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Argh I'm so frustrated with the education system here in Singapore. It's just so stressful and competitive. You also can't really "study ahead" because almost everybody else does the same thing, and for those that don't "study ahead" they just build a really strong foundation on the current topics being taught and so they are the ones that score above average.
Is this the same in Western countries? It just makes me feel so stressed out and angsty all the time. When you're 12 you take your first National Exam and you're immediately sorted out from average to American ( I kid of course :D ). You're sent to different schools that can be seen as a way of displaying your level of intelligence just by the uniform you wear. Then there's this whole deal with elitism for those that are in the top-tier schools.
I mean, when I was 13 I just took regular mechanical physics, learning about measurements and stuff like that, pretty basic right? However, I knew ex-school mates who were in the top-tier schools that were already doing thermal and wave physics. This just saddens me to know our academic capabilities are already predetermined at such a young age. Surely there are some 'later bloomers' that can't live up to their full potential because of their average and mediocre school?
Recently, I was tasked with a Science project that will make up 50% of my grade this term. The task is to pretend to be 'an active Singaporean who has just obtained [my] undergraduate degree in Nuclear Engineering from UC Berkeley, [I should] have my own views on [ using Nuclear energy in Singapore ] .' I have to back up my argument with proper research findings, expert opinions, documentaries, etc.
Is this too much to ask for from an 'average' 15 year old student? I have no idea what evidence I'am going to use other than from newspaper articles. I will also have to present my argument with ' a letter to a newspaper editor, blog, YouTube video, etc. '
Damn it!
  
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No, it's not unreasonable. Since your english seems to be excellent, use www.lexisnexis.com/scholastic for finding articles on everything, it's a great database.
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On January 31 2012 21:02 Praetorial wrote:No, it's not unreasonable. Since your english seems to be excellent, use www.lexisnexis.com/scholastic for finding articles on everything, it's a great database.
Thanks for the link, but it seems that I need an account to enter the database?
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Does it matter if its unreasonable? Its the way it is, thats it.
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Haha, now you feel the pain I have went through less than 5 years ago. Secondary ~ university was downright hell. Good luck surviving through these, A-levels are impossible in these years 
And no, this is never too much to ask. I was tasked to write General papers marked at A-level standards at the age of 14. Also, your topics are pretty detailed, so you can pretty much send in a few thousand word report.
Think of this topic from two points of view. One, you're an undergraduate from UC Berkeley. you could write about how UC Berkeley ( I have no idea what's UC Berkeley anyway ) teaches nuclear energy, and what are your views as an undergraduate for nuclear energy in Singapore. Also, after learning about nuclear energy for more than two years, you (undergraduate) should definitely know the risks for nuclear energy in Singapore.
The evidences are pretty simple. Use videos, documentaries or accounts from students/lecturers from UC Berkeley about nuclear energy taught there. Also, put in documentaries/articles of how nuclear energy can/will affect singapore. EZPZ!
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YES. That's what it is!
Also, to the guy who said that he had to write an a-level standard GP at sec 2... me too!
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On January 31 2012 21:14 Azera wrote:YES. That's what it is! Also, to the guy who said that he had to write an a-level standard GP at sec 2... me too!
I don't know about you, but I used to love projects because we can use it as an excuse to skip doing homework 
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I know how you feel :D
Drop me a PM if you really need someone to talk to or just some (good) advice. I'm matriculating this year to NUS dentistry. The past 20 years (excluding NS and toddler-hood :D ) have been tough, but hard work will pay off.
We haven't got a choice but to suck it up  Damn our insane meritocracy.
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On January 31 2012 21:17 HaruRH wrote:Show nested quote +On January 31 2012 21:14 Azera wrote:YES. That's what it is! Also, to the guy who said that he had to write an a-level standard GP at sec 2... me too! I don't know about you, but I used to love projects because we can use it as an excuse to skip doing homework
Skip homework in favour of doing projects? 'Blasphemy!', my teachers will cry. Do both at an Asian standard!
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lol u guys i stuck to narrative compos for sec school and it was so much fun
for my O levels topic "Power" i wrote an abridged altered version of Enders Game where the dude becomes intoxicated with power as he kills the aliens and in the end doesnt realise he's wiped out an entire race
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Ah, the rigorous attire code of Singapore schools. Bane of my fucking existence.
