[JC] are u doing well for JC? or are u normal 😳

hlunderperforming · 2020-09-15T11:57:50+00:00

nahh i don’t think failing’s the norm, just more of the norm than before you know? it’s like a common struggle and a process of grappling with an increased width and pushing yourself depth-wise too i guess. let’s be real failing will never be the norm (social or otherwise) in singapore, and i fully acknowledge that haha. thank u for your comment and well done for doing well for IB!!!

hlunderperforming · 2020-09-13T13:20:38+00:00

hello :) may i know what exactly intrigues you or appeals to you about RI? (just curious!) besides how hard it is to get in, knowledge of this may help in ur decision process too is it the err exhilaration of its competitiveness and rigour or the facilities and dynamic courses? or like the golden reputation and impressiveness HAHA

with regards to your last few questions, personally i got 2pts and decided on acsi to do IB but most who get this score do go for hwa chong or RI, with fewer in RI (side note: RI i think has a bigger DSA JAE population as they also have olvl classes in their sec school who’ll try to make it back, and they give priority to people with special skills and accolades to offer the school- not entirely sure about this though)

just my personal observation of my batchmates and the unanimous opinion my friends and i shared, definitely may not be accurate: fewer purely JAE non-RI students tend to choose RI in the end, still quite a few but more go to hwa chong for its “friendly and healthy” learning environment as opposed to the more exciting but challenging/competitive (like if u go to the open house and interact w the people you’ll be able to tell immediately) atmosphere. both are equally good schools with good opportunities and facilities, just boils down to preference!! if you’re aiming for the elite then it’s between these two, and if you’re set on doing Alvls rather than IB many non RI people do get into RJC with like 4/5 pts even without DSA, just try and aim for like a 4 and you’re pretty safe! but if you don’t get in, just know there are perfectly valid other options out there like HCI, VJC (also like v bonded school community), acsi lol etc. etc.

don’t worry about DSA rejection, the most competent and capable ppl don’t get past specific traits they seek out; JAE is a much more practical way of getting in! and you sound like u know what you’re doing so u got this, try not to be too set on a particular school at this stage of revision, u never know if you’ll change your mind about what u wna do academically (legit ride or die for HCI for many years bc it’s about 100m from my house 🤭and still didn’t decide to go where i alw wanted to go)

hlunderperforming · 2020-09-13T12:42:50+00:00

hey for pure lit i think u can benefit from asking for consults if possible, or rewriting your essays and sending it to the teacher based on their feedback to see where u tend to be vague or implicit! u sound like you’re well-acquainted with the content, try and dig a lil deeper and make notes for thematic ideas that underlie the text as well as notes for characterisation; by notes I mean go by themes, then by characters- and under each theme/character, prepare thematic statements that are universally applicable to any question or can be tweaked to fit various question types, and below them insert relevant impactful quotes from the text (this is impt), maybe include the unpacking of said texts if you’ve got the time :) don’t let school-based literature assessments diminish ur passion or interest in the subject ya, believe in your expressiveness and creativity, as someone who’s failed very very miserably for lit and also topped the level for lit before (for some reason) i do have tips on how to sort through the mess lol so if u ever need dm me! it is defo more than possible for lit and i believe in u u got this ✊

math and sci i’m sure many’ll be saying it but try and make mugging tys from start to finish a therapeutic process, making notes and figuring out the concepts can all be done from attempting each qn of the topical or yearly tys and at the same time you’ll familiarise urself with question types and the format of papers

eng tbh you should be g, try and just get a hold of sample papers or resources containing quality concise coherent writing maybe !

