Prelims are coming to a close! And the race for O Levels is moving into full gear. Seeing my juniors' snapchats does wonders in taking me back to my own O Level rat race last year.
This is around the time when everyone starts worrying about their grades and their future in our education system. And the big question no doubt surfaces every once in awhile - JC or Poly?
Below, I'll address some common questions secondary school students often have surrounding the mystery that alludes the JC system (as most of my friends are currently going through it) and hopefully I'll be able to shed light on some of your doubts in the process:
1) Work, work, work
This is the one constant that will follow you from secondary school to JC. If you think that the workload right now is crazy, then you might want to reconsider continuing on to JC. I'm not trying to be pessimistic but this is the harsh truth. There are so many capable students out there, and grades in our age will be by far the weakest indicator of one's abilities.
We often forget the IP (integrated programme) kids who by-pass OLevels. This was a fact that I had to learn to accept when I entered JC. It's a whole new ball game with these students and the competition steepens. In top-tier JCs like Raffles, majority of students take 4H2s and 1 in 4 take at least 1H3 by the time they enter year 6 (or JC2). This is a stark contrast to other colleges where a vast majority of students grapple with 3H2s and 1H1. Furthermore, over 50% of students from Raffles will eventually graduate with the perfect score. That sums the total candidature with the perfect score to over 600 students. And that's from just one of the top schools alone. We shouldn't forget other equally competitive institutions such as Hwa Chong, NJ, Dunman etc.
Thus, how do these kids then choose to stand out since perfect grades are now the expected norm? Through extra curriculars of course. And no, I'm not referring to CCAs. Aside from leadership roles in their CCAs, many capable students take the initiative to bolster their university application through volunteer initiatives, research programmes, notable job attachments, and national/international competitions. And the sad truth is that many of these opportunities vary depending on the institution you're in. Many OLevel students I know find it difficult to even maintain their grades upon entering JC, and partaking in so many extra activities is definitely out of the question. Hence, it's pretty difficult (though not impossible), to compete with the top students and in such a case, you may want to reconsider JC.
It really voices down your academic abilities. You know yourself best.
2) Your Choice of JC
Many people tend to choose the "best" JC they're eligible for, based on their L1R5. And that is a big mistake. Your choice of JC really matters! You should choose a place that fits who you are and where you think you'll best be able to shine.
I know of friends who went on to that-school-at-Bukit-Timah, only to transfer out a month in from the enormous pressure and monotony of the school. It really depends on what you expect out of your JC life and the environment will make a huge impact on your interest and attitude towards school as a whole. Hence it's important to consider whether you'll be able to fit into the culture and keep up with the "societal expectations" set by the school. This again, varies depending on the school's competitiveness and culture. You could read this post on what the typical cultures are like in various JCs.
3) Are you doing this for yourself or because it's expected of you by your teachers, peers and family?
It's an utter lie to say that the people around you ultimately don't influence your decision. I had a friend who scored a raw score of 17 and was rejected by the JC of her choice. Her posting was to a polytechnic computing course (which was her ideal course. She only added in the JC in her application to please her parents). And she had the most miserable 1st year experience in her JC when she appealed and got accepted. She's struggling to get promoted and lives in fear of retaining.
"During OLevels, it wasn't as scary because regardless of how you do, you move on to JC or Poly. But here, if I fail, I'm going to remain where I am and I'll have to repeat the J1 all over again."
The fear is real and a constant thought lingering at the back of every JC student's mind. Trust me, ask your seniors if you think I'm exaggerating.
You might find more success and happiness pursuing a course of your choice in poly.
I'm not preaching that JC is a bad place to be in. This post was just a pre amp, a warning of sorts. At the end of the day, it largely depends on the type of person you are and how you'll react to the stressors that'll surface during your time in JC should you choose to walk down that path. In 2016, it's becoming increasingly accepted that poly can bring about equal opportunities as JC. So maybe it's about time we changed our sterile mindsets regarding post-secondary education in Singapore and explore our other options.
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