<![CDATA[How many hours should a JC student study?]]>

Claude Monet:
When I was in Hwa Chong, I used to practice the piano for 2-3 hrs. The rest of the time, I used it for napping and studying. There's a strategy to studying- you study for 45 mins, and you rest for 15 mins. This is the brain loses concentration after 45 mins.


You came from RGS n moved to HCI? Why?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/78760/how-many-hours-should-a-jc-student-studyRSS for NodeWed, 29 Apr 2026 05:38:01 GMTSun, 06 Sep 2015 04:39:28 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to How many hours should a JC student study? on Sun, 06 Sep 2015 03:10:38 GMT]]>When I was in Hwa Chong, I used to practice the piano for 2-3 hrs. The rest of the time, I used it for napping and studying. There’s a strategy to studying- you study for 45 mins, and you rest for 15 mins. This is the brain loses concentration after 45 mins.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1573428https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1573428Sun, 06 Sep 2015 03:10:38 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How many hours should a JC student study? on Sat, 18 Jul 2015 11:04:18 GMT]]>it all depends on the students, but the baseline is the student should spend time to finish all the tutorial questions, plus a little more time to revise the lecture notes. if the student is struggling with the tutorial, he need to spend more time on that subject

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1541411https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1541411Sat, 18 Jul 2015 11:04:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How many hours should a JC student study? on Thu, 25 Jun 2015 08:01:03 GMT]]>Students should be sleeping 6-7 hours a day which is normally what doctors recommend. From my experience as an educator, a lot of students sleep very late at 2-3am which is totally not ideal because their body systems get disrupted. They should be sleeping at 11 or so and waking up at 6.


The issue should not be about the number of studying hours, it should be about the method of their studying. We should be asking how effective is their studying.
1. Some students can spend ridiculous amount of time in their room just purely reading. They do not assess how well they learn. These kids will tell their parents: "I studied for 10 hours today!" Parents may feel lost especially if the kids results don’t improve and they take heart that "oh not everyone is cut out for academic but my son has put in effort". It is important to know how well your kids time is spent.
2. Some do their practice without assessing their own mistakes or do not seek help if they are in doubt. Some students might be shy or some simply are afraid of assessments.
3. Earlier a parent mentioned about burning out, honestly, burning out is an excuse of a very smart kid. A possible question here can be so how do we prevent burn outs? The easy solution here is a study plan but the effective solution is a study attitude. Throughout sec 3 and 4 or jc1-jc2, 1.3-1.5 years is spent on new content, you are absorbing new knowledge, refining it and connecting knowledge together, effective mastery of new content is essential to doing well for the final exams. Having the attitude to apply new knowledge to new areas will help prevent burnouts which is more often due to repeated drilling of similar content and the kids’ have no new insights. Discovery and connections is what keeps the fire in learning.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1528804https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1528804Thu, 25 Jun 2015 08:01:03 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How many hours should a JC student study? on Thu, 11 Jun 2015 12:56:08 GMT]]>I read from the Internet that a typical sleep cycle is 90min and smth to do with REM sleep.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1522633https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1522633Thu, 11 Jun 2015 12:56:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How many hours should a JC student study? on Thu, 11 Jun 2015 12:21:47 GMT]]>

sky12_:
I hope someone sees this... Are sleep cycles really helpful when you just simply have no choice but less than 5 hours available for sleep? I haven't tried it out yet and I'm curious if anybody has.

What do you mean by sleep cycles ?
Is it sleep a certain short hours and then wake and sleep again before wake for rest of the day ?
Like \"polyphasic sleep\"? I read this term from a JC student blog not long ago.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1522616https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1522616Thu, 11 Jun 2015 12:21:47 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How many hours should a JC student study? on Thu, 11 Jun 2015 11:53:48 GMT]]>I hope someone sees this… Are sleep cycles really helpful when you just simply have no choice but less than 5 hours available for sleep? I haven’t tried it out yet and I’m curious if anybody has.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1522607https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1522607Thu, 11 Jun 2015 11:53:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How many hours should a JC student study? on Tue, 07 Oct 2014 04:26:20 GMT]]>

zbear:
This is what my Sec 3 son told me. He said he shouldnt study too much now or he will be burnt out next year for O levels. :stupid:

😂 :spank:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1395156https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1395156Tue, 07 Oct 2014 04:26:20 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How many hours should a JC student study? on Tue, 07 Oct 2014 00:13:55 GMT]]>

BitterSweet:
Studying too much can kill you too; i have friends who studied like crazy (8am to 8pm on weekends) but just burned out during the exams (scored quite badly even though they were hardworking and smart)



This is what my Sec 3 son told me. He said he shouldnt study too much now or he will be burnt out next year for O levels.

:stupid:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1395011https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1395011Tue, 07 Oct 2014 00:13:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How many hours should a JC student study? on Mon, 06 Oct 2014 23:45:06 GMT]]>

havok_ex:
Anyone has any good advice on how to fall asleep?

You can take melatonin 30 mins before sleeping time. It is an antioxidant and helps to fall asleep. Can buy the brand \"Green Life\" at Guardian. A bottle of 60 pills cost around $25 and provide two months of daily supply.

