Life’s Carousel

1 year ago, I thought all my hopes and dreams were dashed when I didn’t do well for my O Levels. I thought it was the end; no junior colleges want me, no polytechnics want me, only ITE.
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"It’s the end ar,Ju" my friend would say. "Who said that no one will succeed in ITE? There are a few cases of students who does well and manage to go to polytechnic after that. There are a few beneficial, new, courses too" my sister would say.
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I was really down and despaired as I knew I had given my best for my O’s. But probably was not well enough.
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My mother and I surveyed many schools and finally she decide that I should just proceed with ITE instead. I did not like it. And I DO know why. I do not want to waste my time there(ITE) as I know, I believe that I could succeed with a diploma.
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I have nothing at all against ITE students. I just know myself better that I can do better and I do not want a Higher Nitec certificate. Call me arrogant, boastful or over-confident. I totally do not mind because different people have totally different opinions regarding education.
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I believe, it is best to go with something that you really love, have deep interest in and have the confidence that you can succeed. It is also, I believe, good in a way if you go against your parents and learn something beneficial for yourself, your future, instead of always listening to your parents and ended up doing something that is none of your interests.
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In addition to that, I really think that parents, how highly or lowly-educated they are, they just got to think out of the box that ,’Hey-This-is-S’pore-No-education-equals-to-Low-pay-job’. And yet again, parents tend to tell their kids "when you’re older,get a good job,a good wife…bla bla bla," when they obligate to their kids’ decision sometimes. Sadly, this happens mostly to Malay families.
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I am happy with the school that I am in now. Though sometimes, most of the time, I do wish that I was a full-time student. I envy my friends who are in Polytechnics. They made cool friends there, although I believe none of them(my poly friends’ poly friends) are like me. My school mates are cool too. But being the youngest in class, I find myself rather put of place most of the time.
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I am just afraid to talk to strangers who are 4 years and 4 years plus plus older than me. Maybe you, just like most people, are wondering why. But I really, really do not know how should I answer to that.
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And I would like to clarify it with all you outdated people that my school’s certificate is well recognised. Firsty and most importantly, my school may be a private institution, but it is unlike SIM, standing on it’s own. MOE has approved that MDIS should be put under MOE private schools. According to my own knowledge, as long as a school is under MOE, it should be recognised by others too. Please go to MOE’s website for details. It is listed under List of Private Schools > Commercial Schools.
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On the other hand, actually if the school is not wll recognised, it doesn’t really matter. Anyway when it comes to job interview, what matters most is how you sell yourself.
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Once again, I have nothing against ITE or any other institutions. To my N/O Levels friends, please make a wise choice.
3 September 2008. 11:21am