“Study hard & smart!”
If anyone asks me how to do well for 'A' Levels, I'll say the same thing regardless how many times I've already said it.
This entry will be directed towards my juniors in JJC. I don't know how many people read my blog, but I'll just go ahead and blog it out anyway.
There's a cohort-wide consensus that JJ has not done well in the 2008 GCE 'A' Levels. Not just my cohort (I'm in the 2007 Cohort, btw), but also those in the 2008, 2009 cohort. I don't deny. This has pretty much struck somewhat fear in those taking their examinations this year.
The Project Work results this year was extremely appalling. I have never believed Project Work to be a very fair and just platform for judging students. Reason being? The assessment is highly subjective to the individual markers. Then again, since we cannot challenge the system, let's just go ahead and embrace what we have.
True, the chances of getting an A in JJC may pale in comparison to any other college. But does that mean there is no hope? For those of you who have already received your PW results, be it good or bad, let it pass. That is but one of the six subjects taken into calculation for your University Admission Score. You have 5 other subjects which can make a complete turn-around, don't you?
Many perceive JJ to be a gangster college (due to certain phases in JJ History), and that it cannot produce students with good results. And there is actually many who concur with that ridiculous claim. Wake up; a college is not a direct indication of a student's grades. So what if we're in JJ? So what if there are many from other elite colleges? Everyone has a fair chance to achieve good grades, and it all begins in the mind.
What do you intend to study in University? A top-course with expansive prospects, or a 'dumping-ground' course just because you cannot make it into the better ones? I'm betting it's the former. But don't be one who dreams big, talks big, but doesn't make the slightest attempt towards that path. I know of many who had great aspirations, but they only talked about it, and didn't do anything about it. What does that lead to? Failure.
All of us, regardless of what college we come from, have the potential to succeed. So what's the difference between us and the students from elite colleges? It's the mentality. They know what it means to study, and why they have to study. They know what kind of competition there is out there, and they know how hard they need to fight for their right to stand up in society.
No, I'm not saying JJ students will not appreciate those values; I'm saying we have less opportunity to understand the reality of society after JC. We're looking at a facade, mainly exuded by the carefree, happy-go-lucky attitude of students within JJ. For me, who has been there, done that, who has exposure to both walks of life, I believe strongly that everyone has the potential, but those from the better schools have the drive to succeed.
Potential to succeed, and success, is but divided by a thin-line of determination and willpower.
There's plenty I have to say, but it can wait for later.
Intimidated.
I stepped into the hall, ready to take my Law Admission Test. With me are 780 other people. Probably, out of these 781 people in total, there are only 2 JJCians. Evan and myself. The bulk of them are Rafflesians, Hwa Chongs, and other elites.
I feel as though I'm in a foreign land.
I'm not optimistic. I never was.
Army.
I've been posted to my new unit. It's another intelligence unit, surprisingly, although of lower security classification. Nonetheless, I'm priviledged to be in there. Due to security reasons, I'm not going to talk much about it. I'm glad I have friends with me though.
The long but (almost) meaningless period.
It has been about 2½ months into my army life. I was enlisted on the 28th of January, going through BMT in Tekong. Boy that brings back memories - some good, some bad, some just worth remembering. And it was on that day, 28th January, that I got to know 12 new friends - my bunk mates. Not long after, I've made more friends across the other sections, and it soon became a fairly friendly environment to be in.
After the relatively short BMT period, I was posted to my unit. Because it's a classified unit (kind of), I cannot comment too much. We had to undergo a security clearance test prior to our official courses and operations. Interestingly, I failed to pass the security clearance, and so I will have to be posted out to another unit. Along with me are 12 other persons, and only 21 persons remain. Almost half of us had failed the clearance, and we cannot comprehend why.
Nonetheless, that news came last week, last Friday in fact. Since we are unable to undergo those courses due to our security status, we were just asked to remain in this room with absolutely nothing to do. So we decided to take actions into our own hands, and entertain ourselves. It first started with a chess variant, titled 'Military Chess (军旗)'. It was pretty interesting, but you know me, I don't like to play such kind of games; dont ask me why, I don't know why either.