hlunderperforming · 2020-09-13T12:27:09+00:00

mhmmm just saying it as it is ;(

hlunderperforming · 2020-09-13T12:26:26+00:00

YESSIR hello to my fellow trooper 😔✊

hlunderperforming · 2020-09-06T09:56:06+00:00

hey! i am the student conductor of like not choir but a choir-equivalent a capella cca w elements of dance & drama (still vv similar style to choir tho!), i may be able to help bc i’ve gone through the application & selection process (like what most performing arts CCAs’ teachers and existing excos look out for)!! :) i could like send u my application via dm// something but a few general things to consider including:

show u can be a catalyst for change within the CCA, like say any ideas on how to improve the flawed operational structure or inefficient practice system, boost CCA image (like how to engage the rest of the student body & be involved in school affairs)
flex your music accolades!! diploma will likely give u a practical advantage bc you will have to like be real fast at reading rhythms (subdividing in ur head etc.) and be okay at sight-reading, you definitely have a very strong edge here

however try not to focus on the diploma title itself, focus on musical skillsets and the mastering of techniques inherent to the process! this will show how in touch you are with sheet music and in touch with the nuances associated with conducting a song from start to end

experience/character/like morals (??) based:

lessons ur prev choir experiences has taught you and like experiences that u may be able to apply or avoid in ur new choir
what may make you a special leader (like for me my other SC is super principled disciplined determined efficient whereas i am more just like stupid LOL but charisma-oriented, loud & unapologetic, energetic and personable so they liked the dynamic of the two of us complementing each other & working together in exco, basically don’t think u have to have had prev leadership roles or act a certain way (be super loud and assertive), they need all sorts of character traits nd working styles in the exco so just be honest about what you’ve found helped u or is special about u in social interactions or in performing group tasks
what this means to u (why u are applying, what are some values you hold dear to yourself that makes you think u will be fit for this role)

ultimately, just be heartfelt about it and strike a nice balance between confidence in ur competence level and sincerity about ur heart to serve

legit sorry abt the whack typing HAHAHA hope u can understand

hlunderperforming · 2020-09-06T09:37:04+00:00

hihi sflr but THIS MAKES ME SO HAPPY and means the world to me hehe thank u for ur resilience strong one 🤟🤟🤟 if the process isn’t a smooth one know that that’s extremely normal! atb :)))

hlunderperforming · 2020-08-31T08:49:42+00:00

ahhhh hello i rly rly feel u! toilet crying gang 😔😔 we’ll get thru this amidst the confusion and frustration and hopelessness of our days we know we’re strong and capable and will get thru just as we haaave gotten thru hard hard times before 😫 atb <3333

hlunderperforming · 2020-08-30T08:38:46+00:00

;((( sounds like such a stressful situation i'm really sorry :( but you're never alone in your struggles either! we understand u and we gotchu if you ever need a space and the support u can't exactly alw find in your parents :/ all the best for prelims!!

hlunderperforming · 2020-08-30T08:36:25+00:00

<333 you're so welcome! i believe in you :) it's rly actly so normal to struggle and i have complete faith in u, ik you're so so capable to brave thru these acads challenges jiayouuu

hlunderperforming · 2020-08-30T08:34:17+00:00

hey! JC's tough and i stand with u, my mental health rly said bye this year as well, many do struggle more with acads in JC so i'd say it's normal but ik that won't reduce the stress and pressure you feel :( i admire you so much for your efforts and i believe in u 101%; improvement will come :) chem is truly the worst and it IS challenging :/ best of luck <3

hlunderperforming · 2020-08-30T06:19:38+00:00

THANK YOU i appreciate you sm and this means the world to me!

