Scholars Interview 2018: Part 1
Want to know more about the A-Level journey of some of our top scorers of the GCE A level examination 2017? These sequences of posts include full-length interviews with our scholars. Through these interviews, you will find some very useful study tips to conquer your A’s - and even some targeted advice for individual subjects!
*Parts 1 and 2 consist of our interviews with scholars taking a Science combination.
For interviews with scholars taking a Mixed combination or Humanities combination, check out Part 3.
Lim Yu Hua:
Tell us a bit more about yourself (e.g. CCA, subject combination in JC, any interests, etc.)
My subject combination was BCML (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Literature in English). In a way, my academic interests straddled the sciences and the arts, and I think that was evident in my involvement in CCA and the academies too. I was Vice-president of the Science Leaders Academy, and a member of the Humanities and Social Sciences Leaders Academy. I was also a member of the Student Editorial Club; coincidentally, I was involved in interviewing some of the seniors of the Class of 2016 about their A level results, so this feels a little bit surreal to me! Certainly, my experiences in and out of school have led me to become very much interested in scientific research, and fuelled my passion for writing prose and poetry on the side too!
Tell us a bit more about how you prepared for the A Levels in Y6. What were some of the greatest obstacles you faced and how did you overcome them?
The road to ‘A’ levels is a long and arduous one; I feel that a big obstacle that I faced would be finding a pace of studying that suited myself well. Even at the start of the year, we were already constantly reminded of the fact that this was a very important year; the pressure was really palpable and it was common to see many in the cohort studying hard even during breaks. It was very easy to fall into the trap of “chionging” too hard at the start, akin to when you first start running your 2.4 during NAPFA. I was very tired out by the time the June holidays came around, especially since I had to juggle other commitments such the H3 Science Research Oral Defence in February. Luckily, on realising that I was beginning to burn myself out, I tried my best to loosen my schedule and take advantage of the long stretch of June holidays to at least take a few study breaks, such as meeting up with a few friends that dropped by to visit from the US. It is definitely important to realise that “休息是为了走更长的路” (taking periodic breaks allows you to go even further).
Definitely, I would also say that the biggest enemy I faced was probably myself; I was constantly plagued with self-doubt throughout the year - about whether I was working hard enough and whether all the hard work would amount to anything in the end. Initially, it was easier to cope with setbacks, disappointing as they were, because I reminded myself that those tests and exams were not the real deal. In fact, I find it useful to treat school tests and exams as milestones to check my understanding and where I stood in each subject; in particular, exams such as prelims I and II were very good opportunities to gauge how well I could function in a simulated exam setting. The stress intensified when ‘A’ levels drew near because it greatly heightened my awareness of how high the stakes actually were. I would say that there isn’t one sure way to really deal with the stress but reminding myself of all the work I’ve put in so far helped a lot, as did confiding in friends and teachers, people who would know you well enough to know that you’ve put in your all.
Were you stressed? If so, why and how did you cope with it?
I would say that it’s a given that everyone will be stressed out about ‘A’ levels, especially during the last lap - the final few months leading to ‘A’ levels. Even though we are often reminded that grades do not ultimately determine who we are, I found myself constantly worrying about whether I would do well for ‘A’ levels, and if I was good enough in my various subjects. At the start, the anxiety and pressure made it feel insurmountable but I realised that by breaking it into smaller tasks (such as setting weekly or monthly study goals for each subject), I was able to overcome the stress and keep myself aware of where I stood for each subject or topic at the same time. Certainly, my family was also a very strong pillar of support during that time; I sought respite from the stress through spending time with them. The knowledge that my friends were also in the same boat as me, and battling the big ‘A’s alongside me, definitely helped me to cope with the stress too; I would say that finding a strong support network is definitely essential. However, as one of my friends liked to say, everyone’s coping mechanism is different so it’s important to find out what works for you early on.
What are some study tips you would like to share with your juniors?
Throughout my academic journey in RV, I always found that consistency was very important; consistent effort and revision throughout the school year were essential to ensuring that I could keep up with the workload and grasp the new and often more difficult concepts being introduced in class. On that note, I think it is also vital to clear your doubts early; I regretted not approaching teachers for consultations earlier in the year because I began to realise that I had accumulated quite a few questions by the time I got to the revision period before prelims. While it is true that many of us often end up doing more actual studying and gaining more understanding after prelims rather than before, again, it’s better to be consistent in checking your own understanding and settling any major misconceptions or queries earlier than later!
