Me Time!

[sharonkhoo]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2020724\" time=\"1618828739\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2020724 time=1618828739 user_id=53606]
Just wondering...do your kids do any interesting projects in secondary school/JC? I mean those that have some real-life applications...which may lead to them having more interest in exploring that field...Sometimes I feel very sad that our kids don’t get to explore hands-on much in school. Mostly just drilling for exams.[/quote]

I don't know about your experience, but I did almost no hands-on of anything in my schooldays - chalk and talk, and very little else. I think kids today get a lot of exposure to different things in school, through CCAs, internships etc. Especially for those from middle- to higher-income families who can also give kids opportunities outside school, there are a lot of things to try now. And the exposure they get vicariously through the internet can be good too, though I guess it needs to be controlled. I only had access to the rest of the world through books (always out of date) and TV (very limited).

Interesting projects? Thinking back, my younger girl did a film project (shooting a short film), quite a bit of drama stuff (her CCA). I can't remember what else, but I always felt she was having a much more interesting time that I had had in school! My older girl was less adventurous, but did \"new media\" for CCA and tried her hand at photography, video, audio etc. Can't remember what else. And they also did some outdoor fun stuff with church - amazing race type things, treasure hunts, cycling, etc. I wouldn't worry about it leading to exploring a career - you never know how things work out in future. I don't think many people really explored their eventual careers while in school anyway.

Looking at what my kids did, I have no idea if it leads them to any particular career. In some cases, I told them to try things they might never go into - just for the exposure. For eg, my daughter didn't have any real interest in film-making, but she thought of doing that simply because it was different. And I remember recommending to her (after her A levels) that she should do a frontline retail job for a while, because I reckoned that she would never have the chance again as she would probably be looking for more career-related internships during her university vacations (this proved true). So she spent several weeks before CNY selling 瓜子! She says she learned a lot about different types of shoppers during that time.

[sharonkhoo]

MrsKiasu\" post_id=\"2020722\" time=\"1618827913\" user_id=\"43981:

sky minecrafter\" post_id=\"2020718\" time=\"1618821908\" user_id=\"130531:[quote=\"sky minecrafter\" post_id=2020718 time=1618821908 user_id=130531]

...Yes amazing how time flies! Actually I m abit worry what is going to be dd's path after another 2 years. What course to take if go Poly etc..My mind still blank to be honest. What's now is different to what's then I feel...

OT: hijacking StarLight's thread...
Yes, I find polytechnic courses more interesting+ grounded than university courses - optometry, food science, perfumery, to name but a few. & I amuse myself looking out for opportunities for kids to have experiences with both realms - academic; real-world application

Ahh sky!! Those courses sound interesting.. i casually spoke to dd say mommy worry and she told me she has started to worry since last year.

So far which ones do you think good/not bad in your opinion..difficult to get into these courses? I was listening to a lecture today..and feel a bit sad that certain professions that can be own boss last time may not be so feasible anymore in the near future and some go into teaching etc. I told dd even if able to get into jc, but no good results may be wasting time also.

Though more uni in Spore now, competition may be fierce too as lesser going overseas now I guess and dd says that may be the situation as of now only ..but still.. I think need to start thinking le.[/quote]There should be a list of cut-off points for each course on individual poly websites.

I wouldn't worry about \"being your own boss\" at the age of 17 - just choose a course that interests her, and that she can get in. Almost by definition, any course at poly should lead to jobs, otherwise the poly won't be offering them! Of course, she may need to be a bit flexible about exactly what jobs a diploma can lead to, but the reality is that every working adult now does several jobs during a working life, so the need to change, reskill and adapt is a given.

[sky minecrafter]

MrsKiasu\" post_id=\"2020722\" time=\"1618827913\" user_id=\"43981:

... Like slmkhoo advises, \"choose a course that interests her\" (though not much trust that \"any course at poly should lead to jobs\" ;-p). Recently, my dd was intrigued by the optician's devices, so we were discussing how she might study optometry, but not sure how competitive the entry requirements are; well, 车到山前必有路，船到桥头自然直?

(3) Eventually, it is still important to aim for a degree/ post-graduate studies, & overseas study+ work experiences, which I guess can take 1 step at a time

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2020731\" time=\"1618833593\" user_id=\"28674:[quote=slmkhoo post_id=2020731 time=1618833593 user_id=28674]...There should be a list of cut-off points for each course on individual poly websites.

I wouldn't worry about \"being your own boss\" at the age of 17 - just choose a course that interests her, and that she can get in. Almost by definition, any course at poly should lead to jobs, otherwise the poly won't be offering them! Of course, she may need to be a bit flexible about exactly what jobs a diploma can lead to, but the reality is that every working adult now does several jobs during a working life, so the need to change, reskill and adapt is a given....

[MrsKiasu]

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2020731\" time=\"1618833593\" user_id=\"28674:

MrsKiasu\" post_id=\"2020722\" time=\"1618827913\" user_id=\"43981:

[quote=\"sky minecrafter\" post_id=2020718 time=1618821908 user_id=130531]

OT: hijacking StarLight's thread...
Yes, I find polytechnic courses more interesting+ grounded than university courses - optometry, food science, perfumery, to name but a few. & I amuse myself looking out for opportunities for kids to have experiences with both realms - academic; real-world application

Ahh sky!! Those courses sound interesting.. i casually spoke to dd say mommy worry and she told me she has started to worry since last year.

So far which ones do you think good/not bad in your opinion..difficult to get into these courses? I was listening to a lecture today..and feel a bit sad that certain professions that can be own boss last time may not be so feasible anymore in the near future and some go into teaching etc. I told dd even if able to get into jc, but no good results may be wasting time also.

