Some advice for confused students out there. For most JCs, the materials are pretty much similar. What’s different is the environment and culture.


I had been in both an elite school and a neighborhood school. The experience was totally different. In a neighborhood school, the pace is usually slower and less competitive. For students who did really well, you might just get complacent and find your grades dropping (that’s what happened to me). Although I scored 60s in prelims, I thought that was okay because most other students failed. In an elite school, you are constantly forced to work hard and compete with the top students. In fact, most students go beyond academic, participating in leadership programmes and CCA. It’s the kind of environment that makes you hungry.

The next issue to tackle will be your combination. Be sure of what you can excel in. Based on my experience as a tutor, I would urge all students who intend to take H2 Bio to take some time to drop by a bookstore. Look at the topics, especially DNA and genomics.Most students who came to me had regretted that they took H2 Biology. It’s a totally different thing from O level.

ilovelaksa:

Following are our daily allowance for:

P1-2 $1
P3-4 $1.50
P5-6 $2
For pri only, double allowance if need to stay for lunch
S1-2 $5
S3-4 $7
J1-2 $8
Uni $10
Meals only, transport not included.
No allowance for public and school holidays, unless going to school.

I think would be better to give like $10 for J1/J2? In uni they can do part-time (in school or as tutors).

janet88:

my boy took the poly route as he is keen in engineering. he went to MI for a short period and couldn't adjust to the syllabus. several of his classmates from secondary school went to the Aeronautical engineering at SP.

in fact majority of the boys are in the engineering courses while some of the girls went to NP for media course.

for those who do not know what field they want to enter, the JC path allows them to decide because they have 2 years and there are more avenues to enter.

I beg to differ. This argument about \"going poly if you know what you want to do\" is really outdated. Go to a school which allows you to score and do your best (i.e. which type of learning environment suits your child better).

There are many courses in university where the % placement for poly students is much lower. For example, chemical engineering. So, an O Level student who likes chemical engineering and thus decides to go to poly might just miss his/her chance if they do not have a near perfect poly GPA.

deardear07:

Hi, Can someone, anyone share why few schools provide option for Sci Bio course? I mean, I get that it is to support the MOE STEM program to generate more engineers... but any other reasons?


Sec 2 to 3 streaming into Triple sci is toughest to get in... the rest of the subjects combination only allow for double sci which is physics and chemistry..

and where to get good notes on Bio from Sec1-4? Are there even tuition sessions for these?

As compared to Chem/Phy, students don't do as well for Biology from Sec 3 onwards.

While Biology seems really fun in secondary school, it is a totally different ball game from Sec 3 onwards. Tons of materials to remember and you don't score any points if you don't catch the key words. It gets worse in JC when we talk about DNA and genomics.

I would usually advise students to be clear of their strengths/weakness when choosing their combination in Sec 2. Liking the subject and doing well is two different thing. You will grow to hate the subject if you consistently do badly.

And last but not least, the fact is that there are lots of life science graduates who had difficulties advancing their career in related areas.

Location is the still the key. And if you are willing to go a bit lower than market, should still be able to rent out.