Down memory lane...Matriculation

I could still barely remember when I got my offer letter from matriculation. I felt very ecstatic as I would go to a new place and get to continue my studies. That was the first time I went to a place that was very far from home and my parents, all by myself. I did not really know where I had the strength and bravery to go there without anyone else accompanying me for registration. Maybe I was so naive and innocent. Not knowing what was the real world outside there really like.
I bought a flight ticket that would arrive at 6 pm. I was not sure why i bought that late ticket. Oh....yea...i remember....It was because all direct tickets from Kuching to Labuan were fully booked. That caused me to buy a transit ticket which was far more expensive as i would be taking two different flights. The cheapest that i could get was flight that arrived at 6 pm. So, i have no choice because my budget was low at that time. I used money from leftover scholarship saving that i keep after done secondary school. Luckily it was just enough to get me to Labuan.
Arriving in Labuan airport, i was very anxious as my friend’s mother who supposed to pick me up there did not show up. I called my friend. He said his mother won’t be able to come and bring me to the matriculation. I felt like stranded in an island without direction and hope. With all the big baggages that i carried with me, it was very difficult to move anywhere to find a cab. Suddenly i saw a group of uniform people with someone raising sign board written “Matrikulasi Labuan”. There came my savior..i approached them and ask the person raising the signboard, “Saya nk pergi daftar di Matrikulasi Labuan, boleh tolong hantarkan?” So, they brought me to their bus and after waiting for few minutes, we headed for matriculation. I have mixed feeling during my time in the bus. Happy, worried, glad and nervous. What intriguing me the most at that time was,why they were still waiting for people although i was sure that registration counter had closed at that time, which was about 6.30 pm. It was already dark when i arrived like 7.30 pm here.
Life in matriculation was not very easy for me. Everything was in English. That was the first time i know the word ‘potassium’ which i used to call it ‘kalium’ during chemistry lecture. Almost every words that lecturer said or written in textbook were new words for me especially during biology lecture. Just imagine, i did not know what ‘secrete’ means. When i looked back, i felt like i had learned so little or nothing when i was in school. But my English was so poor during secondary school, so no wonder it would be difficult for me.
Nevertheless, i tried to improve myself. I had to get a book to write new words and find the meaning and memorize the new words. As i was doing that i could see my friends around me developed and learnt faster than me. I was left behind and unable to catch up with their level. When i got into discussion with them, i would feel lost. It made me feel so depressed and isolated.
To be continued... :)