i have quite a number of frens in ums. n ya, they got courses like perhutanan, serat kayu (don ask me), and other courses sewaktu dengannya. IMHO, it is relatively easier to change course in ums compared to other unis like um ukm usm, provided u have the pointer n co-curriculum to deserve the course u wanted. so Q is -- which course do u want? is ur pointer enough to ask for it?

i am happy to report i have frens who changed to their 1st choices in ums within weeks. however u shud know how to get around in order to change courses, coz there will be a whole herd of them wanting to change course (coz ums is full of unheard courses such as 'serat kayu')

my fren changed her course coz she had connections with some lecturer in ums. my personal advice is -- meet the dean of ur desired course, no one less. it may sound cliche, but the dean is ur best bet if u don have any connections watsoever. make an appointment if the secretary deters u n such (mind u, there will be a whole herd wanting to sob & whine to the dean). be firm and make an appointment to meet the dean (they have to, its their job), tell the dean personally why u nid to change courses etc. after tat u'll just have to leave it to god.

if u don have any other plans in mind (ie. back-up plan? political connections?), i guess tats ur best bet for now however i don guarantee high success rate though, just tat it is possible.

and ya, maybe in ur process of appealing to change course, u may miss the deadline to apply ptptn (since u cant just submit a 'suggested' course n change later on). but paling2 u still can apply next year rite?

ragging is actually good for u, as long as its controlled and reasonable. ya i know its burdensome and annoying while u're in it, but its so gonna be one of the best memories after tat. n it somewat gives u the 'right' to troll around the campus as ur own, and tat way u'll get to know the seniors and be entitled to ask for favours in the future haha. bet ur australian fren couldnt even talk to most seniors without being properly addressed by them. so cheer up and enjoy youth at its best

and about 'choosing roommate', i don think its possible. even if u do end up together, its pure coincidence. most of my ums frens end up with different races in the same room -- some effort to promote national unity or something

my ums fren dyes her hair every now and then i guess its not a problem. unless u're medic student. and unless u have rainbow-coloured hair, i bet the school will come up with a 'u're distracting the rest' as a reason to object.

it really depends on wat course u're doing. like medic fac students are guaranteed to be asked to wear formal every day for class. some like counselling in unimas too. but majority courses shud b allowed to wear round-collar t-shirts + jeans.

KK