Though more uni in Spore now, competition may be fierce too as lesser going overseas now I guess and dd says that may be the situation as of now only ..but still.. I think need to start thinking le.

There should be a list of cut-off points for each course on individual poly websites.

I wouldn't worry about \"being your own boss\" at the age of 17 - just choose a course that interests her, and that she can get in. Almost by definition, any course at poly should lead to jobs, otherwise the poly won't be offering them! Of course, she may need to be a bit flexible about exactly what jobs a diploma can lead to, but the reality is that every working adult now does several jobs during a working life, so the need to change, reskill and adapt is a given.[/quote]Maybe I should rephrase that..more to say a flexibility of doing something on our own and can still earn some money..like say eg you learn piano maybe one day you decided to stay at home due to kids, probably can give some piano lessons, earn some pocket money. Maybe in future may not be such big problem too as more work could be done anywhere le. I see dd quite flexible in a way other than some obvious dislikes..recently hear her saying dont like arts subjects and she doesn't have much interest in comp IT stuffs, which I guess suppose to be more in thing for their generation??

[MrsKiasu]

sky minecrafter\" post_id=\"2020735\" time=\"1618838737\" user_id=\"130531:[quote=\"sky minecrafter\" post_id=2020735 time=1618838737 user_id=130531]

MrsKiasu\" post_id=\"2020722\" time=\"1618827913\" user_id=\"43981:

... Like slmkhoo advises, \"choose a course that interests her\" (though not much trust that \"any course at poly should lead to jobs\" ;-p). Recently, my dd was intrigued by the optician's devices, so we were discussing how she might study optometry, but not sure how competitive the entry requirements are; well, 车到山前必有路，船到桥头自然直?

(3) Eventually, it is still important to aim for a degree/ post-graduate studies, & overseas study+ work experiences, which I guess can take 1 step at a time

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2020731\" time=\"1618833593\" user_id=\"28674:

...There should be a list of cut-off points for each course on individual poly websites.

I wouldn't worry about \"being your own boss\" at the age of 17 - just choose a course that interests her, and that she can get in. Almost by definition, any course at poly should lead to jobs, otherwise the poly won't be offering them! Of course, she may need to be a bit flexible about exactly what jobs a diploma can lead to, but the reality is that every working adult now does several jobs during a working life, so the need to change, reskill and adapt is a given....

Sky, so far the obvious one is she enjoys Chinese but frankly speaking I don't see that her Chi so good leh.. I could see that she starts pushing herself to join more activities. But she did ever say whatever that can earn money..

So far apart from her school 'career' talk if I m correct, she is not exposed much to other professions..maybe we should start open our eyes big big when looking around. Optometry sounds interesting but my guess is should be very high bar entry lor for my dd.. for your dd great that she starts seeing her interest there! This got chance be own boss haha..

Location wise so long within half a Spore is ok I think.

Oh yeah, I was thinking probably need the overseas study part..my previous plan was no need .. dunno will scare my dh of not.

[sky minecrafter]

MrsKiasu\" post_id=\"2020742\" time=\"1618842165\" user_id=\"43981:

...so far the obvious one is she enjoys Chinese... I could see that she starts pushing herself to join more activities. But she did ever say whatever that can earn money...

That's a good thing, MKs! As your dd joins more activities, she'll find her different paths. Is she excited about the year-end subject combination selection?

[MrsKiasu]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2020724\" time=\"1618828739\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2020724 time=1618828739 user_id=53606]
Just wondering...do your kids do any interesting projects in secondary school/JC? I mean those that have some real-life applications...which may lead to them having more interest in exploring that field...Sometimes I feel very sad that our kids don’t get to explore hands-on much in school. Mostly just drilling for exams.[/quote]

Dd loves home econ

[MrsKiasu]

sky minecrafter\" post_id=\"2020747\" time=\"1618844291\" user_id=\"130531:[quote=\"sky minecrafter\" post_id=2020747 time=1618844291 user_id=130531]

MrsKiasu\" post_id=\"2020742\" time=\"1618842165\" user_id=\"43981:

...so far the obvious one is she enjoys Chinese... I could see that she starts pushing herself to join more activities. But she did ever say whatever that can earn money...

That's a good thing, MKs! As your dd joins more activities, she'll find her different paths. Is she excited about the year-end subject combination selection?[/quote]

Sky arh..actually I m prepared le. Just follow whatever given ba

[sky minecrafter]

@MKs. The literature texts 👍

[Zeal mummy]

MrsKiasu\" post_id=\"2020722\" time=\"1618827913\" user_id=\"43981:

sky minecrafter\" post_id=\"2020718\" time=\"1618821908\" user_id=\"130531:[quote=\"sky minecrafter\" post_id=2020718 time=1618821908 user_id=130531]

...Yes amazing how time flies! Actually I m abit worry what is going to be dd's path after another 2 years. What course to take if go Poly etc..My mind still blank to be honest. What's now is different to what's then I feel...

OT: hijacking StarLight's thread...
Yes, I find polytechnic courses more interesting+ grounded than university courses - optometry, food science, perfumery, to name but a few. & I amuse myself looking out for opportunities for kids to have experiences with both realms - academic; real-world application

Ahh sky!! Those courses sound interesting.. i casually spoke to dd say mommy worry and she told me she has started to worry since last year.

So far which ones do you think good/not bad in your opinion..difficult to get into these courses? I was listening to a lecture today..and feel a bit sad that certain professions that can be own boss last time may not be so feasible anymore in the near future and some go into teaching etc. I told dd even if able to get into jc, but no good results may be wasting time also.

Though more uni in Spore now, competition may be fierce too as lesser going overseas now I guess and dd says that may be the situation as of now only ..but still.. I think need to start thinking le.[/quote]Sounds a lot like kidzania! Wish it didn’t have to close.