Living in Singapore

[phtthp]

We have a whole life of working, ahead of us. Yes, many years ahead. Thus, Is OK for this young man to take a break, reflect upon what is the meaning of life for him, and take the necessary steps to re-align to the correct path, this time.


If the degree in Law is a mistake, is ok to take another route. Who in life, doesn’t make any mistake, from cradle to grave? God is fair. God always give 2nd chance. It is all right. Rest if u must, but don’t u quit.

[00skyblue00]

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2131691\" time=\"1711776821\" user_id=\"28674:

By having different schools and a different \"stream\", the divisions are entrenched earlier and become more permanent. Since MOE has removed the hard line between express/normal acad/normal tech, it's time to have FSBB to incorporate IP level subjects in all sec schools. By putting IP students in separate classes, and even separate schools, it entrenches the belief that they are special and smarter in all subjects, which we all know is a false assumption.

The main benefit of IP, as I see it, is the removal of 'O' levels because Singaporeans are conditioned to the knee-jerk reaction of taking months to prepare for such exams. If parents and schools can dial down that kind of anxiety, then those extra months could be used for additional enrichment and stretching, at least for some students. Perhaps let the ones who need 4 mths of revision have that kind of support, but let some kids opt out if they don't think they need it.

I am not so sure abt removing O Level, coz I still believe, for some children, O level is just another check point. It is a known fact that some children and/or parents chose O level schools over IP schools. Yes, likely these are those would not put down everything to cramp for a checkpoint exam. They are those who continue to pursue their passion while taking the exams.

We were asking earlier would delaying psle reduce the stress on parents and children who are diehard IP and because parents put themselves in charge since children at 11yo would not be mature. But at 14yo, most will be more mature. Let children at 14yo be the driver of their own journey at 14yo instead of 11yo.

On taking up talent programs or advanced subjects, hopefully more can be done to ensure those talented regardless IP or mainstream can be given the chance to apply more faily and measured by talent, not the label of IP or purely sch results. We all know exam smart is not equivalent to talent.

[00skyblue00]

Estéema\" post_id=\"2131686\" time=\"1711770170\" user_id=\"66413:

In big countries, there’re many opportunities for one to “retire early” into suburbs or small towns, away fr the hustles & bustles of urban life. In SG, wherever we turn, we’re a well developed & continuously developing society. I rmbr a story once told to us abt a WANG top executive, who after holidaying in England, sent a note to quit & wish to enjoy life in the quiet suburbs of the English countryside. His boss was petrified & scramble to negotiate & send contractors to fit up his countryside house (paid for by WANG) with satellites & all gadgets for him to WFH in UK & only attend meetings in the US (he was given shares).

Not many ppl can live the ideal life to hv handsomely paid work & enjoy a relaxing lifestyle away fr stresses or s’times deep stress.

Actually, I’m not sure if this generation of the young looked at how hard parents hv to work & goes the 躺平 direction. I recall at one of our mealtimes, DS suggested that he’ll not go into a fix job but wish to go on projects basis to live out his being. I was shocked & had to get into the ‘counseling mode’. So, I started bringing him to reality for him to compute expenses that he had nvr had to struggle to pay for, additional pymts which hv to be set aside which has been parked under parents’ acct, chores that were not undertaken but will eventually be an expense under his own h’hold, etc. Our kids today live under parents roof & very much shielded & live in a cocoon!

In all of DS schooling after PSLE, except for Yr1 in secondary schooling, I’ve left DS to his own devices willing - working in his own studies, project work, CCA, R&R, etc. I decided he’s quite ready for bldg some abilities to manage to his schedule as he matures. I do peep over at times to see if he needs any uplifting or support. In a way, he had learnt to manage his time & meet deadline stresses on his own. I rmbr consciously leaving him to balance his time so he stretches his own ability to cope with the stresses of balancing studies/projects with 2 CCAs & still gets to sleep by 9pm, as he learns to discipline himself.

Thankful he had exposures thereafter with several internships in both foreign MNCs & some local science labs, those hv given him experiences in worklife. It was fun when he wld share his encounters patrons whilst waitering & it certainly opened his eyes up to bzmen’s exchanges!

So, are our kids going into 躺平 mode bcoZ they see how stressed parents had to face worklife or they’re the result of our providing & cocooning them too much?

