Secondary 2 Streaming
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kylene\" post_id=\"2060579\" time=\"1646467307\" user_id=\"6993:
Hi Parent kylene,
My DS is in Y2 IP and an “all rounder “. Last years he scored above 80 for all subjects (except HCL around 70). No specific dislike or like regarding Chem bio and physics and scores all very close too .
He is keen to take triple science but I’m worried about the workload as he also has an elective , which means he would be taking 10 subjects ! On the other hand , I wonder if it’s possible to go ahead since he is not taking Os and he enjoys the breadth of his education. Any thoughts would be much appreciated. Thank you !
Do you know what's the greatest stress, faced by many Upper Secondary students, nowadays ?
Many Upper Secondary students will tell u that, is the scary, huge amount of school homework assignment(s) for IP students and for students in certain O-level track
classes, everyday.
Of course, there are some Secondary schools where lazy bum teachers can't be bothered to issue school homework to students, because they are simply lazy to mark answers, esp. Structured questions or essay type questions (Section B and Section C). However, since you mentioned IP track schools, definitely, there's a lot of school homework assignment(s) everyday !
Moreover, from Sec 2 going into Sec 3, there is a very big jump in terms of subject content, be it subject Pure Science or Pure Humanities.
Over a five day week Monday to Friday, with heavy Cca commitment(s), plus Leadership training / exposure commitment(s), plus other ongoing Talent Development program, already taking up a huge portion of their time week after week, making them fully exhausted, by the time they reach home 6+ pm, each evening . So, where to squeeze in time, for Topical revision, per each of the 10 subjects ?
It is very easy to take up Total 10 subjects. Taking up, no issue. But, when to drop, ah .... that can become an issue.
Why ?
Because
you need to know your own son's character well. How does one handle pressure, when one find that suppose one day (child can't cope, bec too much stuff on the plate ? (You don't need to answer us in this forum, but may need to address this issue, personally)
Here, I am just giving an example.
Because I do not know your son, as we are all strangers in this forum.
However, there are some students who will not drop any subject even if can't cope, because they find it \"malu\" (lose face) to drop subject, in front of their peers (fellow classmates). Because of ego, they dont want to drop. Usually, these are the high achievers. Some of them are perfectionalists. Could be due to family up-bringing, in the past. These students often have high expectations, of themselves. So, they carried on the burden of studying 10 subjects ... with tremendous amount of mental stress exerted on themselves. Therefore, consider carefully. There is no need to insist on doing Triple Sciences. Double Sciences is good enough. 9 subjects is already a lot !
Is your son in IP or O level ?
If in IP,
just identify what are the Total number of subjects that quantify for his IP Year 4 Promotional year end exam, into the affliated-partnership JC. No need to take 10 subjects, so many.
But, if your son is in O-level track, then L1R5 means u only need to take Total 6 subjects into consideration, to calibrate your L1R5. Relevant 5 subjects plus one core language, means Total, only 6 subjects will be factored in. Certainly, no need to take 10 subjects, so many ! In the end, lost focus, end up with a less-than-desirable L1R5 overall score.
Back to your question : can my son drop subject(s) ?
Sure !
Usually, schools (whether IP or O-level track) will let students try out first for one year. At the end of Sec 3, after Term 4 (Semester 2 exam) before entering Sec 4 (or IP students call it Year 4), some students will drop, because they had already tried out, attempted one whole year of Sec 3, and they know fully well how well they can cope. However, one very impt thing to highlight is, as parents, you must learn to let go. That means, if your son choose to initiatiate to drop subject himself, then when u support him, that will be seen as being supportive, a timely right move. But not when parents come in and request that their child to drop subject(s), because some children don't like their parents to intervene. They see it as interfering parenting style, in their studies, because at that youth age, they have a mind of their own. Bear in mind that they are already 16 year-old teenagers in Secondary schools, no longer a PSLE primary 6 school kid. -
kylene\" post_id=\"2060714\" time=\"1646569944\" user_id=\"6993:
Hi Kylene,
I feel that Sec school is still considered “basic” education so being a Jack of all trades is acceptable to me . In fact Im rather happy he enjoys a wide variety of subjects . 😬 While the humanities are slightly easier for him he also enjoys the sciences and I would rather not pigeon hole him by saying he shouldn’t do triple science .
