Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)
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bbbay\" post_id=\"2128113\" time=\"1706420666\" user_id=\"175278:
I think each person has to work this out for themselves. Courage and determination will carry a person far, but those traits have to come from some strong desire/motivation - for interest, wealth, status, recognition, self-fulfillment, charitable/religious conviction, etc. Without one of those strong motivators, I think most people won't be able to pursue these goals for long. I also have many friends and relatives, ranging from those in their 30s to 60s, who have studied medicine. Not all are in the top tier earners - most have continued to stay in the medical line, but many have eschewed the \"top\" jobs - some are GPs in HDB clinics, some are in private practice but not in the glossy high-end clinics, some work in government service (not in the top jobs), some are in the charitable sector, some are doing locum in GP clinics, some are in academia, some have switched to jobs where medical background is useful but not in actual practice, etc. Most say they hate the competition and rate race, and find the money not worth the stress, and find satisfaction in serving the \"ordinary person\" rather than the well-heeled.
For the purpose of open discussion and seeking your perspective: what if the parents/ doctor aspiring students feel that as long the students have 勇 ( dare/ courageous) mindset, bite the bullet and be the “last one standing”, they will then stand out among the cohort and be very successful. Will it work out then ?
None of these are \"low-income\" by any means, but many are not earning more than people in other professions, sometimes a lot less (compared with top lawyers, finance people, management consultants, senior civil servants, etc). Only a few (but these are the ones people talk about) are actually earning those eye-watering salaries. A few of my friends say that they regret doing medicine, but felt that it wasn't possible to switch after investing all those years in study and training. They don't hate their jobs, but don't love them either - that's probably the same as many in other professions and jobs, but it's still a pity given how many people really have the heart to be good doctors for non-monetary reasons but can't get one of the limited places.
It is true that many who are doctors advise their children and other young people to think carefully about becoming doctors - long years of training, long hours, stiff competition for postings, high stress of dealing with people's lives, etc. My parents wanted me to be a doctor, but I didn't want to because I wasn't interested, and I later learned that one of my uncles (a specialist doctor doing well then) advised my parents that they should not push me to do medicine if I wasn't interested as it wasn't worth the hard work and sacrifices if I wasn't keen. -
Estéema\" post_id=\"2128112\" time=\"1706419491\" user_id=\"66413:
I find your first sentence very interesting. How come you have so many nephews and nieces in medicine despite having heard from their cousins the tough life as a doctor.
I’ve many nephews & neices in medicine & they’re crying aloud to dissuade younger ones. The stress & hours, even amongst those with hearts for their patience, is enormous & daunting. To specialize, they need to go thro housemanships, peer & seniors acceptance & gain enuf experiences before going thro ano couple of years specializing. Not anyone’s cuppa tea. One of my frd’s son had been destressing with baking & his bakes are superb, so my frd looking for retail space to get him started with a artisan bakery, not unlike lawyer turned chef, Willy Tan.
To be fair, every profession has their share of frustrations and tough times. Nurses also suffer a lot not to mention about the numerous Grab Food delivery persons who ended up as road accident fatalities , just to deliver a bowl of noodles in time. -
slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2128115\" time=\"1706422472\" user_id=\"28674:
It is pretty common for parents/students to get so attracted by doctor professions or any professions , probably due to TV drama that romanticise the profession, or that few real life highly accomplished individuals, that what does on behind the scenes are seldom experienced by others , so much so that advice from senior to think twice whether ready for it, often fell on deaf ears. It happened to many of us one time or another too. I guess we have to experienced first hand ourselves then we know reality is not what they imaging them to be.
