Scholar, Volunteer, Gentleman – Liang Yusen

By Lexi, Euan, Siti

Nowadays, you might find Liang Yusen preparing for UK university admission tests, putting together local university applications, or even planning out his travel plans. A year ago, you’d have seen him in ACJC, studying hard for the A Levels. Well, all that studying paid off – Liang Yusen is the ACJC Top Science Student for 2021. With a strong passion for science since secondary school, his passion has pushed him to go above and beyond the curriculum, reading science books and taking part in science-related events to deepen his understanding, even taking up 2 H3 subjects on top of his already tough combination of 4 H2s. However, Yusen’s interests do not just lie in science. He is also very fond of community work, enthusiastically helping the less fortunate in society. His resilience and wisdom were definitely exemplified during his time in ACJC and we have had the pleasure of interviewing him to find out more about how the College has shaped him. 

Picture of Liang Yusen

Hi Yusen! It’s a pleasure to meet you, even if it is over Zoom!

It’s a pleasure too. I’m sorry I’m late, I had some trouble setting up my connection.

What’s it like in China right now? I hear they’re tightening the restrictions. That must be hard. 

It’s rather boring, to be honest. I actually don’t have much to do right now. 

Q: What are you doing with this long break, after getting the results?

Because I’ve applied for the UK universities, which give conditional offers, you need to pass tests, interviews, exams. I’m studying for those. I’m considering applying for NTU and NUS. I’m doing research right now. Maybe I’ll travel overseas, depending on the international situation in a year’s time. But I’m spending time with my family now. After being separated from them for over two years, our reunion was especially bitter sweet. 

Q: It certainly sounds like a productive year for you! So, you’re the Top Science student of ACJC for the graduated batch of 2022. Do you have any advice for those who struggled with the science subjects?


Oh, thanks for the question. I took double mathematics, and I only took physics, not chemistry or bio. I believe that for sciences, the most important thing is to practice, practice, practice. The teacher will give you tutorials, and there are plenty of practice questions, you can try to do practices pertaining to specific topics you struggle in. Don’t simply do the questions; you reveal and see where you have made mistakes. If there are any questions, and you don’t get them, please ask your tutors for consultation. That’s very important. If you misinterpret a specific concept, it will snowball and affect your studies for later concepts, as they’re often linked. So please, clear up misconceptions and ask your tutor for help as much as possible.

Q: What gave you a passion for science? Like Maths or Physics?

I nurtured my passion in secondary school, back then I was pretty interested in science. I read some books about all the sciences, and found it quite interesting. What really interested me was how the scientific concepts actually expand on how our world is run, and how our world works. For example, why does a ball fall when it’s dropped from a height? It helps us to understand our world scientifically. Another reason is because I think science is very practical. It can be used in various fields, and the skills you learn in science can be carried on and used later on in life, to solve problems you may encounter later. 

Q: What are your passions outside of your studies?

Volunteer work! I volunteered for the Cancer Foundation in Secondary Three. In Secondary Four I volunteered at Greydot Singapore, and I joined a student initiated group in Secondary Three. In J1 i was elected as one of the key team leaders…we did fundraising for the group. I find it very fulfilling because it actually helps the people in need, the vulnerable in our society. What you do can actually make an impact on others in our society. You feel really proud of yourself, and that’s the one thing I’m interested in outside of studies. There’s something so special about it, it gives you a feeling you really can’t get anywhere else.

Q: Would there be anyone you would like to credit from your time in ACJC? Someone you owe your academic or extracurricular success to?

Ah yes, definitely. I met a lot of great people in ACJC, but to specify, I’d like to credit my physics teacher. Mrs Soong, the teacher-in-charge of the Science and Math Council. She gave great advice, she’s my trainer for the physics olympiad when I was in J1. She also encouraged me to take part in some research programmes. I was able to work with an American professor with another classmate. I’m really thankful for that, it’s been a really unique opportunity. I’m so grateful to her for giving me such an opportunity. I took 2 H3 subjects, which was quite frankly the result of advice given to me by Mrs Soong. After the HBL period, there was a midyear examination, and since I spent a lot of time on H3 research, I was quite weak in my humanities. Mrs Soong was very patient with me and helped me plan my skills, revise the topics I was weak in, and taught me how to improve. She really helped me a lot. I’m really thankful for my form teachers as well. They’re very caring and considerate. As an international scholar, we live by ourselves, so we can feel a bit lonely because we’re separated from our family. My teachers really helped me by giving me gifts and visited me…I’m eternally grateful for that as well.

Q: That’s such a beautiful story, Yusen. Are there any times you felt like giving up?

At the end of J1, I would say. After the prelim examinations, there would be a PW preparation period. For PW, I did not do very well for my oral presentation. I thought a question wouldn’t come out, but actually it came out! I was like, oh dear, help me! I was very nervous and tried to say something logical, but it didn’t turn out very well. I didn’t feel good after that, but immediately after the PW oral, there was the Physics Olympiad second round. I went in for the oral in the morning, and the Olympiad round was in the afternoon. It was very intense and I felt very stressed out. But I think we just have to think about what we want to achieve, our goal, our target, with the end in mind…we’ll be able to push past the challenges, overcome difficulties and really learn a lot of things from our struggles. 

Q: Is there any advice you’d like to give to your juniors?

I think the thing that I regret is that I didn’t start my revision early. I did some revision in June, but that’s mainly for the midyear exams. The actual revision for the A-Levels only started in term 3, which is quite close to the prelim exams, and it’s very close to the prelim practical round. Especially during that time, you’ll feel very stressed. One way to get around this is to start revision early. My advice is to spend your June holidays meaningfully…definitely relax, of course, but do allocate time for your revision and don’t fall behind. When you start your revision, remember to look out for the small details in your notes. It will likely come out in the A levels, even if you think it won’t!

Q: Wiser words have never been spoken. What do you intend to do in the future?

Actually, when it comes to my future career, I really haven’t put much thought into it. When I was in ACJC, my main goal was getting into my desired university. But now, I have a general idea of where my passions lie – I would like to work in an industry related to technology. Of course, my experience in university will play a key role in my career choices, and they’ll likely develop and change along the way.

Q: If you don’t mind me asking, what do you hope to study in university? Which courses?

I’ve applied for Cambridge, specifically mathematics with physics. And I’ve also applied for Imperial College London, for maths with physics and computing. And I got conditional offers for the three courses. 

Q: Wow, congratulations! Lastly, is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?

My time in ACJC has been enjoyable, and I hope yours will be as well. I know studying can be very tedious, but your life is not simply about studies. Do make friends, do explore your interests, please do something meaningful for the school and the community. You have another year of AC life, and for the J1s, two years! People say it will pass by quickly, but I think the key is enjoying your time as much as possible. It’s a marathon, not a sprint; you should keep up, but don’t burn out in the first few months! 

Thank you so much for helping us with the interview Yusen! We wish you the best of luck in your endeavours! 

Thank you so much for interviewing me! I’m really honoured. 

