Singer Oddah balances music career with SPM studies at home

Seventeen-year-old singer Auddra Zulkifly, known as Oddah, is navigating the demands of a rising music career alongside her academic pursuits. She made the decision to leave traditional schooling with her family's agreement, opting instead for home-based learning to prepare for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) exams.

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Of course, education is important. When I wanted to quit school, I had a disagreement with my mother. After that, my mother told me that if I wanted to quit school, I had to study from home. So I said okay and I am still studying like that.

Oddah receives personalized tutoring at home for two hours daily, covering six subjects. While she admits that academics are challenging and she struggles with some subjects, including Bahasa Melayu, she is determined to improve and manage both her studies and her work. Her schedule is not yet packed, allowing her time to focus on her education.

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Studying is not burdensome because my work schedule is not too packed yet. I am still new in the industry. So, whenever I have free time, I will study with a teacher face-to-face at home.

The young artist finds strength in her parents' sacrifices, actor and radio presenter Sharifah Shahirah and businessman Ijoy Azhari. Their support fuels her drive to succeed and make them proud. Oddah, still a minor, is focused on working hard to repay their efforts and build a secure future, balancing her artistic dreams with the essential foundation of education.

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I am not very confident because I am indeed weak in studies. I am still learning Bahasa Melayu. But I am trying to improve myself and I feel it is getting better than before.