JC can be quite an experience. Only two years (which, trust me, will go by much faster than you’d think), with the oh-so-exciting prospect of A Levels at the end of it all.
It was only in retrospect, after graduating from JC, that I realised there were certain things I wish I’d known before starting out, that would have made things so much easier along the way. Even as a Year 1, there were things about Year 2 which I should have known but had utterly no clue about.
I hope that if you stumble upon this article, it will help you in some way along your JC journey. Maybe it will bring to light the things unbeknownst to me when I was just starting out. Maybe then you wouldn’t feel as clueless as I did back then.
On Orientation
1. ‘IP activities’ may not always be worth it
If you’re from the Integrated Programme (IP), you may very well find yourself starting school even before the JAE students join you. We had three weeks of ‘IP activities’ from 15 Jan to 1 Feb.
There was a whole range of activities—mostly lectures, some diagnostic tests for special programmes, and a few external visits with limited slots—that we could attend on a sign-up basis. As a long-time learning addict, I naively signed up for as many activities as I could fit in each day, going for all that appeared interesting to me (which meant, well, nearly everything).
Most of them were rather interesting, but useless. (I mean, why would they cover anything in the syllabus when half the student population isn’t even there yet?) I remember close to nothing I learnt from those three weeks.
Three weeks are precious. These are the last few weeks of real holidays you’ll ever get in the next two years. Go for some IP activities—those that appeal to you the most or for a subject you really want to find out more about. Skip the rest. Trust me, you’re not missing out on anything.
2. The orientation period will be rather long
You’d think that with the hefty amount of content to cover in less than two years, the school would jump right into it and start teaching as soon as possible. But no. Orientation typically lasts for another three weeks. Mine was from 2 to 21 Feb, and official timetabled lessons did not start until 26 Feb (a full nine weeks into the year!)
This arrangement has always baffled me. Even Secondary One Orientation had been only a week—and we didn’t have A Levels to think about then. What’s more, the first half of Orientation is spent not on getting to know your class or Faculty/House but instead within an odd entity known as OGs (or Orientation Groups).
3. OGs don’t last
This is sad but true. I had a great time in my OG. I talked to many people and had fun playing all the games planned by Council. But then again, I didn’t develop close or lasting relationships with anyone. Not anyone.
If you’re in a really ‘onz’ or ‘lit’ OG, you may find yourself going out for OG outings and OG dinners throughout the weeks of Orientation—which often last late into the night. As I already had regular CCA trainings, and I was not one to stay out late, I gave most of these a miss. And I have no regrets.
Every OG is different. But in my experience (and that of almost everyone I’ve asked), OGs don’t last. They last long enough to sustain you through Orientation—and maybe for a few more week after. The WhatsApp group slowly becomes inactive—and then dies down completely.
One reason is that an OG is huge. Each has more than 30 people, sometimes close to 40—bigger than a CG, or Civics Group (the maximum class size is 26). Given the short time frame, you can’t even guarantee you’ll have actually spoken to everyone in your OG by the end of the ‘OG period’ of Orientation, much less be on speaking terms with them throughout the rest of your JC years.
Another reason is that once we’re all split into CGs, everyone goes off to their CGs—very literally. On top of that, you have all the excitement about Faculties/Houses coming in. No one cares about OGs anymore.
Once, during a PE elective in JC2, I casually informed a guy from another CG that I knew him because we’d been from the same OG. I still remembered his name and his CCA. He looked genuinely surprised.
For many people, the OG experience will be a fleeting one. If you hope to make new friends from OG, a word of advice is to forge a few close bonds—rather than trying to get close to everyone. Treasure the new friendships and stay in contact with those who matter most to you.
On School Life
4. The bulk of your time will be spent with your CG (and maybe CCA)
The first big important thing you have to understand about life in JC is that there is much less time to get to know people outside of your CG and your CCA.
That’s mainly because the timetables are highly staggered due to the myriad of different subject combinations in the school. You share the same timetable with only your classmates. No more common recess times.
