Better Late Than Never — Daniswaran Seenivasan
If someone had asked me during my first year at Universiti Malaya what my greatest ambition was, I would have confidently stated, “getting a good CGPA”. That was my entire world back then. Every decision, every thought, every effort was anchored on the pursuit of academic excellence.
There’s nothing wrong with valuing academic success. However, reflecting on it now, I realize how narrow my perspective once was. It was only at the end of my third year that I understood studies aren’t everything. In a four-year program, this realization felt like it came very late.
Three years, six semesters had flown by. I had just one year left. By this time, I’d watched others grow beyond lecture halls, winning competitions, leading organizations, and traveling the world, while I remained buried in books. It hit me hard as I pondered, “Is this all that university is meant to be?” That moment was my wake-up call.
Nevertheless, I assured myself that it’s never too late to start anew. Thus began my journey. I took the first step, then another, and another. I began small, participating in an innovation pitching competition. This wasn’t something planned months in advance; we registered just a few days before the event at the Engineering Faculty of Universiti Malaya. I still recall how rushed everything felt, yet somehow, our idea clinched us the First Runners Up position.
This initial success sparked confidence in me, propelling me to explore further. I soon realized that coming second was just the stepping stone, not the finish line. Over the next four months, I pushed myself beyond perceived limits.
I traveled to six different countries, which included France, the United States of America, Turkey, Indonesia, Singapore, and Vietnam. During these travels, I represented Malaysia in international forums, engaged with future diplomats in Washington, spoke on youth leadership in Bali, and proudly stood in Paris as a National Champion in the L’Oréal Brandstorm Challenge. It feels surreal even now.
One unforgettable moment was at the L’Oréal Brandstorm finals. Sitting there with pounding hearts, awaiting the results, my hands and feet were sweating. In that intense moment, all I could think was, “Please God, just bring us into the top 6.” When they announced our country’s name, “Malaysia”, I dropped to the ground in disbelief and joy. From Universiti Malaya to Paris; from just-another-student to Top 6 out of over 80,000 teams from 42 countries.
Beyond the travel stamps and accolades, what truly transformed me was how I now saw the world and the role I wanted to play. At Universiti Malaya, I wore many hats: Secretary of Rakan Muda UM, Information Officer of MIYC Lembah Pantai, co-founder of startups like JIIVI & CO and The Beardsmiths, cultural performer, athlete, and an intern statistical analyst at Maxis. This isn’t just a list of roles, but each position taught me something unique about myself.
One pivotal lesson was that only by engaging in diverse activities can we discover our true talents. It’s not about impressing others, but about unlocking our own potential. For me, this realization came through entrepreneurship and business pitching. I found I had a knack for coordinating teams, structuring ideas, and delivering pitches that resonate.
From coordinating food distributions during Ramadan, where I learned the humility of service, to speaking before global leaders on sustainability, understanding the power of voice and representation was profound. When we launched JIIVI & CO, a smart compost bin startup, I faced failures and rejections, yet learned resilience and hard work. In sports, dance, or managing logistics for major events, I discovered teamwork, discipline, and the beauty of diverse talents.
These experiences unexpectedly revealed a deeper purpose. A purpose beyond personal success; one to empower others, to be a bridge between communities, and always asking: how can I contribute?
To anyone feeling like they’ve “missed the boat” or it’s “too late to start”, know that it’s not. It was my third year when I chose to truly embrace university life. Look where that decision took me.
It’s never too late to begin, but starting is essential. All you need is that very first step. As for me, my journey continues, with each stride forward, embracing challenges, and inspiring people along the way. As I’ve come to believe, we are all just one decision away from changing our lives.
