How to Choose Your Subject Combination
As most students already know, you are bound to face many struggles in your JC education. The first struggle you may face is choosing a subject combination. Choosing a suitable subject combination that plays to your advantage is important because you will not be able to change the subjects that you take. There were students who failed their examinations on purpose in order to retain and re-select their subject combination. However, those who did not want to retain had to force themselves to study for the subjects that they no longer liked, thus compromising their A-Level results. If you are facing trouble finding a suitable subject combination, fret not! We are here to help.
For students who already know what they want to do in the future, awesome! However, do check out your preferred university’s website to double-check if your subject combination meets the requirement. Here are the subject combinations for some of the university courses that are more popular among students:
- Medicine/ Dentistry: H2 Chemistry, H2 Biology/Physics
- Law: Any combination as long as you have GP/KI
- Business: Any combination with at least H1 Mathematics
- Pharmaceutical Sciences/ Pharmacy: H2 Chemistry, H2 Biology/Physics/Mathematics
- Computer Science: H2 Mathematics/ Further Maths/ Physics
- Public Policy and Global Affairs: Any combination as long as you have GP/KI
For students who have no idea about what they want to do in the future, think about whether you prefer the humanities or the sciences, and choose your subject combination based on that. You can also think about your secondary school subject combination. If you took Triple Science and deeply enjoyed the syllabus, you may want to choose a subject combination in the science stream. You may also want to refrain from choosing too many content-heavy subjects for the sake of your sanity. Alternatively, if you like both the humanities and the sciences, you may want to consider a hybrid subject combination where you pick two science subjects and two humanities subjects. However, do check if your school offers the particular subject combination that you are interested in. Regardless of whatever you choose, it will be highly advisable to choose H2 Chemistry as one of your subjects as most university courses (especially science courses), require H2 Chemistry. In addition, if you are still clueless about which subjects to choose, attend the taster classes if your school offers them. Pay attention during these classes and see for yourself if the content interests you.
When in doubt, you can always refer to the SEAB website to find out more information about the syllabus for the respective subjects, or search online for free notes and past year papers, and gauge for yourself if you are able to handle the workload. You can also talk to any of our friendly teachers at Learners’ Lodge and seek their advice!
H1 or H2?
This is another worry that many students face because they are unsure if they can cope with the workload of studying 4 H2s. Don’t worry, you can always take 4 H2 subjects first before dropping one of the subjects to H1 level at the end of J1 or during J2. It will be wise to study 4 H2 subjects first and use your performance in JC examinations to decide which subject to drop to H1 level if you are only keen on taking 3 H2s.
Curious about H1 vs H2 Math specifically? Learn about the difference between H1 and H2 Math at JC Level and how to choose in our short handy guide.
For those who are curious about H3, you will only be able to take H3 subjects at the end of J1, with your examination results taken into consideration.
The Dilemma: Interests vs Ability
The short answer to this dilemma would be to consider the subjects that you are interested in first because you are more likely to stay motivated and study the subjects that you genuinely like.
Although choosing subjects that you are interested in will keep you motivated, some students may start losing interest in the subjects that they once liked if they are constantly unable to do well. Furthermore, being able to score good grades is also important as you need high enough grades to enter university. Good grades are also even more crucial to students who are wishing to enrol in a more competitive course. That being said, being able to score for a certain subject in secondary school does not necessarily mean you will do the same in JC as the rigour of A-Level subjects is greater. Thus, it is not advisable to choose your subject combination only based on the subjects you can do well in, especially if you do not have much interest in them. If possible, try to choose the subjects that you are genuinely interested in. Even if you are unable to excel in those subjects, you will still be enjoying the learning process at the very least.
Why is it important to select the right subject combination in JC
Selecting the right subject combination in Junior College (JC) is important for several reasons:
- Academic Requirements: Different universities and courses have specific subject prerequisites. Choosing the right combination of subjects ensures that you meet the entry requirements for the higher education institutions and courses you are interested in pursuing. Certain subjects may be mandatory or highly recommended for specific fields of study.
- Future Career Options: The subject combination you choose can have an impact on your future career options. Some professions require specific subject knowledge or skills. For example, if you are interested in pursuing a career in medicine, taking science subjects like Biology and Chemistry would be essential. Researching the requirements of the career paths you are considering can help you make informed decisions about your subject choices.
- Personal Interest and Strengths: It is important to select subjects that align with your interests and strengths. When you enjoy studying a subject, you are more likely to put in the effort and perform well. Choosing subjects that you excel in can also boost your overall academic performance, which can have positive effects on your future opportunities and university applications.
- Holistic Development: A well-rounded subject combination can contribute to your holistic development. Combining subjects from different domains, such as Sciences, Humanities, and Arts, can provide you with a broader perspective and a more diverse skill set. This can enhance your critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, creativity, and communication skills, which are valuable in various aspects of life and future career paths.
- Flexibility and Backup Options: Life is dynamic, and your interests and goals may change over time. Selecting a combination that offers flexibility can be beneficial. Having a range of subjects can provide you with backup options if you decide to switch career paths or if your original plans change. It allows you to explore different fields of study before committing to a specific one.
Ultimately, the right subject combination will depend on your individual interests, strengths, future goals, and the requirements of the universities or careers you are aiming for. It’s important to seek guidance from your school counselors, teachers, and mentors who can provide you with personalized advice based on your circumstances and aspirations.