Another tip that many people will probably reiterate time and time again would be time management and discipline. When I first started Y6, I thought I had at least eight to nine months to drill myself in the various subjects as much as possible, and I laboured under the misconception that I could devote quite a lot of time to each subject; however, you will soon realise that time is a lot more limited than you think. No matter how much you manage and optimise your time, or however much you “scrimp and save” on things like lunch breaks and study breaks, you will have to learn to prioritise. This is where the part about knowing yourself, and knowing your weaknesses and strengths come in! For me, of my H2 subjects, I knew that I had a lot of content to memorise for Biology and a lot of ground to cover for the various texts in Literature; however, I recognised that those two were my favourite subjects and that I could do better in them, as compared to the rest of my subjects, with the current effort I was putting in. As much as I wanted to go the extra mile for Biology and Literature, I decided to dedicate more time and effort to Mathematics and Chemistry by doing more regular practices while still maintaining a certain level of focus on the other two subjects.
In addition, I’m not sure if it works for everyone but I found making a study schedule really useful, especially during the final days leading up to the big ‘A’s. I typically paired a content-intensive subject (like Biology) with a practice-intensive subject (like Mathematics) for revision in a single day. Of course, every subject has content and practice aspects; I made sure not to neglect the practice aspect of content-heavy subjects. For example, after a few days of doing content for Biology, I would have one or two days of the practice aspect of Biology paired with perhaps content for Literature or Chemistry. I think this helps in not over-saturating your brain with content all at one go, while making sure you get sufficient practice.
Last but definitely not the least, it’s important to surround yourself with study buddies. Apart from being the main comrades-in-arms who will be studying with you day in and day out, they will also come to form a very important part of your A level journey – your support network. Aside from the emotional support you guys will lend to each other, studying in a group can actually be very helpful and rewarding; after all, two heads are better than one, and your friend might have fresh perspectives on a Math problem or raise new questions about a scientific concept that could help enhance your understanding, and vice versa. At the risk of sounding cheesy, teamwork makes the dream work!
What would you say is the biggest reason for your academic accomplishments thus far?
Certainly, I feel that there is a concatenation of factors at play here; discipline, drive, and the hard work I put in allowed me to tide through the tough ‘A’ level period. However, I’ve always felt that it was the support I’ve received from family, friends, and teachers that really gave me the chance to come as far as I have. The support network, both in and outside of school, was highly instrumental in keeping me positive even when the going got tough. Their presence and support were what drove me to reach for greater heights, and allayed my self-doubts when they reared their ugly head. In particular, my family members were a great source of support for me; each of them was there for me in their own way. Knowing that I had someone to go to when I was stumped by Math concepts and sums (my mom) was greatly reassuring, while talking to my dad about future plans and science research made me more motivated to study hard for ‘A’s. My sister, as a relatively recent alumna of River Valley High herself, was someone who could commiserate with me and give advice about coping with the ‘A’ level year. My parents also tried to accommodate my studying schedule as best as they could, such as reducing the number of meals outside to minimise any disruption to my studying while still occasionally making sure that I did go outside for a few meals to break the monotony. I am fortunate to have such a strong support network which is definitely the key reason for my being able to achieve what I have achieved so far.
How do you think the school has helped you in your academic pursuits?
Certainly, I benefited from a lot of the programmes and opportunities accorded by the school, having participated in various local and overseas research attachments, such as the Science Research Programme (SRP) and the Research Science Institute at MIT that really broadened my horizon in more ways than one and inspired me to pursue a career in the sciences. I am gratified to have been involved in two academies - the Science Leaders Academy (SLA) and the Humanities and Social Sciences Leaders Academy (HSSLA) - where I could freely pursue and explore my interests in both the sciences and the arts. As a primarily science-oriented student, I am fortunate that being able to take H2 Literature and being involved in the Student Editorial Club and HSSLA activities at the same time gave me the opportunity to grow as a writer, even as I was delving into science and scientific research.
I am also really, really very grateful to have met the amazing teachers in JC who were completely dedicated in guiding us not just academically, but also supporting us in any way they could. It was very reassuring to know that they had our backs, be it in the classroom when we had doubts about the content or the skills needed for the various subjects, or outside the classroom, when we were sometimes on the verge of breakdowns because of the stress and the pressure. They were always happy to give us consultations, sometimes even at the expense of their own personal time and lunch breaks, and many of them were never more than a text away, especially during the days leading up to ‘A’s.
What is your personal definition of success?
