Junior College (JC) can be quite an experience. With 2 years worth of memories filled with all sorts of emotions – from getting pumped for school events to feeling discouraged over appalling results. However, it is only in retrospect that certain graduates feel regretful about the decisions made when they were still in JC. Now that you’re still a student in JC, continue reading this article to see how you can potentially make or break your experience there.
Undeniably, JC is definitely one of the toughest phases a Singaporean teen faces. From the never-ending workload to the overwhelming commitment requirements, students often find themselves suffocating and constantly wanting to give up. As a JC graduate, I concur with the idea of JC being just like a “hell” experience for students, it was indeed an arduous journey. However, many students fail to realise that it is precisely because of the stressful curriculum, JC students should, in turn, take part in events, co-curricular activities (CCAs) or student initiated groups (SIGs) within their sphere of interests. Although the requirements and commitments might seem daunting, it is only through these commitments that you are given space for growth, and to connect with people you share the same interests with.
No pain no gain. As cliche as it sounds, this prevalent phrase is actually very applicable especially during trying times such as a JC student’s journey. The truth is, taking the courage to join such activities is actually one of the “magical” remedies to heal the pain you’re suffering from academic stress. To put it in another way, it is one of the most useful life vests available for you to keep you afloat throughout the storms experienced during the 2 years in JC.
Many are often misled with the idea of joining a “chill” or “slack” CCA just so that you can focus solely on your academics in JC. However, this is an erroneous mentality. With the never-ending workload piling up, it is important to take some time off from work and divert your focus away from academics. Looking back, I have had a couple of peers who fell ill regularly because of their refusal to rest. Unfortunately, this has instead caused them to lag behind most students due to the many missed lessons. Feeling dejected, it only aggravated their mental health and stress levels. Hence, the importance of resting and diverting your focus away from academics once in a while can never be emphasised enough.
CCAs are designed in a way to fit a so-called “rest” time in every students’ packed schedule. It is true that requirements and training intensities are higher and more draining in JC as compared to secondary school. But then again, no pain = no gain, right? People also always say, work smart, not just work hard. CCAs can effectively keep you afloat in JC as this commitment alone “forces” you to take a break from your studies, thereby recharging before resuming your revisions. These activities allow you to work smart, as you will then find more alternatives to revise more effectively with the shorter time left available. As seen, CCA is indeed an outlet for a JC student to relieve stress, and to work smarter.
As much as JC CCAs are more demanding, it unknowingly helps one to work on his/her learning attitude, and their ability to cope with stress. Furthermore, you are not alone, your peers are going through tough training together with you. Another phenomenal quote made by Cory Booker, “If you want to go fast, go alone; If you want to go far, go together.” It is only through tough times that allow you to forge true friendships, and these friends are the ones who will keep you sane and afloat throughout your 2 years of JC.
This proves another point about the importance of joining a CCA that you truly enjoy – you will get to meet peers who are like-minded or have similar interests as you, allowing everyone to integrate into the CCA swiftly. This also makes initiating a conversation much easier for everyone. To provide a personal anecdote, I joined dance in JC and I had the privilege to meet many peers whom I share common interests with. I often looked forward to attending CCAs as we would share all sorts of things happening in our lives. Also, we get to do things we like together – dance! Till date, I am still keeping in touch with my dance friends in JC even after graduating from JC. A CCA that I like indeed broadened my social networking in JC and the CCA peers I met were the ones who kept me going in school.
This brings me to another important point – the importance of seizing the opportunity to join a CCA that requires a certain skill. This includes CCA such as basketball, dance, photography and many more. If you were to learn these skills outside school, the fees would cost a bomb! While in school, you get to learn it for free! So why miss out this precious opportunity offered to you, right? For example, attending dance lessons outside cost at least $15 for each lesson. In school, you get to attend CCA at least twice per week without being charged! Hence, joining a CCA of your interest is indeed beneficial.
To be more pragmatic, joining a CCA that requires higher commitment can help you to build your portfolio for your university or even job applications. Such CCAs will most likely offer more leadership opportunities for members to step up, thereby building a good testimonial and portfolio. With more emphasis placed on holistic development, more institutions and companies are looking out for soft skills possessed by students. Soft skills are such as communication skills, social skills and personalities, which can be nurtured and improved through CCAs.
In conclusion, CCA certainly makes a huge part of one’s JC journey, and is an important jigsaw that should not be forgone so easily.
Seeing the importance of joining a CCA of your interest, it is also crucial to note that there should be a good work-life balance between academics and CCAs. Afterall, every JC student still has to go through A Level, which requires consistency and hard work put in academics. At New Dawn Learning Studio, the tuition centre plays an important role in balancing out students’ work-life balance effectively. It is natural to feel stressed and concerned over academics, especially in the midst of CCA competition season. The time is now, say yes to New Dawn Learning Studio’s A Level H2 Chemistry tuition, A Level H2 Physics tuition and A Level H2 Math tuition.
New Dawn Learning Studio offers A Level H2 Chemistry tuition, A Level H2 Physics tuition, and A Level H2 Math tuition for JC students. A Level H2 Chemistry tuition and A Level H2 Physics tuition are taught by Mr Joseph, who will explain concepts in-depth and often form a connection between the concepts taught and real-life examples. Beyond merely memorising concepts, Mr Joseph effectively enables his students to immerse in the world of Science through his A Level H2 Physics tuition and A level H2 Chemistry tuition lessons, thereby having a deeper understanding and being able to answer a wide variety of questions. On the other hand, Mr Daniel offers A Level H2 Math tuition for JC students. Mr Daniel adopts a hybrid of 1-to-1 and classroom based learning styles, where he provides students with more freedom to explore all types of questions, and enables students to learn at their comfortable pace. Mr Daniel will then approach each student to clarify his/her doubts. Through such a unique yet effective teaching approach, it instills confidence in students. Collectively, tutors at New Dawn Learning Studio adopt a unique, engaging, and teaching approach that effectively helps students to identify their mistakes, and even helps students to gain interest in their weaker subjects.
Additional learning materials such as summary booklets, formula sheets, and files to help students organise their notes better are made available for students right here at New Dawn Learning Studio. More than just a tuition centre, New Dawn Learning Studio can help students to work smarter, and to have a work-life balance, therefore alleviating students’ stress significantly.
Do keep in mind the importance of joining a fun CCA in JC, don’t regret your decisions only after graduating! On this note, why limit your fun only during CCA when you can also have fun while learning? This is only made possible at New Dawn Learning Studio. Head to our main page to explore. Wait no more, join us today!