Ace Your Economics Essay
Introduction
Economics essays provide a platform for students to analyze and evaluate complex economic concepts, theories, and real-world scenarios. A well-crafted economics essay showcases a student’s understanding of economic principles, critical thinking skills, and ability to communicate ideas effectively. To ace your economics essay, it is essential to master the art of clear and concise writing, develop a strong argument, and support it with solid evidence. This essay will provide valuable tips and strategies to help you excel in your economics essay writing.
- Understand the Question: The first step in acing an economics essay is to fully comprehend the question or prompt. Take the time to carefully read and analyze the question, identifying the key terms, concepts, and requirements. Pay attention to any specific instructions provided, such as word limits or required sources. Understanding the question will help you structure your essay effectively and ensure that you stay focused on the main topic.
- Plan Your Essay: Once you have a clear understanding of the question, create an outline or plan for your essay. Planning allows you to organize your thoughts and arguments coherently. Consider the main points you want to address, the order in which you will present them, and the evidence or examples you will use to support your arguments. A well-structured essay with a logical flow of ideas will make a stronger impact on the reader.
- Conduct Thorough Research: Economics essays often require supporting evidence and data to strengthen your arguments. Conduct thorough research using reputable sources such as academic journals, books, and reliable websites. Ensure that the sources you use are up-to-date and relevant to your topic. Incorporating data, statistics, and real-world examples will enhance the credibility of your essay and demonstrate a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
- Develop a Strong Thesis Statement: A strong thesis statement is the backbone of an economics essay. It should clearly state your main argument or position on the topic. Your thesis statement should be concise, specific, and arguable. It provides a roadmap for your essay, guiding the reader through your arguments and analysis. Spend time refining your thesis statement to ensure it accurately reflects your main ideas and sets the tone for the rest of your essay.
- Use Clear and Concise Language: Economics essays should be written in clear and concise language. Avoid excessive jargon or technical terms that may confuse the reader. Instead, strive for clarity and simplicity. Present your ideas and arguments in a straightforward manner, using appropriate economic terminology where necessary. Ensure that your sentences are well-structured and that your paragraphs flow logically.
- Analyze and Evaluate: An essential aspect of economics essays is the ability to analyze and evaluate economic theories, policies, or scenarios. Provide a critical analysis of the topic, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and potential implications. Consider alternative viewpoints and counterarguments to strengthen your own arguments. Avoid making unsupported assertions and back up your claims with solid evidence and logical reasoning.
- Use Visuals Effectively: Visual aids such as graphs, charts, or tables can enhance the clarity and impact of your essay. When appropriate, incorporate visuals to illustrate economic trends, patterns, or relationships. Ensure that the visuals are labeled correctly and referenced in the text. Visual representations can provide a concise and visual understanding of complex economic concepts, making your essay more engaging and informative.
- Revise and Edit: Before submitting your economics essay, allocate time for revising and editing. Review your essay for clarity, coherence, and logical flow. Check for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. Ensure that your arguments are well-supported and your evidence is properly cited. Consider seeking feedback from peers, professors, or writing centers to gain different perspectives and identify areas for improvement.
Conclusion
In conclusion, writing an economics essay requires careful planning, research, and analysis. By following the tips and strategies outlined above, you can effectively communicate your understanding of economic concepts and theories and present a well-crafted argument. Remember to understand the question, develop a strong thesis statement, conduct thorough research, use clear and concise language, analyze and evaluate, use visuals effectively, and revise and edit your essay.
Acing your economics essay is not just about receiving a good grade but also about honing valuable skills such as critical thinking, analysis, and effective communication. The ability to write a clear and concise economics essay is an essential skill for any student pursuing a career in economics or related fields. By practicing these techniques, you can master the art of writing a compelling and effective economics essay and achieve success in your academic and professional pursuits.
Is tuition necessary for JC students
Choosing to enter JC means taking up the task of completing the A-Level syllabus in preparation for the exams after 2 years, and to do so, students in Singapore may be considering taking up tuition on their respective H2 or H1 syllabus.
Tuition provides different benefits to each student. For me, lessons in school feel insufficient in preparing me for exams, due to the fast pacing of learning that makes it hard to keep up with the content. While fast-paced lessons at school are necessary to ensure that the syllabus is finished when A Levels begin – it is not for everyone, and there are students who could get lost or left behind early in JC year 1. There are also others that may feel lessons in school do not delve into certain topics enough to allow them to feel confident about the content, especially when it comes to application during a strenuous exam situation.
Thus, tuition is a potential path that can be considered to garner better A-level results. Students in Singapore can join group tuition, or start one-to-one tuition if they have the resources to, and learn at an often easier and slower pace. The classroom sizes are smaller, allowing teachers to assist individual students easier. The smaller sizes also allow students, especially the more anxious ones, to ask questions with less fear of judgment. Tuitions often provide additional learning materials such as lesson notes and exercises, that give the students more opportunities to delve deeper into topics while also summarising the topic to the most important points, allowing easy and quick understanding.
If you do choose to begin attending tuition lessons, one vital decision to make would be choosing between group tuition, offered by most tuition centres in Singapore, and one-to-one tuition.
Group Tuition | One-to-One Tuition | |
---|---|---|
Cost | Generally lower than 1-to-1 tuition | Dependent on level of teacher |
Travelling distance | Dependent on location of the centre | None, the tutor will travel to the student |
Classroom size | Often 3-12 | 1 |
Pacing | Determined by the class | Determined by the student |
Timing | Mostly fixed | More versatile, based on teacher and student’s availability |
Finding a class/tutor | Simple | More complicated |
One-to-one tuition allows for more personalised lessons, as the lessons are structured around the student’s needs, though at a heavier expense. Group tuition, meanwhile, is more similar to a classroom setting, allowing students to learn with peers while still getting quality lesson time, at a lower price. As someone learning in group tuition, the lessons still feel individualised as teachers can divide their attention to each student equally, and I still feel comfortable asking questions within the small classroom.
