📚 When Templates Are Ignored, Horror Happens

On the morning of 25 September 2025, I spent 1 hour and 55 minutes reading through an undergraduate student’s work report. And let me tell you, it was pure horror.

The student had been instructed to use the UTM thesis template, which already comes with all the correct formatting built in. The beauty of the template is that it does the heavy lifting: margins, fonts, heading styles, and even the table of contents update automatically. All the student needed to do was use it.

But no. The prepared formatting was deleted, and everything was done manually instead. The result? A report where even the table of contents has to be updated line by line, page by page. Something that could have taken seconds now takes hours.

This is what happens when people don’t understand, or don’t want to understand of the tools given to them. Despite clear instructions already included in the template, they decided to go their own way. The reader, of course, ends up tired and annoyed. And yes, this kind of attitude can directly affect marks.

By this stage, students are already adults. They need to be responsible for their own work, their grades, and ultimately, their future. Unfortunately, many only realize the value of discipline and precision after entering the workplace. where sometimes too late.

From my own experience, good documentation habits made a huge difference when I was involved in bid management. Once a project was secured and handed over to the project team, no one came back to ask me questions. Because everything they needed was in the handover documents. That’s something I take pride in.

Not everyone may feel the same way about documentation, but here’s my final advice: follow the instructions given. Use the tools provided. They’re there to help, not to make life harder.

A Surprise Encounter at IVAT

I was on my way to the toilet in P06, IVAT, at noon of 12 September 2025, when someone suddenly called out and chased after me. He asked if I remembered him. Honestly, I didn’t. So I told him so.

Then he explained that he used to be in my class. At first, I thought he had mistaken me for someone else, since I was never a lecturer at UTM. But then he mentioned the microprocessor class, and it finally clicked. I used to help my supervisor take over that class whenever he was unavailable.

He also mentioned a classmate’s name that I remembered clearly, which confirmed it. He told me that he graduated with his degree back in 2018, and now, since 2023, he has been working as a staff member at IVAT, FKE, UTM. What a full circle moment!

He even said he still had my number. I asked him to text me so that we could arrange a proper meet-up later, maybe even with my supervisor, to catch up. He also shared that when he told his old coursemates he met me, they immediately sent their regards.

Before we parted, I asked him to take a selfie with me. Just so I can remember faces better next time. Age has made me realize that I need to document more of these little moments.

Until then, I’ll treasure these surprise encounters. It’s always a joy to reconnect with graduated students and see where life has taken them.

Cooking Sausage in the Oven (with a Little Microwave Help)

On 28 August 2025, my lab mate asked me how to cook sausages in the oven. He complained that even at maximum temperature, the sausages were still raw while the cheese slices he added on top were already burnt.

I had to explain to him that different foods have different materials and thickness. By logic, the thinner ones (like cheese) will cook much faster compared to something denser (like sausages). Which I have suggested to slice the sausage thinly next time.

I told him to try Googling or even asking ChatGPT for better instructions. Because that’s what I usually do. From there, I tweak the method to suit my own routine. For example, I prefer planning ahead. I’ll pop the sausages in the microwave for 2–3 minutes first, then transfer them into the oven at 150°C for 5–10 minutes.

While the oven works, I take the chance to go to the toilet and perform my Zohor prayer. By the time I’m done, the sausages are perfectly cooked and ready to eat. No waiting, no stress. Just efficient multitasking.

That’s how I like to manage my cooking: plan the time, plan the route, and make sure that when my task is finished, I can enjoy my meal in peace. Creativity and a bit of optimization make all the difference during lunch breaks.

Until then, have fun experimenting with your oven and microwave. You’ll be surprised at how much easier mealtime becomes when you plan it right.

Testing 2 make up items

This is taken on the morning of 30 April 2025. Before leave the house. Where I managed to remember to take pictures of the applied make up for that day.

Selfie outside UTM Career Fair venue upon finished registration. It was 1.50 pm at that time.

The look of the matte lipstick in code 15 (DFOR DANGER). In the pictures, looks like hot pink. But when I wear it, it gravitate to more reddish colour.

The look of eyebrow cream in code 2 (Chocolate).