Exercise during the day also helps.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1395001https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1395001Mon, 06 Oct 2014 23:45:06 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How many hours should a JC student study? on Mon, 06 Oct 2014 14:15:30 GMT]]>Like others have said, it’s not about sheer amount of time, it’s about effectiveness. Some people cannot study in groups (too noisy, distracting) and no matter how much time they spent studying in groups, it’s almost wasted. Others need to study with friends to get help for concepts they don’t understand.


Studying too much can kill you too; i have friends who studied like crazy (8am to 8pm on weekends) but just burned out during the exams (scored quite badly even though they were hardworking and smart)

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1394934https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1394934Mon, 06 Oct 2014 14:15:30 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How many hours should a JC student study? on Fri, 19 Sep 2014 05:33:08 GMT]]>One thing I tell my JC students is that it is normal not to understand difficult topics the first time you study it on your own. Some students think that if they do not magically understand everything right away, that they are not capable of figuring it out and give up on studying. The other extreme is to continue to grind on a topic when you are confused.


Sometimes you need to review something and then if you do not understand it - write down your question. What is it that you do not understand? Take a break. Then go back and review it again after a good night’s sleep. Many times your subconscious mind can organize your thoughts and when you revisit the topic, you can figure it out. This is a normal and natural process for studying science. The key to this is to have regular study habits.

If you still don’t have the answer, you can bring your question to the tutor or teacher. If you ask a few questions each class, it is far more efficient for learning in the long run. Learn steadily, a little bit each week and let your subconscious mind work for you.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1384755https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1384755Fri, 19 Sep 2014 05:33:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How many hours should a JC student study? on Wed, 17 Sep 2014 15:06:49 GMT]]>A JC student should study everyday, every time when they are free. No question. Study till you know it. Best of all, master it. You’ll know when you are done studying.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1383902https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1383902Wed, 17 Sep 2014 15:06:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How many hours should a JC student study? on Sat, 13 Sep 2014 13:42:23 GMT]]>I think it’s not about how long you study, but how effective it is

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1381659https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1381659Sat, 13 Sep 2014 13:42:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How many hours should a JC student study? on Sat, 06 Sep 2014 08:18:29 GMT]]>

havok_ex:
My school schedule used to be quite hectic due to my CCA. So I used to reach home only at around 8 when I was in JC. I would be too tired to study so I'd sleep right after dinner from 8.30pm until 2-3am and wake up to study and leave for school at around 6.20am. I'd also catch some sleep in school for about 1-2 hours at about 1-3pm depending on when lessons would end or if there were long breaks. Food tended to be a sleeping pill for me, I couldnt concentrate and was always sleepy after meals. Hence, I decided not to try and fight my body and just went along and slept right after lunch and dinner. It was effective to a certain extent. But it also meant I had to refrain from food before exam papers for fear that I would not be at my best.


Nowadays, in uni, I can't seem to sleep or wake up, if you get what I mean. That's why Im writing this post at 2am. While it used to be so easy to survive JC with just 4 hours or heck, somedays I used to go to school without having slept a wink the previous night. Now, I can't seem to find the strength to get out of bed and my brain keeps running at night such that I cant fall asleep. I keep thinking about philosophy, politics and public policy before going to bed. Sleep in NS was fine, well, its NS, either you wake up or you die. I've even went to the extent of having to take a little bit of cough syrup or ophenadrine+paracetamol to put myself to sleep when I have papers the next morning now in uni. Anyone has any good advice on how to fall asleep?
Maybe you need to take some time to reset your body clock. It sounds pretty scrambled, and stress and a heavy workload just make it worse. There is a lot of information about insomnia online - you way find some of the tips helpful. Hope you can find a solution.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1377945https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1377945Sat, 06 Sep 2014 08:18:29 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How many hours should a JC student study? on Fri, 05 Sep 2014 18:27:57 GMT]]>My school schedule used to be quite hectic due to my CCA. So I used to reach home only at around 8 when I was in JC. I would be too tired to study so I’d sleep right after dinner from 8.30pm until 2-3am and wake up to study and leave for school at around 6.20am. I’d also catch some sleep in school for about 1-2 hours at about 1-3pm depending on when lessons would end or if there were long breaks. Food tended to be a sleeping pill for me, I couldnt concentrate and was always sleepy after meals. Hence, I decided not to try and fight my body and just went along and slept right after lunch and dinner. It was effective to a certain extent. But it also meant I had to refrain from food before exam papers for fear that I would not be at my best.