We hope our readers of AC Press have enjoyed this interview with Liang Yusen. More than just an exemplary student in science, Yusen has used his journey in ACJC to mould his character and give back to our society. Ultimately, that’s what it’s all about. That represents our entire ACExperience – building close camaraderie with our friends, excelling in everything we do and never giving up, even when we’re on the verge of defeat.

Credits: Liang Yusen

Top Arts Student, Class of 2021: G Solai Valli

By Tymon

Solai was an outstanding student in ACJC; the top scorer in the Arts. When she was answering the questions, I couldn’t help but come to a few observations. She’s a very caring person with an admirable sense of gratitude. Through the different activities that she has experienced in ACJC, she had built great experiences in ACJC. Through her personal experiences, she had managed to step out of her own comfort zones and has managed to achieve new heights along with the new found strength and confidence she has gained from her peers, further building her into a person of confidence. This is the story of G Solai Valli, which expounds and elaborates on her ACJC experience. 

Picture of G Solai Valli

Q: Can you share your community service experience?

Recently, I have picked up a long term role as a youth mentor for the girls team of SINDA Football Club. It was initially quite a daunting experience due to it being my first time there, and there were also many long term participants which made me feel a bit out of place. However, as I continued working together with them, it turned out to be a really fruitful experience, as I got the opportunity to really connect with the Indian community and helped out in a practical way.

Q: Do you have any advice for those who struggle with Arts subjects?

I would say the most important thing is to understand the content in the Arts subjects. A lot of it depends on your own perspective and how you are able to argue your point and make it more convincing, which can make essay writing a bit tough, but it can also be one of the most interesting things to do. 

Q: In your ACJC journey, what was the most memorable moment for you?

In my ACJC journey, I think that the OGL camp was the most memorable moment for me. Due to the COVID-19 virus, I had to spend most of my J1 year only interacting with my classmates or my tutorial classmates. However, the OGL day camp was one of the first times I was able to meet and spend quality time with people from different subject combinations and classes. Working with so many people was also an exciting experience, seeing everyone do their best and build the orientation programme together was really fulfilling to see.

Q: In ACJC, who would you like to give the most thanks to for your journey?

It would certainly have to be my teachers and coaches. They believed in me more than I did sometimes and pushed me to my limits in both academic and non academic aspects. I can say without a doubt that I would not be where I am today without their support, guidance and motivation. My classmates and teammates also played a big role, as I was incredibly lucky to be blessed with classmates who were always supportive and positive. Having friends to back me up, and being able to push each other on made overcoming challenges all the more bearable.

Q: How has JC life shaped you as an individual?

JC life has really helped me develop my confidence and be more open to try new things. I used to be really shy, and still am a bit reserved, but ACJC has given me many opportunities to mingle with people from different backgrounds and has also allowed me to step outside my comfort zone, helping me grow to become more open minded and self assured.

Q: What are your plans for the future?

I hope that I will be able to study International Relations in university. I have always been interested in subjects such as diplomacy, governance and law, and studying political sciences would allow me to explore those interests.

Q: What do you think was the most important lesson you have learnt from your time in ACJC?

The most important lesson I have learnt in ACJC would be to never give up. My two years in JC were full of uncertainties, with COVID-19 disruptions and the general idea of moving on beyond school life. However, I managed to keep going by always doing one thing at a time, and to keep working towards my goals, even though the progress might not have been evident or the outcome at the time was not certain. JC is quite a challenging experience, but the most important thing to have is a positive attitude and the will to learn and improve from these experiences.

Credits: Mr Mark Ng

Passion Propels: Aaron Wee Zhi Rong

By: Joseph Chan, Edited by: Raye Yap 1MD3, Tymon Oh 1SA2

With ambition and a heart to serve, Aaron Wee was a driven student leader who excelled in not only his academics but his leadership roles as well. He was the Science and Mathematics Council (SMC) president and is on the Principal’s Honours Roll within his J3 cohort, topping the school in his academics.

Picture of Aaron Wee

He also had an undeniable fervour for computer science and engineering, going as far as to attain the DSTA Scholarship in J1 to broaden his experience in the field.

It was evident to me, while talking to Aaron, that he was someone who always acted logically, with determination and diligence when the going gets tough. Although he was a relatively easy-going person, he knew how to sort out his priorities and was able to adapt to different situations when the time comes.

From his participation in the Singapore Science and Engineering Fair (SSEF) to the numerous projects he watched over in SMC, Aaron has truly displayed the ACJC values of Integrity, Tenacity and Passion, which has made a huge difference in his community, his CCA, and himself.

This interview with Aaron gives us a deeper insight into life in ACJC, how he found his passion, and elucidates tips to J1s coming into ACJC.


Q: How were you feeling before the results collection?


Extremely nervous and anxious. I had high expectations for myself and because I had the desire to study computer science in university, I needed distinctions in my subjects to enter the course. At the same time, I would want to try to obtain a scholarship, hence, I would need excellent results to at least get my foot in an interview.

Q: How did you balance organising international events for SMC and your studies?

One word: Passion. The subjects I have taken are subjects I am passionate about and enjoy studying. Hence, when studying, it didn’t feel like I was “grinding” a subject but I could appreciate what I was studying and this made studying much more enjoyable. Planning events and working with my fellow CCA mates was something I looked forward to every week and the desire to see a successful event come into fruition was something that kept me going.

Q: How did you nurture your passion in the sciences?

Being active in SMC and the science clubs. By doing so, I was given many opportunities to further nurture my passion in the sciences and seized them knowing that I was deepening my knowledge and understanding of the sciences. I also believe that in the future, I can use the knowledge I have gathered and help society further.

Q: Which was your favourite SMC project? Why?

It would be the first International Sci-Teen Challenge (ISTC). I was tasked with developing a website to show the top 30 videos. Initially, we didn’t plan to have a fully dedicated website to show all the videos. However, that quickly changed in about 2 days and we had to use the entire day to create a new fully video- dedicated website. For me, that was the moment when I realised how intense our planning for SMC events can be. It also showed that I did have the tenacity and passion to pull it if I set my mind to things and was also able to pull this off with the help of an alumni.

Q: How would you recommend other science students to spread their passion for science?

Join SMC. While there are many other opportunities within and outside school, I personally feel that SMC is the CCA with the most opportunities to spread one’s passion for the sciences. The reward of your efforts is easily seen with every successful event that you help run which comes with a sense of accomplishment.

Q: Do you have any advice for those who struggle with the science subjects?

When it comes to concepts, do not memorise. Learn to appreciate and understand the scientific concepts, which would later on come more easily to you. When I was undertaking NTU’s H3 Semiconductors Physics and Devices course, there were many concepts that I could not fully comprehend due to the lack of advanced mathematical knowledge. Many other concepts that were tested also depended on an understanding and having a good foundation of these previous concepts. Learning to appreciate these concepts based on intuition helped with the understanding of future tested concepts, which can lead to good grades in science subjects.

Q: What were some of the lessons or skills you learnt being part of SMC?

