Ramadhan's checklist

Here go my daily checklist for Ramadhan, however, it's just a simple task that I plan on doing daily while juggling with work. Suitable for young working adults, and students.

    1. Wake up for Suhoor (Sahur).

Probably will become the hardest task for me this year, because what is sahur without mama 😭. I'm sorry mama for taking sahur with you for granted. As I'm that skinny girl who cannot stand being hungry (I'm always hungry okay), I never missed waking up for sahur. If not during the day, I cannot even stand the hunger and thirst. My plan this year as I'm staying in a hostel with no proper kitchen and cooker, I'm gonna go for an easy non-cook meal.

• overnight oats
• cereals with milk
• fruits and dates
• sandwich or bread (not a fan of cookies though)

Overnight oats are what I'm looking forward to this Ramadhan. Due to dozens of recipes, I've watched them on YouTube and also in blogs. They look scrumptious and yeah avoid watching this during fasting. It totally gonna make you salivate real bad. The only basic ingredients you need are rolled oats, milk, yogurt, and dressings. While for sandwiches I highly recommend wholemeal bread as it keeps you fuller for longer.

    2. Pray on time and sunnah prayers (Taraweeh, Dhuha, and night prayer).    

Pray fardhu prayers on time and as soon as possible. Try not to sleep after Subuh and always in ablution. Make long duas after every prayer. Go for congregational prayers (jemaah) as much as I can and also make an effort for dhuha and also night prayers. Hopefully. If you have never completed your 5 fardhu prayers daily, this is the time to try and keep it on track again. I swear if you could've done it in 30 days you're gonna stick to that habit. Instead of trying the new extras sunnah prayer, why wouldn't we try to fix and perfect our daily fardhu prayer again? 

    3. Read the Quran.

My daily goal is actually one Surah per day. However, let's set our goals high and go for a daily goal of one juz per day (You will finish the entire Quran by the end of Ramadhan). It is the same concept as in prayers, if you can read even a page per day for 30 days, it would be a lot easier to continue even when Ramadhan ends. Honestly reading Quran really just takes a few minutes and I got the satisfaction of a clear head every time. Take that dusty Quran off the rack and kickstart anytime!

    4. Less music.

Agh I'm struggling with this one also as I cannot be apart from my earphones. It's not good actually. Yeah, this is a sign to take a break from wasting time on music. Instead try;

• listen to Zikr,
• Quran recitation,
• brown noise,
• nature sounds (rain, bird chirpings, etc).

    5. Do exercises.

30 mins exercises won't hurt, you want glowing skin for Raya right? For the sake of a healthy mind and body go out for a walk at least for 30 minutes outside of your room. Because I know doing those exercises on YouTube is probably a lie (you lazy bump). Do what you love (don't sleep), and be productive. I enjoy slow walking around the campus instead of jogging while observing the clouds, flowers, and greenery. Go out! Staying in makes you hungry (trust me).

    6. Do more readings and cleaning.

As my shift ends early due to fasting month, so I will be spending a lot of time in my humble room. Got unread books as well, so you know what to do. Go finish that book or do some cleaning. Avoid your room from becoming a wreck, as it will mess up your mind as well. Every day, ensure the floor is clean, and the plates are washed. Avoid procrastinating chores and that includes laundry. 

7. Homecook meals is the best.

Stock up that fridge, and go fetch some groceries. Plan your next day's meals. You probably saving a lot more money this month.  Remember your goals ❤

Carpe diem.

Undergraduate study review

 

If you're a student, you have one job and it is to study.

Well, that sounds absurd, but really that is what matters. I mean a student should shift their priority to studying and learning. Students nowadays are really evolved from where I used to be back in 5 years. They started to seek part-time jobs, become entrepreneurs, and also become social influencers. Which is great. That took tremendous energy to juggle all those responsibilities, but as long as you're a student, your pointer and knowledge are what matters.  

Every person varies in what they are seeking in their lives, however, during those periods of studying instead of gaining more money, try to seek friendship, connection, and soft skills. At the end of the adult road, we all want to be back as a student again. Hanging out with friends, doing study groups, and discussing topics in Mcdonald's or random fancy cafe is an experience that you won't get it anywhere. You're full of energy, spirits, and love, spread it. It's okay to chase money, but it won't be enough, there are other things that money can't buy.

I started my undergraduate journey back in 2016, as a young tenacious 19 years old lady. Which university and what course I'm pursuing will be in the next post.

Now that I think of it, omg how time passed like a breeze. I was a very cheerful, active, and determined student back in those days. I love studying and I'm very grateful because I got into an established university and was accepted into the course that I pick. I wasn't happy with the course at first, as I'm into medical sciences and biology back in school. But, with my SPM results, I didn't get any health or medical science courses that I wanted. I clearly remember sitting down with my father and telling him I want to change my course. After considering the pros and cons, I continue with the course.

During the duration of 2016-2019, I was nothing but happy, living a delightful student life. I only received PTPTN, and got my parent's support throughout the whole undergraduate study. Honestly, it wasn't enough, for a teenager to go out and have fun but I was comfortable. There's always food to eat, clothes to wear, and cozy rooms to rest in. My friends and roommates, we enjoyed living the money-less life, we enjoyed on our own terms. We played sports, went hiking, traveling to places that don't apply fees to enter. We eat Maggi occasionally and cook sometimes. Had a sleepover, and ate free food provided by the university. Oh, life was hard during that times when we got little to no money, but it was peaceful and happy.

Now that I earned money, I rarely got that joy anymore, my head was a mess, my life was upside down, and my health deteriorating. I'm lonely, got little to no friends and my circle is basically a dot. Ironically it's the same for all my friends, some are staying at home, some went missing on the radar, and some are sick. Every time we meet, all that we could talk is about the old days of 'during our undergraduate study' and I realized there nothing much to share about life nowadays. The routine is the same, go to work at dusk and back at dawn. Thus, I'm glad and feel very very grateful for the life I had during my undergraduate study and the memories will probably blossom back in my mind each time. So.... you get my point. Enjoy your student's life kiddos.

Carpe diem.