I’ll always remember gathering at our favourite spot in the school with my basketball batchmates every recess in secondary school. In JC, that becomes impossible. At the start of the year, my batchmates compiled a list of all our free periods to determine days in the week when we could have a batch lunch. There was none to be found.
If your CCA is an intensive one with several sessions a week, another group of faces you’ll see most often will be those of your CCA mates.
So it would be a good idea to forge close friendships within your CG as well as your CCA. These are the people you—like it or not—will be stuck with for two years.
5. Two years will pass by like one (or less)
In JC, everything is at 1.5x speed. Not surprising, given the sheer amount of content in the syllabus to be covered.
But it’s not just that lessons are faster-paced and you’re expected to take charge of your own learning. Everything seems to go by too fast for your mind to process.
The days are long, but the weeks are short. Sometimes a single day (or every single day) may seem difficult to get through, but a week flies by and you find yourself looking back incredulously at all the time that has elapsed. Before you know it, you’re about to graduate. Before you know it, A Levels is just around the corner.
On CCA and Other Commitments
6. Make the most of the opportunities—and go for what you love
JC will be brimming with so many opportunities you may feel utterly bewildered trying to decide which one(s) to take up. First of all, find out as much as you can about these programmes, events, committees, interest groups, CIPs, OCIPs, etc. Focus on those that interest you.
If you’d like to get a clearer idea than the scant information being given to you, you can always seek out teachers in charge of that activity. Or, even better, ask seniors who have gone through it before you. (This, I feel, is the best option. You can get a first-hand account. However, it’s not always easy to find these seniors if you don’t have a lot of ‘connections’.)
In the end, just settle for those that really, really appeal to you. The practical advice would be to consider the course of study you hope to apply for in university, and build up your portfolio accordingly. I personally do not endorse this advice.
To make the most of your JC life, never limit yourself in this way. If you’re inspired and invigorated by the learning, go for it. If you have a strong conviction for a certain cause, go for it. If you look at something and immediately think “yes, I want that”, then go for it.
I do not believe in ‘force-fitting’ or considering “will this help in my uni apps / look good on my portfolio?” for every undertaking. Perhaps I am foolish. But I can say, despite knowing with great certainty that I want to study Medicine, 95 percent of the extra-curricular activities I engaged in during JC were not med-related. And never once did I think, maybe this will help get me into med school.
Then again, if you’re truly passionate about what you’ve decided on for uni, then the opportunities in JC that scream out at you will likely align with that as well. Maybe not directly (most universities aren’t looking for that anyway) but it will speak about who you are.
7. Don’t overfill your plate
Cramming your portfolio with countless activities isn’t going to boost your standing in the eyes of the admissions officers. It’s really what you’ve gained from these pursuits that count.
Furthermore, you have to first make sure that your academics are in check. Overloading yourself with too many extra-curricular activities will take away time from studying. Carefully weigh whether or not you can handle that before diving headlong into any commitment.
My advice? Focus on a few, main commitments. Devote yourself to them. Reflect constantly. It’s much better to do a few things well—and have gained a lot from them—than to have many scattered commitments that show nothing about who you are.
8. It may be a great time to pick up a new sport
A surprising number of people who were in non-sports CCAs in secondary school choose to join a sports CCA in JC. A small but significant number of those originally in sports CCAs choose a new sport rather than continuing with their previous one.
What’s exciting is that JC often has ‘new’ sports that are seldom seen in secondary school. Ultimate frisbee, soccer, tchoukball, touch rugby, canoeing, water polo… The amazing thing is that there are girls’ teams for all of these sports as well. The most amazing thing is that you do not need any prior experience.
Almost everyone starts out with zero experience. So everyone is on the same starting line, more or less. Don’t worry about not being “sporty” enough. You can go for their trial CCA sessions and decide for yourself whether it’s for you.
I may have a slightly biased opinion here because I’ve been in a sports CCA my whole life. But really, there’s nothing like the camaraderie you’ll get between you and your teammates. And there’s nothing like the spirit and resilience that will define your journey.
