Scholars Interview 2018: Part 3
*Part 3 consists of our interviews with scholars taking a Mixed combination or Humanities combination.
While sciences are popular in our school, here are stories of scholars who walked the A-Level path less traveled, but found success nonetheless.
For interviews with scholars taking a Science combination, check out parts 1 and 2.
Christine Ow:
Tell us a bit more about yourself (e.g. CCA, subject combination in JC, any interests, etc.)
My subject combination was Math, Chemistry, Literature in English and History at H2 level, as well as History at H3 level. I was Secretary of the History and Current Affairs Society (HACAS) and Deputy Secretary General for Conference in RVMUN 2017. In 2017, I was also part of the school delegation selected to take part in the 43rd Annual Yale Model United Nations. I am an avid public speaker, clinching third and second place in RV’s Internal Plain English Speaking Awards (PESA) competition in 2017 and 2016 respectively, and national champion and finalist in the national PESA competition in 2017 and 2016 respectively. I also achieved third place in the Dunman High School Public Speaking Competition 2017.Outside of school, I am an active member of the Limbang Youth Executive Committee, and I pioneered our committee’s free tutoring programme in the 2017 June Holidays, which is continuing in 2018 under the title Project A.C.E.
More on my personal interests, I love reading and I am very guilty of binge watching Youtube videos even up till A Levels. I also love doing handicraft, though that came on hold in Year 6 when school work became significantly heavier.
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?
Preparing for the A Levels came with a great reduction of the number of hours I slept (which is a terrible idea, so don’t do it). I got private tuition for my Math, because I really was absolutely terrible at it, which I personally think is one learning point. In our final year, it really becomes critical for us to understand what we are weak in and take active action to remedy it. Sure, private tuition was expensive, and it took time away from leisure and even personal studying time, but I needed it to improve my math, and it certainly helped a lot. So, definitely taking deliberate action to cope with my weaknesses was one way I prepared for the A Levels.
Frankly, this goes beyond math, because I put a lot of effort into all of my H2 and H3 subjects. I did not shy away from asking questions in and out of class, and I made a conscious effort in all my school work. I re-read my Literature books multiple times, and read articles online about the books, on top of those provided by Mr Prince. For History and GP, I tried to produce essays to be reviewed by my teachers (this was especially so in the time leading up to the A Levels). And in Chemistry I actively sought help from classmates and teachers.
However, I think the greatest obstacle I faced was dealing with self-doubt and disappointment. Knowing that this huge exam was looming over my head presented immense pressure, and I felt a lot of stress to be perfect. There were times when I would fail or just pass my assessments and it would be devastating. There were times when I would not understand a thing my teachers said during consultations and I would literally return to my study table in tears. It was terrifying to feel unprepared throughout the year, but what really got me through was this amazing support system of friends and teachers. They consistently picked me up when I was down and never stopped encouraging me. Their support truly was crucial in helping me regain confidence and forging forward every time I broke down as I was preparing for my A Levels.
Were you stressed? If so, why and how did you cope with it?
(Laughter) Of course I was stressed. I mean the A Levels has always been depicted as this big, scary examination that determines everything in your future, and to some extent it does. As someone who is naturally quite ambitious, and in many ways a perfectionist, my inability to immediately grasp concepts was a huge source of stress for me, because I felt like that meant I was not capable enough to tackle the A Levels. Not to mention I had to balance so many things at once - from RVMUN to my H3 subject, my community work and public speaking - this precarious balancing act was a huge source of stress for me.
Personally, in an immediate context, I coped by crying quite a bit (laughter). But, in all honesty, being able to be vulnerable and letting out these emotions in a very literal way was very liberating for me. On a more sustainable context, I tried to have non-academic but low commitment interests to allow myself to indulge in what I love, in order to take a break from studying. For me, it was K-pop; I often listened to music or watched funny videos of my favourite groups to de-stress every day. As I mentioned, I also had amazing friends who were extremely supportive throughout everything, and we made it a point to consistently push each other on and build each other up throughout our journey to the final examination. Certainly, having a strong support system is crucial.
What are some study tips you would like to share with your juniors?
One, don’t be shy to ask questions. It’s A Levels, you simply cannot afford to not know things or not be clear. It’s time to thicken your skin and clarify your doubts, regardless of whether it is in class or out of it.
Two, participate in class discussions for humanities subjects such as GP. I cannot emphasise enough how important class discussions are, especially for GP. It allows you to test your arguments, and understand varying perspectives. It’s a process that benefits both yourselves and the class, and it makes class a lot more dynamic and fun, so please speak up.
Three, make your own notes. Everyone’s brain works in a different way, even between the teachers and you. Hence, to truly understand the topic, you should try to re-write your notes in a structure you would understand. As the days go on, actively begin condensing your notes into smaller clusters - this will force you to remember the key details of each topic and also consolidate your thinking (this applies for both the sciences and humanities).
Four, form study groups. Study with friends who are driven and focused. Their doing work will motivate you to work harder and you can hold peer consultations or group discussions on the subjects. Having a constant group is also a great way to bond between friends.