For me, to be successful is to find enjoyment in what I do, and through my pursuits, make meaningful contributions to people around me. Success doesn’t necessarily have to be conventionally quantifiable; although achievements and accolades are important markers of recognition for one’s abilities and efforts in a certain area, I don’t think that should be what defines you and what defines success. After all, no one exists in a vacuum, and it’s always important to consider what impact your interests and pursuits can and will have on the world and the people around you. Be it connecting with even just one reader through your poem, or being able to help future generations of scientists solve a bigger puzzle with a piece of your research, I think these are the little successes that truly matter.
Moving forward, what are your plans for the future?
Currently, I’m considering studying Natural Sciences at King’s College (University of Cambridge). I hope to pursue my interest in biology there, and I’m definitely excited to immerse myself in the vibrant research culture and student life there! Hopefully, I will be able to pursue my dreams of becoming a biology researcher and make meaningful contributions to the scientific community and society at large in future.
Lincoln Too:
Tell us a bit more about yourself (e.g. CCA, subject combination in JC, any interests, etc.)
I took H2 Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Economics and H3 Mathematics - subjects that largely involve mathematics and calculation - because I think that problem solving is enjoyable. In fact, my friends used to call me math-sexual.
I was in the Softball club since Year 1 and joined the Mathematics Leaders Academy in JC 1. There were quite a few different activities that I engaged in during my free time. I used to play quite a few different trading card games and recently started on a new one. They are not just children’s games; there are many strategies involved and skills needed to identify and exploit synergy between cards. I also like to collect and build nanoblock, as well as fix puzzles, during my free time. While I was in school, I loved to play many different types of sport during breaks to keep myself active, otherwise you would be likely to find me hibernating in the library. I also had a tendency to participate in any mathematics or science project, competition or camp that came up because of my interest in those areas. However, I ended up overloading my June holiday, which was quite a bad idea in hindsight.
More recently, I started and am in the process of building random objects, such as a DIY foosball table and making modifications to my shelves, mostly on impulse and to pass time.
Tell us a bit more about how you prepared for the A Levels in Y6. What were some of the greatest obstacles you faced and how did you overcome them?
During the A Levels period, I had a habit of going back to school everyday to study as there are many study areas in our school. It also helped that there were many friends around me in school - people whom I could ask for help with my studies and seek company during breaks, making the tedious studying period much more enjoyable and bearable. Of course, I still made sure to keep myself active by playing some ball sports during my break and to get sufficient sleep everyday.
However, I have a problem of procrastinating throughout my time in RV, which I have yet to remedy even till today. There is actually quite a lot of time to study after we step down from our CCAs, and even after the graduation ceremony. Thus, it is easy to believe that there is time to play. I even convinced myself I needed to play basketball to maintain my physical and mental fitness to study well. This was followed by a “short” nap to regain my energy and focus. Fortunately, there were times when I was more successful in disciplining myself by studying in open classrooms located far away from the basketball court. I also made a daily checklist of things that I needed to do and forced myself to stay put until I was done. In addition, I studied with friends who were focused on studying. Ultimately, self discipline is the most important in ensuring that I complete my tasks on time.
Were you stressed? If so, why and how did you cope with it?
There was some stress due to my fear of not doing well since this was ultimately what our six years boiled down to. I was especially worried for Further Mathematics since I did not know what to expect for the new subject. There was also the pressure of other people’s expectations for me to do well. While it is true that our A levels plays a large part in deciding our immediate direction, there are other routes that we can take if things do not turn out well, even if it is tougher and much longer. Thus, to prevent the stress from getting to me, I made a plan to fall back on despite any result that I might obtain, and did not harp so much on results. I just believed in myself, strove to do well, and treated the A levels like any other normal examination.
What are some study tips you would like to share with your juniors?
Always aim to study for understanding rather than solely memorising content or formula. I would always read through my notes all over again before a test to make sure I understand everything in them (This gets faster with time). If there is any information gap, do not be afraid to ask your teachers, go to the library to read up more or search online. With a good understanding, revising and practising will be much faster and easier later on.
Consult your teachers for help! There’s little to be proud of for not having gone on a single consultation, in your six years in RV.
When trying to remember content or formula, I usually imagine a video of the process taking place in my head, in order to grasp the key details or understand how a formula is derived. This greatly cut down the amount of memory work I had to do, especially for content from Mathematics and Physics, and allowed me to allocate the time to other subjects. If you desperately need to recall a formula during a test, you can try to derive it on the spot. It is also especially important if you want to solve those “think-out-of-the-box” questions. (Even for topics like hypothesis testing in Mathematics, don’t just remember the answering format, try to understand the different components and appreciate the mathematical modelling behind how it works. It saved me during my As when my memory lapsed.)
When I was short of time, I usually turned to MCQs for practice because I think that is the fastest way to test concepts. Answer keys usually explain why certain options are wrong, which can help to enhance your understanding.