On Grades and Applications
9. Don’t forget to plan for admissions tests and university applications
This was one big thing I was clueless about and didn’t bother finding out more.
I had set my sights on the only two undergraduate medical schools in Singapore (due to the fact that there are no scholarships for studying Medicine overseas). I didn’t really consider anything else.
I’ll leave the story of my university applications experience for another time, because that is an entire saga (i.e. a colossal mess) and too twisted to summarise here in brief. (Look out for my University Applications series!)
In short, I started JC2 without any idea how the application timeline looks like—particularly not for overseas (UK, US) universities. I did not know what the SAT and BMAT were. (Thankfully, I did eventually find out, studied hard for them, and did okay.)
Just a heads up, the SAT will be close to mid-year and is required for entry to US universities. (Note: For JC2s this year, the SAT tests in June have just been cancelled due to COVID-19. They’re floating the possibility of at-home online testing.) Some of my friends took the ACT, but most students choose the SAT.
If you’re considering Medicine, the BMAT is a requirement for entry to NTU med. It is also a prerequisite for several medical schools in the UK (including Oxbridge). It will be in late October (right in the middle of your A Levels).
If you’re into Law, you’ll likely be taking the LNAT. You can book a slot from mid-September to mid-October (which means you can likely steer clear of your A Levels).
Another thing to note is that if you’re thinking of applying overseas, you can’t wait till after receiving you A Levels results to start worrying about the applications. UK (UCAS) application deadlines are typically 15 October (the year you’re taking your A Levels). US (Common App) application deadlines for Early Admission are usually 1 November, Regular Decision 1 January the following year.
I’ll go into greater detail in my next series on University Applications. The point to remember here is to find out about the admissions tests and application timelines, sign up or apply, note down the important dates, and factor them in your planning for JC2.
10. The ECG is your best resource
With regard to universities and future careers, the most invaluable resource is the Education and Career Guidance (ECG) unit. Every JC has one.
Besides allowing you to arrange consultations with ECG counsellors, the ECG will also organise a host of different events, talks and workshops throughout the year. They send out useful resources and important notifications regarding universities and scholarships. When the time comes, they’ll be the ones helping you through the applications process and sending your grades off to universities abroad.
So get yourself familiar with the ECG unit and ECG counsellors in your school. They will be of immense help along the way.
11. Never let grades or even A Levels govern your JC life
JC life is exciting. It’s meant to be two of the best years of your life. No one would wish to look back upon these two years and remember only the struggle and stress of mugging for exams and the A Levels.
No doubt, our current education system still hinges heavily on standardised testing. And when it comes to major national exams, such as the A Levels, the number or letter on a piece of paper can determine, to a significant extent, your future path.
We are, as yet, powerless to change that. So we strap ourselves into a slot on this ever-running conveyor belt. We slog away for hours to get that number or letter we (or they) want.
I know you may have to put more emphasis on grades during this period than you’ve ever done before. (Especially for me, having never cared about exam results in ten years.) But that doesn’t mean you have to forgo the friendships, experiences and little moments that will, ultimately, make up your JC life.
One example: In JC2, I wanted to sign up for a three-day programme in June to experience the military. Context: I had already blocked off the entire first week of the holidays for my OCIP trip. Block Test 2 was right after the June holidays.
My dad was incredulous. I told him I would manage my time well. I said I still had time. “With the A Levels, no matter how much time you have, it will never be enough,” he warned. He also did not hide his disbelief that I would choose to devote so much time to something that would not help my A Levels nor my university applications in the slightest.
There was truth in his words. But I laughed, and went anyway. I had the time of my life.
Of course, if I was barely scraping by academically, I would have heeded my dad’s advice. The key, I believe, is the mindset. Even as we have to take the A Levels seriously, we should never, ever imprison ourselves with mere numbers or letters.
Have a question? Leave a comment below or DM me on Instagram @thelowkeymedic.