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.
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