Re-taking A Levels???

[wulaishiwo]

Haha thanks for your concern! Really appreciate it! You see, when i took the A level's last year, I wasn't prepared enough. I had r/s problems and many other issues which affected me real badly such as depression. However, i do believe that the chief reason i did not do well was because of a lack of discipline and an overly-complacent mindset : thinking that since i did well at the O levels w/o much studying, I could do it again.

I was utterly mistaken. To be honest, during my 2 years in JC, I was taken on an emotional roller-coster ride. The r/s coupled with depression perpetually prevented me from studying. When I saw my ex getting stellar results( straight A's in 6 subjects ) recently, I thought to myself, that although she was perhaps as distressed as I was during J2, she managed to outshine me, and I on the other hand, failed to do so.

I was devastated, not because of the envy I had - well partly - but more importantly was the fact that my potential had not been realised. There were teachers who had high expectations on me especially my chemistry teacher for whom he thought I could repeat the miracle I worked at J1 : U for mid-year and 3 months later A at the final promotional exam ( raw score ).

Frankly, im not boasting but i talked to many people and they said if i cannot handle r/s problems, then most probably, i would not do well. It dawned on me that since now we have seperated, I should give myself 1 last chance to retake. I dont wish to go to the army, finishing my 2 years and regretting every minute of it pondering over whether i should retake. I was not motivated before, but now I am. And therefore, I should work towards that !

Anyway, sorry for asking a favour, but could anyone who has retaken their A levels during their stint in army, tell me how if it is possible to study during NS. Since im from pesc2L9, most probably i will be doing clerk. Would it be possible to study ? And also would I be able to go for my exams w/o taking my leave ? Thx a lot !

[pingpriscilla]

Hi girl, I understand what you are going through. Do not be disheartened, local unis are not the only route to success. If you are retaking your A's and need JC tutors, let me know. you can register for tuition at http://pimpmygrades.sg

[silver_fish]

I don't think it's a good idea to study in the army. Usually your unit will tell you that your National Service is of first priority, and even if they do get you time off to study, sometimes when your A levels examinations clashes with an important battalion activity (e.g. overseas exercise), you may just have to forfeit it - your WO or OC will just say too bad.

Even clerks in units are deployed overseas to help with the administrative burden when working overseas, ie deploying army clothes to reservists, helping out with food rationing, packing.. etc.

Anyway all the best to you..!

[illusionic]

TheSocialist wow sounds like you've been through alot. seems like u actually can do much better! from the sound of it, maybe you should just retake and see how it goes! after all u have nothing to lose except $$ i guess haha ( it's super expensive to resit for A levels )

honestly i felt the same way, that i can do better, which is why i retook in the end, despite ppl advising against it. u usually hear ppl saying that private candidates don't do as well. after all, we did study 10 years, such a pity to end up with lousy grades right, especially if u urself know u can do better.

if you're motivated and determined enough i say u go for it! but hopefully u don't give up when the going gets tough. cos it's probably bound to be, esp with army and if you're considering retaking without any guidance/tuition.

anyway even if u retake and don't do very well, at least you've already tried ur best and u won't have any regrets.

[wulaishiwo]

illusionic :

Ha Ha that is very encouraging ! Thanks for that ! Thanks to many who are willing to help and giving me tips and advice . Really appreciate it .

Anyway, I have decided to apply to study English or Sociology at NTU where the cut-off are around my grades ( hope there's no inflation of grades this year LOL! ). I have sat down and talked to various of my friends and parents and they advised me against it because by re-taking, it means I have to repeat the entire stuff again : No going out , Not enough sleep , Stress and the likes. I have decided to follow my heart and thus I opt to re-do it again . After all like you said, even if i do not do well, I would not regret.

I feel very motivated now, much more motivated than when I was in J2. I now feel free of all emotional baggage and constraints. The single most important factor that can sustain me throughout this ardous journey is only perseverance. I hope my committment does not fizzle out in the end. Ha but enough said, even if I do get accepted by uni, I would still wanna try it out.

I'm just concerned about the studying part during my stint in army. If i'm unable to study during army or go for my exam when there are important millitary exercises, then i would be very very disheartened. All my efforts would be washed down the drain. Its like planting a seed and watching the process of it grow. The only thing is that I'm unable to see the final part where the seedling actually bears its fruits in the end.

Therefore , are there any ingenious ways or tips to chao keng effectively in army so that i can study and go for my exam ? I'm asking too much , I know , and it's quite humiliating to be honest , but I would sincerely wish for anyone's kind generosity in doing me this humble favour of mine.

Thanks in advance !

[wulaishiwo]

Thanks so much !

[illusionic]

TheSocialist: Welcome (: i can empathise with you cos i went through the whole thing myself. in any case, maybe u can try brightsparks forums! i think they give pretty good advice (: all the best!

[wulaishiwo]

ha wads your email could I add you ?

[utau]

Hi all,

I am thinking of retaking my As these days. Took it in 2006...yes it's a long long time ago and why the sudden interest to retake right? Anyway, i've worked for 2 years immediately after As before going to a course in poly which requires A-levels and will be completing it soon but although it is an interesting course (at times), i dunthink my interest cant sustain for long enough for the rest of my life, and with such a specialised diploma, even if i switch jobs next time in the future, what are the chances of landing a job with good pay? Hence my decision to retake As and go to a local uni. Then came the question of whether if i can do well since there is quite a few years gap by now and i barely remembered what i've learnt and also what subjects to take?

2006 is just the year before the introduction of the H1H2 program. I have previously taken GP, maths econs- all Cs and physics- D. =( I guess i had thought of retaking it many times over the past few years but just ignored it by working or studying for my current course in poly (which is hard and 10 times worse than A-levels) and i really dunno if i will regret for the rest of my life. It's kinda hard to see some of my friends graduating from uni or getting highly-paid jobs while the course i am taking, although is still a profession, starts off with low pay (and it's the kind of profession whr ur pay rarely increase) and tiring since you will have to walk here and there and also stressful, since i have been on attachments.

In a dilemma, any good suggestions?

My plans: Find work related to my profession immediately after graduation, teach tuition to earn some extra bucks, spend 2 or more years to mug for As at the same time? Hopefully enter a local uni's part time course with As results and continuing my work at the same time?

Or just on on with life as per normal?