Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by OptimusMaximus

Applying to Canadian universities

OptimusMaximus — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 21:13:33 +0800

How come I don't seem to see any threads here or people talking about universities in Canada? It's not as expensive compared to other more popular countries. Anyone here planning to apply to University of Toronto, Mcgill etc.?

Question about scholarships

OptimusMaximus — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 14:35:37 +0800

1. For those who are in January intake A-levels, they mostly finish their A-levels in June the following year. For example, those who take A-levels January 2013 graduate in June 2014. The deadline for most corporate scholarships like Maybank, Shell etc. are earlier than June, normally in April. So if these A-level students from January 2013 want to apply for these scholarships in 2014, which results do they use? Considering that they have not sat for their A2 yet, only AS.

2. Most scholarships for degree studies are for those who already got an offer from a university, or no? What about those that finish their pre-u already, but have not applied to any uni yet?

Been using Avast for years

OptimusMaximus — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 15:50:44 +0800

So I've been using Avast Free Antivirus for 1-2 years now ...so far I think it's good, but not sure if they detect all kinds of virus and malware, but I like the fact that it has file shields, web shields and that browser plugin where they show the safety of the website i.e green means safe, yellow not-so, and red is dangerous, and other features of the antivirus is pretty good for a free version although I'm not sure how effective it is anyway.

But lately, I've noticed that my browser has been slow. Not the loading speed of websites, but the sluggishness and lagging of the browser itself when loading web pages, especially at websites where there are a lot of videos like GameSpot or other game review sites where there are a lot of pictures and videos. The browser would sometimes not respond for 5-10 seconds when I'm loading these pages. So I removed all add-ons because I thought one of it was the cause of the problem, then I disabled the Avast Online Plugin, and my experience improved. No more non-responding browser. Quite smooth when loading those webpages which I mentioned. So the cause was actually this plugin which showed the safety of the website. It had been a useful feature to see if a website if safe, but too troublesome because it often get my browser stuck.

I'm wondering whether to continue using Avast or not. Sometimes I think it's not too strict in detecting virus. For example I googled about the safety of this certain program, other antivirus detected it as a trojan, but my antivirus didn't alert me of anything. I prefer an antivirus which is more strict.

A-level forecast results

OptimusMaximus — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 18:34:35 +0800

I'm from A-level July intake 2013, and I'm going to finish my 1st semester soon, after exams finish next week. The problem is, I'm worried about my forecast result, because I think my forecast would be based on this upcoming semester exam and all my previous class tests and also my performance in class. I got really low marks for my class tests in all 4 subjects that I take, and my performance in class isn't very good as I'm not very active in class. Would this forecast result affect my applications to universities in the future, or affect my whole 1.5 A-level course?

Deep questions about A-Levels

OptimusMaximus — Sun, 03 Nov 2013 15:08:10 +0800

I'm currently doing A-levels, from July 2013 intake and I never thought that I would still have so many questions unanswered. I have tried asking some people from my college, but I never seem to get really proper answers.

1) Let's say if I'm suddenly interested in Dentistry, but I'm only taking Maths, Phy, Chem and another fourth subject, but it's not Bio, can I still apply for Dentistry next time if I want to?

2) AS is at the end of 2nd semester and A2 is at the end of 3rd semester. Now I'm in my first semester, and there is a final semester exam coming at the end of this first semester. Would this final semester test be my forecast result? Because I still don't get what is forecast result and from which test is it from...is it from the final semester exam, or from all the class tests combined? Or different colleges do it differently?

3) Are all the internal class tests important? Since second month of college, all my lecturers have been giving us all these class tests, so far I have already sat for 3 of these tests. And the first test was printed out on a result slip and shown to us during Parent's Day. Of course my result wasn't that good because I was just only getting used to everything, so would this class test result affect anything?

4) July intake seems to have a different schedule altogether from January intake. For January intake, I can see some of my friends already applied to UK universities. For us July intake, when and how do we apply to UK/US and AUS/SG and using which results?