I think each person has to work this out for themselves. Courage and determination will carry a person far, but those traits have to come from some strong desire/motivation - for interest, wealth, status, recognition, self-fulfillment, charitable/religious conviction, etc. Without one of those strong motivators, I think most people won't be able to pursue these goals for long. I also have many friends and relatives, ranging from those in their 30s to 60s, who have studied medicine. Not all are in the top tier earners - most have continued to stay in the medical line, but many have eschewed the \"top\" jobs - some are GPs in HDB clinics, some are in private practice but not in the glossy high-end clinics, some work in government service (not in the top jobs), some are in the charitable sector, some are doing locum in GP clinics, some are in academia, some have switched to jobs where medical background is useful but not in actual practice, etc. Most say they hate the competition and rate race, and find the money not worth the stress, and find satisfaction in serving the \"ordinary person\" rather than the well-heeled.
None of these are \"low-income\" by any means, but many are not earning more than people in other professions, sometimes a lot less (compared with top lawyers, finance people, management consultants, senior civil servants, etc). Only a few (but these are the ones people talk about) are actually earning those eye-watering salaries. A few of my friends say that they regret doing medicine, but felt that it wasn't possible to switch after investing all those years in study and training. They don't hate their jobs, but don't love them either - that's probably the same as many in other professions and jobs, but it's still a pity given how many people really have the heart to be good doctors for non-monetary reasons but can't get one of the limited places.
It is true that many who are doctors advise their children and other young people to think carefully about becoming doctors - long years of training, long hours, stiff competition for postings, high stress of dealing with people's lives, etc. My parents wanted me to be a doctor, but I didn't want to because I wasn't interested, and I later learned that one of my uncles (a specialist doctor doing well then) advised my parents that they should not push me to do medicine if I wasn't interested as it wasn't worth the hard work and sacrifices if I wasn't keen. -
Some qualities can be observed from young:
They enjoy studying and learning. Can learn quickly.
Not bothered, nor stressed by tests or exams. Still study and revise for them but not troubled by what’s coming. I personally had met one who said she didn’t hate tests, exams at all. She seems to enjoy studying for them.
Can still do sports, social activities amidst studying or revising. Of course, can score well at the end of the day. Very prominent in scholars (based on observations)
Enjoys reading widely and very knowledgeable. Knowledge retention is high.
Not afraid or making mistakes though seldom wrong too.
Generally, they are the type who can take things easy.
I had a minor surgery before while awake, the doctor was humming throughout the whole time… Lol
Brilliant but Not obnoxious, usually the obnoxious type will take up law instead … Haha… Just kidding… -
Looking back, my uncles & aunties were in a generation when doctors serve ppl with their heart when society was not as competitive but not many cld aspire due to lack of good education. The pioneers were the ones find their education & medical jobs were not as competitive.
Then it became competitive when education was given free to citizens & parents having a hard life encourage their children to do well & dream towards career in medicine. Our economy wasn’t as developed, so not many thinks abt a banker job or be a fund manager or even an insurance agent.
ACS sch wasn’t popular back then coz it’s a foreign established mission school up on a hill. Parents were more keen for their kids to hv an iron rice-bowl or teaching positions for girls & yes, some thinks nursing are just as good as teaching for their daughters.
My 3 SILs were nurses & all grudging their parents nvr allow them to study for medicine tho the 4th SIL got to take up dentistry, even tho they were rich but only the boys get to study medicine & be doctors. Hence, the generation after all became competitive as cousins compare notes when as young students & see each other finishing medical degrees. Guess the motivation is more for recognition, status & the good life.
Only 2 of my nephew & niece (BIL & SIL were both doctors) set out on their own practices & in their spare time one offered services to prisoners who wish to erase the tattoos before they set out to a new life, whilst niece engage her time with a church-based aged-home with her geriatric specialty. These 2 were fr very privileged families. The other nephews & nieces now hv aged parents & busy with their practices, complaining little time for their families & often get stressed to arrange their patients’ needs when they’ve to plan for family vacations. Obligations causes them lots of stresses when they’ve to leave their patients behind hoping nothing of emergency crop up when they’re away. They envy cousins who were bankers & dentists whose families plan holidays after holidays (at least 2-3 in a year) at will.