If you can, try to discuss and find a new approach to tough questions. You can also offer to clarify your friends’ doubts because it will test your understanding and force you to be able to explain how to solve the problem in a logical way.
Try to allocate time such that you cover a little of each subject rather than go all out on a single subject, to keep what you have learnt fresh in your mind. Otherwise, you’re likely to forget most of what you studied at the start.
Get sufficient sleep especially right before an examination.
Don’t be too stressed out; take a break and play when necessary. Don’t lead a sedentary lifestyle just to study obsessively for that one examination in your entire life.
What would you say is the biggest reason for your academic accomplishments thus far?
I think the most crucial factor would be to believe in your own capabilities. I believe that one’s mindset greatly affects how one would perform, thus it is important to be confident of your own abilities and have a positive outlook. The constant fear of failure will eventually amount to unnecessary stress and pressure. Believe that even if you fail, you have the ability to salvage the situation. Even if you may not be doing well now, believe your hard work will eventually pay off. Just don’t get complacent.
How do you think the school has helped you in your academic pursuits?
The school has many excellent teachers who provided us with numerous resources such as concise notes and extra practices that they designed or sourced for. I was also fortunate to have teachers who set aside their valuable time for consultations despite their busy schedule, even after our graduation. When I was struggling with Economics and General Paper, the consultations really helped me to work on my weaknesses. I believe this was what led to my drastic improvement in these subjects during the final examination. The school does prepare us fairly well since most people tend to do significantly better in the A Level examination. The school has also set up many study areas - significantly more than when I first entered the school in Year 1 - which facilitates studying. It also helped that there were no possible sources of distraction such as WiFi connection, so I was forced to set my phone aside in order not to consume mobile data.
What is your personal definition of success?
To me, success doesn’t have to be about achieving something grand. It is merely about performing to the best of my ability to achieve my goal. Even if things do not work out the way I want it to, as long as I have no regrets and I’m happy with the effort I have put in, I think that is good enough.
Moving forward, what are your plans for the future?
While I would like to delve into the Sciences, Technology and Research, I also like to be physically active. Thus, I have considered possibly signing on with the army, pursuing a career in academia or engineering, or even being a mathematics teacher (my childhood dream) - careers that are vastly different. It will be tough to choose but I think it would be nice to explore a combination of a few of the options depending on how things turn out. Ultimately, I think I want to be able to keep trying and learning new things, to constantly challenge myself and lead a fulfilling life.
Eugene Chia:
Tell us a bit more about yourself (e.g. CCA, subject combination in JC, any interests, etc.)
My CCA has been ELDDS (Drama) since Y1 and I had the honour of being President in Y4 and Y5! I was also a part of the Science Leaders Academy, and was the President from Y5-6.
For the more academic side of things, I offered Physics, Chemistry, Math and Literature in English at H2 level and H3 Pharmaceutical Chemistry for the A Levels.
Interests-wise, I like to spend quality time with my friends and I genuinely love exploring places in Singapore for good and unique food! I also really like catching up with people and talking to them about anything. Lastly, I really like planning events too!
Tell us a bit more about how you prepared for the A Levels in Y6. What were some of the greatest obstacles you faced and how did you overcome them?
I think it’s quite a serious misconception to think that A Level preparation started in Y6. Personally, I felt that it started in Y5 when we were taught many different concepts. To do well, I felt that it was necessary to have a rock solid foundation and so I made sure to clarify any doubts I had.
Something else that was very important (especially for GP and Literature) was constant practice and consultations. For these subjects, you need to constantly get personalised feedback from your tutors, so the only way to improve was through regular consultations.
I think something else I did was to source for practice papers from other schools and do them under timed condition. Because we were studying a new syllabus, the TYS could only do so much for our studies. With papers from other schools, I was more exposed to different styles of questioning and I felt that they helped me. More importantly, there is more value in doing the papers under time constraints. I would sit at my favourite study spot (GNC :) ) and time myself for the duration of the paper, avoiding any form of distractions (using the phone/talking to friends). It’s important to have that time factor so you would know how to perform under stress (which is what the examination is about!)
Were you stressed? If so, why and how did you cope with it?
I think I was quite stressed during the school holidays (June and September). These holidays were crucial because they led up to the preliminary examinations. However, because I participated in certain programmes conducted by external organisations to gain clarity on my future career options, it meant losing some study time. The stress I felt was worsened by the knowledge that my peers were taking the time to study, causing me to worry that I was falling behind in my revision.