5) I took SPM last year and I got an A1 for my GCE 1119. If I want to apply to SG/UK/US/AUS universities, must I sit for IELTS or a similar English test?

6) I thought for July 2013 intake onwards, I thought there would be no more Moral Studies and General Paper for A-Level students? Why are there still some colleges doing so?

I did try doing some research before asking here but I get more confused instead.

How to increase body size

OptimusMaximus — Sat, 02 Nov 2013 01:51:42 +0800

Are there any ways for me to increase my body size? Right now I weigh around 60kg, my height is 170 cm. I have a slight tummy, but other than that, I have nothing else special. I have no big biceps, no six-packs, no muscular legs either. Just normal, because I don't go jogging and I don't lift weights. And it's been a while since I last played any sports, maybe about 3 months already. I feel now I look quite skinny, scrawny, and no muscles at all. My body don't look good, it looks too thin, I feel my posture is slouching, I'm not walking with a straight back and with confidence, and a lot of my clothes I have right now, are L size that makes my body look even smaller.

So what can I do to gain more weight? I would really like to look more big and more muscular a bit, so that I look better. How can I start?

Between STPM and A-levels

OptimusMaximus — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 17:29:42 +0800

Here is my story. It might seem like a small matter but it means a lot to me. STPM and A-levels are about the same duration is it? You see, I finished my SPM last year, and right now, no matter what people are saying, I'm still regretting not starting my A-levels in January. I only started in July this year and only going to finish by next December 2014. And by the time the real results come out, which is around March 2015(is it?) it would be almost 2 years already right?

Back when I was considering my options last year after my SPM, I was considering between A-levels and STPM, and also hoping for scholarship. I was thinking that if I didn't get any scholarship, I would just go for A-levels July intake. So I started my A-levels in July, and 4 months later, I have regrets. Back then, I never thought I would feel this way. I don't want to start uni so late, I want to graduate faster. Seeing some of my friends who started A-levels in January, and already sitting for their AS right now, and going to graduate June 2014 next year, already makes me feel bad. Most probably they are going to go straight to UK after that. If I want to go to UK, I would have to wait until September 2015, that is like another year later.

The only way I feel I can redeem myself is to try to get into an Australian or Singapore uni, during their February/Mac 2015 intake. Because those who went for January 2013 A-levels, and want to go to Australia or Singapore uni also have to wait till February/Mac 2015 anyway. So I must apply using my forecast results?

Or maybe go for a degree which is only 3 years, rather than 4. Not planning to do medicine. Anyway for my situation or the way I feel, hope you all can give me some perspective and views

Why I want to graduate faster, and wished I had gone for January intake? Because now, I realized I have become kiasu. I like to push myself and excel at what I'm doing, I don't feel good knowing that I am going to graduate 6 months later than those who took January 2013 A-levels, and I don't feel good wasting my time while waiting for A-levels to start in July. I rather have a gap between completing degree and finding for a job, rather than a gap between SPM and pre-u/pre-u and degree. My kiasuness is my motivation in my studies. But now, I'm regretting so badly, I can't focus on my studies

Is attendance important in pre-u?

OptimusMaximus — Sun, 27 Oct 2013 01:26:05 +0800

I'm taking A-levels, July 2013 intake. Would just like to know if attendance is really that important? After all, A-levels is an external exam. And sometimes I feel I study at home by myself is better.

And another thing. A-levels has three semesters. Now I'm in my first semester. Let's say I shift to another college in my second semester, and continue in that new college until the 3rd semester ends(till the end of my A-levels). Would this shift cause any problems?

A side question, ignore if u want. But why do I feel there is no one on the internet who went for July intake A-Levels? Why do I feel everyone takes January intake? Is it just me? I don't see anyone saying 'Oh hey, July intake, 1307, or 1207 student here.'. All I see is 'January intake 1301, 1201, started A-levels right after SPM'. Is January intake really that much more of a popular option than July intake? Do top scorers and people who go overseas mostly come from January intake? Sorry, just can't help comparing.