In fact, one niece recently cut her maternity leave & back yo her clinic coz she was concern leaving her partner to hold the fort and she claimed she’s not a good mother, leaving her newborn to my SIL whilst she hv to worry abt contributing to cover overheads. For her it’s keeping up with the costs of leading the high life - mortgage for their landed, facial, holidays & hubby’s golf & other memberships.
Some other nephews & nieces started taking different positions as they see AI taking over , and as our population will become largely geriatric, they’re less attracted to serving this sector unlike the one kind niece spending her time to serve & care for the aged ‘s concerns. Many of our young N&N are more interested to pursue research or economics. Some are really into saving the earth & living simple lives considerations for future generations as long as they think they’re contributing to stretching earth’s resources. So, we’ll see what the next batch will gravitate towards. Times changes.
I tend to go along with slmkhoo’s uncle’s advice to leave the young choose their aspirations. We shld not attempt to press them towards living out our ideals. Afterall, they’re living in a different era fr our times. -
Can still pose so brightly even if they hv slept zero hours for weeks...
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/singapore/story20240128-1464867
Noticed most doctors are married, wonder how they find time for dating and to get married. -
00skyblue00\" post_id=\"2128126\" time=\"1706436524\" user_id=\"143605:
Reminds me during my era, doctors & engineers are “good catch” for girls looking for partners.
Can still pose so brightly even if they hv slept zero hours for weeks...
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/singapore/story20240128-1464867
Noticed most doctors are married, wonder how they find time for dating and to get married.
I met several young doctors (ages btwn 30-40), at different times, asking for my help to introduce life partners to them. Some of them were probably bookworms & achieved well academically but lack the social skills & often introverts & shy. Wonder what is life for them now. Not all doctors got ‘caught’ as treasures yah?
I wld rather my kids learn to lead a balance life, with work/study and not chase too much of the world & forget to build relationships at home or with friends. Life will hv a better quality than having a big landed, branded cars, etc. When one hv good strong supportive relationships, shld be able to ride thro though times not being alone. Happiness does not come fr material well-being alone. -
What keeps us healthy and happy as we go through life? Harvard study of adult development, a 75 years study of life unfolding , shows the answers. This study tracks a few hundreds men ( why not women??) from their teenage years onwards. They consist of brick layers, factory workers , lawyers, doctors, and 1 US president. Watch this video for what the study has to say about healthy and happy life :
https://youtu.be/8KkKuTCFvzI?si=S_bsfacIBP-VX9Xz -
Estéema\" post_id=\"2128128\" time=\"1706441870\" user_id=\"66413:
Agree, studying Med and becoming a doctor should not be parents' wish. The journey is too tough and lonely. It has to be their own wish. I came across one such candidate with potential (no, not my own) out of so many kids i know, but unfortunately she doesn't want to do Med. Her parents aren't keen too. Why study so hard to do what many think AI can do. But if the kid wish to be one, I am sure her parents will be supportive too.
Reminds me during my era, doctors & engineers are “good catch” for girls looking for partners.
I met several young doctors (ages btwn 30-40), at different times, asking for my help to introduce life partners to them. Some of them were probably bookworms & achieved well academically but lack the social skills & often introverts & shy. Wonder what is life for them now. Not all doctors got ‘caught’ as treasures yah?
I wld rather my kids learn to lead a balance life, with work/study and not chase too much of the world & forget to build relationships at home or with friends. Life will hv a better quality than having a big landed, branded cars, etc. When one hv good strong supportive relationships, shld be able to ride thro though times not being alone. Happiness does not come fr material well-being alone.
What's my wish? When I was told I am having a baby, my wish was the baby wld be healthy and happy. We are so blessed already. What more do we need? -
Does anyone have an idea as to how many boys get admitted yearly into ACS (I)'s IP from the O level track in year 3? Mostly from ACS(I) or are there some from other schools too?
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