While tuition does not automatically ensure excellent A-level results, the meticulous lessons and dedicated teachers can ensure a student will enter the exam venue feeling much more confident and prepared. With many testimonials and success stories, I believe tuition is a good choice that anyone can consider if needed.
Why and how did I get into medicine
Why and how did I get into medicine
By: Gabrielle Lee
Are you interested in applying into medicine? I’m guessing you are probably considering it, otherwise you won’t be looking at this article. At the time of writing, I am a first-year medical student who has gotten into medical school after 2 attempts. Thus, this article will be suitable for both applicants and re-applicants, and I hope I will be able to answer most of your questions.
Medicine is an extremely popular course in Singapore, perhaps due to the constant lack of healthcare professionals, or the Asian stereotypes that children should aim to become a doctor or a lawyer. Once again, like every other medical student or doctor who has provided advice to interested applicants, here is a reminder to not go into medicine for the wrong reasons. Contrary to popular beliefs, doctoring is not all about money, prestige and fame. There is so much more to that, in fact medicine graduates may not even earn as much as graduates from other courses in the first few years after graduation. Some of my batchmates and seniors have even transferred to other courses because they could not take the workload.
Starting your applying journey on the right foot
“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail” – Benjamin Franklin
Here’s a quote that my dad used to tell me all the time. Once you have decided that you want to apply into medicine, do make sure that you plan early and start working on it because there are so many prospective medicine applicants and you need time to stand out among them. Here’s how you can start:
Know yourself
As cliche as it may sound, you really got to understand yourself because the interview questions asked always goes around your personal beliefs, aspirations, motivations and interests. They need to know whether you are the right candidate for medical school, but how are they going to know you, if you are not even sure about your own beliefs and values? From the bottom of your heart, ask yourself what are your motivations for doing medicine. What draws you to medicine, and what draws you away from medicine? How much do you understand about this profession? Working these out will definitely make it easier for you when you are applying for medicine, but if you are still unsure, fret not! Be sure to keep thinking through these questions and recording your thoughts every time you gain a new experience related to the field of medicine.
Think of your backup options
One big mistake I did during my pre-university days was to over-fixate myself over medicine. I did not really consider the possibility that I may not get into medical school. I know it’s a little pessimistic to think about being rejected before you even apply, but it is worthwhile to prepare yourself for the worst to prevent disappointments.
It’s quite normal to not know your backup plans but it is never too late! If you are having trouble choosing your backup choices, write down the reasons why you want to do medicine . Is it because you enjoy patient care? Or do you like the research aspect of medicine? Once you are done writing them down, look for some courses that will satisfy these reasons. There may not be that one course that satisfies all reasons (hence, you are applying to medical school) but there may be similar courses that will interest you, for example, psychology, pharmaceutical sciences, etc.
Planning which activities/jobs you should be hunting for
Contrary to popular belief, it is actually not difficult to find opportunities if you are looking at the right places (unless the opportunities you are looking for are really rare). Here are some suggestions:
- Finding clinic/hospital jobs: Indeed, Google, hospital job portals, and even calling your neighbourhood clinics if they need employees
- Volunteer Opportunities: Telegram (just search ‘volunteer’), crimsonecl.com (thank me later), Instagram accounts of organisations, Discord (not joking, do check out the opportunities page in the channel ‘Policy for the People’), Reddit (r/ECAdvice), Google
Note: Please make sure the jobs you are applying for are credible! You may have to keep checking those pages to get the jobs that you want. Do not settle for something that looks useful but you aren’t interested in!
Start aiming for the universities that you want to apply to
It is always good to have an idea of where you are applying to. If you are keen, do take a look at the medical school’s mission and vision statement and see the type of students they are looking to admit (eg. leaders in healthcare). Try your best to work your activities around the qualities they are looking for in their students, especially if you resonate with their mission and vision.
Consider if applying overseas is an option for you
Do discuss with your family if applying overseas is a possible option because not every family is keen to send their children overseas for education. Remember to respect their opinions and if you disagree with them, express your views in a polite manner to avoid discourse.
With that, I wish all medicine applicants all the best! Preparing your portfolio involves a lot of work, but trust me, all these will be worth it when you see the fruits of your labour
If you don’t mind, can share what is your own reason for doing medicine, I think it will make the article more personal and relatable.
A bit too sudden jump to overseas school application, maybe first share on your application to overseas med school and how they responded. Your feeling when you received the positive admission.
What I did to prepare myself for the application
I actually took a gap year after my first unsuccessful attempt at applying into the local medical schools. I spent a year serving the community, doing internships, and working. I did all that to experience working in academia and the medical field for long term, just to make sure that I was actually interested in medicine. Trust me, working the same job for a year is really different from the short job shadowing or attachment that you do during your holidays. Of course, a year pales in comparison to being in the same profession for a lifetime, but at least, it helps you to understand whether your dream profession really suits you.
If you’re curious, here is a list of activities I did (directly and indirectly related to medicine). This is just a general guideline and please do not feel obliged to do everything I did. Everyone has different interests and you should center the activities you do around your interests, or else this journey will be extremely painful! (For confidentiality’s sake, I cannot disclose the exact place I work at.)