After awhile, one of us brought the board game 'Risk', and boy did it keep us entertained like there ain't no tomorrow. We probably played one of the longest Risk games ever - 6 hours for one round. And no it didn't end gloriously like it ought to have - we got sick of trying to defend our pieces and decided to focus our attack on one person to end the game with haste. It was tiring to keep our interest focused, because it was getting too draggy and was getting nowhere. In fact, I find Risk having more luck than strategy involved. And that's about Army.
Something out of the norm, I went cycling at East Coast Park last Saturday with my clique. Trust me when I say this: I had a lot, a lot of fun. I wish we could have more time to spend to enjoy ourselves, because I think we've been pretty deprived ever since we became busy with our individual lives, riding on our individual paths. Getting together once awhile is nothing but fantastic! I simply can't wait for more outings with you people! And for the record, I've never been that elated since I enlisted into the army.
University Admissions, another concern on my mind. It has been roughly a week since the closing date for NUS & NTU. Some of my friends have already received Letters of Offer for various courses, namely FASS, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Systems Engineering. Some have also gone for Medicine interviews at NUS, and NBS interviews at NTU. There are also those who have gone for SMU interviews. But I haven't had any news thus far. I applied for a Double Degree Programme (Law & Business Administration) at NUS. But it seems that those who applied to Law as well, have not received any news regarding the interview & admission test. The interview & test dates are fixed to be on next Friday to Sunday. Yet, a week away from those dates, we still have not been informed whether we are shortlisted or not. I cannot fathom what might just happen ..
Update: I just received the invitation! :D :D:D:D:D:D!
Oh for those who had applied for NUS Medicine, just a little research information I have: The lowest ranking points cut-off so far to be asked for Medicine Interview is 87.5, an allowance of a H2 B /2 H1 B's.
And what more with NTU not responding to my application either. I applied for a Double Degree Programme (Accountancy & Business Management) in their school, but despite there already being interviews conducted for applicants, I have yet to receive anything from NTU as well. I'm not sure if I rightfully have to go through an interview, for there are no news at all regarding compulsory interviews. Nonetheless, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
I've been offered Accountancy & Business at NTU; just received the letter last night.
I'll end off this entry with a relatively unpleasant news, which might not even be of concern to most of you people. I've been rejected by PSC Scholarships.
Dear Applicants
2009 PSC SCHOLARSHIPS
Thank you for your interest and application for a Civil Service Scholarship.2 We have carefully evaluated your abilities and accomplishments in school, and have considered all aspects of your application. We regret to inform you that after reviewing your application thoroughly, we are not able to offer you a PSC Scholarship. Nevertheless, we have referred your application to the relevant Ministries according to your career preferences/choices, for the Ministries’ consideration. The Ministries will retain your application and will contact you in future if there are suitable opportunities that may arise.
3 We appreciate the effort you have put into your application and your interest in a PSC Scholarship. We wish you every success as you continue with your education.
Yours sincerely
PSC SECRETARIAT
While I had already mentally prepared for such an outcome, I still cannot put away my disappointment. But still, I can't believe I ever had the slightest hope for obtaining such a prestigious scholarship. Aren't I just weird.
Take care everyone! :)
Blogging tonight~~
It's about time I blogged what has been going on for the past 3 weeks or so :) maybe tonight when I get home.
NUS Status Inquiry (update)
Application status The general stages for the application status are
Application received --> Application processing --> Outcome of applicationYour current status is Application processing .
Document status The general stages for the document status are
Awaiting documents --> Documents receivedYour current status is Not applicable.
Payment status The general stages for the payment status are
Awaiting payment --> Processing payment --> Payment receivedYour current status is Payment received.
Appeal status Current status : Not Applicable.
Last Appeal Received : Not Applicable.
Last Mode of Appeal : Not Applicable.Remarks from Office of Admissions, NUS Nil