Well, Sec 2 is a bit… easier? As in, when in Sec One you feel quite lost in such a different environment and it takes time to adjust. I got late to one of my classes on my first day because I couldn’t find the rotunda after recess…


Also, you definitely feel more comfortable after a year. Discipline should not be an issue, 1 year is more than enough to know the rules inside out. It’s not too strict actually, I couldn’t really believe it myself.

For studies… it depends on the student. For me, it took a long time to adjust to the added subjects. Plus, I found my classmates were a lot more studious and serious in academics than me, and the school is far from my home so coming home and studying was an issue especially after CCA.

The workload gets progressively more, but projects (IC, IH, PBL) are all heaped onto you almost immediately. After Sec 1 though, with a better understanding on how to complete projects such as these, it will be easier to complete (provided you don’t get the ‘bum’ groupmates) and its best to complete as soon as possible.

Make sure that you pay attention in science, because the first half of the year is on bio and chem, but in the second half, you only have barely more than a term to study physics, which my peers find is very ‘headache’, especially when you start learning the chapter on Electricity (which I myself am worried about!). Plus, you start to find that all the dead lines are catching up with you, the teachers still have A LOT of topics to teach, and you need to find time for revision, CCA is going on, start thinking about subject combos…

It seems very stressful, but the key is support your daughter, be understanding, and of course manage your time well. Luckily in exams, they only test Sec 2 topics, but there is little time for revision with teachers. If your daughter doesn’t understand a topic, I advise her to go for a consultation. The teachers are more than welcome. Don’t procrastinate, don’t waste the year (like some people I know), pay attention during class and you won’t be too stressed when exams come.

Thanks, my exams start tomorrow (super worried for chinese compo, my chinese is really really bad…)

Sec 2 actually.

@ Selfan they teach all topics, jumping between Sec 1 topics. Half of the year will be physics and half will be chem and bio (if my memory serves correctly).

Hi,


I’m a student in CGS right now. Yes the material is quite thin, but personally it can get quite hot, so the thin-ness (is that a word?) is welcome when we occasionally get a slight breeze blowing in through the classrooms.

What some of my classmates used to do is wear their PE shirts inside their blouse, but it can get quite hot so we quickly realised that wasn’t a good solution.

Maybe wear an undershirt? Though it is cooling, it is actually a bit… see-through at the back especially when we’re sweating and we can see each other’s… underwear… inside (if the shirt is ery transpent, probably from bleaching it.) I’ve only seen that from those who really bleach or wash their shirts a lot or have been wearing it for a few years already (seniors!) but for the majority it’s quite okay.

Hope this helps, feel free to ask other questions regarding my school

Hi,


I’m currently a Secondary 2 student and I’m considering transferring into SOTA next year.

I am keen on playing the cello but I’ve only been taking formal lessons for a few months, and I haven’t taken any exams yet although I will be taking the Grade 2 ABRSM practical exam next March.

When they say they are looking for ‘talented students’ does it mean that the student’s technical skills need to be quite good? I really enjoy playing the cello and am willing to work hard to improve, but I want to know if SOTA will accept students even without ‘talent’ but are willing to work hard and have passion. In terms of skills, I’m definitely not a prodigy and such, and I’m not the easiest to teach (I forget frequently and have to be reminded a lot because of my ‘thick head’ haha) but I definitely at least try.

I was in my primary school’s Chinese Orchestra for around 4 years, majority of which I was playing cello but got transferred to Double Bass for the last 1.5 years in CO. My CCA is a Uniformed Group though, and I was only recently able to start playing cello again.

If need be, I can put in as much effort as needed to get up to par with the other students. but still… just wondering if my lack of skills would be accepted if I passed the Talent Academy or if it would put me at a disadvantage.

Thanks for taking the time to read and answer my questions. I wanted to audition when I was P6, but lack of confidence landed me in my current Secondary School. Actually I still don’t think I have the skills haha!