List of activities I did
Directly related to Medicine:
- Working as a clinic assistant at a pediatric clinic
- Flexi-work as a Casual Lab Technologist (JC graduate aren’t qualified to be called Research Assistants according to my HR) at a medical school
I think, at the very least, you should get a job at a clinic or a hospital. This is important because if you get a chance at the interviews, it might be suspicious if you reapply into medicine without doing anything related to medicine. If you scroll through LinkedIn, you might see some people doing research and EVEN writing papers. Do not feel pressured to do research or work in academia, especially if you are totally not interested in it! The admission officers can see whether you are genuinely interested in what you did or not.
Indirectly related to Medicine:
- Interning at places with similar missions to the medical profession
- Leading a STEM podcast as their director
- Volunteering at Meet-the-People session as a petition writer
- Teaching piano to children and adults
From what I’ve read and heard from seniors, admission officers are also very interested to see if you have a life outside medicine. I think it’s pretty important that you show this aspect because admission officers want to see if you are capable of having a good work-life balance when you eventually become a doctor. If you are genuinely interested in helping people, please do spend your time volunteering. It can be a form of relaxation or an activity to help you make good use of your time.
Once again, please do not feel obliged to start an organisation. I did that because it was initially super difficult to find opportunities and thus, I was genuinely itching to start something to help people (for real, I had sleepless nights trying to control my urge).
Preparing for entrance tests and (for UK Medical Schools) your personal statement
When applying overseas, it is highly likely that you will need to sit for admission tests. Here are some that I know of:
- Australia: International Students Admissions Test (ISAT)
- UK: BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT), University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT)
- NTU Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine: BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT)
Please take note of the application deadlines, registration dates, examination dates, whether or not you need to take leave from NS to sit for the examinations, and plan your revision schedule in advance because we no longer have anyone to spoon feed us.
For tips regarding personal statements, check out my separate post!
How to prepare for the International Students Admissions Test (ISAT)
Unlike the BMAT and UCAT, there aren’t many preparation materials for the ISAT. The ISAT is essentially a 3-hour computer-based multiple-choice test with 100 questions. This means you need to have the STAMINA to sit for a 3-hour paper and complete 100 questions. Here’s what you can do:
- The least you can do: Look at the mock paper on the ISAT ACER website and familiarise yourself with the format
- Do some BMAT section 1 questions as practice (can be found online FOR FREE)
- Look up for study materials online (you know where I am referring to)
The day before the exam: You have practised really hard and do not over-stress yourself. I remember taking a whole day off to do anything but ISAT and it really helped to clear my mind.
How to prepare for the Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI)
Most of the time, if your grades and admission test scores meet the cut, you will be offered an interview. Some medical schools use the MMI, for example, NTU Medicine and Monash Medical School. You may read online or hear people say that there is no point in preparing for the MMIs since everyone’s questions will be different. However, it is still advisable to prepare because the questions usually surround specific themes. We have to sign a non-disclosure agreement so I can’t tell you what my questions are but here are some preparation tips:
- Study the 4 pillars of medical ethics: Beneficence, Non-maleficence, Autonomy and Justice
- Do a Google search for question banks and practise using that
- Check out r/premed on Reddit to look for resources posted by past applicants
- Check the format of your MMI – number of stations, duration per stations, number of questions to answer
- Pick a range of questions – easy to hard (based on your perception) and practise with yourself or ask someone to listen to you
- Watch Ali Abdaal‘s videos on interview tips (very useful and interactive)
What if I get rejected?
Rejections are the bane of applicants’ existence and I have had my fair share of rejections. On top of being rejected by local medical schools, I was also rejected by a couple other overseas medical schools, without receiving feedback about what went wrong during the interview. Give yourself some time to sulk about it, but remember to pick yourself up afterwards! Rejections are a great way to help yourself better understand what you are lacking. There is value in reflecting on your interview performance and making good use of that experience to turn yourself into a stronger applicant at your other interviews! Here are some questions you can ask yourself:
- Was I confident during the previous interviews?
- Did I prepare enough for them?
- Was I unable to answer the questions within the time limit or was I speaking too fast for the interviewer to understand me?
- Were my answers coherent? Did I show my thought process clearly?
- Did I shape my answers around the 4 pillars of ethics/ other related themes?
Once you have reflected and identified the possible mistakes that you have made, work on them and make sure you do not make the same mistakes again!
It is not easy to get into medicine, although rejection may be common, you should still try to seek out all the help you can get.
If you are still not sure about whether to take up medicine or what to do for preparation to get in, check out the button below to get more information.
A student’s POV to approaching interviews
Always fearful of interviews and feel like you are not ready no matter how much preparation you have done?
That’s normal! At some point in our life, we will always feel nervous because passing interviews give us the ticket to pursue something that we want, be it holding a leadership position, entering your dream course, or getting involved in orientation or volunteering projects.
As a student myself, when approaching my first few interviews for leadership positions, scholarships and awards, I was constantly nervous and sometimes, it may make me really awkward and underperform. Missing out on an opportunity due to underperformance in an interview can really make one upset because if not for fear, one might have been able to do well in it. However, as I sat for more interviews to run for positions, join projects or attain awards, I became more confident and I got more used to the structure of interviews.
However, after attending many interviews, and hosting interviews, I started to realise what interviewers are looking out for in candidates, and how to impress them. Here are some findings that I have gleaned through my years of interview experience.