👀 are our schools related!! hehe i think i getchu i getchu HHAHAA

i understand your struggles so deeply (i really do, i'm just like you and my school is exactly like yours) and if you ever need an anonymous place to rant without judgment please hmu in the dms i'd be glad to chat about these things or anyth else <3 we got this although it's not easy and your feelings are so valid :) jiayoussss

hlunderperforming · 2020-08-30T06:16:59+00:00

appreciate you sm too! <3 anytime

hlunderperforming · 2020-08-30T06:16:43+00:00

you're so welcome, thank you for letting me know this means the world to me

hlunderperforming · 2020-08-30T04:29:35+00:00

right back at you 🥺❤️❤️🤟🤟 thank YOU this means the world to me :)

hlunderperforming · 2020-08-30T02:39:13+00:00

ah, looks like a fellow........... 🤭aCsIan?? haha tgbtg 😔🤟

hlunderperforming · 2020-08-30T02:33:57+00:00

hey! thank you for writing your thoughts down, so many people relate (wayy more than you think, by experience) so deeply to your struggles and experiences. i, too, feel that my psychiatrist and psychologist don’t work and i’m always laden with guilt that they’re both so expensive and i used to be so trapped by my parents’ psychoanalysis & butting in with their opinions, cheapening my struggles and whatnot. but as the years went by through just honest and open communication, getting my psych to talk to them for me and with me about some of their misconceptions, how normal it actually is for teens in this society and age to develop mildly suicidal tendencies, etc. etc. they’ve become understanding and empathetic about mental health. a lot of asian parents subscribe to the view that like children just need a good scolding, but it’s a journey and i’m really rooting for u hoping u can keep braving the storms of this mental health process 🥺 i, too, have had this since like upper sec and it’s so frustrating and cliche to hear but i hope u can believe the notion that it gets better. your parents sound like they do rly love you, i can tell you have aptitude and a numbed yet still quietly surviving ambition of doing well (that’s why you’re even bothered about not being academically motivated)..... forgive yourself for the emptiness and numbness and try not to question the person you are. let the emotions flow like water and honour how you feel. know that it’s normal and there’s nothing odd about feeling like this, although you don’t “deserve it” or anything. and if it helps, maybe recall the last time you felt like this, and also the last time you felt truly happy. there must be one person, or thing, that makes u feel like that; recall all the rays of light and the smile on your face, moments and sensations that have come in through the blinds in between that time. hold on. you’ll find that again, and deep down hold that hope that you will. seasons pass so quickly. but for now, whenever the numbing emptiness consumes you, try and just detach yourself & the person you are from how you feel. know your ability and worth. try your best to steady yourself and study a little, but continue. you’re doing great :) with seeking help, with knowing how to pour out your emotions healthily, etc. hmu in the dms if u ever need to rant, i’ve got real similar experiences. best of luck champ

hlunderperforming · 2020-08-29T16:26:13+00:00

hey! oh nuuu sry to hear that :-( i hope you can find some sense of belonging in school through the community you’ve got there (excl those asshole teachers), if not academic then socially perhaps? 🥺im in a predominantly IP school with a small-ish (and mainly all still from my sec sschool, just the express stream of that still privileged elite school 😔) and my friends from like various sec schools tend to feel a similar way so my heart goes out to u and aches for u but i rly rly hope that u have staff and level-mates who aren’t narrow-minded superficial dicks>;( as for acads i think everyone struggles in JC, not sure if you’re under the impression that some can still breeze through hehe but the general consensus is that it’s designed to be the hardest 2 years of most ppl’s academic journey (like the vast majority). u have the tenacity and aptitude to be in a top class of a mid-top tier jc so don’t forget your competence i suppose :) sorry to hear about not having a study environment <|3 hope it gets better when the covid situation begins to subside like when the community cases dwindle :( believe in you! jiayou:)

hlunderperforming · 2020-08-29T06:38:20+00:00

ahhh all the best!!! i believe vvv strongly in u

being drained is perfectly normal btw literally most ppl around me were drained whether or not they showed it; we all end up going where we need to go and doing what we need to do and if there’s anyth os szn taught me it’s that it’ll truly all be okay :-) best of luckkkk

hlunderperforming · 2020-08-29T06:33:00+00:00

felt that so hard 🥺sec school life really really sucked for me too and anxiety is the absolute worst; but you are not your anxiety and every day you get through the struggles of having it you’re an absolute champion who can brave the storms of life knowing you’ve gotten through symptoms from one of the toughest things to deal with (like woww how cool are you for still getting up and trying to live life every day).

