AAA #32

Designed by: Lay Kai En, Ashley (21-O1)

Q1: JC is very fast paced and sometimes I don’t feel like I belong in this school. EJ is a good school and the fact that I managed to get in was based on luck and chance. I didn’t really expect myself to do well for ‘O’ levels, so I’m worried about whether I can hold on here because my mental health is very poor and my studies aren't great as well.

Hi there! Aunt Agatha hears you, and we definitely agree that the pace of JC curriculum is definitely extremely rigorous. It is especially hard to find a place in an environment where everyone is just competing against each other whether in academic terms or leadership wise. I sincerely hope that you will be able to find your own support system and safe space that can fall back on during bad days. While making friends that genuinely support you is sometimes easier said than done, you might be surprised by how receptive people are when you show others kindness and are open to finding common interests or participating in events with those around you. Hopefully, you will eventually come to find your kind and feel a strong sense of belonging.

Secondly, everything happens for a reason! The mere fact that you are here, in Eunoia, already means so much more than how you got here. It’s easy, and even tempting, to downplay our achievements (especially in an Asian context) and look back at what could have been, but what matters is what you choose to do from now on. Remember that your grades do not define you as a person and that while luck and chance may have played a small role in your successes, it certainly is not the defining factor of your being here.

I promise you when I say that there are good things waiting for you, so don’t ever give up on yourself! 

I know everybody says that taking care of your mental health is crucial, but it doesn’t hurt to say it again: taking care of your mental health is crucial! Mental health is a vital part of your life and impacts your thoughts, behaviors and emotions. Being healthy emotionally can promote productivity and effectiveness in activities like school. That being said, facing our inner demons is never easy, but a few small steps in that direction can go a long way. What I’ve learned throughout my six months here is that we don’t always have to be ultra-productive, sleep deprived, busy doing assignments, or rushing from one class to the next. Sometimes, slowing down is productive. Take time off to do the things you love, and spend time with people you care about. 

Aunt Agatha wishes you all the best with your time in JC and hopes you find a place you belong in eventually. We are here for you!

Q2: I'm writing to seek some advice, or perhaps some comfort? As much as I understand that JC syllabus is more difficult than secondary school syllabus, I still can't help but feel disappointed with the results I've been getting for lecture tests and MYE. I'm pretty much a result-driven student and hence I have been feeling really unmotivated these days to study. This is especially so since I always find myself struggling to keep up with the pace of lectures. Do you face the same problem (would love to hear some true personal stories) and how do you overcome such a negative mindset?

Hey there! The jump from secondary school to JC is huge, so I just want to start off by saying that it is okay if you don’t get the results you expect, and that you’re definitely not alone.

Personally, I am also very result-oriented, and get most of my motivation from the letters on my report card. Similar to you and many others, I have also seen my grades dip since entering JC, with some of what I had deemed to be my ‘strong’ subjects barely achieving a passing grade. Firstly, it is normal to feel disappointed when faced with this situation. I have scored badly in a few tests that I studied really hard for, and the immediate disappointment has made me question – What is the point of putting in so much effort if it does not translate to my grades at all? 

However, recently I have learnt to look at things from a different perspective. Instead of letting my disappointing grades deter me, why not let them do the opposite? I can use these grades as a reason and motivation to study harder for the upcoming lecture tests and major examinations. Furthermore, I try to treat this as an opportunity to improve on my weaknesses so that I can do better in the future. It’s easier said than done, but this change in mindset has helped me to have a healthier relationship with studying and maybe it could help you too.

Regarding falling behind with lectures, we hear you! As JC is very fast paced, this is an extremely common problem many students face. We recommend taking advantage of your weekends and school holidays, waking up early to maximise your time to catch up on your lectures. All the best!

Q3: I feel like I don't fit into my PW group. It feels like a 4 + 1 situation. They like to do everything last minute but I'm the complete opposite. They're always late for meetings and I'm always waiting for them. They're always talking about irrelevant things when it is time to do work and I'm always the one quietly working on my own. They always cast the blame to others (eg. our previous PW tutor) while I'm always the one analysing the situation but not blaming anyone. Should I follow suit or continue my way? After all, the majority always wins. But I really don't want to lose out on the chance of getting an A for PW. OP is coming up and my current PW tutor wants me to be happy working with them and asks me to open up to my group members. The thing is, it's only me who has the problem but no one else. What should I do?

Hi there! A lot of us have definitely been in this situation before, where our ideas and actions are different from the rest of the group . Aunt Agatha hears you and is here to give you some advice!

Firstly, the most important thing is communication. Communication is essential for you to work with your groupmates and to ensure that the project is done. However, instead of directly pointing out the problem, Aunt Agatha suggests that you start by asking them things that they can do and actively involve them in the project, for example: “I think we should focus on this first” or “What do you all think about this?” and “Any suggestions to improve this?” By asking them for their opinion and actively trying to involve them in the project, they will feel more immersed and are more likely to focus on the project.

Of course, if the situation does not improve, sitting down and conveying your thoughts honestly can help clear things up and point a way forward. Sometimes, others might truly not understand or notice what you are going through and if you talk to them calmly, perhaps they might be more considerate of you in the future. If that still does not work out, do consult your teacher on what to do next. After all, there is only so much you can do if your group mates insist on not working on the project. Do make sure to emphasise to your tutor that you have tried to engage them in the project and have sought their help only because you have tried everything.

Lastly, Aunt Agatha would like to wish you all the best for your PW project. It is definitely not easy especially with uncooperative group members, but Aunt Agatha believes that as long as you try your best and put in effort, you have done yourself proud. Good luck!

Bibliography

1. Xiong, G. (2020, October 9). Why It’s Important to Care for Your Mental Health - Doctor On Demand. Medium. https://blog.doctorondemand.com/why-its-important-to-care-for-your-mental-health-834c8670b889