There are many lessons and skills that I have learnt while in SMC which have shaped my character. One of them is learning how to work with different people. Before joining SMC, I wasn’t a very flexible person and did not have teamwork when working with others. However, in SMC, I slowly got to work with many people who had different working styles and this pushed me out of my comfort zone and adapted to them. This skill is something that I know I will carry on with me to the future.

Q: In your ACJC journey, what was the most memorable moment for you?

It would be the day my class and I collected our PW results. Everyone in my class had obtained an “A” for PW and that was an achievement for the whole class. I still remember that I had to leave early for my H3 tutorial and hence could not witness the moment the PW HOD announced that everyone obtained an “A”. Fortunately, that moment was recorded so I could “relive” that moment.

Q: Who is your inspiration?

I’m not really inspired by just one person. Rather, it is the people around me that have inspired me, be it my teachers, research mentor or even friends. I believe that they all have something to impart to me and possess qualities that I can aspire to acquire, inspiring me to do better.

Q: You were the recipient of the DSTA JC scholarship. Can you share with us why you applied for this and your experience as an intern?

It was my love for Science and Technology along with my interest in defence. I have always been fascinated in ancient and modern warfare, particularly the technology available in an era. Through the process of reading about various conflicts, I have realised the need for a strong defence in Singapore. DSTA allows me to merge my passion in technology and conviction in defence of Singapore together. Hence, this was why I applied for the DSTA JC Scholarship. I wanted to get a feel of the organisation and determine whether it would suit me and my interests.

As an intern, it was a fun and challenging experience. The project I worked on was difficult with its up and down moments but with the help of my mentor and internship partners, I managed to complete it and learnt a lot of new skills from the project. Apart from the project, talking with different engineers has also allowed me to gain more insight into what DSTA does.

Q: Outside of school and CCA, do you have any hobbies or interests?

One of my hobbies which I have invested heavily in is 3D printing. I learnt how to model items and print them out in plastic. I have used it to fix various things around the house and it has brought out the engineer inside me. I also believe in the idea of using 3D printing to solve real world problems. For example, during the 2020 Circuit Breaker, I helped a group called SG Makers against COVID-19 to help print Ear Savers for frontline medical professionals that helped relieve the pressure placed on the back of the ears by the masks they wore. In total I helped print 750 Ear Savers for the group, which made me feel a sense of accomplishment as I felt like I have done my part for society.

Q: Moving forward, what do you intend to do?

I intend to study computer science either locally or overseas and take up a double degree or major in either business or electrical and electronics engineering. I believe these degrees will further my knowledge and skills which will further allow me to give back to society.

[ Photograph was taken from http://acjcsmc.glitch.me/about.html, with Aaron Wee, President of SMC, second from the left]

Credits: Mr Mark Ng, http://acjcsmc.glitch.me/about.html

Tenacity in Adversity: Class of 2021

By Joseph Chan 2SA1

It was the moment that these students were waiting for during these past two years. Many returned to school with their hearts filled with anxiety and trepidation, while just as many were elated to see their fellow friends, classmates and old teachers. Even their year head, Mr Patrick Sum, stood outside of the concourse entrance to welcome the returning J3s back to the College. To some, the return was nostalgic, as they trailed the corridors one last time to the lecture halls and their old base classrooms for the results collection. One amusing sight would have been the shaven heads of the guys as many had begun their National Service (NS) journey.

J3s returning to ACJC

Before they knew it, it was two o’clock, time for the Principal’s address. Mr Patrick Sum started first, offering his final words of thankfulness and motivation to the class of 2021 via Zoom. The time was then passed to the Subject Head for Counselling, Mr Calvin Xie. With the students, he discussed the three types of responses students have when they behold their results: Relief that expectations were met, Euphoria when expectations were exceeded, and Disappointment that expectations were undermined. Nevertheless, he encouraged empathy among the graduated J3s, to be supportive and present for their classmates as they were leaving for the next phase of their lives.

J3s attending the Principal’s Address

Afterwards, Dr Shirleen Chee gave her address to the 2021 cohort. With a warm smile, she commended the cohort, saying that they have built up experience through enduring the pandemic for their whole JC experience. The class of 2021 had contributed a special chapter to ACJC history for their tenacity in the face of pandemic difficulties.

With her encouraging words and a final send-off from Mr Sum, it was finally time. Many waited with apprehension as the tense atmosphere in the classrooms became palpable. Eventually, the teachers gave their blessings, a farewell pack with the yearbook, latest issue of ECHO magazine, scholarship and university pamphlets, and finally, the A Level results slip.

For those classes with award winners, no matter their individual results, everyone celebrated the award winner’s achievement. Many also expressed their gratitude towards their teachers by presenting them with gifts of chocolates and notes of appreciation, some even taking selfies with their mentors who had guided them for the past two years.

Friends reunited and hanging out

From here on, the J3s have taken another big step in their lives, by entering a much bigger and complex world. Yet, it is assured that when they seek advice or assistance, they will always be more than welcomed to return to ACJC’s gates. With the lessons they have learnt during their time here, many will go on to make something of their lives, no matter their results. Afterall, A Levels is just one milestone in the great Story of Life. As one chapter has ended, the next is about to begin.

The time of time is time now indeed!

Credits:

Photography Society

A Song of Spirit – Jerica Pai Juanne Hwei

Done by: Murugavel Girija

Here is the response from Jerica who was the President of the ACJC Choir. She achieved exemplary results in the A Level examinations, with her subject combination of BCME. 

Picture of Jerica Pai

Q: What was your CCA like and why did you choose to join it?

Choir meant so many things to me ultimately, it gave me a family. I always looked forward to choir sessions even though it meant completing school work later. Although the pandemic hindered many activities that we could’ve done, it did not hinder us from bonding as a team, taking as many opportunities as we could to grow closer. I joined the choir simply because I love singing, especially as a collective group. Music is such an amazing way to bless people around us – and choir provided me with the opportunity to bless others with something I loved doing.

Jerica during Choir Practice

Q: What are your passions?

My number one passion has to be music. Since I was young, I’ve been trained in playing instruments and singing, developing my love for music. To me, it is a means to relieve stress and pour out my emotions. Besides music, I am passionate about reaching out to the people around me; especially children. I like to see people grow and develop their potential, nurturing them and cultivating important values.

Q: What are your hobbies besides singing?

I often spend my free time (besides doing music) interacting with those around me. As an extrovert, I love hanging out with my friends (and tend to stay outside talking for a bit too long). I also love playing with animals but since my parents don’t allow dogs in the house, I spend lots of time at parks and cafes interacting with animals, and dreaming of having one for myself.

Q: What is your most memorable experience in AC?

There were so many memorable experiences in AC but if I were to choose one, it’ll be all the games we had amidst COVID times. ACgames was the only event that our batch got to properly enjoy, and I’ll never forget the memory of chasing my friends down the field with water. During choir camp, we also got to play a couple of group games, including a water game (we definitely did not follow the rules) – just having fun spraying water at each other. We got to play night games as well, where we got to run around the school in the dark. Seeing the choir members thoroughly enjoy all the games we planned out for them made me feel so grateful that we got to have this experience to enjoy collectively.

