"I know you feel that it is your fault that the team loss. I also know that you have also loss hope too. Cheer up. It was no one's fault. It could have been Mabelline or Benjamin's fault. Be confident. Show others what you really have"
...Mei Fen, PHS Classmates for 4 years...
I was clearing and sorting out some stuff from my room today. Such an interesting way to spend my leave. I am proud of my less cluttered room at the very least.
I remembered I was a diffident and meek-looking boy when I was in secondary school. I often kept to myself and especially my feelings. It was one of my darkest moments in my life. Just looking at the nerdy me then made me embarrassed of myself. I couldn't help laughing...laughing quietly to myself.
The first debate was exceptionally daunting. I was full of nerves and I lost it. I blamed and reproached myself for the loss. I cried that night. For a couple of days, I embraced in self-pity and self-reproach. I almost gave up what would make me the person I am today.
I stand today, more confident and more independent then before. I am also more vocal about things and am not afraid to voice out my opinions in the most objective way possible. I simply hate mincing my words. Thank you Mei Fen.
Neighbourhood school or an Elite school. Which is better?
I came from Presbyterian High School. A neighbourhood school where the quality of education that one would receive there would somewhat pale in comparison to that of an elite school. Yet, it was also because of PHS, the ample opportunities for me to shine and be a well-polished stone, that mould me to become the person that I am today. While I may not like nor am in favour of the stigmatisation that comes along with students from neighbourhood schools, I am however fearful of the consequences of such a stigmatisation.
Someone asked me whether I would like to teach in a neighbourhood school or an elite one. I had no preference. Having accepted the MOE teaching scholarship, my friends have been constantly asking me for my views on certain groups of students and how I would respond to them.
I studied in National Junior College. I was a mediocre student and still am according to me. I was the only one from PHS in NJC for my year. Back to square one. Fortunately, I was in a class where which school I came from didn't really matter. At the very least, I topped the class for most of the tests for Further Mathematics. However, NJC was an elitist school. Most opportunities went to students who really excelled in their studies. It was one of the worst experience I had in an institution. Fortunately, I had a fun-loving class which tickled the funny bones of all our teachers.
NJC gave me an education where I was confident in myself and the school to produce the results. PHS gave me an education where I was confident that I would do well. The difference lies in a person's perception and train of thoughts. How important branding and stigmatisation is to you, will ultimately determine your point of focus and surprisingly your decisions too.
I seek for an education with a significant amount of quality. That is what I think matters most to me. As a teacher-to-be I wish to give my students an education that would mould them into independent and confident people with a great zest for life and it's challenges be it the institution they may come from.
---till later---
