A tale of full-time weekend students’ juggling between work and degree.
Love embraces, doesn’t boast, is selfless, and is worth celebrating. Love is a celebration in itself and needs no introduction. There’s no limit to age or special requirement to be able to love and be loved. Everything with life deserves to be loved. But, as life gets tougher, dominated by many responsibilities, spending time with the loved ones becomes a chore. Yet, we have a married couple of working students pursuing their Bachelor in Computer Science at Management and Science University (MSU), who have made it effortlessly possible to study and work while also finding the time to shower each other with abounding love.
Husband
Muhammad Zayn Haziq bin Zailan
Bachelor in Computer Science (Full-time Weekend)
Semester 8 (Final semester)
Wife
Siti Norbaya binti Andy Susanto
Bachelor in Computer Science (Full-time Weekend)
Semester 8 (Final semester)
How did you both meet?
Norbaya: In 2017, I started working as a Geotechnologist for an Australian company and my husband was a senior there.
What was your first impression?
Norbaya: I remember seeing my husband as a “good boy” type and he was the most handsome guy in the office for me. I first saw him at the elevator of our office. It was my first day, and he was the one who opened the door to the office for me. He was and still is such a gentleman. His chivalry impressed me.
Zayn: It was rather love at first sight for me. The moment I saw her inside the elevator, I straight away thought of getting married to her. She was the most beautiful woman I have ever met. I also remember telling my colleagues that the new girl was very pretty, and I was going to marry her one day.
How did you win over each other's heart?
Norbaya: I was the one that made the first move. We were assigned to be in the same group and always worked together on projects. He would help me out with my projects. My way to “pikat” him was to buy him breakfast or cook for him.
Zayn: I’m naturally a shy person. I consider myself not really good around girls. But it was different with her. I had the confidence to ask her out. My way of asking was by telling her to “teman” me buy food for my cat, but I was actually hoping to take her out on a date. We ended up having dinner at Pizza Hut instead of buying the cat food.
How do you balance your married life and studies?
For us the most important thing as a married couple studying together while working is to give full support to each other. We set our time after work and on the weekends to fully commit to our studies. The only way to do this is by not delaying any work and keep completing every task on time. Our family and friends are very supportive of our endeavour too.
Challenges of pursuing tertiary as a married couple amidst other commitments?
Being a married couple while taking classes together was one of the most unforgettable moments of our lives. Although very challenging, it was very fun since we got to do everything together. We planned to pursue our studies even before our marriage. At first it was very tough. We remember struggling to keep up with classes on the weekends, homework, and assignments. The hardest part was to sacrifice family gatherings or any plans with our friends over the weekends due to classes. But it was all worth it in the end.
What is your message for married couples pursuing studies together?
Go for it. Just remember to be committed and give equal commitment to your marriage and studies. Be there for each other. You won’t regret it.
Rapid fire
Favourite thing about your spouse
Norbaya: His dimple.
Zayn: Her cooking.
Pet peeve
Norbaya: He easily forgets things and loves to disturb me while I’m sleeping or taking a nap
Zayn: She looks serious and invested while doing something, so I really like to disturb her when she’s at it
Who says sorry first in an argument?
Zayn: Of course, me
Who cooks most of the time?
Norbaya: Of course, me
The best compliment you've received from your spouse
Zayn: She said I am a loving, responsible, and sweet husband.
Norbaya: Even though I have no confidence with myself, he has always said that I was the most beautiful and kind-hearted person he’s ever met.
Who is more romantic?
Zayn: Me
Norbaya: Me
A tale of full-time weekend students’ juggling between work and degree.
Love embraces, doesn’t boast, is selfless, and is worth celebrating. Love is a celebration in itself and needs no introduction. There’s no limit to age or special requirement to be able to love and be loved. Everything with life deserves to be loved. But, as life gets tougher, dominated by many responsibilities, spending time with the loved ones becomes a chore. Yet, we have a married couple of working students pursuing their Bachelor in Computer Science at Management and Science University (MSU), who have made it effortlessly possible to study and work while also finding the time to shower each other with abounding love.
Husband
Muhammad Zayn Haziq bin Zailan
Bachelor in Computer Science (Full-time Weekend)
Semester 8 (Final semester)
Wife
Siti Norbaya binti Andy Susanto
Bachelor in Computer Science (Full-time Weekend)
Semester 8 (Final semester)
How did you both meet?
Norbaya: In 2017, I started working as a Geotechnologist for an Australian company and my husband was a senior there.
What was your first impression?
Norbaya: I remember seeing my husband as a “good boy” type and he was the most handsome guy in the office for me. I first saw him at the elevator of our office. It was my first day, and he was the one who opened the door to the office for me. He was and still is such a gentleman. His chivalry impressed me.
Zayn: It was rather love at first sight for me. The moment I saw her inside the elevator, I straight away thought of getting married to her. She was the most beautiful woman I have ever met. I also remember telling my colleagues that the new girl was very pretty, and I was going to marry her one day.
How did you win over each other's heart?
Norbaya: I was the one that made the first move. We were assigned to be in the same group and always worked together on projects. He would help me out with my projects. My way to “pikat” him was to buy him breakfast or cook for him.
Zayn: I’m naturally a shy person. I consider myself not really good around girls. But it was different with her. I had the confidence to ask her out. My way of asking was by telling her to “teman” me buy food for my cat, but I was actually hoping to take her out on a date. We ended up having dinner at Pizza Hut instead of buying the cat food.
How do you balance your married life and studies?
For us the most important thing as a married couple studying together while working is to give full support to each other. We set our time after work and on the weekends to fully commit to our studies. The only way to do this is by not delaying any work and keep completing every task on time. Our family and friends are very supportive of our endeavour too.
Challenges of pursuing tertiary as a married couple amidst other commitments?
Being a married couple while taking classes together was one of the most unforgettable moments of our lives. Although very challenging, it was very fun since we got to do everything together. We planned to pursue our studies even before our marriage. At first it was very tough. We remember struggling to keep up with classes on the weekends, homework, and assignments. The hardest part was to sacrifice family gatherings or any plans with our friends over the weekends due to classes. But it was all worth it in the end.
What is your message for married couples pursuing studies together?
Go for it. Just remember to be committed and give equal commitment to your marriage and studies. Be there for each other. You won’t regret it.
Rapid fire
Favourite thing about your spouse
Norbaya: His dimple.
Zayn: Her cooking.
Pet peeve
Norbaya: He easily forgets things and loves to disturb me while I’m sleeping or taking a nap
Zayn: She looks serious and invested while doing something, so I really like to disturb her when she’s at it
Who says sorry first in an argument?
Zayn: Of course, me
Who cooks most of the time?
Norbaya: Of course, me
The best compliment you've received from your spouse
Zayn: She said I am a loving, responsible, and sweet husband.
Norbaya: Even though I have no confidence with myself, he has always said that I was the most beautiful and kind-hearted person he’s ever met.
Who is more romantic?
Zayn: Me
Norbaya: Me