Not to “pigeon hole” anyone.. .. at their age, we can only give advice rather than to tell them what to do. Like what SGKP1 had mentioned, do highlight to him to consider the school's yearly GPA/MSG calculation and what is needed to qualify for JC classes/programmes. Let him manage his academics. The other aspects of leadership cca development is also highly valuable. Let him know he shouldn’t neglect that. I feel that as long as my child has the motivation, I will offer my support. Good luck! -
fyi
Concerning when to drop subject(s),
not refering to 3rd foreign language (ie. German / French / Spanish / Japanese) conducted at Bishan or Newton MOELC premises, usually
, Secondary schools will let students drop at end of the academic year in November (Semester 2), after Term 4 final year-end exam is over and after students have tried out the subject(s) for one whole full academic year. If in dilemma whether to drop or not, students can always consult their individual school’s subject Teacher(s) or speak to their VP (Academic), for advice.
For students who are sitting for GCE "O" level exam, each year in Semester 1 Term 2 (around April to May time frame), just when you are about to submit the signed-off form to SEAB (MOE) , specifying (indicating) the Total number of subject(s) you will be registering (sitting) for in the GCE "O" level National exam, there and then on the spot, if you want to drop any subject(s), you can decide for yourself or after a discussion with your parents / siblings / school teachers.
For students who are registering for Total 10 subjects, usually, they will need to seek approval from their school, first.
Schools will not let students register for their #10th subject, unless Principal / VP (Academic) have flipped through their Report card, seen their past years’ Sec (1 to 3) performance, and students have demonstrated confidence in managing / handling their 9 subjects well, before school nod their head, give the green-light signalled- approval, "Ok, you can proceed to take your #10th subject". Otherwise, No. If already cannot handle 8 or 9 subjects, how to let u take the 10th subject ?
But for MOELC 3rd foreign language, students can drop anytime, they want. -
kylene\" post_id=\"2060714\" time=\"1646569944\" user_id=\"6993:
I feel that Sec school is still considered “basic” education so being a Jack of all trades is acceptable to me . In fact Im rather happy he enjoys a wide variety of subjects . 😬 While the humanities are slightly easier for him he also enjoys the sciences and I would rather not pigeon hole him by saying he shouldn’t do triple science .
My perspective:
The “trade” of life to me are mental, leadership, resilience, creativity, wisdom (think of the big picture) compassion developments and more.
Academics are only 1 aspect of life’s trades. Do you want to spend too much time focusing only on that 1 , and not also try develop many other life’s trades? Teens are in their formative years, their exposures now likely to stay with them for long time.
When awarding jobs or scholarships, if it’s only academic results that matter, then no need interview, just look at all the papers qualifications. Interviews is to gauge all other aspect of the person. Non academic are important too for the journey ahead. -
I think sometimes the decision to take 9 or 10 subjects isn’t that you want to take 9 or 10 subjects, but that you are truly interested in subjects 9 and 10. You may not be that interested in subjects 7 and 8, but the school said you have to take those…
Personally, I won’t suggest my kids take 10 subjects (if they are eligible) just because or for the sake of doing so. At the same time, I won’t worry about it too much if they do (if the school thinks they are capable, I assume they’ll figure out a way to get over the finish line).
My general belief is that it is better to be really good at a few things and reasonably competent at the others vs. pretty good at a lot of things. But I’m not sure whether the specialization (vs. broad education) needs to kick in at the Upper Secondary level? One way to look at taking a heavy load in upper secondary is that you will figure out what you don’t want to do (among all of the choices/things on your plate), and then can start to narrow things down in JC (not that these are set in stone either).
All that being said, I mostly hope my kids just find something they are truly interested in (and reasonably good at) as that will take them the furthest. Churning out academic results just for the report card is only going to take you so far… -
A lot has been said so I won’t repeat. Just want to add 2 things :
1) Not all IP schools allow students to "drop" subject "easily". This means that if the student wants to drop a subject at the end of sec 3, school will have a long chat with student and it is not easy to convince school of the need to drop a subject. This is from DD’s schoolmates’ experience.