Hanging out with friends

Q: Who is your inspiration?

My biggest inspiration is my dad. My dad works in 2 different companies as an engineer, and he never stops working. On the weekends, he wouldn’t be home because he’s busy with work, and even on weekdays, he comes home late after work. However, in spite of his busy schedule, he never fails to be the man of the household. He always volunteers to fetch me home, do family prayers and listens to my struggles in school. Furthermore, he plays the keyboard in our church, and has never skipped a day of practice. The way he juggles all his commitments is admirable and although he gets stressed sometimes, he is still the happiest and craziest guy I know.

Q: What are some of the tips you have for your juniors such as what are the strategies you used to cope with the workload?

Prioritisation is so important! When things start piling up, you’re not going to have time to do everything within a day and it’s not healthy to abandon all your hobbies just to study. Prioritise what’s important to you and make sure your tasks get done during the day. For me, I prioritised sleep, as well as my faith. No matter how much work I had to complete that day, I made sure I did my daily devotions, and had enough sleep. Coping with workload was not easy, but it’s all about making sure you’re working on the subjects you need to work on first while maintaining good grades for other subjects. There will be lots of work assigned to you, but remember to study smart, not hard. There’s no need to always write out your answers in full (unless you’re doing a timed practice), pont form typically will suffice. There’s no point in doing 100 practice papers when you know that all the questions you’re getting wrong are from one particular topic. When you’re not able to complete all the work assigned to you, think of your answers while your teachers are going through the assignment. Make good use of your time too! Use your breaks wisely, whether you use it to catch up on work or to take a power nap. Lastly, remember to have a good support system consisting of friends that’ll push you through times when you lack motivation, and friends which you can exchange doubts with.

Remembering memories in ACJC

Q: What is the most challenging time in ac and how did you persevere?

The most challenging and stressful time I had was right before A levels. My family had a covid breakout, and my dad, my mum, my aunt and I all tested positive for covid and this was less than 2 weeks before the first science practical examination. We didn’t have enough rooms to isolate – so my mum and I stayed in the living room together. It was so stressful because I knew that I had to test negative before my exams started or I had to miss my exam. I also am someone who depends a lot on studying outside and studying with my friends to get through exams. Having to isolate so suddenly was tough and I was not prepared to get through the last weeks before A levels on my own. I made it through because of the incredible amount of support I received from my friends and teachers. My teachers were regularly checking up on me and making me smile. They were so ready to offer support, asking me about my family even during consult sessions on zoom. My friends were willing to study online with me every day and that helped me to focus on my studies instead of feeling stressed about the covid situation. Thankfully, my family recovered quickly and I managed to sit for my exams. It was a very stressful time, but it taught me to treasure being able to take A levels and being able to get out of the house.

Q: How are you planning to celebrate today?

Honestly, my family did not expect a celebration today. I was never always topping the class in tests and was never known to be considerably intelligent. After hearing the good news, they were shocked, calling it ‘a miracle’. We decided to order good food and eat together as a family. It was an unexpected surprise, and my dad couldn’t even make arrangements to come home for dinner as he was busy with work. But I’m not a fan of big celebrations anyway, so having this good meal was enough to make me happy.

Q: What do you plan to do in future?

I plan to study locally in a course that can help people in the future. Currently, I’m looking into either dentistry or psychology and I’m still researching. Beyond university, I want to continue building precious relationships with those around me and keeping my friends close. And of course, I want to continue pursuing my passion in music by singing in the alumni choir and continue serving as a singer in my church as well.

Cherishing friends

Q: Finally to conclude, how would you describe this phase of your life in a sentence?

Being in ACJC gave me meaningful experiences and people that I will forever be thankful for.

Jerica with friends

Image credits: Mr Mark Ng, Jerica Pai

Top Sports Boy, Class of 2021: Carl Belanger 

Main writer: Satoshi Magata (1SA4)

Contributing writers: 

Kyra Phan Hseun Rong (1AH), Syed Nabil Bin Syed Hassnor (1AD2)

Tenacity amidst turbulence. Meet the Class of 2021’s Top Sports Boy, Carl Belanger!

Driven by his passion for basketball, Carl remained steadfast, achieving excellence not only in sport, but in his academics as well. His cheerful personality and tenacity won him the respect of his peers, and his determination led him to succeed in pursuing his passion further. Carl had represented Singapore in numerous competitions such as the ASEAN School Games in Philippines in 2019, and has earned the National School Sports Council Colours Award in 2021.

As Captain of the AC Basketball team, he led his team to numerous victories, and was seen as a figure of inspiration by his peers due to both his talent in basketball, and his commitment to his studies despite facing various hardships throughout his time in JC. In this interview, we will be sharing Carl’s insights into his successes, and learning about the different challenges he had to face.

Q: What was your CCA like and why did you choose to join it?

I’ve been playing basketball since Primary 3. So, I’ve used my skills in basketball for Direct School Admissions (DSA) throughout my schooling life. I live near ACJC and have always wanted to build the ACJC Basketball CCA into something more because they’ve not been known for their basketball. I didn’t really choose basketball, but I chose ACJC because I wanted to come here and play basketball here.

Q: What are your passions besides basketball?

Basketball is mainly my number one passion. I do enjoy hanging out with friends, watching Netflix shows and playing some games, at times. 

Q: What do you plan to do in future?

I’m mainly trying to get through my Basic Military Training (BMT) in National Service (NS), because next week is when I graduate from that portion of NS. I have plans to go to a command school and become a sergeant. During the army, I plan to play basketball as I missed out on a lot of experiences because of COVID-19. It cancelled everything in terms of CCA: a lot of students missed their ACJC experience, or mainly just JC experience in general. I’m planning to learn how to invest which can benefit me in the future while researching university applications. I’ve got multiple years to apply and I’m trying to open my options to see what I can do and see what courses that pique my interest. I don’t think there is much of an opportunity for a career in basketball in Singapore, hence it is more of a hobby as basketball is something that I really enjoy.

Q: What is your most memorable experience in AC?

I had a full year of 2019 when Covid did not exist yet. So it was my second year in JC where Covid actually struck and cancelled everything. But it was during my first year in ACJC when I got to experience orientation, my A division season, and all the various ACJC activities. Mainly If I had to choose an experience that was most memorable for me, it would be in 2019. I had the chance to represent ACJC in the ASEAN school games. There was a selection trial where my CCA teacher Mr Chia signed me and my teammate up. We went for it and got selected. I was elated because I’ve been trying for the past 3 years. So, I got selected and we represented Singapore in the tournament held in Indonesia. It was very memorable because it was my first time representing Singapore and being part of the national team. The overall experience of having to go overseas, staying in a hotel, meeting players from other countries and the atmosphere was surreal. I was extremely nervous because it was the first time that I’ve been on such a big stage to perform. Nonetheless, the bond that I had with my teammates and the experiences I got from this trip opened my eyes to the standard of Singaporean basketball in comparison to other countries. It really boosted my confidence and taught me to overcome these fears that I have when I step onto the court to play. We played against the Philippines and their standard is way higher than us and it was very humbling.