- Prepare beforehand
You will definitely hear some friends saying that there is no need to prepare for interviews since you will not be able to know the questions asked beforehand. However, there are some standard questions that will most likely come out. For example, Why should we accept you? Why do you want to join this volunteer project/ activity/ course? What are your strengths and weaknesses? Why should we not accept you? Try to look for sample interview questions online and practise speaking in front of your friends or in front of a mirror. This will help you feel more prepared and less nervous during the interview. Some preparation is much better than no preparation at all! - Always be on time
As cliche as it may sound, punctuality is really important. If you are late and did not update the interviewers in advance with a proper reason, the interviewers’ first impression of you may likely drop. It is possible to impress them again but as much as possible, try not to do anything that puts you in a bad light. By showing up late, it may suggest that you aren’t actually keen on doing well for the interview, getting that position/scholarship/award/course, etc. If you find it difficult to be on time, try reporting at least 15 minutes earlier. - Be presentable
Like I mentioned before, first impressions matter a lot. By dressing up appropriately, you also show the interviewers that you are genuinely interested and that you are putting in the effort. - Be confident and smile
It is normal to feel queasy during an interview, especially when it is very important to you. However, try not to show it or let it affect your performance. To help yourself calm down and look composed, try to maintain a smile during your interview. Besides helping you look confident, it also makes you look more approachable and friendly to work with. - Show that you are interested
Whether it is an interview in real life or online, it is quite easy to tell if someone is interested in the subject or not. When in a real-life interview, maintain a good posture and sit up straight. Refrain from crossing your arms as it may make you seem protective and hard to approach. When in an online interview, a good posture is important as well, but try to inch your body slightly forward to the camera. It will make it a lot more obvious that you are engaged in the interview. - Back up your opinions with your past experiences
When answering open-ended questions, try to include examples in your responses. It will help to make your answers sound more legitimate and it also gives you the opportunity to show that you have had similar experiences and you have learnt from them. - Be concise
It’s human to feel the need to cram all your opinions and experiences in response, but do not ramble on and on about a certain experience or opinion because it may be annoying to some interviewers. Always highlight the main point that you are trying to convey and omit unnecessary or small details that do not add much value to your performance. - Treat it like a conversation
Believe it or not, when you feel nervous, the interviewers are able to feel the tension. Try to push aside the stress and view the interview as a conversation. Of course, do not use colloquial language, and stay respectful. Use gestures, nod when they are talking and feel free to ask them questions if you have any! Feel free to laugh openly if an interviewer cracks a joke. Trust me, if you treat it like a conversation, the interviewers will be able to feel it, and they will also feel at ease too. - For people attending group interviews
Over the years, some interviews have been shifting to a group format, because it provides the perfect opportunity to test candidates’ teamwork, group dynamics and confidence. When you and your group are tasked with a problem to discuss, take the initiative to lead discussions. If there is someone who is more vocal than you, don’t give up! You should try to stay engaged and share your opinions actively. Refrain from fighting with someone over leading the discussion as it will reflect badly on you, even if you did not initiate the conflict. If there are any candidates in your group who are more introverted and are not as participative, try to politely ask for their opinions. This shows that you are inclusive and maybe a plus point for you. As always, respect everyone’s opinions, even if you disagree with them. If you want to express your disagreement, you can start by acknowledging where the other party is coming from, share what you like about the opinion and then share about what you disagree with. This will make you seem less aggressive and will also highlight to the interviewers that you are open to conflicting views.
With that, all the best for your upcoming interviews! Remember to take deep breaths before your interview starts, and always remember to stay respectful and polite.
*This article is written by Gabrielle Lee of GapYearSG, who interned for Learners’ Lodge, MOE Special Education Division and Duke-NUS Medical School.
Why are internships important?
As you await the start of university, some of you may be considering taking on internships to gain working experience, or perhaps earn some extra cash. Having done a couple of internships at different places like MOE Special Education Division, Duke-NUS Medical School and Learners’ Lodge, here’s my take on internships*. Are internships necessary and should you seek one? Read on to find out more!
Internships provide the perfect opportunity for you to explore and affirm your interests in that industry. You may have read stories, watched videos or heard experiences from other people about their work life, but nothing beats experiencing it yourself first-hand. Internships are usually over the span of weeks and months, so taking on an internship is a great chance to test your commitment to that industry. The timespan may be long enough for you to experience the joys and challenges of that role and can be a good point of reference when you are considering taking up similar roles in the future after university.
Taking on an internship exposes you to the working world before university. Like most people would say, the working world is much different from school. There will be no one to push you, and you have to take ownership of your actions. However, it is utterly impossible to adapt to the working world overnight. Thus, doing internships will help to ease you in and aid you in managing your expectations about becoming a working adult.
Of course, internships look good on your resume. They help to make you look motivated and the skills learnt during your internships can be applied in your internships in the future. In fact, these skills can make you become a more attractive candidate when competing with other applicants for internships in the future. For example, researchers may be more willing to take in interns with prior research experience, since the intern can probably understand and live up to the expectations quickly.
If you are confused about which university course to take, try your hand at some internships! For example, you may be interested in doing a degree in Computer Science or an IT-related course. An internship will give you the chance to explore and experience doing coding on a day-to-day basis. If you enjoy your work, it may be a sign that taking an IT-related course would be a good idea.
On the contrary, internships have their downsides. The remuneration is usually a few hundred dollars, which may not be appealing for some people. However, you will still be able to profit a lot from the valuable experiences learnt from your internships. Sometimes, there may not be much to do during an internship, thus depriving you of the full experience of working in that industry. Fret not, during your internship, you will have the opportunity to network with colleagues and learn some soft skills from them.
If you are going for an internship soon and would like to make the most out of it, here are some things you might want to take note of:
- Jot down your experiences, especially those that you have never encountered before.