I coped with stress by repeatedly reminding myself that I had my own schedule to follow and that as long as I followed my schedule, I would be able to revise the concepts well in time for the examination. I also factored in those activities in my revision schedule, thus I did not overstretch myself and was able to redistribute my revision time. As for coping with peer pressure, I think what worked for me was to focus on what I was doing. Your peers can be ahead of you, but everybody has a different pace. As long as your pace is comfortable such that you grasp the concepts very well, you will be fine!
What are some study tips you would like to share with your juniors?
I did not like planning long-term revision schedules as I felt that falling behind such schedules will only lead to more stress and anxiety. For me, I planned my schedule daily - I only crafted the schedule for the next day the night before. But this means that you need to be clear on how much time you wish to allocate for each subject.
Also, it is very important to find a study spot that works for you! The ideal studying spot is different for everyone so it’s up to you to find it! I never studied at home because it was way too distracting and I disliked libraries because I felt the atmosphere was unpleasant and slightly deathly. Hence, for me, I always studied at GNC (highly recommended :) )and at cafes because these places had white noise that was not distracting. I also liked having food with me while I studied to keep me going.
The above are general tips, but here are some ideas for the individual subjects (apologies that these only apply to the subjects I took)
(1) Sciences (Math, Chemistry & Physics): I think it’s clear for many of us that to do well in the Sciences, repeated grinding is crucial. You need to make the effort to do papers and TYS. More importantly, take the time to review each paper upon completion. Look at your mistakes and understand where you went wrong. If you cannot figure it out, bookmark it and compile a collection of them, then attend consultations. It is very important to understand concepts for these subjects as they require you to be able to apply what you have learnt in lectures.
(2) GP: Where GP is concerned, it helps to compile a ‘current affairs package’. Update it weekly with the biggest news and briefly write down your thoughts on the issues. Also, it will be very helpful if you can find a few areas of interest and focus on these areas! I used to think GP was really difficult in Y5 but in Y6, I started focusing on specific areas (Singapore society, arts and culture and sports) and I found that writing essays on these topics were actually quite a joy! I wrote one essay a week starting from June and submitted them to my teacher for marking. It helped that the questions I did were quite different so that I had exposure to a wide variety of questions.
(3) Literature: Search for articles pertaining to the set texts and their themes. Don’t be afraid to look for articles that are slightly more complex. Then, analyse the ones that are of use to you as an A Level student. Gathering these information will help you broaden your perspective on the texts and it will make your essay richer! Then, you should compile and organise everything into a word document (one for each text).
Consult your tutor regularly (we did it once a week) regarding the queries you have. After all, Literature is about discovering! Also, write/type essay plans consistently because you need the exposure to different types of questions. After you get back any essay, make it a point to consult your tutor for in-depth feedback.
What would you say is the biggest reason for your academic accomplishments thus far?
I feel that the biggest reason is the support from my family. I was fortunate that I took subjects that I genuinely liked, which made it easier for me to revise for them. This was also due to my parents deciding not to interfere with my subject combination. It was important that they allowed me to pick subjects I liked.
Additionally, they were very understanding during the 1-2 months leading up to the examinations. I would study in school until 9pm and they would offer to buy dinner home for me. Other than that, they understood that I had fewer opportunities to have dinner with them and they did not blame me for it. They did not supervise me closely at all, giving me the space and freedom to design my own revision schedule. They made it a point not to give me additional stress, which I appreciate.
How do you think the school has helped you in your academic pursuits?
The school has given me opportunities to pursue my interests further. I was privileged to go for a 3-week attachment programme in Germany to attend an International Science Camp. I had the opportunity to explore the Sciences at an undergraduate level and that allowed me to appreciate the complexities of the subject. It also fuelled my passion for the subject.
Additionally, the teachers were nothing but amazing. We have very dedicated teachers in the school who are willing to take the time to help you with any difficulties you encounter. My teachers were always willing to meet me for consultations and they always went the extra mile to ensure we had enough practices and that we understood the concepts taught in lecture. Their dedication motivated me to do well so that I could do them proud.
What is your personal definition of success?
A very abstract and deep question, but to me, success is about being able to do the things that give you joy and fulfilment in the long-run. Ultimately, we are the ones leading our lives and as long as you are able to do what brings you permanent, rather than transient joy, you would have been successful.
Moving forward, what are your plans for the future?
I want to pursue my undergraduate studies in the UK! I am looking to pursue a degree in Chemistry.
In the further future, I hope to be a part of the public service. It fits my own notions of what a career should be and I think that I will be able to obtain satisfaction from serving Singaporeans. It is also important for me to give back to the society that has nurtured me into who I am today.