Q: Do you have anyone you want to express your gratitude to?

There are quite a few people that I would be very thankful for throughout my time in JC. As my basketball teacher Mr Chia was the one who actually accepted me through the DSA, and it was a very complicated process because there were very limited slots for it and he selected me. It was really comforting to say that they chose me, because initially it put a lot of stress on me because I knew my results weren’t enough for me to make it to ACJC. And he really helped me make it to this school. Other than that throughout my three years there are other teachers that really encouraged me to do well in my studies. There were also some teachers who knew I was behind in my studies because of my schedule, and juggling of my basketball and my national trainings, and external club trainings, and having to come school, and having to come school and complete tutorials and catching up for missed classes because I had to leave for tournaments. There are a lot of teachers that really took the effort to help me catch up with class and try to do my best, and encourage me to do my best in my exams.  My friends were also very supportive and really made coming to school enjoyable, seeing them and then laughing with them. My mom is always pushing me to do my best. My parents always remind me to keep studying. Constantly reminding me to do better than he already is, to go beyond what I have to do so that I won’t have to be behind. My brother was also very caring, he was also from ACJC and played for ACJC volleyball, so from his experiences he told me what I should be doing, and what I should not be doing, because has been through it before. He helps me visualise how I should have been doing things while I was studying for my A level exams. Generally everyone helped me and it was very nice.

Q: What are some of the tips you have for your juniors such as what are the strategies you used to cope with the workload?

I know that its very cliche but in my opinion, it is “Being very consistent”. You can’t fall behind even just from the start, from J1, it makes all the difference. Because once you do you’ll start stacking up your workload. Week after week, you’ll get further and further behind and become demoralised. Once you are a few chapters behind the rest of your class , you’ll have no idea what’s going on. If you’re consistent, you can be on pace with your tutorials and your class, hence you’ll find it much easier to cope. Once you’re consistent, you’ll find your exam preparation much easier. It’ll be tough sometimes, because some people have certain commitments. You can use the time during the weekends or during the holidays to catch up or maybe even go ahead if you know that you’ll fall behind, because it’ll really help. You don’t necessarily have to stay ahead but need to be on par with the pace of the class. I definitely didn’t do that and I struggled. I only realised it towards the end, during my third year a few months before my A levels how far I was behind. So I really had to catch up and study really hard to try and do well for my A levels. I’ve always believed in balance, if you want to play for 3 hours, you must study for 3 hours. But many people would not agree with that and prioritise studies in a ratio of 2:1 to playing and enjoying yourself and having fun. It really depends on the person, because everyone studies differently, everyone is unique in their own way and some people may not have that much time to relax. It is always good to have a balance and most importantly, Missing class by not being present is very detrimental, because once you ‘miss’ class, you’ll fall behind, and playing the catch-up game is not fun. (best way to concentrate is to stand during class to stay awake, and be more alert!

Q: Who is your inspiration?

That’s easy for me because there’s only one player that comes to mind – the late Kobe Bryant who passed away recently. He’s my number 1 inspiration when it comes to basketball. My life wouldn’t have gone down the path it has now if not for him inspiring me to play basketball. Because basketball pretty much led me to where I am now. I remember when I was 8 years old, back in 2010, I remember turning on the television and it was the NBA finals where the Lakers were playing the Celtics. Kobe was the main player for the Lakers, so from that moment on he caught my eye and I got attached to the sport. So definitely, Kobe Bryant is my inspiration. I look up to him.

Q: Finally to conclude, how would you describe this phase of your life in a sentence?

I believe that everyone is running their own race: remember to trust your path and your process and do your best.

Credits: Mr Mark Ng

Keeping Your Eyes on the Prize – Truman Tong Wei Cheng

By Joseph Chan 2SA1

Truman Tong is just a regular ACsian. He has faced plenty of challenges during his two years in ACJC, from sustaining his academics to leading the school Football team. Time was hardly on his side and yet, he has overcome every single one of these trials with grit and perseverance. He had his fair share of responsibilities, but he was one who know how to both work hard and play hard, enjoying his time in ACJC as much as he could.

Picture of Truman Tong

Among all of that, Truman also built up his relationships with his classmates, teammates, teachers and coaches, cherishing their presence and support. It is irrefutable that it was thanks to the people around who got him through the challenges he faced. With an undeniable spirit of tenacity, and a deep-found respect for others, Truman is definitely the embodiment of what all students in ACJC should aspire to become.

Q: What inspired you to pursue Football?

Football has always been a sport that I enjoyed since my early secondary school days which enticed me to continue football even in JC. Moreover, I got to know the seniors even before entering the school which made me feel more bonded to the team.

Q. What are your passions besides Football?

I love to watch movies with some of my favorites being Interstellar, Inception and Infinity War! On top of that, I actually have a rather new interest which is cycling, a hobby I picked up last year. Me picking up cycling was actually rather coincidental because my aunt asked if I wanted to take my cousin’s hybrid bike because he’s living overseas. That’s where my cycling journey began. From there, I started to cycle with friends including some from ACJC to other areas of Singapore like Marina Bay, Tanah Merah and town. Sometimes we would even have a late night supper place in mind before we start cycling. Apart from that, cycling was a great avenue for me to decompress, allowing me to temporarily leave my troubles and worries aside.

Q: What was your A Levels journey like?

My A level journey was filled with mountains and valleys. At the end of J1, I was doing really well and I was quite content with my results and hoped to continue it in my J2 year. However during my common test in J2, I did way below my expectations which hit me like a truck. Disappointment inundated me and I had to take a few days to recuperate and try again. Subsequently, things got better albeit slowly. To say that it was a smooth sailing journey would be a lie. There were days where I was completely burnt out on what to do next. However, with the help of my tutors and friends, the journey was much better and enjoyable.

Q. How did you feel after A’ Levels was over?

The feeling was rather surreal because completing A levels was such an uphill battle for me. It was as if a huge burden was lifted off my chest, feeling such a strong sense of accomplishment and joy.

Q. How would you describe your experience in ACJC and what was your fondest memory?

My time in ACJC was nothing short of meaningful and memorable. The friends I have made and the teachers I have met in ACJC were all such a joy to be with. My fondest memory would be the times spent with my teammates and classmates. One memorable event with my teammates would definitely be the December holiday training sessions. During that month, we would easily have around 7 training sessions a week and each session was grueling to say the least. However with the tough times, bonds were evidently forged and the team grew much closer. Small moments like the casual banter was something that I am extremely grateful for and would reminisce for a long time.  Additionally, at the end of the year, our team chemistry improved significantly and everyone’s skills reached a higher level. 

Q. Is there anyone that you want to express your gratitude to?

I would really like to show appreciation to my tutors and coaches because they were genuinely all so cordial, dedicated and helpful these past two years. They always went out of their way to help my friends and I, supporting us all the way.