- Be meticulous and put in effort in your work.
- Stay open! It may be daunting to talk to colleagues who are much older than you but do try to network with some of them. This will make your life as an intern much easier too since you can look for them to get help if needed.
- Make yourself useful. If you have no work to do, be proactive and offer to help your supervisor or colleagues with simple work.
- Ask for a testimonial from your supervisor when your internship ends. This will be useful when you are applying for other internships in the future.
*This article is written by Gabrielle Lee, who interned for Learners’ Lodge, MOE Special Education Division and Duke-NUS Medical School. This is her take on why internships are important.
Things To Do During March Holidays in Singapore 2022
From unleashing your artistic side with art jamming to exploring the island on scenic trails, here are 5 things to do during the March holidays in Singapore!
It’s been a hectic start of the year, and while the March holidays might only be week-long, you can still make the most out of it with a myriad of fun activities to help you destress and rejuvenate yourself!
Bring Out Your Inner Artist with Art Jamming
If you’re not familiar with the term, art jamming is basically painting on canvas – but in a group setting with others around you doing just the same thing. As it is becoming increasingly popular in Singapore, there are many studios in Singapore that provide art jamming sessions with a different ambience, packages and price points (there are even studios that allow you to art jam with cats!) It’s a great way to bond with your friends during the March holidays, or even just express yourself through art.
Go On An Adventure with the Coast-to-Coast Trail
Get your daily steps in while enjoying the scenic lush greenery of Singapore with the Coast-to-Coast trail! Spanning over 36 KM from Jurong Lake Gardens to Coney Island Park, there are numerous pit stops in between filled with hidden gems (hawker centres, parks and more) for you to discover! It’s a long trek and there are many ways to go about it but don’t get overwhelmed, you can always refer to NPark’s Coast-to-Coast trail guide!
Do Your Part For The Community with Volunteering
Spend your time in a meaningful way during the March holidays by volunteering! While you might have heard of volunteering at places like the Salvation Army and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), there are actually many more non-profit organisations that you can look into volunteering for! There are many curated lists for volunteering in Singapore, and you will definitely find something that you feel passionate about just by doing a quick search online.
Wind Down with Your Loved Ones On Staycations
Travelling might not be the easiest right now due to COVID-19, but you can still feel like you’re on vacation with your family on staycations! Many hotels offer staycation packages right now with dining credit, 1-for-1 stays and even themed staycations for an unforgettable time with your loved ones! Plus, since it’s the March holidays, you can book the staycation on weekdays and save even more money while also avoiding crowds at the pool or gym!
Sweat It Out with Spin Classes
If you’re up for a challenge, spin class is definitely something you should try during the March holidays! With spin classes, you can burn calories by indoor biking to upbeat tunes. You can find many affordable and unique classes on ClassPass. Do be careful though, some classes are not beginner-friendly and have even landed some in the hospital!
There you have it! For sure there are more things you can do during the March Holidays in Singapore but best to try out with these five things first! Hope you have an enjoyable March holiday! If you’re keen on using this period to revise and prepare for the March Common tests, check out our available classes at https://www.learnerslodge.com.sg/class-schedule/.
How do I retake the A-Levels as a private candidate?
Congratulations on receiving your A-Level results. We are extremely proud of you for completing another milestone! Some of you may be thinking of having another go at the A-Levels, be it retaking just one H1 subject or the whole A-Levels, and we applaud your courage for that. To register as a private candidate with SEAB, you must not be studying in a junior college in the same examination year. Should you want to sit for science subjects with practical components, you must have sat for the same science subject previously. Otherwise, you must attend a course of instruction in Science practical at any school. Check the link here to see if SEAB offers the subject that you wish to take as a private candidate. Registration will open from Monday, 28 March to Friday, 8 April 2022.
Retaking the whole A-Levels as a private candidate
Sitting for the whole A-Levels independently and without any teacher to push you might feel a little daunting. However, with great willpower, it is possible! There have been students who retook the A-Levels and witnessed a great improvement in their rank points.
Since you have many subjects to take, you should start preparing for the exams after you have registered for them. In the beginning, it would be wise to look through your prelim papers and practice papers that you have done to see what are the concepts that you are unfamiliar with. Write them down and remember to place greater emphasis on these concepts when you are revising content. If you need help, do reach out to your past JC tutors politely. Let them know that you are retaking your A-Levels and they should be happy to help! Otherwise, you can contact seniors, friends or sign up for tuition classes. It is critical to grasp the concepts well and build a strong foundation before moving on to practice questions.
Additionally, look at the learning style that you adopted during JC and question whether it was efficient. If it was not, it would be good to change your learning style quickly. If you are a visual learner, try using diagrams and flashcards to help you. If you are an auditory learner, try saying the things you want to memorise and answer questions out loud. If you are a kinesthetic learner, you can try walking around while memorising, or doing hands-on activities to help you remember difficult concepts. You can also try active recall, where you look at the learning objectives of each chapter, and see if you can answer them. To beat the learning curve, try spaced repetition where you revisit the same content every now and then. This will help to lock the concepts better in your memory.
Once you have strong content knowledge, move on to doing practice papers. Trying practice questions are really important because it tests whether you actually understand the content, and it assesses your ability to apply your knowledge. At the start, you may not be scoring as well as expected, and that is normal! You will need to take time to get used to the answering techniques since it has been a few months since the A-Levels. Take note of the questions that you are always answering wrongly, and place greater emphasis on mastering similar questions. If you are having trouble answering with the appropriate keywords, it will be good to highlight those keywords in the answer keys, compare them with your answers and take note of the keywords that you always miss. Make a conscious effort to remember those keywords and write them when you see similar questions or questions asking about the same concept. After doing many practices, you will start to realise that the style of questions asked are rather similar and the keywords examiners are looking out for are rather repetitive. There will still be some niche questions that take up 1-2 marks though. If you have the time, create a bank of niche questions and revise them every now and then, and before your A-Levels.