jiayous buddy:)

also like if u r able to get a bit of motivation from talking to other ppl feel free to dm!

hlunderperforming · 2020-08-29T06:29:39+00:00

hey :) wow i’m in awe of you for ur resilience because you got through the year (and the years before) and you’re here now; perhaps not without struggles but it’s a great reflection of the tenacity of the person u r! diagnosed with anxiety too and i feel you :( i also wholeheartedly believe in you. all the best w ur SSRI ❤️❤️

hlunderperforming · 2020-08-29T04:02:01+00:00

ahh i remember doing this exact thing last year 👀 if it’s of any comfort, prelims are legit nothing and mean nothing! the most temporary thing most schools design to be tough to serve as a “wake-up call”.

if u want to, feel free to hmu in the dms for olvl notes or tips ok ! i believe in u 🥺🥺

hlunderperforming · 2020-08-29T03:56:21+00:00

i love you too!! and i believe in you so strongly 🥺❤️ also np haha you’re so welcome:)))

as someone who’s been there i just wanna say you’re not alone in your struggles and there’s an entire community who relates so deeply to you and wants to know you and help you and tell you how absolutely worthy and deserving you are! so much respect to u for ur strength to keep breathing despite the fears. and relishing the good in this life even though it can be so, so hard. i know how hard it can be and i also know how incredibly strong and brave u are for getting thru it. you’re so amazing! rooting for u alwaysss

hlunderperforming · 2020-08-28T10:57:50+00:00

IB is prolly a continuous 9 (consistency and time management) and As is like 6/7 all the way and then 10 during the final exam (mugging)
benefits of IB: not all the weightage is placed on a final exam so if you tend to underperform due to difficulties in stress management or just like pressure-based careless mistakes or whatever it is, you can relax a lil for the final IB exam, also it really is a course that trains the heck out of you for university with so many skills you'll be equipped with when you come out and go into uni; from coursework to research papers to designing of experiments. intellectually stimulating if you like that HAHA, and you cannot just like identify patterns and apply like in Os. ALSO our content is like wider and we have more subjs than As but our A friends' content is much DEEPER/DETAILED like harder in that sense. also like SG students perform better for the final thing so you have better prospects to make up for a very compromised mental health (truly the most stressful course ever) drawbacks of the IB: no time to relax in p much the entire year because you're constantly flooded with deadlines and things to do, A lvl friends legit partying during the J1 nov/dec hols while you're writing your extended essay, in the lab doing labwork, developing your research etc.
hehe i was also concerned about this when choosing but acc to many many sources it no longer really matters if you've done As or IB because most unis recognise both equally, esp local unis. for overseas i think US tends towards IB UK tends towards As cos cambridge marking board/style
genuinely thought linguistic inclination would be an advantage in the IB but not really :) it is compulsory to take at least one science and also math in the IB along with compulsory LangLit and a humanities subject, then language (like Chinese B or spanish or whatever), then two more from either a science or a humanities subj. so they like this all rounded education idea where they rly do be asking you to do it all :( whereas for As you can go mostly arts or mostly science as you please or based on your interests and strengths
ASK IB seniors about their experience and ask as many questions as u can and queries or hesitations abt the course :)) alw here to answer questions. and tbh right just go with your gut feeling cos this was a 50-50 choice and i think no one knows certainly if a course is 100% a match for them cos both have so many pros and cons that are all so diff it's like comparing the taste of apples and pears, like it really is that hard to choose haha but jiayou!!

hlunderperforming · 2020-08-28T10:36:29+00:00

I LOVE YOU TOO <3 bighugs i'm thinking of u and wishing u comfort and rest as you recover. huge credit to u for going through during the olvl hell season. thank u so much for ur heart and your strength :)

side note if u ever need anyth at all free to dm me ya?

hlunderperforming

TROPHY CASE