Follow up Q: What was one time that your tutor has supported you?

Economics has always been a challenging subject for me especially in J2 and I would not do so well for tests and exams. Despite my shortcomings, my economics tutor was always so patient with me and never failed to answer my questions. When I wanted to get extra practice, my tutor would always provide the resources and wouldn’t hesitate to take up the extra work. This in turn boosted my confidence and gave me motivation to work even harder because I knew that I was supported by my tutor.

Q. What was the most challenging time in AC? How did you persevere?

My most challenging time in AC would probably be the academic setbacks I had throughout my J2 year. Although it was very mentally challenging for me, I continued to have a positive mindset and continued to work hard. On top of that, I took more initiative to consult with my tutors to rectify my mistakes and gaps in knowledge that I had.

Q. As the Football Captain, how did you juggle between your studies and your CCA? 

I personally think that time management is paramount in this aspect. This is because CCA will undoubtedly take up a large portion of your time throughout the week. As such, I had to intentionally plan out what I wanted to do throughout the week such as watching lectures and finishing up tutorials. It was also important for me to consult my tutors if I was falling behind. These small but impactful actions ensured that my work and lectures did not snowball.

Q. What are some tips you have for current and aspiring student leaders?

Do not be afraid to make mistakes. As much as we are supposed to lead, there will always be instances where we fall short and fail to meet that demand. This is completely normal because no one is perfect and it is nothing to be ashamed of. What is more important is that you pick yourself up from the setbacks and learn from it. This brings me on to another point which is to not be afraid to clarify. Even as a leader myself, I definitely did not know what to do all the time. As such, it was important for me to seek further clarification with my coach in order to be on the same wavelength as him.

Q. Who is your inspiration?

My inspiration would be my brother because he was the epitome of perseverance. From an NA stream in secondary 1, my brother was determined to do well and bounce back, studying really hard through his first year. From there he got promoted to express stream and continued to work hard, eventually doing well for O levels and making it into ACJC. To me, that was a sign of an ACSian who never gave up even with setbacks and it was something I admired and hoped to emulate. Despite the multiple trials and tribulations he faced in his life, he grew from it and emerged stronger. That was something that really stuck with me, teaching me to also continue to give my best even when the going got tough.

Q. What do you plan to do in the future?

I am planning to study either business analytics, business or both in the future!

Q. Finally to conclude, how would you describe this phase of your life in a sentence?

An unforgettable, meaningful, fun and challenging two years of my life that I will never regret.

Credits: Mr Mark Ng

Putting the ‘AC’ in TenACity – Alyssa Yap

By: Emma Lock 2MD2

Edited by: Raye Yap 1MD3, Tymon Oh 1SA2

‘Exhausting without question, but fulfilling beyond measure’ – these were the words Alyssa chose to sum up her journey in ACJC. 

Picture of Alyssa Yap

As a leader, Alyssa is a go-getter. She is eloquent, well-read, confident and hardworking – and is never afraid to step out of her comfort zone. With her excellent understanding of prioritising tasks, she is organised and tactical in approaching her goals; something she definitely mastered with her role as the president of debate. Driven by resilience, Alyssa managed to enjoy her time in JC in taking care of the non-academic aspects of her life, for example being mindful of her mental health. Indeed, she is an all-rounder who has flourished during her time in ACJC, growing intellectually and emotionally. It was our privilege to interview her and catch a glimpse of what her past two years were like. Here is what she has to say:

Q: As the president of debate, how did you juggle between your studies and your CCA?

– It definitely was a challenge, as I was also on the competition team that often had to train up to 4 times a week – and each training session could last up to 3 hours. That being said, I had an amazing club committee that never failed to help manage other aspects of the club (e.g. gathering volunteers), and they were people I could always rely on to give a helping hand when things got busy – I definitely wouldn’t have survived without them! In terms of studies, I tried my best to study consistently each day, even if it was only for an hour. Should I stumble upon an unfamiliar concept, my teachers were always more than willing to help. No matter how busy I was, I tried to get at least 6-7 hours of sleep a night to maintain a relatively healthy sleep cycle. I think that helped me stay awake in class and focus on completing my tasks efficiently, which made my studies and co-curricular activities more manageable as well. 

Q: How has debate shaped your worldview?

– In an unimaginable amount of ways. Debate really taught me to see the world through a variety of different lenses, understanding issues from multiple perspectives. The reasoning and analytical skills I gained from debate made me think deeper about various matters and contemplate the potential solutions as well, which definitely helped me in my General Paper. More than anything, I value the global perspective its tournaments have given me: from meeting debaters willing to compete through the night in a different timezone, to getting amazing feedback from adjudicators all around the world after each round. The level of passion and commitment they are willing to dedicate to debate is truly awe-inspiring, not to mention the unique ideas they bring to the table given everyone’s vastly different backgrounds. 

Q: As a student leader, what advice would you offer to those who have or are interested in taking up leadership positions?

– Go for it! You’ll never know what you can achieve unless you try. Even if you don’t succeed, you would have gained valuable experience for future opportunities that may come your way. That being said, don’t spread yourself too thin to the point of burning out. It’s much more rewarding to pursue a few tracks you’re truly passionate about rather than trying to get every single leadership position under the sun. Commit yourself to the position you’ve been granted, find ways to make it even better, and hand it over to the next batch well.

Q: In general, what was your A-Level journey like?

– Hectic, stressful, but ultimately rewarding. I had to fit in college applications as well because they were due before A-Levels, so there were definitely moments when I felt the pressure. But I had amazing friends by my side all the way which made everything much more bearable. I truly believe consistency in studies to be crucial, be it making my own notes or doing class tutorials. In fact, I think that particularly helped in relieving the amount of content I had to digest closer to the A-Levels. I did devote more time to studies as the exams approached, especially during the weekends, but I still took frequent breaks in between study sessions to avoid burning out. I called my family back home in Malaysia almost daily, and made sure to take care of myself as well. For purely practical advice, do your TYS and other school papers! I tried to do at least one paper a day the few months before the A-Levels, and paced myself through the whole series for each of my subjects, all the way up to exam day. Ultimately, I’m beyond happy and grateful that my efforts paid off.

Q: What was the most memorable moment for you in JC?

– For me, there wasn’t really one particular moment – it was more of a collection of small things throughout the past two years. From running to the next class from level 2 to level 7, discussing the origins of slang and memes in ELL classes, to chatting over 3-hour long breaks before the next class. Beyond the big events and achievements, I hold these little moments closest to my heart.

Q: What were some of the toughest lessons you learnt in JC?

– That you deserve to rest, and that it’s okay to ask for help. Some days feel endlessly long, some tests impossibly hard, and some tasks impossible to complete. It’s okay to just take a step back, recognise you need a break, and that it’s okay to do so. You can’t always do everything yourself, but you can always ask for help. Rest helps you recalibrate and come back into things with a clearer head. Thinking about rest as a necessity rather than a want has helped me immensely in terms of my mental and physical health, and it’s a lesson that I think can help a lot of other people too.