In addition, do not push yourself too hard and do several practice papers every day, especially when the A-Levels are still quite far away. You certainly do not want to hit your peak before the A-Levels and burn out while taking the examinations. Listen to what your body needs and take breaks when necessary. Of course, do not use burning out as an excuse to procrastinate. If possible, find yourself an accountability buddy, be it a parent, sibling or friend. Ask them to check on you if you have completed the tasks that you planned to complete every week.
Retaking one H1 subject
Did you do well enough to enrol into university, but just a few rank points shy away from the cut off point of your desired course? Retaking a H1 subject may be able to help you meet the cut off! For example, if you want to enter NUS Law, but received a C for GP, you can retake H1 GP and if you score an A or B during your retake, you may be able to meet the requirements for NUS Law. Here is the NUS Office of Admissions’ stance on combining grades from different sittings of the A-Levels.
“If you are applying for Law-related course(s) and did not obtain at least a B3 (for old syllabus)/B (for new syllabus) for General Paper (GP) or B in your Knowledge & Inquiry (KI) (for new syllabus) in your first sitting, you may submit the improved GP grade from another sitting to qualify for application to this course. However, the GP or KI grade obtained from the first sitting will be used for admission consideration.”
Alternatively, if you want to enter NUS Medicine, but did not hit the cut off, you may want to retake one H1 subject and if you get an A during your retake, you may be able to get an invite to the interview round.
“For admission consideration, we will consider your grades for GP/KI and 3 H2 subjects attained at one sitting of the A-level examination. Only the H1 content-based subject, H1 Project Work (PW) and H1 Mother-Tongue Language (MTL) subject can be of a different sitting (if this is presented, we will use the grades of these 3 H1 subjects attained at the earlier A-level examination). If you decide to retake any of the H1 subjects (excluding H1 General Paper), the best H1 subject grade will be taken into consideration for university admission.”
Click here for more information on combining results.
Last but not least, we wish all private candidates all the best and we hope that you will receive your desired results! Put in your best effort and you will eventually see the fruits of your labour :) If you need any help with acing your A-Levels, just enrol with us!
Scholarship opportunities for pre-university students
Are you a pre-university student looking for scholarship opportunities? The Ministry of Education, as well as other agencies, have provided several scholarship opportunities for pre-university students. Apart from the commonly known MOE Pre-U Scholarship, there are also many other programme-specific scholarships.
MOE Pre-University Scholarship
The MOE Pre-U Scholarship is offered to top-performing Pre-University 1 students who have achieved outstanding academic results and excelled in extracurriculars. The scholarship is awarded for 2 years, provides the recipient with an allowance of $750 annually, and covers the school fees based on Singapore Citizen’s rates. Selected applicants will have to go through an interview as part of the selection process. Application for 2022 cycle starts on Wednesday, 12 January and ends at 11.59pm on Monday, 28 February 2022. For more information, click here.
Programme-specific scholarships
- Art Elective Scholarship (only for students in the Art Elective Programme)
- Bicultural Studies Programme (BSP) Scholarship (only for students in BSP)
- Humanities Scholarship (only for students in the Humanities Scholarship and Programme)
- Language Elective Scholarships (only for students enrolled in the respective Language Elective Programme)
- Music Elective Scholarship (only for students in the Music Elective Programme)
- Regional Studies Programme (RSP) Scholarship (only for students in RSP)
Do note that not all schools offer the above programmes, so please select your schools wisely if you are interested in applying for these scholarships. Application for 2022 cycle starts on Wednesday, 12 January and ends at 11.59pm on Monday, 28 February 2022. For more information, please click here.
DSTA JC Scholarship
The Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) provides scholarships to JC1 students who are interested in discovering opportunities in defence science and engineering, with engineers and scientists. The scholarship is open to all JC1 Singapore Citizens who have achieved excellent results in Science and Mathematics and have a strong passion for science and technology. The award is an allowance of $1,000 which will be provided per year, tenable for two years. Additionally, award holders will be provided with an opportunity to participate in activities and internships. The application period is open until 21 Feb 2022, Mon. To apply, click here.
A*STAR SCIENCE AWARD (JC)
If you are interested in becoming a scientist or researcher, the A*STAR Science Award (JC) allows you to obtain first-hand experience working on a research project for 5 weeks at an A*STAR research institute. You even get to work alongside an A*STAR scientist or researcher!
The award provides an allowance of S$1,000 per year, tenable for 2 years. However, a continuation of the award in JC 2 depends on excellent academic performance in the JC 1 promotional examinations and continued interest in science and mathematics. Only Singaporeans are eligible for this award. Applications are invited through nominations by schools only. For more information, click here.
SAF Young Leader Award
The Singapore Armed Forces awards about 20 recipients a year. Applicants must submit an essay on a defence-related topic and shortlisted candidates will attend an interview and a one-day assessment session. Only Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents intending to take up citizenship who are in JC1 are eligible to apply.
Successful candidates will be people who demonstrate academic excellence as well as strong leadership qualities through co-curricular activities (CCAs). They should also be passionate about defence-related issues.
