By Syaura Nashwa (24S03R), Gabriel Ho Weng Kit (24S02A) and Lee Tse Yee Megan (24S03M, Peer Helper)
Your resident Aunties and Uncles are back with our Ask Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset column, this time as a collaboration between Raffles Press and Peer Helpers’ Programme (PHP)! Ever wanted to rant about that someone you just can’t stand? Overwhelmed with too many feelings? Submit your confessions to https://tinyurl.com/RIAAUU and we’ll give them our best shot. This column will be published at the end of every month.
I got rejected from all my CCAs. What do I do? I thought I would get into at least 1. I don’t feel confident in myself at all.
Hopeless Hanna
Dear Hanna,
It’s the time of the year. Orientation rolls by, new friends are made, and you get thrown into a new environment. It’s daunting, sure, but most Year 5s arrive on the JC campus anticipating a fresh start.
Now, the tricky part—getting into a CCA of your choice. Some choose to carry on their CCA from secondary school. Others decide on a new CCA that aligns more with their interests.
Confidence is key. After signing up for the slots for the CCAs of your choice and even some safety nets, you wait patiently for your interviews or trials. A few weeks later, you come to the heartbreaking slew of results. Bold and underlined, “Trial UNSUCCESSFUL”.
It’s almost as if getting one rejection wasn’t painful enough…
But how?
In times of defeat, our minds rewind to when we were hopeful about the outcomes of our endeavours, such as when we eagerly applied for the CCAs, anticipating positive results. This reflection can amplify your feelings of disappointment and doubt, as we contrast our initial expectations with the reality of rejection. It’s natural to ruminate on these moments, but it’s also important to recognise that setbacks are part of the journey and don’t diminish our worth or potential. By acknowledging our emotions and seeking ways to grow from the experience, we can navigate through defeat with resilience and emerge stronger on the other side.
Moving Forward
While it may be difficult to accept the outcome initially, you eventually have no choice but to accept the reality and move on from there. Wallowing in self-pity and sadness will only do you harm—it will continue to weigh you down for as long as you let it affect you.
It is important that you take a step back and tell yourself that rejections from CCA is not the be-all and end-all. There are many ways for you to pursue your interests and showcase your talents apart from CCAs.
If you were rejected from your desired performing arts CCA, you can always showcase your talent during the Raffles Got Talent (RGT) event. If you were rejected from your desired sports CCA, you can participate in various house events to showcase your talent and win points for your house at the same time. In essence, the school provides all students with a plethora of platforms and opportunities, hence you need not fret over being rejected from all CCAs.
While CCA is an integral part of JC life, you should take a step back and weigh the benefits and costs of participating and not participating in a CCA. Write them down on a piece of paper. More often than not, you will realise that you have overestimated the losses of not participating in a CCA.
If you still feel despondent, ask yourself this question. “Will my A Level grades be impacted if I do not participate in a CCA?”. The answer is obvious, and this serves as a powerful tool to allow yourself to take a step back and see the situation from a more pragmatic perspective. This will enable you to overcome your disappointment more quickly and emerge stronger.
Lastly, do not be afraid to lean on your support network: Don’t hesitate to reach out to friends, family members, teachers, or school counsellors for support and encouragement during this time. Talking to someone you trust can also help you gain perspective and navigate your feelings!
I believe that there is so much more to you than these applications! Let’s not let this setback define you. Instead, let’s turn this into an opportunity. You could always brainstorm and find ways to get involved with your interests, even outside of CCAs. Maybe there are unfilled spots or waiting lists, or perhaps (if you are set on joining a CCA) there may be another CCA you haven’t considered that perfectly suits your passion. Putting yourself out there and trying new things shows incredible courage and you’ve got so much to offer! Stay resilient, believe in yourself, and keep moving forward. ALL THE BEST!
Sincerely,
Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset
If you need anyone to talk to about any issues you might be facing, do drop by My Rest Space near Marymount gate and talk to one of our peer helpers! We’re open on Tuesday from 2.30 – 4.30 p.m, Wednesday 11.00 a.m. – 3.00 p.m., Thursday 2.30 – 4.30 p.m. and Friday 1.30 – 4.30 p.m. If you would like to meet a peer helper on a regular basis, do email us a request at rafflesinstitutionphp@gmail.com or fill in our request form at our website https://rafflesinstitution5.wixsite.com/rafflespeerhelpers/peer-helping-request!
