Reflecting on my ongoing PhD journey, I’ve come to realise the biggest obstacle in learning isn’t external – it’s me. Overcoming doubts, self-beliefs, and scaling that towering wall of perfectionism has been my toughest challenge yet. I’m terrified of letting myself down. Sometimes, that fear sneaks in and causes me to avoid the routine altogether. It’s oddly comforting in the most twisted sense. The last time I felt such an intense mix of emotions was in Form 5, with SPM (Malaysia’s equivalent of IGCSE) looming. I felt powerless, stranded 300km away from home with nothing but a Nokia 3310 (and maybe a public phone) for support – sounding very prehistoric right about now!
But here’s the thing – I survived SPM because of my classmates. They listened, validated my feelings, and we became each other’s support system. It’s the same principle I’m relearning now, still navigating my PhD. Studying, like life, isn’t a solo journey. You need a mentor. You need comrades, people walking the same path, to push each other forward.
That’s the lesson I carry with me into my teaching. Learners must be encouraged to accept and celebrate their differences so they can benefit from each other’s unique experiences. Have that open conversation when learners say they’re anxious or afraid of learning. Validate those feelings – they’re real – but also remind them that with encouragement, they can overcome. One learner at a time, and we can make a significant difference in this world.
We might not have Nokia 3310s anymore, but the need for connection and validation in learning is timeless.