Nowadays, in uni, I can’t seem to sleep or wake up, if you get what I mean. That’s why Im writing this post at 2am. While it used to be so easy to survive JC with just 4 hours or heck, somedays I used to go to school without having slept a wink the previous night. Now, I can’t seem to find the strength to get out of bed and my brain keeps running at night such that I cant fall asleep. I keep thinking about philosophy, politics and public policy before going to bed. Sleep in NS was fine, well, its NS, either you wake up or you die. I’ve even went to the extent of having to take a little bit of cough syrup or ophenadrine+paracetamol to put myself to sleep when I have papers the next morning now in uni. Anyone has any good advice on how to fall asleep?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1377690https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1377690Fri, 05 Sep 2014 18:27:57 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How many hours should a JC student study? on Fri, 05 Sep 2014 15:04:41 GMT]]>

ChiefKiasu:
On a personal basis, I hardly studied in Year 1 and had to make up for it in Year 2, where my daily routine was to wake up at 5:45am, classes from 7:30am to 1pm, 30mins lunch and self-study from 2pm-5:30pm, 1hr jogging, dinner at 6:30pm in school, self-study from 7pm-10pm in school, take the bus and reach home by 11pm. I had no life beyond that routine for 10 months straight, other than 6 hours of band practice every week.

Chief: Ur routine was the same as mine, except that after I reached home at 10-ish, I'd take my shower, hv my 3-in-1 coffee/chicken essence/redbull(!) and continue to study until 1-2 am. Before I slept at 2am, I'd hv my prayer time.

Did I need to study so long? Dunno...I just loved studying and could concentrate best after 11pm. The 7pm-10pm in school was just to exchange lecture notes and bond with CT mates, particularly with my oh-so-smart and very handsome ex-boyfriend (!!!) Productivity was actually not that high come to think of it:) 😉

I caught my power naps on buses. I woke up at noon on weekends, played a bit of piano or went jogging/swimming before starting to slog again till 3am sometimes.

And did I put on face cream and eye gel before sleeping? But of course! :please:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1377613https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1377613Fri, 05 Sep 2014 15:04:41 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How many hours should a JC student study? on Fri, 05 Sep 2014 11:30:51 GMT]]>wonderm, it is very good that your son is able to sleep at 11pm on a regular basis, especially as he's in Year 6 this year. I guess different strokes for different folks. I was a night owl myself when I was a student. Studied best in the middle of the night. And didn't seem to need much sleep to function well. But age has caught up with me. 😉

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1377498https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1377498Fri, 05 Sep 2014 11:30:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How many hours should a JC student study? on Fri, 05 Sep 2014 06:38:24 GMT]]>

jtoh:


Oh, 8+ hours on average over a week. I thought they managed to get 8 hours every night. That's completely different. The kids are masters at power naps and catching up on sleep on the weekends. If you average that out, yes, then on average they sleep a whole lot more. Still not a satisfactory amount of sleep in my eyes. But night owls will be night owls.
Actually your initial impression wasn't far off. 11pm to 6:30am is 7.5 hours every night. Some days can get 1 hour nap before dinner. That's 8+ hour on a typical day. I wasn't talking about power naps on buses or much longer sleeps on weekends. 🙂

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1377404https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1377404Fri, 05 Sep 2014 06:38:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How many hours should a JC student study? on Fri, 05 Sep 2014 06:22:46 GMT]]>

wonderm:
zeemimi:

[quote=\"jtoh\"]
I'm amazed. Your kids manage to go to bed by 10pm even at JC level? My kid's a night owl but I'm still not happy with the short hours of sleep.

I'll be happy if my jc kid goes to bed before 12.

They sleep at 11 and take naps when possible. Also sleep more over the weekend. That's why 8+ hour a day on average :)[/quote]Oh, 8+ hours on average over a week. I thought they managed to get 8 hours every night. That's completely different. The kids are masters at power naps and catching up on sleep on the weekends. If you average that out, yes, then on average they sleep a whole lot more. Still not a satisfactory amount of sleep in my eyes. But night owls will be night owls.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1377397https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1377397Fri, 05 Sep 2014 06:22:46 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How many hours should a JC student study? on Fri, 05 Sep 2014 06:06:12 GMT]]>

zbear:
jtoh, zeemimi, what time do your girls go to bed n what time do they wake up during school days?


I want to see if my girl is just like yours.
Average 12.30-1am. Wakes up 6.30

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1377393https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1377393Fri, 05 Sep 2014 06:06:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How many hours should a JC student study? on Fri, 05 Sep 2014 06:04:27 GMT]]>

wonderm:

They sleep at 11 and take naps when possible. Also sleep more over the weekend. That's why 8+ hour a day on average 🙂
Ahhhh ... that explains. mine catches up with sleep on the weekends too.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1377391https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1377391Fri, 05 Sep 2014 06:04:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How many hours should a JC student study? on Fri, 05 Sep 2014 05:49:12 GMT]]>jtoh, zeemimi, what time do your girls go to bed n what time do they wake up during school days?


I want to see if my girl is just like yours.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1377379https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1377379Fri, 05 Sep 2014 05:49:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How many hours should a JC student study? on Fri, 05 Sep 2014 04:42:42 GMT]]>

zeemimi:
jtoh:


I'm amazed. Your kids manage to go to bed by 10pm even at JC level? My kid's a night owl but I'm still not happy with the short hours of sleep.

I'll be happy if my jc kid goes to bed before 12.

They sleep at 11 and take naps when possible. Also sleep more over the weekend. That's why 8+ hour a day on average 🙂

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1377326https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1377326Fri, 05 Sep 2014 04:42:42 GMT