An 18-year-old girl from a low-income family has defied the odds to score 10A in her SPM, proving that determination can rise above even the toughest circumstances.
Tey Chu Xin, a student from Segamat, Johor, achieved outstanding results in the national examination, with A+ in subjects including Additional Mathematics, Mathematics, History, and Moral Studies.
Grew up in a struggling household
Tey comes from a family of five who rely on collecting recyclable items for a living.
According to Oriental Daily, her father, 57, and mother, 51, earn a modest income of around RM1,800 a month, occasionally supplemented by her father doing gardening jobs.
The family lives in a simple half-brick, half-wooden house in Triang, where they practise strict frugality.
They avoid using electricity whenever possible, with monthly bills typically as low as RM20 to RM30.
However, during the months leading up to her SPM, the bill rose slightly as Tey stayed up late to study.
Studied through the night to succeed
To maximise her time, Tey adopted a disciplined routine.
She would sleep early, wake up around 2am to study, then rest again at 4am before heading to school.
Understanding her family’s financial situation, she rarely asked for material needs. However, she insisted on attending tuition classes to better grasp certain subjects.
Her monthly tuition fees, amounting to over RM400, were supported through her father’s efforts, community contributions, and B40 assistance.
Smart study methods and self-discipline
Despite not attending tuition for History, Tey excelled by paying close attention in class and focusing on key points rather than memorising blindly.
She credited her teacher, Vikraman, for making lessons engaging and effective.
For language subjects, she practised extensively by reading, writing essays, and seeking feedback from teachers.
She also made extra effort in Chinese by studying classical texts and proverbs.
Like many teenagers, Tey owns a smartphone, but she uses it wisely.
She sets study schedules on her device and only turns to it for help after attempting to solve problems on her own.