They will receive a $2500 cash award, internship opportunities with MINDEF/SAF, and even opportunities to attend MINDEF/SAF functions, scholarship talks as well as engagement activities and a scholarship interview for overseas studies upon application. Application for the SAF Young Leader Award 2022 has closed but the 2023 intake will most likely open in Nov 2022. Click here to find out more.
How should you approach the scholarship application?
Firstly, only apply for the scholarships that you are genuinely interested in. Especially for the scholarships provided by agencies, the interviewers will be able to tell whether you are truly interested in their organisation’s mission or not.
Secondly, if you are selected to attend an interview, make sure that you practise as much as possible. It will be hard to predict all the questions but there are certain questions like ‘Why are you interested in taking up this scholarship?’ that will most likely surface during the interview.
As much as possible, prepare some concrete points for these questions and link your experiences and abilities to increase the depth of your responses. Although it is good to be prepared, there is no need to memorise answers word for word.
Lastly, treat the interview like a conversation, it will help you feel a lot more comfortable and confident!
What if you don’t qualify for computer science?
This article is for students who were unfortunately not accepted into a local university for computer science this time around. Computer Science is a competitive field with a lot of good job prospects, so nonetheless, good job for trying your best!
So, what should you do if you are unable to qualify for computer science locally?
You might have other options in mind that you are passionate about, so spend some time exploring those options too!
If computer science is the only thing that you are passionate about, consider applying to overseas courses! If not, take a gap year and try to reapply.
If your rank points can be increased by retaking an H1 examination, for example, H1 Economics, you can also consider retaking the subject, or the whole A levels examination.
All about applying overseas
Applying for computer science overseas is also competitive because there are limited spots for international students and the fact that you have to compete with international applicants all over the world. Not to mention, the total school fees for the whole course can go up to S$100,000 or more. Contrary to Singapore, the duration for computer science is usually 3-4 years, depending on whether you want to graduate with only a bachelors or spend an additional year to complete your masters.
If you are interested in applying for the UK schools, the UCAS application deadline will be in October and you can start filling in your application form as early as 18 May 2022. Do check with your JC if they still offer help to alumni for their UCAS application. If they are able to help, you can apply together with your juniors when the application opens. However, if they are not able to help, you may want to ask an agent to help you with the UCAS application. Regardless of whether you are applying through UCAS with or without help from your JC, you should contact your Civics Tutor (CT) or Maths teacher and ask them if they are willing to help you write a reference letter for your UCAS application. Make sure to prepare early and check with the teachers way before the deadline as most teachers have very tight schedules and may not be able to provide you with the help you need on short notice. Do also make sure that you meet the English Language requirements. If you do not, the university should provide information about the ways to meet the English Language requirement besides using your O Levels/IP English or A-Level General Paper grade. Failure to do so will result in immediate rejection. On top of that, you will be required to write a personal statement. Since there are a couple of months before the UCAS application cycle starts again, make good use of your time and commit yourself to intern, volunteering, learning some programming during your free time and understanding your motivations to do computer science better.
If you are interested in applying to Australian universities, you have to apply with your A-Level results. Different schools have different deadlines and different application processes, so it will be advisable to seek an agent. Not to worry, there is no agent fee. International applicants will be selected solely based on their A-Level results. Do also make sure that you meet the English Language requirements. If you do not, the university should provide information about the ways to meet the English Language requirement besides using your O Levels/IP English or A-Level General Paper grade. Extracurriculars are not taken into consideration for the selection process. There is also no need to write a personal statement or ask someone to write a recommendation letter for you.
If you are interested in applying for US schools, you will have to apply through the CommonApp, which is similar to UCAS. Be sure to check what are the requirements that your desired US universities require, for example, SAT or ACT scores. You will have to register and take those tests. You will also need to prepare a motivation letter and a writing sample if required.
Other alternatives
On the other hand, you do not have to do a degree in computer science to land a job related to computer science. You can consider doing a Bachelors in Information Systems and gain 2 years of IT experience before applying to take your Master of Computing – Computer Science Specialisation. More information can be found here.
Taking a gap year to reapply into computer science
Over the years, the notion of taking gap years has become increasingly popular, as it gives students a second chance to reapply into their dream course, retake their examinations or spend time exploring future career options. There have been many prospective computer science students who took a gap year, and eventually landed a spot in computer science locally. However, that being said, it depends on how well you utilise your gap year, and even if you are able to stay productive, there is no guarantee that you will be accepted upon reapplication. Competition is still intense, or even more intense, as gap year students will be expected to do something fruitful with their extra time.
Here are some things that you can do while taking a gap year to reapply for computer science. You can pursue an internship related to computer science, volunteer, network with other programmers and professionals in the same field, as well as prepare for a backup plan, just in case, your reapplication is unsuccessful. You may also wish to retake an A-Level subject at H1 level to improve your rank points, or give the whole A-Levels another shot. This will require a lot of discipline and it is advisable that you spend time thinking about your abilities and mental capacity should you be taking A Levels again. Taking a gap year may be hard, especially when you watch your friends leading slightly different lives from you. You should spend some time learning more about gap years and deciding for yourself if you are ready to take up this challenge. Should you need help, you can always reach out to GapyearSG, a Singapore-based organisation started to provide assistance and opportunities to prospective and current gap year students.
With that, we wish you all the best with your reapplication and if you would like to find out more about applying to computer science, do lookout for our upcoming workshop Career Pathfinder 2022, a University & Career Series for Young Adults (aged 15-19) which provides you with a better-informed decision-making process when selecting a degree and university! The workshop will be on 12th March (Saturday), from 9 am to 1 pm, online via zoom for only $19.90.