Left behind in the A-level syllabus

OptimusMaximus — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 13:49:14 +0800

I started my A-Levels recently in July 2013, so now I'm in my first semester, and this month is my fourth month already. But so far, I feel I'm really left behind because the past 3 months since I started my course, I haven't really been paying attention and I wasn't really ready to start a new course, until now I still have no good textbooks which I can use as reference. I'm taking Maths, Physics and Chemistry, I already dropped my fourth subject.

So I really feel I need to catch up now. I have no idea how to start. Can anyone give good recommendations of which books should I buy for Maths, Physics and Chemistry, so I can use as my own reference? I already ask my lecturers but they are not recommending any good books in my opinion. And I need these revision books for my own self-study because my lecturers are not very good and I don't really understand what they are teaching.

And how should I study? My first semester exam is coming really soon. I feel I'm totally not prepared at all. I almost didn't learn anything since I started my A-Levels.

Regret starting A-Levels late

OptimusMaximus — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 17:17:56 +0800

Right now I'm in July 2013 intake for A-Levels, as a private student (I'm paying for my own fees), not under any scholarship or government bursary. I finished my SPM last year in November 2012. After finishing my SPM, I was pretty sure I wanted to do A-Levels, but didn't go for January intake, because at that time I was pretty confident that I would be alright with starting in July intake, and at that time, I felt like I wanted a break after working hard for SPM and I didn't care whether my friends who started their pre-u earlier would graduate earlier.

But instead, right now after seeing some of my friends who are taking those 1 year pre-u course and are going to graduate really soon, or those who started A-Levels in January 2013 who are already going to start their AS exams, I'm starting to feel a little bit regret because I keep thinking I should have started earlier in January. I'd would never have thought that I would feel this way when I made my decision of starting in July 2013. Any advise that you all can give?

Anyone took a break after SPM

OptimusMaximus — Tue, 03 Sep 2013 20:19:11 +0800

I would just like to ask. I know all of you would have different-different type of education qualifications, and a lot of you who have also made it in life, and probably some of you who didn't sit for SPM, but some other types of exams. But just a question regarding SPM, as I just sat for SPM last year.

Do students usually continue with their pre-u ( for e.g A-Levels), the year directly after SPM, or did anyone here or anyone you know took a break for a year, and do other things first, before starting their pre-u?

I'm talking about a break between SPM and pre-u, NOT between college and university (degree)

Taking a gap year

OptimusMaximus — Sat, 31 Aug 2013 02:02:39 +0800

Some people take gap years, is it ok to do so? Would universities/employers ask you in the future why is there a gap? And usually I think people take a gap year after they finish college, and before they start university, right? But have you heard of any people who take a year break after SPM, before starting their pre-u, for e.g A-Levels

Taking a year break from SPM

OptimusMaximus — Sat, 17 Aug 2013 01:51:12 +0800

Well actually my situation is complicated. I took SPM in 2012 last year, started my A-Levels only in July 2013, and wished I hadn't. I feel I should have had started earlier in January 2013. There are certain personal reasons to why I feel this way.

Among some of them is, I'm being pretty left behind in my subjects because during the first month, I really couldn't concentrate much(not because of laziness, but other personal issues) Second is because, I feel disappointed in certain things, especially regarding extra-curricular activities, which are so important during pre-u. And third, I don't really like my classmates(can't really click, or it's because I never try bonding with them during the first few weeks, and now even if I try, it's like they already have their own clique) and two of my lecturers are pretty bad, and who I would be stuck with for the whole course. So I'm wondering, would it be wise, or should I even be thinking, about transferring to January 2014 intake? What are the disadvantage, or what would I lose?

Smell coming from smartphone

OptimusMaximus — Sun, 11 Aug 2013 17:24:54 +0800

I have an Xperia TX smartphone, and I'm using a Nilliin Xperia TX Matte Hard Case together with it, pics of the product are in the spoiler below.

» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «

I noticed that I can always seem to smell a kind of smell from my phone, not sure if it's from my smartphone itself or the casing. I think it's the material used to make the phone or the casing, because my phone's back cover is some kind of matte plastic, while my casing is also made from some kind of plastic that seems a bit soft.

