AAA #31

Designed by: Liew Yi Xuan (21-E1)

Q1) How do I keep myself motivated for the upcoming MYEs?

Hey there! We all know that the MYEs seem like an insurmountable feat. Especially with the sheer amount of lecture notes and content to be covered, it seems like a challenge impossible to overcome. Oftentimes, after slogging for hours on edge, one may feel completely defeated and ready to throw in the towel. The prospect of giving up revision to watch a show on Netflix or go out with friends seems so tempting. We can really empathise with that feeling and we understand that it is not easy to keep yourself motivated for a test or examination. 

As the old adage goes, “Studying for a test is not a sprint but rather a marathon”. Excelling in a test requires consistent effort which is only possible if you are truly motivated to perform. 

To stay motivated, you could form study groups with your friends. This way, you and your friends can check in on each other, ensuring that everyone is on task and not distracted. It also opens up an avenue for you to easily clarify your doubts with your friends, giving both parties an opportunity to learn. Studying together also encourages everyone to remain productive as it creates an atmosphere where everyone is revising diligently. This sort of positive peer pressure can keep you motivated to work even harder. 

Another way to stay motivated is to take regular breaks in between your  study sessions to keep your mind well rested and avoid a burnout. Your brain actually has a very short attention span of about 30 minutes, therefore to maximise your productivity, you could keep the duration of each study session within 30 minutes. A popular method to do so is through the Pomodoro method, which involves a 25 minute study session before taking a 5 minute break. During the break, you could stretch, walk around the house or grab a quick snack!  By breaking up your study sessions into palatable 25 minute blocks, it should certainly be less dreadful for you to study and revision will be less ‘painful’. 

Lastly, you really should also take some time to unwind and relax before the school term starts. Granted, the MYEs are coming up but it certainly does not mean that we should stay at home, 24/7, to study. It is necessary to take some time off work to de-stress to pace ourselves and maintain a good momentum when studying. You could spend some time watching a football match, go cycling around Singapore or catching up with your friends. Regardless of how your way of destressing, remember to have fun and cast your studies aside for that brief moment! Appropriate levels of relaxation are beneficial for your mental health and will keep you more motivated for the challenges that lie ahead. 

Aunt Agatha would like to remind everyone that while it is important to study, one should always bear in mind that their well-being and health is of greater importance! It requires both the will of the mind and a conducive environment for one to stay motivated. With that, Aunt Agatha hopes that she is of help and wishes everyone the best of luck for the MYEs!

Q2: I’m looking for films on Netflix that are heartfelt and worth watching. What do you recommend?

Hello there! Are you tired of scrolling through Netflix aimlessly without finding any films to watch? It’s definitely a common problem faced by most Netflix subscribers, especially since the Phase 3 Heightened Alert has left us at home, binge-watching movies on movies during our free time. So we definitely understand your concerns on wanting to have more options. Since you've indicated your interest in heartfelt movies, we’ve done our research and here are some suggestions for you!

Netflix recently released ‘Five Feet Apart’, an emotional movie that tells the story of two young patients with cystic fibrosis who fall in love with each other, but the odds are not in their favour. The movie provides insight into the life of patients with cystic fibrosis, "an inherited disorder that causes severe damage to the lungs, digestive system and other organs in the body" (Mayo Clinic, 2020). Through watching their interactions and way of life, the movie helps us understand their struggles, and therefore practice greater compassion and empathy. 

Calling all animal lovers! If you’re looking for a heartfelt film, ‘A Dog's Journey’ might be the one for you. As a continuation of A Dog's Purpose (which was also narrated from the canine's perspective), this film is sure to give you a closer look into how dogs think, function, play, and more. The “Boss Dog” is reincarnated multiple times, each time as a different breed. "Boss Dog" eventually encounters CJ, and remembers its mission to protect her, a task which was entrusted to it before it passed away in the arms of its first owner, Ethan. The movie reinforces the notion that dogs are "Man's best friend", loyal companions that will stick to us till the end of time. 

Lastly, we strongly recommend watching ‘200 Pounds Beauty’, a film set in the context of modern-day Korea. It provides insight into Korea's societal beauty standards, and the harsh stigma of those who have undergone plastic surgery. Han-na, an obese female, is a back-up singer with a melodious voice, but is forced to stay backstage because of her appearance. Tired of receiving hurtful insults, she undergoes plastic surgery and is transformed into a svelte singer Jenny. She experiences problems with her friendships and relationships, posing the question if the surgery had improved her life at all. Heartfelt and emotional, the movie delves deeper into the harsh beauty standards of women in Korea, and serves as a reminder that the process of plastic surgery is not all smooth and glamorous. 

We hope you'll enjoy these recommendations!  Go on then, grab a bucket of popcorn, (a box of tissues, perhaps) and binge watch! Remember, Aunt Agatha is always one question away! Happy watching!

Q3) I’ve been cooped up at home for nearly the entire June break! What are some activities I can do outside with friends while still keeping to the Covid-19 regulations?

Hi! We empathise with the struggle of finding things to do and new places to explore when there are strict safe distancing measures put in place, but fret not, we have come up with a handful of suggestions for you to check out! But before everything, do make sure to keep up with the new regulations as they do change quite often. 

Holding picnics with friends has been a common sight over the past few years! Surrounded by lush greenery, jamming out to your favourite songs, feeling the cool breeze against your face, what more could you possibly ask for? During this June break, we realised that seaside picnics have become the latest trend! There have been quite a few viral TikTok videos of picnics on breakwaters, where the view of the horizon is absolutely breathtaking. Picnics are a wonderful way to destress and reconnect with the world after being isolated at home for a period of time. Just remember to clean up after yourself and leave the place as it was, or even better, cleaner than when you first arrived!

Another suggestion would be to visit art galleries and various pop-up exhibitions around Singapore. Singapore’s art scene is quite underrated, and it is always interesting to find new local artists and their artwork. A place  we would recommend is Gillman Barracks. They have a selection of art galleries, all of which have free admission and are accessible to the public. There are also a few cafes and eateries open if you visit after the dining-in restriction is lifted!

For those who are more interested in keeping fit during the pandemic, you could ask a friend to be your exercise partner during the holidays! Both of you could remind and motivate each other to go to nearby parks for a quick jog, just to get out of the house and get your blood pumping. It would be good to meet and exercise together, and you can hold one another accountable for reaching their fitness goals!

If making plans becomes too troublesome for you, you could try to go out of your way to get yourself out of the house in your day-to-day life. It could be as simple as offering to help your family buy lunch from the nearby hawker centre, or accompanying your parents on their supermarket trips. These actions may not seem much, but they still help you get a breather from being cooped up at home all day. 

We hope this helped spark your imagination for some potential outings with friends and we wish you an enjoyable rest for the remainder of the June holidays!

Bibliography

1. Mayo Clinic. (2020, March 14). Cystic fibrosis. Cystic Fibrosis - Symptoms and Causes - Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cystic-fibrosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20353700#:~:text=Cystic%20fibrosis%20(CF)%20is%20an,are%20normally%20thin%20and%20slippery.