Five, be willing to work hard. You aren’t going to get an A without hard work; it’s as simple as that, so you must be willing to sacrifice your time to really commit to the task of studying for the As.
What would you say is the biggest reason for your academic accomplishments thus far?
I guess I would credit it to two things: incredible support system and my personal expectations of myself.
I’ve raved about my support system endlessly so I’ll try to keep it short. But truly, my best friends and teachers have been such a critical part of this journey, in reassuring me and giving me honest feedback for my work. I look to them not only for support academically and emotionally, but also as my first critics to improve further in my work.
Next, is my perfectionist tendency. No doubt, this has been a huge source of stress, but at the same time, it has been a huge source of strength. I set very high expectations for myself intentionally so that I can never be satisfied with my work. I know it sounds morbid but it really is through sticking to this mindset that I can be better. This allowed me to have the determination to push myself as hard as I could to reach my goal. I think it is also important to be accepting of your flaws, because acceptance is the first step to dealing with them effectively.
How do you think the school has helped you in your academic pursuits?
Having conducive spaces and highly supportive teachers are the two main ways the school has helped me along my journey. Many of the opportunities I have gained within school are purely based on my teachers’ faith in me, and their relentless attempts to help me improve. I think I have truly developed a very strong bond with many teachers who have had so much unwavering faith in me.
What is your personal definition of success?
My personal definition of success is being able to love what you do and do what you love. I think very few people have the opportunity to be truly passionate about what they are doing, because we are often bogged down by practicality in this society. I’ve always been a little rebel towards that mentality (that’s why I took my combination despite a lot of advice against it), and that has made my two years of JC life tortuous in an enriching way. I don’t think I have truly achieved my definition of success, because I haven’t found something sustainable to do yet, but I do think my two years in JC were fulfilling and enlightening. At the end of the day, happiness is what matters to me, and if I can be happy with anything I am doing, I think that should be enough.
Moving forward, what are your plans for the future?
In the immediate future, I plan to study overseas either in the UK or USA (depending on who accepts me), and I am planning to do a degree in public policy, or a double degree in Politics and Anthropology. Looking forward into the working world, I hope to do something related to policy drafting or work for the UN or NGOs around the world. Before all that, I’ll be dabbling around in different things and bringing my community project – Project A.C.E. – to life. But honestly, even though that is my plan for now, things could easily change in the next few years. So, I guess a better answer to this question is that I am open to a new adventure in the next chapter in my life.
Tan Xin Wei:
Tell us a bit more about yourself (e.g. CCA, subject combination in JC, any interests, etc.)
I studied Chemistry, China Studies in Chinese, Mathematics and Economics. I also read H3 Chemistry. I really enjoy watching shows in my free time, be it Netflix or documentaries about bizarre things (like yetis and mummies).
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 had a group of friends who studied with me everyday after school and we’d stay till the school gate closed. I think the greatest obstacle I faced was that I felt like I was constantly racing with time. I had CCA, HSSLA, tutoring and an advanced placement programme at SMU every week for a few semesters.
Were you stressed? If so, why and how did you cope with it?
Though I felt burnt out, I constantly reminded myself to feel thankful about these opportunities given. I am really thankful to my teachers who gave me an hour and a half consultations (be it face to face or via phone calls late at night), who patiently guided me and answered the simplest questions I had.
What are some study tips you would like to share with your juniors?
My greatest regret during my JC years may be that I spent way too much time making notes right before exams and remaking them because I was dissatisfied with my handwriting, amongst other reasons. This did not only just happen to me, but was true with my friends as well. If time could be turned back, I would have started making my notes at the start of Y5 - and made it a habit. Do it properly the first time round, and always remember that the time spent making the notes is well worth the effort.
I feel that having a group of “study buddies” really does help a lot. Also, start arranging consultations at the start of the year and clarify any doubts you may have (it is really better to consult with a group of friends so you can learn from each other).
What would you say is the biggest reason for your academic accomplishments thus far?
I would say the biggest reason was the wake-up call I had in Years 1 and 2, after which I was determined to put in constant hard work thereafter. I was ranked at the bottom of the cohort in Year 1 (< 2.0 GPA) and my teachers had to call my parents. It was an embarrassing and horrifying experience but, most importantly, it served as a wake-up call for me.
How do you think the school has helped you in your academic pursuits?
I am really thankful that the school supports night study and that we have a wonderful team of teachers who are passionate and patient towards us. I am also thankful for the opportunities from the Bicultural Leaders Academy/teachers/scholarship. They have made me a better person in terms of allowing me to step out of my comfort zone (e.g. by being a translator, etc) and allowing me to enjoy the process of learning via study trips.
What is your personal definition of success?
I think that success is knowing that you have tried your best and knowing what to prioritise. Results may be important but friends and family are equally important.
Moving forward, what are your plans for the future?
Looking forward, I don’t wish to be tied to a single position and I will try to explore as many areas as I possibly can. I look forward to being enrolled in a university course or getting a job that allows me to travel because I really love learning as I travel.