Student Stories

 came to Singapore in 2014 to work, hoping to provide a better life for my parents back in Malaysia and my wife. I’ve spent the last 10 years working in retail on a work permit. Like many others, I’ve been trying to move into an office job but every time I applied, I got rejected. After a while, it became clear that I wasn’t keeping up with what the job market wanted. 

That realisation hit hard. While I wanted to give my loved ones a more stable future, I couldn’t even get past the interview stage. Every rejection felt like I was letting them down.  

That’s when I knew I needed to upgrade myself. But choosing to study wasn’t an easy decision. Working shifts, I only get one or two off days each week. Between visiting my parents in Malaysia, spending time with my wife, and getting some rest, there was hardly any time left to study. But I knew if I didn’t make a change, nothing would change. 

So, Diploma in Business Studies (E-Learning) became the obvious choice for me. The flexibility and convenience of e-learning meant I could study whenever I found pockets of free time – during off days, break times, or even late nights after work. But flexibility didn’t make things easy. It just meant I had to take responsibility for managing my own schedule. Staying focused was my biggest challenge. After long shifts, it’s easy to lose focus, and motivation. What helped me most was sticking to a simple to-do list. I reminded myself of upcoming deadlines or exams and prioritised tasks so I wouldn’t fall behind. 

Nervous and worried about failing my modules before starting the diploma, I’m now proud to have completed it. This achievement gave me the confidence to pursue a part-time bachelor’s degree with the University of Hertfordshire through PSB Academy, and I’m excited about what lies ahead. 

For people like me, working adults with unpredictable schedules, e-learning isn’t just convenient. It’s the only way to keep working and keep learning at the same time. It allowed me to support my family and work towards something better. 

My advice? Don’t be afraid. Take the first step, even if it’s small. You’ll find your way.