Any of u using a smartphone, with/without casing, that has a kind of smell when u using it as well?

Closed

OptimusMaximus — Thu, 02 May 2013 18:01:37 +0800

--Closed--

Educations loans

OptimusMaximus — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:52:26 +0800

Have any of u here applied for SPP1M? It is a loan that can be used to help finance ur studies in a local or overseas uni. I think there is a thread regarding this already but I would like to hear more opinions about this scheme, and I have a question. Let's say someone takes A-Levels, doesn't get a scholarship regardless whether he got good results or not (even with good results, it's not necessary u can get a corporate scholarship) but still decides to do his degree at an expensive institution, he can apply for SPP1M to help fund his studies am I right?

Just found out that on top of PTPTN, u can also apply for SPP1M. The amount you can request depends mainly on the difference of your actual tuition fee and the amount of any existing loans or scholarships

Change from Edexcel to CIE

OptimusMaximus — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 20:49:48 +0800

Just thought I open a thread regarding this. MCKL's a pretty popular college, and we all know they offer Edexcel A-Levels. Sometimes this was a factor why some student didn't want to go there, because it's Edexcel. But just recently, if you have heard from your friends or read their chatbox, they are changing to CIE. Their website's not updated yet though. So what do u think of this sudden change? I think CIE is actually more popular, maybe because of the name 'Cambridge' in it.

Tips for guitar maintenance

OptimusMaximus — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 18:26:50 +0800

Hi I need some help and tips on how to maintain my guitar. My guitar is a Yamaha and it is about 2 1/2 year old, and I have never polished or cleaned my guitar up until the beginning of this year because I had rarely played with my guitar, plus I had been busy last year and had kept my guitar in it's bag. So this year around February, I brought out the guitar, took it to the nearest Yamaha near where I stay, and told them to clean the guitar and change the strings for me. So I have a few questions.

1. I didn't see what they really do, because I left my guitar with them and came to take it back after a few hours. But I could see that the wood seems more shiny, and the strings have been changed and the insides(the hole) is free of dust because I told them to clean that part. What did they use to clean my guitar? Some kind of polish to make the wood look shiny and smooth? Plus the fretboard is cleaner as well. They used polish on the fretboard too? All I know is they used something called FastFret on my strings. Felt oily the first few times I touched the strings, but after a few days, I don't feel the oiliness anymore. Evaporated already perhaps?

2. And then just now, I took a piece of tissue paper, and rubbed it over the guitar strings, from top to bottom. There were brown stuff on the tissue. Is this rust? Is it time to change my guitar strings then? Why does it rust so fast, I only changed it 2 months ago and I only play for about 15 minutes a day. Is it because of the sweat on my fingers? Plus after playing, I straightaway put back the guitar in it's place. Must I wipe the strings clean first?

3. After playing, I don't put my guitar back in it's bag. I do not even have a guitar stand yet, so all I do is lean it against a wall. Is this alright? As long as it doesn't drop it should be ok in my opinion.

4. There are some white stuff on my guitar fretboard. No idea how it got there, I think it wasn't even there before I took it to the Yamaha store. Don't know what they had use to clean the fretboard, now there are some white stuff. Below are some pics of the white stuff I'm talking about. What is it?

Engineering in Germany or France

OptimusMaximus — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 02:28:15 +0800

Ok there is the recent JPA 2013 scholarship for SPM 2012 leavers which sponsor students to either Germany, France, Korea or Japan. I'm not too sure about the Korea & Japan's programme because it appear to be only diploma, but for Germany and France, it's for engineering degree if I'm not mistaken. So let's say if you have got the choice to choose either Germany or France for engineering, where would u go? I think I would choose Germany because I heard that their engineering there are quite advanced, but I prefer learning French rather than German Any comments?

Maybank Scholarship 2013

OptimusMaximus — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 18:25:11 +0800

Nvm I have already applied for it, and best of luck to those who applied already. Do update here if any of u receive this prestigious scholarship