I believe it is time we all reflect and review whether the current system and policy and how our society is moving is aligned.
Reminds me of what bbbay said before, to seek middle ground in life.
To sprint in early 30 years and get burnout and completely stop or to pace ourselves so we can live till the end without losing ourselves.

[00skyblue00]

At least Mr K completed serving his bond. Another better deserved student could have taken up the scholarship which pastry chef has given up on. Repaying the bond would not compensate the place someone else could benefit from.

[sharonkhoo]

00skyblue00\" post_id=\"2131740\" time=\"1711860047\" user_id=\"143605:

I am not so sure abt removing O Level, coz I still believe, for some children, O level is just another check point. It is a known fact that some children and/or parents chose O level schools over IP schools. Yes, likely these are those would not put down everything to cramp for a checkpoint exam. They are those who continue to pursue their passion while taking the exams.
...
On taking up talent programs or advanced subjects, hopefully more can be done to ensure those talented regardless IP or mainstream can be given the chance to apply more faily and measured by talent, not the label of IP or purely sch results. We all know exam smart is not equivalent to talent.

I wasn't thinking about removing O level if all streams were combined - I think it's a good checkpoint for most kids, even those who are now in IP. The only problem, as I see it, is that too many months are spend on preparing for it. How that can be done, I don't know. Maybe let some students opt out and do additional stuff if they feel they don't need so much time spent on revision, even if they take the same exams?

And if we apply the FSBB idea and put all kids in the same schools, special programmes etc can just be another offering under the same system. All students would be eligible to apply, and they would be selected based on talent.

[Liew Nga Wing]

Rich people have the right to burnout and take time to re think what they want in life…for us, no money, have to pay house loan, PUB bills, daily transportation, meal expenses, some allowance to parents, where got the right to say burnout? I remembered most parents here are advising kids to form family and have babies early, then when kids have their own famililes, how to burn out and stop working to think what they want. I believe what kids want - are to earn more money to support their own families.

[lee_yl]

phtthp\" post_id=\"2131738\" time=\"1711857519\" user_id=\"35251:

We have a whole life of working, ahead of us. Yes, many years ahead. Thus, Is OK for this young man to take a break, reflect upon what is the meaning of life for him, and take the necessary steps to re-align to the correct path, this time.

If the degree in Law is a mistake, is ok to take another route. Who in life, doesn't make any mistake, from cradle to grave? God is fair. God always give 2nd chance. It is all right. Rest if u must, but don't u quit.

Could be doing Law is a mistake, or maybe posting to MFA is another mistake or he has an attitude problem, we can’t say for sure cos we all don’t know him.

The problem is, he has to serve a 6yr bond unless his parents were willing (and able) to pay for breaking bond like the pastry girl.

In fact, I have come across many A level students whose 1st choice in government careers is to go MFA, including my own kid. Maybe it’s the image MFA projects to the public, like interesting to host delegates from all over the world and there is a chance to be posted to another country as an embassy officer.

There may be a mismatch between what he imagined MFA to be and the actual work scope or else why would he want to “retire” just 6 mths after starting work? If we minus away the glamorous part of the job, the article mentioned that he needed to make sure visitors’ names were correctly printed on name tags, arranged motorcades and maybe make restaurants reservations. For DH, he said it’s necessary to experience it but definitely not something he would want to do this for the rest of his working life.

Not sure why is 2nd posting is to be senior manager with MCI and not just join AGC legal service. I find there is a a total job mismatch for such a brilliant 2nd in Cambridge Law and Best Speaker in debate championship. Unless he himself opt out of joining AGC or else PSC should have let him join AGC instead of letting go of a talent

[Estéema]

00skyblue00\" post_id=\"2131742\" time=\"1711860417\" user_id=\"143605:

I believe it is time we all reflect and review whether the current system and policy and how our society is moving is aligned.
Reminds me of what bbbay said before, to seek middle ground in life.
To sprint in early 30 years and get burnout and completely stop or to pace ourselves so we can live till the end without losing ourselves.

I wld say it’s the entire society’s attitude & response to worklife balance & what is meaningful pursuit - fr parents (incl how kids are brot up to develop their own interests with their abilities), employers & the public sector.