Selfie at Intel booth.

Taking picture with Dr Suhana before she enter the venue.

Until then, have fun in testing new make up items.

Laptop Battery Replacement Experience

On 22 August 2025, my laptop battery finally gave out and the device completely shut down. A few days later, on 25 August, I brought it to a shop for a replacement. The technician told me the new battery would take about two weeks to arrive once ordered.

By 1 September 2025, I received a WhatsApp message asking for my laptop password so they could test the system after installing the new battery. Just 12 minutes later, another message came through: “Your laptop is ready for collection.”

The next day, 2 September 2025, I went to collect it. Right there at the shop, I tested my laptop on the spot to make sure everything was in order. This was important because one shop had previously suggested I format my laptop and even buy a new SSD. Something unnecessary, as proven true.

I was so relieved. And even happier to find out I managed to get the replacement at half the price compared to other shops, with the same warranty duration. A smooth and satisfying experience overall!

Lesson learned: be cautious when sending your laptop for repair, and always double-check before agreeing to extra services.

Logic probe to check short circuit

The following took place on 22 January 2025 at noon, when I finally had the opportunity to use the logic probe, which was borrowed from the Digital Lab with the assistance of one student. After being suggested by the lecturer as troubleshooting tool. I successfully demonstrated its use to a student experiencing an unstable display on their SDK V4 board, identifying the short-circuited area that required soldering to achieve a more stable connection.

The student who borrowed the logic probe was unfamiliar with its operation. This highlights the importance of understanding how to use advanced tools—having the right equipment is ineffective without the knowledge to operate it properly.

The soldering on the IC socket leads in the circular area appears insufficient.

Following the demonstration, the rest of the students became motivated to repair the connections on their own SDK V4 boards.

I encourage them to continue learning and experimenting with the logic probe to enhance their skills.

The effort that I have put on last week for submission day

This entry is made on the morning of 11 March 2025, to document the process and effort I put in during the final week leading up to my submission day.

I began by setting up my workspace in the VECAD Lab common area on 24 February 2025, to create a new environment that would help improve my focus. This location provided easy access to hot drinks, restroom facilities, and my main lab, allowing me to retrieve any necessary items for my work.

Workspace Setup on 24 February 2025:

I arranged my 5 meter extension cord to ensure easy access to power for both my laptop and phone while positioning myself to face the door instead of sitting with my back to it, avoiding any unexpected distractions.

Weekend Efforts & Work Strategy:

During the weekends, I put in extra effort by adjusting my sleep schedule. By sleeping early and waking up early to maximize productivity. Since I was fasting, I utilized the time before Imsak to eat, drink, and continue working.

For daytime work sessions, I implemented a structured approach:

• Work for at least 1 hour, followed by a 30-40 minute break to rest my eyes and brain before resuming.
• When feeling too exhausted, I stopped working and instead updated my checklists while resting.

Managing Sleep & Health:

Throughout this period, I consistently took magnesium taurate and magnesium glycinate alternately, which significantly helped with energy levels and recovery, especially during periods of limited sleep. The shortest sleep duration recorded was 2 hours and 46 minutes on 4 March 2025.

This structured approach, combined with nutritional support and strategic breaks, helped me push through the final stretch of my submission preparation.

Meet Up with a Lab Mate

On the afternoon of 27 August 2025, I had the chance to reconnect with one of my old lab mates from the 2011 to 2013 days. He now works at a public university in Semarang and happened to be in Skudai for a meeting earlier in the day. Later tonight, he’ll be heading to KL for another meeting tomorrow. Such a packed schedule!

The last time I saw him was before Covid-19, probably around 2019. A lot has changed since then. He looks noticeably slimmer now, thanks to cutting out sugar and carbs from his daily routine. A lifestyle shift that really shows.

Picture taken from my friend phone.

Picture taken from my phone.

It felt refreshing to catch up after all these years, sharing updates on life and reminiscing about our lab days. Encounters like these remind me how important it is to pause and reconnect. At the end of the day, it’s good to know that we are both still here, well, and moving forward with life.

Until then, here’s to more chances to meet old friends and create new memories.