It is the time of the year that the graduating students are looking forward to - the release of the GCE O Level Examination Results at 2pm on 24th Jan 2008 - according to the SEAB. Many must be very anxious right now awaiting for your results and hoping for the best L1R5 score possible. This will be the time for recognition of all your hard work and positive attitude towards the preparation of this major examination for the last 4-5 years in secondary school.
There will be students that are going to fare very well and lots of joy, but there will also be some that have not done so well in this examinations. No matter which group you belong too - i must add that you still have a long road ahead of you. Stay always Positive and remember there are many options that are available to you after your O Levels. Most important is to consider your aptitude and interests carefully before making a choice.
O Level students these days have more choices and flexibility. With choices galore, how should students decide where to go after the O’s?A good way to start is to find out where their abilities, interests and value systems lie.
Question that i will ask the students will be:
“Is the acadamic path what they have an aptitude for or are interested in? Are they more suited for hands-on, practical courses? Will their personal interests - whether in sports, the arts or other areas - be catered to?”
JCs would suit academically-inclined students who want a more direct path to university. They can also provide a stronger sense of community, as students wear uniforms, are put in smaller classes and are subjected to the culture and ethos of their JC.
Polytechnic education, on the other hand, is valued for its practical nature and relevance to the industry requirements. It is also seen as an increasingly viable route to University. Students from polytechnic benefit from industrial attachments and practical projects which give them the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills. I can attest to earlier statements for polytechnic education - as i was a product from there and are doing really well. After my O Levels, whereby i scored pretty well and given the choice to join a top-ranking JC - i went for a Diploma course in Singapore Polytechnic. I learnt alot during those days in Polytechnic as well as the 2 industrial attachments (@ Nestle R & D Centre and a Chemical Testing Laboratory in Singapore). After 3 years, I graduated with a Diploma in Chemical Process Technology (with merit) and went on for further education in National University of Singapore for a honours degree course in Applied Chemistry. I must say that the Diploma course in Polytechnic stimulated my mind in Chemistry and thus the Chemical related industry. You can see more in the tab on “about” at the top of this page.
Another alternative for O Level leavers is the ITE, which prides itself on a “hands-on, minds-on, hearts-on” education. It produces 10,000 workforce-ready graduates a year.Some of their courses, such as Digital Audio and Video Production, qualify students for industries where portfolios matter more than academic qualifications. ITE provide opportunities for O-Level school leavers without the five O-levels needed to enrol in polytechnics, but who have the passion, interest and aptitude for such training.
The Key to making the right post O-Levels choice is to ask questions and be active in exploring options. All students should take the time to do research, ask questions, go to open houses…so they can check which avenue affords them the best opportunity to develop themselves in the way they want.
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