TheAdolescenceDays

In the new breed of universities like New College, students focus on independent study. Instead of the credit-hour system, students have an agreement with the teacher about studying within specific subjects. Students finish seven agreements, three independent study projects and a long and original thesis paper to graduate. Things like letter grades and grade point averages are replaced by 'narrative evaluation'. It is constructive feedback by the teacher based on one's performance and coursework quality at the end of the semester. There is also no need to burn midnight oil to prepare for exams. There is no strong competition between students. Classes are small and close so that with interaction and discussions, students are engaged and that makes them grow a real interest towards their subjects. Students will learn to cherish their own progress based on their grasp of the subjects instead of credits and grades. Academic excellence, scholarship and research are the most important.

Personally, I prefer being alone. Being alone means that I have my own freedom and I do not have to give in to anyone's wants or needs. It also means I can do whatever I want anytime and anywhere. Not being chained to a group of people who can't make desicions quickly and end up wasting alot of time. Being alone, I can manage my own time the way I want it to be. Being alone also means that nobody needs to give in to me too.

Everyone is different in their own way and sometimes, things clash and so, people do not agree with each other, so when in a group, some people may want to go to a certain place but the rest of the people may beg to differ. Without planning beforehand, going out with a crowd of people proves to waste alot of precious time. Though there are still pleasures in going out with a crowd of people. These people are my friends, so it can't be that bad. Usually, when hanging out with friends, it is fun but also, time-consuming. We usually enjoy the company of our friends and thus, we are happy when we are with them. There are some factors too when in a crowd of people. For example, in the most common cases, usually one person would feel left out in the group with the rest of the people oblivious to it.

Although contradicting, I am a very self-consious person. I'd always wonder what would people think of me if i'm alone. So being in a crowd of people reassures my insecurities when I am self-consious about my surroundings.

Towards studies, I can only study alone. Being with a crowd of people affects my ability to concentrate and thus, little work will be done. With music plugged, in an isolated location, studying alone can be really enjoyable. I'd feel stressed if there is anyone looking at me when I study.

Recess time is the time when I must have at least one human with me. It is almost impossible to see me eating in the canteen alone.

Overall, I feel that whether it is being alone or with a crowd of people, it all depends on the situations I am in. Irony plays a huge part too. When I need someone, there isn't anyone there for me. When I don't need them, they are there. Having said that, one should always enjoy every single time they have with or without their friends.

CIAOS!

Just walk down the street and you can see lots of food stalls that sell delicious food that makes your mouth water and your tummy grumble. The huge variety of food just spoils us all Singaporeans.

With so much food around me, I can’t decide on which food is my favourite. Local food is amazing. Japanese food is addictive. Western food is awesome. Peranakan food is heavenly.
I absolutely love food!

Recently, I have this addiction towards chicken chop. I’ve been eating chicken chop quite frequently for the past few months and I am not even sick of it! I think that I have found my favourite food. The tenderness of the chicken cutlet with the savouring black pepper sauce, accompanied with mouth-watering French fries and crunchy yet sweet coleslaw. The simple thought of it just makes me feel like eating it right this moment!
I feel that there is an entity of food in this whole world and it is nearly impossible to find a food that I truly call my favourite food.

Having said that, I still love Japanese food. =D

I won't recommand any stalls here because it's all up to one's opinion and interpretation on whether the food sold is nice or not. So, live life uncovering all kinds of amazing food and I think your life will be really enriching. =D

CIAOS!

Dear Mdm Jean Tan,

How are you? I hope you are fine. I heard that you are teaching at FMSS now. My purpose of writing to you is to tell you about the changes I’ve experienced since school reopened.
There are many changes that I’ve experienced since school started. Many of which, I’m not particularly very happy about. First of all, we were all asked to iron-on a new badge on our uniform because last year we had a forum talk and someone complained about the collar badge and said that it breaks easily and is very expensive. And so, the Principal deiced to change the collar badge into an iron-on one. To me, I feel that the iron-on badge is very ugly and that the collar badge looks so much better. For me, I’ve been wearing the same collar badge for 3 full years straight everyday and it has not broken once. Neither did I purchase any new one to replace any badge due to my carelessness. I feel that this is not a necessary change to our school uniform. Anyways, I’m already in my last year in this school. So what’s the point? But again, what can I do anyways? It’s the school rules after all.

Secondly, I’m finally Secondary Four! So I’m sitting in the gallery instead of the hall. It does give me a sense of seniority sitting there. At first, we were placed at the fifth level classrooms instead of the sixth. I wasn’t very happy about that. After a week or so, we were finally moved up. Thanks to Mrs Tan. That felt great. What’s the point of being Secondary Four if you’re not on the sixth level? So kudos to that!

The school is being repainted now. Honestly, I feel that the new colours are very ugly. We should really get back the old colours we had. They look so much better compared to this.
By the way, Mrs Tan is my Chemistry teacher now. Kudos to that too! She’s the best teacher I’ve ever had throughout my four years. Thank God for that! My science can be saved! Though I’m not really sure about my other subjects. I guess I just have to depend on myself since some teachers aren’t really that good to begin with.

Though I still have plenty to say, I think I will stop here for now. I would like to know about the changes you’ve experienced ever since 2008 started.

Cassandra.

I remember when I first stepped into Secondary School, I was very nervous and also filled with excitement at the same time. After all, it was a new beginning. At first, I was afraid because I did not know anyone from my class, only a few, whom had attended the same primary school as me. But we were not close at all. On the first day, I met a girl named, Aik Choo. I made friends with her. I recognized her as I’ve seen her a couple of times before when I was around my neighbourhood. I felt accomplished as I have made a friend on the first day of school.

After we had our two-hour talk by the Principal and teachers, we were guided to put respective classes. Being new in the school, we had ice breakers and games to get to know each other. I had a female form teacher and she is called Ms Heng. We had some lessons and we got to know more of the teachers teaching my class.

The whole day was filled with mixed feelings. Sometimes feeling lonely because I still have yet to know more friends. Sometimes feeling anticipated because I do not know what is going to happen next. Sometimes feeling happy and excited because of what the future lies ahead for me.

With the Secondary One Orientation Camp nearing, and the days before, we need to stay back to learn the mass dance. And all the other things that were coming up at the start of my secondary school life, I was really looking forward to everything. Good or bad. For life is not life if there are no ups and down.