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On January 31 2012 21:20 DoX.) wrote:lol u guys i stuck to narrative compos for sec school and it was so much fun for my O levels topic "Power" i wrote an abridged altered version of Enders Game where the dude becomes intoxicated with power as he kills the aliens and in the end doesnt realise he's wiped out an entire race
For my year, I will be taking the new version of EL O-Levels. Expository essay instead of narratives =(
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On January 31 2012 21:20 DoX.) wrote:lol u guys i stuck to narrative compos for sec school and it was so much fun for my O levels topic "Power" i wrote an abridged altered version of Enders Game where the dude becomes intoxicated with power as he kills the aliens and in the end doesnt realise he's wiped out an entire race
Heard of the rumoured story of the O level topic "Bravery"?
Someone wrote
"This is Bravery."
And ended there.
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On January 31 2012 21:21 Azera wrote:Show nested quote +On January 31 2012 21:20 DoX.) wrote:lol u guys i stuck to narrative compos for sec school and it was so much fun for my O levels topic "Power" i wrote an abridged altered version of Enders Game where the dude becomes intoxicated with power as he kills the aliens and in the end doesnt realise he's wiped out an entire race For my year, I will be taking the new version of EL O-Levels. Expository essay instead of narratives =(
Expository essays are much easier than narratives imo.
Argue you ass off. You can do it pal
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On January 31 2012 21:21 theBALLS wrote:Show nested quote +On January 31 2012 21:20 DoX.) wrote:lol u guys i stuck to narrative compos for sec school and it was so much fun for my O levels topic "Power" i wrote an abridged altered version of Enders Game where the dude becomes intoxicated with power as he kills the aliens and in the end doesnt realise he's wiped out an entire race Heard of the rumoured story of the O level topic "Bravery"? Someone wrote "This is Bravery." And ended there.
LOL We all probably heard different variations of it. What I heard was about the topic "Courage".
"This is courage."
That's what the myth said the student wrote.
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On January 31 2012 21:21 theBALLS wrote:Show nested quote +On January 31 2012 21:20 DoX.) wrote:lol u guys i stuck to narrative compos for sec school and it was so much fun for my O levels topic "Power" i wrote an abridged altered version of Enders Game where the dude becomes intoxicated with power as he kills the aliens and in the end doesnt realise he's wiped out an entire race Heard of the rumoured story of the O level topic "Bravery"? Someone wrote "This is Bravery." And ended there.
lol when my teacher told the story the topic was "Courage"
Also if there really isnt anymore narrative essays then fuck MOE
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On January 31 2012 21:22 theBALLS wrote:Show nested quote +On January 31 2012 21:21 Azera wrote:On January 31 2012 21:20 DoX.) wrote:lol u guys i stuck to narrative compos for sec school and it was so much fun for my O levels topic "Power" i wrote an abridged altered version of Enders Game where the dude becomes intoxicated with power as he kills the aliens and in the end doesnt realise he's wiped out an entire race For my year, I will be taking the new version of EL O-Levels. Expository essay instead of narratives =( Expository essays are much easier than narratives imo. Argue you ass off. You can do it pal
Yeah thanks :D Fortunately for me, my strong point is argumentative essays since I learnt how to debate in Primary school.
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Yea. The other day i checked out the current PSLE assessment books and i was so shocked to see so much of my secondary school biology being taught in primary school!! Im so glad i survived the education system and did well in them. Keep trucking along! You will make it just based on your post! =)
My only tip to you is dont get caught up in competition. It can be scary being surrounded by kiasu singaporeans and everyone around is mugging their butts off while you arent. But find your own way to LEARNING and just stick to it till the end! Dont be pressured to do what everyone else is doing! Trust me, the singaporean method of studying just for exams can give you a nice cert, but it wont help you succeed in the future!
My method of studying was to just pay full attention during class so i study less at home! This allowed me to actually play during exam time!! Do your homework lol it helps =p. Anyway, jia you! you can do it! =D
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On January 31 2012 21:24 DoX.) wrote:Show nested quote +On January 31 2012 21:21 theBALLS wrote:On January 31 2012 21:20 DoX.) wrote:lol u guys i stuck to narrative compos for sec school and it was so much fun for my O levels topic "Power" i wrote an abridged altered version of Enders Game where the dude becomes intoxicated with power as he kills the aliens and in the end doesnt realise he's wiped out an entire race Heard of the rumoured story of the O level topic "Bravery"? Someone wrote "This is Bravery." And ended there. lol when my teacher told the story the topic was "Courage" Also if there really isnt anymore narrative essays then fuck MOE
No, hes in a different course than normal Secondary school students. I read wrongly
Haha, the memories of secondary school. I was so used to writing General Papers that when we were tasked to write a narrative essay, we had no idea how to approach it O.o
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EPT
