Pre-U Seminar: The Big Senior High Event
Before signing up for Pre-U Seminar, we had no knowledge about the event, besides the fact that it was a “prestigious event where top students from various JCs or Polytechnics congregate”. Apparently this was also the only fact made known to students from other schools.
Wanting to meet fellow JC and polytechnic students, we haplessly signed up for the seminar. We share with you our experience, so you can decide whether to sign up for the seminar, knowing what it entails:
The Signup Process
So, how did we get to know about the seminar?
Juen: Under the strong promotion by our teachers, I decided to sign-up. As usual, I jumped first without thinking, but I did not expect that it would be so enriching.
ZH: By asking other people what Mr Nazri said in class.
The application form mainly asked about our details, until the last part where we had to do a write-up (of less than 500 words) about The Singapore Dream, the theme of this year’s seminar. We definitely cracked our heads on that, wondering “ What on earth is the Singapore dream, exactly?” You can check out what Juen wrote here.
Next, we had an interview with the GP teachers.
You guessed it (from the picture)-- it was a group interview. The 1st part was on current affairs knowledge. The hot issue about Singapore’s Budget was the teacher’s topic of choice, and to be honest, most of us were only dimly aware of the details, but with what we had, we voiced our own opinions.
The 2nd segment tested our dramatic skills (despite attempts to keep it “vague”) where we were told to read out poems in any way we wanted.
The atmosphere was one of uneasy tension, as some of us read flatly, while some read excessively animatedly.
Tip: The most important thing to remember during the interview is being confident, since it’s important how you’re going to present yourself during Pre-U seminar.
Pre-Pre-U Seminar (A.K.A pre-seminar)
Even before the seminar, we had work to do. Of course, we were worried about how much work there would be.
There were only 2 meetings where we met with our teams, the first being the pre-seminar workshop (a briefing), and the second one was an interview.
We had to consolidate information on a topic and come up with proposals for the Social Engagement Activity (SEA).
However, since the workload was shared amongst the team, it was pretty manageable.
Overall, it was akin to doing PW for Year 5, so it was pretty good training for that.
Tip: Mark out your deadlines properly
Packing
We met with some “challenges” while packing, like having to source everywhere for the school tie (worn in the opening ceremony) since the Student Council room ran out of them, or forgetting to bring formal shoes for the opening ceremony. We know it ain’t overseas, but remember to pack in advance (not 2.30 a.m. in the morning)!
Also, this...
Tip:
As with most packing lists, the suggested items are merely suggestions. You can bring less clothes than stated on the list (up to your discretion)
All Year 6s have a tie, so you can borrow it from them. Alternatively, you can borrow one from one of the friendly student councillors!
Drama production
ZH: Each team had to send one person to represent for drama production (showcased in the closing ceremony), and I volunteered.
You could sign up as an actor or the production crew. I chose to be a makeup artist, even though I had as much experience as a makeup artist as an actor (which was not a lot).
For production crew, there was one rehearsal nearing the Pre-U sem (as an actor you had to go for one more, provided you passed the auditions).
We rehearsed during parts of the actual seminar (mostly the discussions and prep work), which meant we had less time with our teams. D:
That fact notwithstanding, it was a good experience. The actress I was working on said ,“I don’t know you but I know I won’t trust my life with you.” And by the end of it, she conceded that I did a good job. (triumphant grin)
The Actual Seminar
Seminar Highlights
Day 1
Opening Ceremony
Juen : This was without a doubt the best Opening Ceremony that I had ever attended. The guest speaker, Dr Janil Puthucheary, offered his deep wealth of opinions and knowledge to a lecture theatre full of ambitious youth. Unlike the common situation in RV, students were lining up by the mikes, armed with questions for Dr Janil, ranging from education, transport, economy and international politics. It was a talk that I would gladly sit for again, and even pose some questions of my own.
With his wit, charisma and wisdom, I rate him as the best guest speaker ever. What he does especially is inspire a sense of hope in me for Singapore. Indeed, he is an admirable person.
At the opening ceremony, Mrs Teo was also present. In my blazing red blazer, I was hard to miss amongst the neutral browns and blues, so when she caught my eye, my first instinct was to wave. Surprisingly, she waved back.
Day 2
Panel Discussions
ZH: I took down even more notes during the Q&A than during the speakers’ address. We learnt a lot within the one hour of questions which set us thinking and answers which set us thinking even more. (compare that to the one-minute-long school Q&As...) Not a minute was wasted as some students were already queueing up with questions before the speakers finished up.
Much like in the Opening Ceremony, there was a never-ending queue to ask questions during the Q&A, a scene I'd never sighted before. In fact, the Q&A had to be cut short.
Day 3
Social Engagement Activities
Juen: Hailed as the most memorable segment of the seminar, all of us went out to collect the dreams of the public. In bid to expose the students beyond the academic bubble, and to really get the nation’s sentiments about Renewing the Singapore Dream. For some, this was also the most stressful component, having to approach the public. Nonetheless, every student would agree with me to say that they have learnt so much more about Singaporeans.
Day 4
Closing Ceremony
ZH: The closing ceremony, where we proudly showcased our blood, sweat and tears of the SEA in an exhibition, as well as the drama production. A great amount of effort was put into the booths. We were especially struck/fascinated by the use of Virtual Reality (VR) and postcards addressed to parents.
It was heartening as we saw the fruits of- not just our own- but everyone’s labour, which started a month ago
Random Highlights
Apart from the highlights, we had a lot of discussions.
Can you spot the RVians?
Night Life
Juen: The entire seminar was 4 days and 3 nights long. While we did enjoy the novelty of having a room by ourselves, the regulations were strict. That didn't stop us from conducting late night talks and snacking though!
Pictured here is the interior of a lounge in Cinnamon College, NUS UTown.
Final thoughts
ZH: Pre-U seminar is definitely not a hyped-up camp (e.g. Y.LEAD), involving mass games and a lot of cheering. However, this seminar promises to be more intellectually rigorous.
One of my highlights was getting to meet some very smart and awesome people.
Juen : If anything, the seminar was great exposure to the world beyond RVHS. We made a lot of friends, met a lot of new people like teachers, ministers, experts… The RVians who attended all agree that it was an experience unlike any other.
Knowing that we have the opportunity to host such a large scale seminar next year excites me, and I hope that we can bring the best experience to the pre-university students just as they have given us this year.
Picture source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/catholicjc/albums/