2) For a student to want to take 10 subjects, I am assuming the child must be of a very high ability. Which means the student will have a very high chance of being selected to undertake special programs/special projects offered by MOE to all IP schools. These programs offer students the chance to undertake projects under the guidance of outside mentors (either university professors or industry professionals). You might want to read up about some of these special programs with your child to see if he might be interested in those programs. If so, those prog are very commitment heavy and can take up a lot of time. Each prog lasts between 6 to 9 months. So I strongly suggest he takes these programmes into consideration before deciding to do 9 or 10 subjects. -
Terrydad\" post_id=\"2060758\" time=\"1646620958\" user_id=\"193857:
https://www.ntu.edu.sg/engineering/admissions/ug/allprogrammes
Giving a slightly different point of view here.
Isn't Physics needed for most NTU courses? Computer engineering and electrical engineering are two courses that need Physics. For boys I think Physics is useful for their career.
There’s some engineering courses that requires physics as well as chemistry and math. According to their website, chemistry and math are the most “required” subjects. Physics is definitely useful if you want to do engineering in future. -
Just to clarify a few things
1. If he does 10 subjects it’s not for the sake of churning out academic results for the report book. It’s really just because he likes all 3 sciences .
2. With regards to special programs I believe it’s usually reserved for those few who really excel in that subject . As mentioned he gets slightly above 80 for all his subjects , enough for an “A” but not enough to be in any special programs.
3. He’s not mugging everyday . Besides school, CCA and elective , he learns a musical instrument and plays a sport once a week . And he still has time for video games and at least one weekend is free . -
kylene\" post_id=\"2060770\" time=\"1646631991\" user_id=\"6993:
I understand the situation! My daughter was rather that way too, not super brilliant at any one thing, but interested in plenty, and did fairly well across the board. In her case, she decided in the end to take triple science but only the standard no. of subjects because she wanted to reserve time for her CCA and anything else that might crop up (can't remember if there was, too long ago!). In JC, she made me rather fearful because she took on a heavy CCA and a few ad hoc things along the way, on top of extra work in 1 subject. We discussed the downsides with her, reminded her that her final grades were important, but worse come to worst, we were sure she would make it to university, though maybe her choices might be a little more limited. And at least she would know she had reached her limit. There were patches when she was really tired, and somewhat stressed, but I think she learned about her limits and grew through the experiences.
Just to clarify a few things
1. If he does 10 subjects it’s not for the sake of churning out academic results for the report book. It’s really just because he likes all 3 sciences .
2. With regards to special programs I believe it’s usually reserved for those few who really excel in that subject . As mentioned he gets slightly above 80 for all his subjects , enough for an “A” but not enough to be in any special programs.
3. He’s not mugging everyday . Besides school, CCA and elective , he learns a musical instrument and plays a sport once a week . And he still has time for video games and at least one weekend is free .
You, your son, and maybe his teachers, will be the best ones to make a final decision, weighing all the considerations. As I see it, if he doesn't think he needs to reserve time and energy for anything \"special\" along the way, and he seems to have the capacity, I would say let him try. Most things in life are not 100% certain, and there is always some risk. Weigh the main downsides - that he will not score As across the board? That he will miss out on something because he's already maxed out? That he may have to drop a subject? Nothing life-shattering, I would think. So if he thinks he can manage, let him try.
And he's in an IP school, I believe? In which case, as long as he does well enough to get his preferred combination at JC, the grades really don't matter that much, do they? The whole point of IP is that the sec 4 grades don't matter as much, freeing kids to do more with their time because they prepare for a month or so for internal school exams rather than 4-6 mths for the O levels. -
kylene\" post_id=\"2060770\" time=\"1646631991\" user_id=\"6993:
It sounds like he likes it, he can manage it and you don’t mind it, then you have your answers? :hugs:
Just to clarify a few things
1. If he does 10 subjects it’s not for the sake of churning out academic results for the report book. It’s really just because he likes all 3 sciences .
2. With regards to special programs I believe it’s usually reserved for those few who really excel in that subject . As mentioned he gets slightly above 80 for all his subjects , enough for an “A” but not enough to be in any special programs.
3. He’s not mugging everyday . Besides school, CCA and elective , he learns a musical instrument and plays a sport once a week . And he still has time for video games and at least one weekend is free .
All the best to your son
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