan, a place I have never came across before.

I am not a top scorer, never got into the first class in my secondary, even primary. My SPM results, if  you would compare it with other matriculation friends, was not very outstanding. Although I managed to secure 10 A's in SPM, I am still a far gap from claiming a bursary. Thanks to my extra-curriculum activities, which (I think) made me eligible to enter matriculation program.

I felt quite scared, entering a college in a place quite far form my hometown, not knowing how will life be there. Fortunately, I met a lot of my secondary school friends and thank goodness I had nice and friendly roommates that can have fun with together when we were too stressed up studying.

The life in KMNS was great despite the hectic syllabus that need to be covered within limited time and the orientation week! In matriculation program, all you need is to survive that ORIENTATION week! Well, not to say it's tough, it's just pack with activities all day, they will let you sleep around 11pm or 12pm at night and start knocking on your door at 3am in the morning, waking you up! That week was a torture. But as long as you survived that, everything will be fine.

In matriculation program, there are 3 science modules and an account module. All 4 modules consist of 4 core subjects.

Module 1- Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Biology
Module 2- Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science
Module 3- Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science
Accounts- Mathematics, Accounting, Business Management, Economics

Compulsory subjects for all students are:

• English
• Dynamic Skills
• Islamic / Moral Education
• Co-curriculum

I was offered Module 1 based on my results when I enter. However, for my personal preference, I dislike biology, due to massive syllabus of memorizing. Furthermore, I have decided that my future career will not have any relation to biology. Therefore, I chose to switch to module 2 as I took up Computer Science. That was a decision that I never regret taking. One of the classes that is most stress-free in college is Practical Class for Computer Science in the computer lab. I had a great teacher that allowed us to explore most of the software ourselves, therefore, it's a relax class and most importantly it was air-conditioned. I saw some of my friends really struggled with biology, hoping they could turn back time and switch module as well.

Photo of us with our Mathematics lecturer
I'm the top row, 3rd from the right. 

Friends from my lecture
I'm top row 1st from the left

Last 2nd day of class where most of us tried wearing punjabi

Breakfast with my blockmates~

My roommates and friends in C4~

Comparing Matriculation program with form 6, the syllabus are almost the same, but form 6 will be tougher. This doesn't mean that matrics is easy. Our syllabus are all cramped and at the moment teacher finished teaching, after a few days, was the exam! We don't even had the chance to digest properly. The exam papers are not easy either, if you don't study, it's shown clearly in your results. However, one thing that makes matrics looks easier, it's easier to get an A in matrics as compared to form 6.

Let me share some of my experience with you. We have class 8am-5pm daily, except weekends. I don't know about others, but I stayed in block C4, quite a walking distance from lecture halls, tutorial rooms as well as library. Of course, as I'm staying far away, I need to get up earlier than my friends in block A and B. Walking takes time. However, you will get used to it sooner or later, and it could train your stamina and muscles as well. To be honest, I enjoyed staying in block C. It is located higher and further, therefore, it will be cooler and makes you feel like you're in Cameron Highlands or even Genting Highlands as early in the morning the place will be surrounded by thick mist.  

All my Malay friends need to wear baju kurung everyday to class, but for non-bumi, we can wear formal attire (formal shirt, slacks with black covered shoes), though sometimes we can choose to wear baju kurung. Frankly, the food there is spicy. Well, there are some that are not spicy, but don't get conned by the colour of the food, thinking that it's non-spicy, for every colour, there's a possibility that chili is present!

Sports. After having classes until 5pm daily, when I'm not that tired, I'll go for a jog. KMNS do have many sports facilities. Besides jogging, I played basketball, volleyball, badminton etc with my friends during weekends. Squash and tennis court are also available. For the football players, there is a large field. Many people practices and friendship games were always held among students. If you are just a fan of football, you can just sit at the "Astaka" as the audience.

During weekends, we were allowed to go for an outing unless there were activities scheduled for us. There is a pasar malam in the pilah town that most of us went on Friday evenings, Econsave is just beside the pasar malam. Besides that, there's GAINT, a shopping center for most of us. Food, such as biscuits, instant noodles, bread, fruits and etc are available there and it's always crowded with matrics students during the weekends. If you get tired of the cafe food in college (as most of us will), you can call for a delivery (either Pizza Hut or Ayamas). Just a small note, unless the college have changed their rules(I assumed they won't), we need to be back in college before 7pm, else, your matrics card will be "tahan" for a couple of weeks if you arrived late.

In our college, there will always be activities held to help us gain our co-curriculum marks. Try to get yourself involve as a high co-curriculum marks will come in handy when you're applying for your university. If you're not an athlete, just like me, fear not, you don't need to depend on only the sports activities to get full marks in your co-curriculum. There are many other opportunities for you as well.

In my blog, there's an important information that I would like to share with you. Many people thought that Marticulation program will only lead you to a local, public university. I once thought so too, but thanks to a senior's blog, I found out that this concept was wrong. Matrics is accepted overseas. This is the list.

Universities that accept Matrics
UK:
-University of Nottingham
-University of Birmingham
-University of Surrey
-University of London
-University of Manchester
-University of Southampton
-University of Sheffield
-Athlone Institute of Technology

Australia:
-University of Sydney
-University of Adelaide
-Monash University

New Zealand:
-University of Wellington

I have applied to University of Nottingham, UK and already got accepted there. Thinking back, although Matriculation program was only one year (in my case) and was far away from my hometown, it was undoubtedly a great experience for me. I got the opportunity to meet friends of different races and states. Now, I have friends all over Malaysia and I'm proud of that. No matter how much you dislike the life in matrics, always complaining about this, that, but one day, believe me, you will miss those moments with your friends there, eating together, chatting, gossiping, playing around, celebrating most of our 18th and 19th birthday together. No doubt, I'm starting to miss all my friends already, wondering when will be the next gathering, as it's hard to meet up. If you are still wondering should you enter matriculation program, my advice: you're lucky to be chosen, just go, have fun and enjoy!

Above is my personal opinions and experience that I would like to share with you. If any of my statements offended you, I sincerely apologize. And lastly, hope you will find my sharing useful and handy.

Ex-KMNS-ian
kyt