The Bright side of Exam Week.

    Finally,  I’m done with my final exam, which means I’m done with my third semester in CFS, IIUM. Another one more semester & I am up to be an undergraduate student. What course? What major? Undecided. It’s so scary to make a big decision which will affect big portion of your life. But we have solat sunat istikharah, as a way for us to refer to the All-Knower, Allah swt.

   This post is not going to be about my thoughts on making decision regarding my bachelor study, nor on my plan for the semester break.  But it’s about the habit that I developed and lost and developed again.

   I won't lie, study week, exam week.. it really causes my acne to pop out since my hormone was imbalanced due to the pressure and stress. Thank God, now it started to go away.. bye bye acne. 

   Now, to those who know me, you might know how I used to be and how I've changed from the old me to the new me. It was so drastic I guess. Which is... good, and bad. The good thing is I've changed for better, the bad thing is I failed to stay consistent also can be said Istiqamah. 

   In order to have a strong building, you must first have a good planning. Then, you must know the steps and what to do and to not do. Every development process in this world takes time. If you think you can finish it within seconds you might build something low in quality because you might neglect the small details. Contrary, to destroy a building it only takes seconds. Even easier when the building is not strong. You don't have to be an Engineer to know this. 

  Same goes to habit. It takes time... If you run before you know how to walk, the possibility that you will fall is 100%. I was so excited last time, I changed 180 degrees drastically and fell down badly. As we know, the first step is always the hardest, then it tends to get easy. So I lost my track and didn't know how to get back.

  Study week arrived, I still haven't get my mind straight. I was watching TV, laying down on my bed most of the time and other useless activities. The day I got back to my dorm, that's when it hits me. I saw other students were busy studying. I got my sense back, and started to do the same thing. Human are by nature imitative. The exam was so near, so I need to utilize every single second left to cover all the chapters. Regret! Regret! Regret! Last minute work always give you stress. It can even cause you heart disease. 

  As I realized the need of changing my lifestyle, I started to sleep early, eat good food, etc.. That's how cool exam week is. This is why I don't plan to party all night long once I finished with the exam, I rewarded myself with good food and that's it. No more midnight movie or whatever. So happy nowadays, because I'm living a life that I should live. I am more productive and hope to stay this way.

  Next, when we talk about changing for better, it means you want to be closer to Allah. Many of us get too excited and start to do as many Ibadah as we can. However, it is better for us to do it step by step. Lets say you want to start making Dhuha Prayer your daily routine, do it for a month or less, and add other Ibadah one by one. This way, you will not feel burdensome since you are new to all this. InsyaAllah, you will be consistent that way. Istiqamah doesn't mean that you won't do sins, but it means you will immediately repent once you commit a sin. 

  Last shout,

  Bad habit is easy to build, but it will make your life hard. Good habit is hard to build, but it will make your life easier. At first, you build the habit, then the habit will build you. 

  May this holiday won't be an unproductive holiday. =)