Singer-Turned-Lecturer Farisha Iris Reflects on Classroom Challenges, Says She May Have Been ‘Too Nice’
PETALING JAYA, July 3 — Malaysian singer Farisha Iris has shared the realities of balancing life as an entertainer and a young lecturer, admitting that adapting to the classroom has been more challenging than she initially expected.
The 27-year-old artiste, who now teaches Mass Communication at a private higher education institution, said managing students has required patience, resilience and continuous self-reflection as she settles into her role as an educator.
In a recent post on Threads, Farisha, whose full name is Farisha Asmadi, opened up about the difficulties she has encountered while teaching, describing the experience as one that has tested both her confidence and emotional strength.
She said every student comes with a different personality and behaviour, making each teaching session a learning experience not only for the students but also for herself.
According to Farisha, handling the various attitudes and expectations of students has made her question whether her own teaching approach needs to change.
She admitted that she has occasionally wondered if she should have established stricter boundaries from the very beginning instead of adopting a more approachable style.
Reflecting on her experience, Farisha said she has not ruled out the possibility that her friendly personality may have unintentionally encouraged some students to be less serious about classroom discipline.
She explained that she deliberately chose to be warm and welcoming because she still vividly remembers what it felt like to be a student herself.
Having experienced the anxiety of facing strict teachers during her own school years, she initially hoped to create a classroom environment where students would feel comfortable interacting with their lecturer.
However, she acknowledged that experience has shown her the importance of balancing kindness with authority.
Farisha said she has come to appreciate that the firm discipline demonstrated by many of her former teachers ultimately played a significant role in shaping her own character and work ethic.
She now believes that maintaining appropriate discipline is an important part of helping students develop both academically and personally.
Despite the challenges, Farisha remains committed to her teaching career and continues to view education as a meaningful responsibility.
The singer is balancing her academic career with ongoing commitments in the entertainment industry while also pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), reflecting her determination to continue developing professionally in both fields.
Farisha first gained national recognition after finishing as runner-up in the fourth season of Idola Kecil before securing third place in Ceria Popstar.
She later established herself in the local music scene with the release of her popular single Tak Malu, earning recognition as one of Malaysia’s emerging young performers.
Today, Farisha is building a second career in higher education while continuing to maintain her presence in the music industry.
Her candid reflections have offered followers a glimpse into the less-visible side of life as a young academic, highlighting the challenges of earning students’ respect while striving to create a positive and supportive learning environment.
For Farisha, the journey has reinforced one important lesson — effective teaching requires not only empathy and understanding, but also the confidence to exercise firmness when necessary.