I rmbr some South Asian wld hothouse their kids & direct them to be super performers. In the early days, my peers fr this group were told to opt for law studies as a viable career. I’m not sure if Mr Kumar was drummed into this career path & now discover it burns him out & probably looking for sth meaningful to direct his life. Just hope he gets good guidance & not turn against our local system & govt in a negative or unproductive way like some before him.

I think parents of next generations shld take a balance view of things, move away fr our past generations striving for livelihood for self, chasing with the mass in disregard of their interests or passion and certainly then, not many wld stop to think beyond themselves much if they hv no capacity as most of our emigrant forefathers. Now, most youths don’t hv to worrying abt roof over their heads, nor not having a warm meal & Education is one of the world’s best, parents shld guide children to excel in their interests & stretch them within their abilities.

I’m actually allowing mine (hope I nvr will regret) to pursue his own & he shld take responsibility for his future. He selected his own sch after PSLE I’ve not much pressure on him since but gave guidance & perspectives. I recognized fr young, my dashing chap needs guidance for the directions he shoot’s everywhere but as he grows, even in his upper primary days, he was decisive & vocal. I decided it was time to let him develop his sense of self (tho with some distance peering s’times). I didn’t want a child to grow up unhappy, not getting his voice heard or choice taken into acct. I always believe that when one enjoys what they’re doing, they’re research well & get into the thick of things to do well. It is not my life but his to lead, for I had my chance so I shld not rob his. Then he’ll know how to navigate himself towards his future.

[phtthp]

lee_yl\" post_id=\"2131746\" time=\"1711865075\" user_id=\"17023:

Could be doing Law is a mistake, or maybe posting to MFA is another mistake or he has an attitude problem, we can’t say for sure cos we all don’t know him.

The problem is, he has to serve a 6yr bond unless his parents were willing (and able) to pay for breaking bond like the pastry girl.

In fact, I have come across many A level students whose 1st choice in government careers is to go MFA, including my own kid. Maybe it’s the image MFA projects to the public, like interesting to host delegates from all over the world and there is a chance to be posted to another country as an embassy officer.

There may be a mismatch between what he imagined MFA to be and the actual work scope or else why would he want to “retire” just 6 mths after starting work? If we minus away the glamorous part of the job, the article mentioned that he needed to make sure visitors’ names were correctly printed on name tags, arranged motorcades and maybe make restaurants reservations. For DH, he said it’s necessary to experience it but definitely not something he would want to do this for the rest of his working life.

Not sure why is 2nd posting is to be senior manager with MCI and not just join AGC legal service. I find there is a a total job mismatch for such a brilliant 2nd in Cambridge Law and Best Speaker in debate championship. Unless he himself opt out of joining AGC or else PSC should have let him join AGC instead of letting go of a talent

I think this young man love studying. He love books. That's why he is able to excel academically so well, all the way from PSLE (Tscore 278) to Cambridge University.

But, when it comes to the actual real life working environment he was posted to, he might be taken aback, by what he personally had experienced, during the 6 months. Maybe, something happened to him, at work. Hence, quit at such a young age, which is ... shocking, to many of us !

However, the advantage is : he is still very young, only 31, born in year 1993. Many employers will still want to give him a chance to switch to another new career path, if his heart is willing & desire to.

Another possibility is ... perhaps, his family is rich. Eg. Perhaps his father / mother already have an existing family business, awaiting to hand down, pass to him to manage, grooming him to take over one day, eventually. So, since he already completed Cambridge university Law degree, why not ? We never know.

[phtthp]

Liew Nga Wing\" post_id=\"2131745\" time=\"1711862393\" user_id=\"195250:[quote=\"Liew Nga Wing\" post_id=2131745 time=1711862393 user_id=195250]
Rich people have the right to burnout and take time to re think what they want in life...for us, no money, have to pay house loan, PUB bills, daily transportation, meal expenses, some allowance to parents, where got the right to say burnout?

I remembered most parents here are advising kids to form family and have babies early, then when kids have their own famililes, how to burn out and stop working to think what they want. I believe what kids want - are to earn more money to support their own families.[/quote]

so true.

Poor people, even if burnt out (exhausted), still got to work hard to continue to put food on the table, for their children to eat & not let the kids go hungry.