Q: What was something in your JC life that was a key source of motivation to you?

– As an MOE-ASEAN scholar, I knew that I needed to get a scholarship to further my studies in university. Doing well in JC would definitely better my chances, so I would say that was a major source of motivation for me. I also wanted to get into a good university that would let me pursue my interests without putting a massive financial burden on my family. 

Q: What do you have planned for your next big steps in life?

– I’m beyond grateful and honoured to have been accepted into Harvard University under their Early Action Programme last December. Their incredible financial aid programme made it highly affordable for my family, and I will be heading there to continue my studies starting this fall. I’m hoping to major in Neuroscience, with a possible minor in Linguistics. After that, I’m thinking of continuing my studies up to the postgraduate level, hopefully entering Academia as a lecturer in the future. 

Q: What quote sums up your philosophy in life?

– “Trust the timing of your life.”

Credits: Alyssa Yap

Reaching for the Moon: Anirudh Mannattil

Main writer: Syed Nabil Bin Syed Hassnor (1AD2)

Contributing writers: Satoshi Magata (1SA4), Kyra Phan Hsuen Rong (1AH)

Still unsure about what lifelong learning entails? Class of 2021’s, Anirudh Mannattil, is the epitome of it!

A very outgoing and compassionate person with a strong resolve, Anirudh is one to admire. He is consistent in his academics due to his exemplary time management skills, and seeks to hone his abilities in any way he can. Having taken the subject combination of PCMh (H2 Physics, H2 Chemistry, H2 Maths and H1 History), his love for the Sciences is undeniably dynamic. For example, as a member of ACJC’s Technology Council, he still continues to improve his coding skills today. He was also part of the Singapore Young Physics Tournament where he showed his intellectual prowess and achieved outstanding results. Furthermore, he has worked tirelessly with his class to produce healthy exercise videos for migrant workers as a Values in Action (VIA) project.

Picture of Anirudh Mannattil

His success in life isn’t made possible without his supportive friends, teachers, and family. With his A Level experience full of support and perseverance, find out more about how his achievements were made possible in this interview!

Q: How was your study schedule in preparation for the A Levels?

Health is a very important factor to consider for this question. I know of many friends who stay up late at night till 3:00am. to 4:00a.m. to study and sleep for only 2 hours before school. I personally would not recommend this because it is not a proper way to study. Once you finish school, come back home, spend some time studying and then get some rest so that you can obtain at least 8 hours of rest a day. So this was one thing I made sure to keep in mind – to have at least 7 to 8 hours of rest a day. I also made sure to stay hydrated and have time to de-stress because life is not just about academics. Having the mindset and mental rigour to go through the 2 and a half months of A Level examinations is really important. It’s like going for a chess championship; you have to keep your rigour throughout the whole game, moving through like a bulldozer in a way, where you need the drive and the energy for that. Furthermore, I would play basketball every weekend regardless of what the situation was. I feel like this time when I spend with my friends to play basketball and de-stress is really great because it helps me to keep sane from all the practice papers and revision. In the middle of all my studies, playing basketball was a great relief for me in a sense that it enabled me to rejuvenate myself again. 

Q: What are some studying tips that you have?

Find out areas that you’re weak in. One personal tip, which helped me in secondary school till I carried on to JC, is to have this little book called a ‘Doubts Book’. Whenever you have a question or doubt, write it down in the book and ask your friends, seniors or teachers. Once you get their responses, write them down in the book. Near your examinations, this book is one you should read through and study thoroughly, since these would be common mistakes or questions that you may have – they may even be frequently asked questions or popular topics that examinations would usually test you on. Don’t try to overachieve, but try to be consistent in reaching a score and aim to achieve higher each time.

Q: How was your overall experience in ACJC?

It was really great. I would say that one big benefit that I had was that I was put in the Further Mathematics class even though I didn’t take Further Mathematics. When I was there, the class was very studies-oriented: the class’ focus was purely on academics – my peers were all driven to academics and it sort of rubbed off on me and so, I was also influenced to focus on my academics. But, at the same time, I would say that the school’s culture of holistic development on one side as well as academic performance on the other provided a clean balance for me to keep my mental health sane while at the same time being able to study to keep up with the rigour. And, I would say that my friends, my family and my teachers are the 3 biggest factors leading to my success, especially teachers. I would say that ACJC teachers have this innate ability to break down huge and complex concepts into manageable and simple bits. For example, my Chemistry teacher, Mr Kuna actually managed to use analogies to help us understand the different parts of Chemistry – that was really helpful for me because I initially wasn’t so good at Chemistry or Mathematics. My peers, who were excellent at Maths, also taught me some ways to cope, so my friends really helped me there. My family is always there to support me regardless of the situation.

Q: What is a quote or saying that you live by and would like to advise to the current J1s and J2s in ACJC?

“Regardless of whatever happens, give your 100% to it.” 

Regardless of the difficulties, situations and challenges that you face, give it your all. Because at the end of the day, you know that you did do the best that you can at that time and that’s what really matters. Even when I received my results, there were so many worries – grade boundaries especially, the expectations are high. I was so swept up in those thoughts of worry. I would also assume that the meaning of “You have given it your all” really keeps you going because there’s really nothing more you can do. You will get what you deserve.

Q: Who is your biggest motivation?

My father. My dad came from a very humble background, but he always taught me to keep myself moving forward by improving and updating myself. He shared with me that education would be the fastest and the best way to achieve success in life; monetary success and success in terms of welfare and well-being. He was one of the pioneers in my life, advocating lifelong learning for me. That, to me, really tied in with ACJC’s value of having fun while studying because you need to have fun while studying to continue studying in life. 

Q: What are some words you would like to say to your father?

“A very big thank you and a very big “I love you” for all that support and all that help that you gave me throughout the past 18 years of my life.”

Q: Is there anything you regretted doing or not doing when you were in ACJC?

One main regret I have was not taking a H3 or another subject on top of what I was studying because I thought I wouldn’t be able to keep up with the demand and rigour. In that process, I sort of forgot about the support that all my friends and all my teachers have given me because I thought that if I took a H3 subject, I would have very little time to interact with them and for me to do other things I’m passionate about. But then, looking at my peers who did H3, they are doing really well in their H3 subjects and they told me that their teachers were always there to support them regardless of how many subjects or how much things they had to do. Thus, this was one of my biggest regrets because I would’ve loved to take a H3 to further my passion in Physics; I really wanted to take H3 Physics because I’m really passionate about Physics and about how the world around us functions, but I didn’t think it through enough.

Q: What are some of your plans after A Levels?

After A levels, I have to go for National Service (NS) this year, clearly, so that is one concrete plan; going for NS. In university, I was thinking of doing an engineering course, or engineering degree, something to do with engineering and trying to further my passions hopefully. So after A levels, I was joining some organisations, just to see how general work life is and how life is in universities, trying to see how the curriculum works, how students manage their time in universities doing their studies as well as their passions. I decided to volunteer a bit, going for this organisation called Teleschope – they had a lecturer series and I was one of the lecturers. I would say that all these experiences made me really enjoy my time after A levels because I wasn’t just idling my time away, I was actually doing something productive in a sense, like doing online courses.

