This surprisingly transformative journey began in a rather strange way. I was at the gym post-promos, and I’d forgotten to bring my phone down. As such, I was left with nothing but the steady thump of footsteps on a treadmill, the distinct scent of rubber mats, and…myself. Between sets, I sat on that gym bench, phone-less and forced to be profoundly bored. I didn’t expect so little to teach me so much.

Yet there is something in classical music’s quiet endurance that deserves attention. Music that survives hundreds of years surely does not do so by accident. It has to speak to the deepest depths of human experience. Modern pop hits may come and go, shaped by fleeting trends and computer algorithms, but classical music endures because it is profound, complex, and universally human.

It is unethical to force individuals to be vaccinated because the harms do not outweigh the benefits, and it does not consistently produce positive utility. Instead of superficially weighing the harms and benefits with a flawed calculus, we must work on adopting a more nuanced ethical framework - one that takes into account autonomy, consent and rights. 

Before we embarked on this VIA activity, we assumed it would be no different from the ones we had completed in the past. We expected it to be just another task where we fulfilled the requirements, logged our volunteer hours, and moved on. At the time, we saw it as simply another entry to add to our portfolios. But how wrong we were.

Term 1 was a period of new beginnings — both for the J2s and the new J1s. Here is a look back on some of its highlights:

Starbucks was founded in 1971 in Seattle's Pike Place Market by Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl and Gordon Bowker. It initially focused strictly on selling high-quality roasted coffee beans and equipment, not brewed drinks. The pivotal change occurred after Howard Schultz joined the company in 1982. A trip to Milan in 1983 exposed him to the captivating Italian coffee bar culture, where cafés served as a vibrant social hub.

Want out of the rut of choosing the same few dishes in the college canteen and cafe? There’s no need to venture beyond campus grounds in search of eateries slightly off the beaten track; your hectic schedule doesn’t need any more of such frivolous wastes of time! Alternative food options await at the fingertips of all EJ’s students and staff, namely the vending machines stashed with a repository of ready-made meals, breakfast items and snack foods!

Yet, once every year in late January, there comes a day when the Eunoian throws out all notions of ease to embark on a majestic quest for glory — for self, for class, for House and for school. This great quest is called “Spartan”.

While a small group may be able to comfortably afford these goods and genuinely appreciate them, the vast majority cannot. For most, the prices are wildly disproportionate to their income, and more often than not, not remotely justified by what they receive.

Tick-tock. The old grandfather’s clock in the study had been stuck for years. Paused in time, like a long-forgotten heartbeat frozen in stasis. But tonight, it ticked again. A single click. Then another.

The sky turns dark. Our footsteps hasten, her grip strengthens. Fading sunlight streams in through the rose-tinted windows, illuminating the abandoned terminal with an eerie magenta hue. It’s a pretty look for the end of the world.

The sky hung low and bruised, swollen with the last light of day as Myra slammed the car door shut with a bang. The old Toyota trembled under the force of the blow as she trudged down the street, coffee cup in one hand and her work bag in the other. Swatting at a fly buzzing in her ear, the lid of the coffee cup came loose and a good portion of the coffee splashed onto her white blouse.

Continuing our 2025 CCA Showcase, Part 2 turns the spotlight to Eunoia Junior College’s Performing Arts CCAs. In this installment, creativity takes centre stage as our students find a space to express themselves and experience the joy of showcasing their talents with like-minded peers.

Part 3 of the 2025 CCA Showcase brings Eunoia Junior College’s Sports CCAs into focus. Grounded in teamwork, perseverance, and commitment, these CCAs offer students a space to grow through challenge, strengthen camaraderie, and experience the rewards of striving together.

Regardless of whether you're a prospective student wondering about the CCAs Eunoia has to offer or a current student reminiscing about your CCA journey, a warm welcome to Part 1 of Eunoia Junior College's 2025 CCA showcase. CCAs are the heartbeat of Eunoia - on top of providing a safe space for students to meet like-minded peers and explore their interests, they serve as a platform for students to pick up new skills and forge unforgettable memories.

Designed to complement student life beyond CCAs, Eunoia Junior College's special programmes offer structured opportunities for students to deepen their interests, broaden their perspectives, and grow through purposeful engagement beyond the classroom. In doing so, they empower students to take initiative, develop critical skills, and explore their potential in meaningful ways.

As he glanced out the window, he could see the well-lit roads, people preparing for the Christmas season. Christmas trees were set up outside and the streets were lined with decorated houses. However, as he looked back into his room, the dry, grey paint on his walls were peeling off. It was a dark and silent room with just a glimpse of light shining through the glass window through the door. He climbed back into his bed, with creaking sounds, he twitched. He was lethargic and

No one noticed when the list stopped being made. That was the problem. For generations, the idea had been comforting in its simplicity: be good, be rewarded; be bad, be punished. Coal instead of toys. A lesson, not a sentence. Parents used it as leverage. Children pretended not to believe while secretly hoping it was true. But belief is a fragile thing. It decays when it’s left unattended.

He had no idea how he’d feel when the clock struck midnight. Just last year, at this exact same time, he recalled feeling the most wonderful feeling of peace. The scene looked almost the same - heavy snowfall, fire crackling, hot cocoa. Most importantly, his wife was seated beside him, smiling radiantly as he reminisced. He enjoyed their Christmas Eve chats the most. 

“It’s the first snow of the season,” his new father said, handing him a mug of something nutty that warmed his stomach when he drank. “It’s good luck.” His new parents stood close behind him, not touching as he pressed his nose onto the windowpane. They had learnt, slowly, that contact was a language that he did not yet speak.