How our school experiences helped us decide on what’s next
18 Jan 2024
What’s next after O-Levels? Three graduates from Yuan Ching Secondary School tell us what their next steps might look like. One thing is certain – they all want to pursue a path aligned with their passions and interests.
By Lim Jun Kang
“I am already certain what I want to do, so why not just go straight into the course?”
Chong Shao Li, who graduated from Secondary 5 and successfully applied for Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s Accountancy course through the Early Admissions Exercise, recalls her Principles of Accounts teacher Mdm Koh Jie Ying sharing personal stories and experiences from her past career as an auditor.
S
hao Li (left), pictured with Mdm Koh Jie Ying.
“She told us that accountancy is not just about numbers, but about personal responsibility to not make errors,” Shao Li says. “That made me more interested in the field, and more certain about my choice, as I wanted to do something meaningful.”
“I’m lucky to be able to take part in many school competitions, and I am able to find out what I am truly interested in, not just based on the grades in my report book.”
Zhou Zi Tao, who is keen to pursue a career in media, says his interest first started when Zi Tao’s social studies teacher Mr Fahmy encouraged him to participate in the Singapore Model United Nations team representing the school in Secondary 3. His role in the Press Corp sparked his curiosity for media work.
Zi Tao (right), pictured with Mr Fahmy
“While I read the news, I have never been in the position of writing the news,” he said. “I was able to experience the struggles of being a reporter, and we could see how our newspaper articles were able to influence the outcome of the debate.”
With his results in hand, Zi Tao says that he will carefully consider between the junior college and polytechnic pathways.
“Through my time in the Malay Dance CCA, I got to learn different styles, which made me more interested in pursuing it further, because I’m constantly learning something new.”
Nur Adilah Binte Ismail has always loved Malay Dance, and especially appreciates the cultural aspect of it. In Yuan Ching Secondary, she could deepen her knowledge of the craft through opportunities such as choreographing her own dance piece in Secondary 1 for the Singapore Youth Festival.
Adilah (centre) pictured with CCA teachers Mdm Zubaidah Ariffin (left) and Ms Siti Nurshila Bte Roslan (right)
“I opted to go to JC because I can continue to hone my craft in Malay Dance and expand my repertoire through CCA. I also prefer a more structured learning environment,” she says.
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