Q: Lastly, what is something you will miss dearly about being in ACJC?

I would say the thing I’ll miss most dearly in ACJC is the friends I made and teachers I met during the 2 years; the feeling of being in a place close and familiar to home in a sense, because we were all helping each other out and I had a lot of support, a lot of guidance from the teachers and a lot of peer support from my friends to overcome the challenges. There were many challenges, to be honest. COVID-19 was the biggest challenge, next would be home based learning. I think our cohort actually went through a lot of circumstances that previous cohorts might not have gone through because they were fortunate enough to not be amidst a pandemic while in JC but we were unfortunate to have to deal with it. So there was Home-Based Learning (HBL) which meant that we had to stay at home but we remained connected through the screens, in a sense, so we could send our support through online platforms for each other and that really made ACJC a very fond and memorable place because of the friends and teachers I met, whom I had forged bonds with.

Credits: Mr Mark Ng

A Heart to Serve, A Passion to Succeed in Sport and In Life – Alyssa Koh Jia Wen

Main writer: Kyra Phan Hsuen Rong (1AH)

Contributing writers: Syed Nabil Bin Syed Hassnor (1AD2), Satoshi Magata (1SA4)

When it comes to dedication, Alyssa Koh is unparalleled by any other.

Amongst her peers, she is known for being a highly committed individual, with a fierce passion for bowling and unwavering perseverance towards her academics. Even through various hardships that occurred during her time in JC, she remained undeterred and continued to excel in terms of sports and academics, which contributed greatly to the list of reasons why she was qualified as the Sports Girl of her cohort.

[Photograph taken during prize presentation for SSSC Best Sportsgirl 2020 ACJC.]

As a member of ACJC Bowling, Alyssa was actively involved in various competitions, and received numerous awards such as the National Schools Sports Council Colours Award (2021), and Best Sportsgirl for Bowling under the Singapore Schools Sports Council in 2020 and 2021. Not only is she talented in bowling, but she is also a compassionate and approachable individual, thus leading her to be seen as both a dependable friend and a gifted athlete.

This interview with Alyssa will give us a deeper insight into the struggles she faced and the successes she achieved throughout her time in JC.

Learn more about her experience in ACJC, and how it has taught her an invaluable lesson of grit, passion and tenacity.

Q: How would you describe your experience in ACJC and what was your fondest memory?

Definitely different from secondary school, especially because of COVID-19 – it changed my experience compared to other typical JC students pre-COVID. 

My fondest memory would be training with the AC Bowling Team – to be able to be a part of it was a dream, especially because back when I was deciding which JC to go to, I coincidentally came across members of the AC Bowling Team and really admired their team spirit. During A Division, it was quite sad because due to COVID-19 restrictions, we weren’t able to cheer, so it was really quiet. But we didn’t have such restrictions during training, and so I was able to experience the AC Bowling spirit then, I never regretted the time I spent with my teammates, and my time in my CCA, which I consider my best memories in ACJC.

Q: Was it difficult to adjust to JC life? In what ways was JC different from secondary school and how did you manage to delegate your time, such that you could commit to both your CCA and your studies?

Yes, there were some difficulties because the workload is so much heavier compared to secondary school, so I had a lot less free time. JC required us to be more independent and develop critical thinking skills, which was a step-up from secondary school. So, it did take some time to adjust. 

My subject combination was PMEh (H2 Physics, H2 Math, H2 Economics and H1 History), but amongst all of them, I struggled with Economics the most. I didn’t have any background knowledge for Economics, so it was a completely new subject to me and hence, it was the hardest to keep up on.

However, managing my time properly was not a new concept for me because I had experienced such things in secondary school too. I try to find some free time to study and do homework. On days that I train, I’ll usually stay back after school with some friends since going back home doesn’t really seem ideal – I live in the East, but my training is in the West. I typically have a good 3 hours to try and finish up homework and other work that I have for the day. If not, I’d always go to the bowling alley and finish up there after training.

Q: What were some challenges you faced? And what do you believe helped you the most whenever you felt discouraged?

COVID-19 really changed my experience in JC and it was a difficult time for me. For me, I’m the kind of person who can’t study well on my own. Especially during Circuit Breaker (CB), I had to stay at home and couldn’t meet people to study together, and so it was a real struggle for me to try and keep up with the work I had. Even before A Levels, I didn’t want to go out l because if I contracted COVID, I wouldn’t have been able to sit for the A Levels. 

I get easily distracted, so staying at home was an indubitable challenge. However, my teachers, coaches and friends were all very supportive and tried their best to help me – my teachers offered extra consultation, and my friends helped me to catch up on the workload and resolve any troubles. I’m very thankful to them for helping me.

Q: How did you feel after A’ Levels was over?

I was definitely relieved because I could go back to training since I had to stop to focus on studying. But, I was also pretty scared because I knew that it was out of my hands and I couldn’t do anything about it anymore. I figured I would be fine, but there’s always that lingering fear of “What if something went wrong and I didn’t do well?”

Q: So, how did you spend time after your A Levels?

I know a lot of people went to get a job, but I haven’t gotten a job yet because I have an upcoming trip, and so I figured I would just get a job after that. I actually want to spend more time on bowling because I did have some form of a selection trial directly after my A Levels. The moment A Levels ended, I quickly went back to try and catch up with all the things I had missed.

Q: Do you have any other interests or hobbies you would like to share with us about?

I love music! I actually do play the guitar. So, during the period where I had to stay at home, guitar really helped me a lot when I needed to take a break from studying and all the other stressful things in my life. I wouldn’t say I had a favourite song or genre to play, I just tried to learn different songs and expand my skills.

Q: If there was one thing you could change about your life in JC, what would it be? What would you tell your past self if you could go back in time?

I would’ve probably taken a different subject combination. I definitely regretted the subject combination that I had chosen for myself to study at the A Levels. I didn’t realise how big of an impact it had and if I had known, I would’ve taken something different. 

I think if I had the choice to go back, I would’ve taken H2 History instead of H2 Economics. History has always been my favourite subject but I didn’t take it as a H2 because I was scared that there would be so much more content that I wouldn’t be able to cope with.

I would tell my past self to start studying a little earlier so that I wouldn’t have to be so stressed in the end. Also, I would tell her to relax a bit more and be more calm.

Q: What do you think the future holds for you? And what would you want to pursue after JC?

For now, I will continue practising my bowling skills since I don’t have school to worry about. As for university, I’m not so sure yet because I still don’t have a clear idea on what I want to do in the future. I might consider Sports Science as a university course, but it’s not a confirmed choice yet. Bowling, however, is definitely something I’ll keep on doing!

Q: Do you have any other words of advice for your juniors and peers?

Start studying early. You will never know when you’ll have that extra time. And, don’t burn yourself out and stress yourself out too much. Just relax and keep calm.

Credits: Mr Mark Ng