By Nicole Lee (26S05A), Teng Yifan (26S06H) and Victoria Khoo (27A01A)
You’ve known it for a while now. You’ve seen your seniors clutching their bags as they gather for the final time at the hall, or perhaps heard an announcement made too early in the morning about something so major. It has always felt so distant, a milestone to be left for the very end of your student life—
Suddenly it’s here, and it’s your turn.
On 27 February, our Y7s returned to campus to collect their much awaited results. It has been, and will always remain, one of the most important days of JC. For many, it marked the first time they’ve stepped through RI’s gates this year—some were still plagued by jet lag, while others were quietly anticipating the day they would meet each other again. Old friends rushed to meet up in the canteen and familiar silhouettes combed through the Y14 side—everyone was back. And there it was, an ecstatic buzz in every corner of RI, a stark contrast to the quiet morning that had just passed.
There had been a three month break between the last paper and the release of results, which was reflected with what seemed like a timeskip; the Y7s present in school looked so different as they gathered in their own outfits, uniforms …and haircuts. Among the crowd, a considerable number of crew cuts stood out, most of which concealed under a cap. Owing to the sheer number of already or soon-to-be NS recruits, a cap epidemic could be observed.
Right before collecting their results, the Y7s busied themselves roaming the campus, reliving what seemed like their last escapade in RI. Perhaps within all that sonder lies an unchanging sense of belonging, one that brings a cohort back together. Despite leading vastly different lives the past few months, friends instantly clicked, students ran to catch up with their tutors—it was as if school had never ended. “I got to spend a lot of time with my friends”, Betty Ding (25A01B) said, adding, “the journey is tough but it’s the people next to you that makes it really worth it at the end of the day.” The Y7s, having faced the highs and lows together, remained just as close even after all the time spent away.
“All of us were (rushing) for the same thing. In the end we just pulled through and we were very happy that we got through it together”
Kimberly Chew (25A01B)
2.15 PM. An influx of students flooded the hall, composed but alive with chatter, and yet a sense of anxiety haunted the air. “I was stressed about it for a few days prior to this”, says Liew Shan Yik (25A01A), “but, I’ve kind of come to terms with it. I made my peace with it.” In that same hour, the Y7s would experience arguably the most important moment of their lives. At the side, a string of tables with maroon folders stacked high on top of each other serve as a reminder of what was to come: 12 years of formal education, coming to an end in just that hour.
And they could only wait.
Before the complete silence, there were huddles and encouragements exchanged, with friends delivering final pep talks and classmates nervously enquiring about the collection procedure. Amidst the frenzy, tutors readied themselves at the side, their knowing stares mixed with pride for their classes.
“It’s part of the process of growing up, and that’s okay… and if you have not stumbled or failed within these two years, then what have you tried?”
Ms Hwang Shi Ting (Civics Tutor for 25S03J)
All the whispers died down as Mr Aaron Loh made his way to the stage, ready to commence the conclusion. You would expect the principal’s final speech to be related to the A-Level exams themselves. However, it wasn’t entirely about the release of results that day, but rather a celebration of what the Y7s achieved and about how far they’ve come. Throughout his speech, Mr Loh emphasised the importance of recognising one’s achievement and about celebrating the victories made along the way.
The Y7s were also brought down memory lane, reliving Orientation, movie nights, Mega Mugging Madness, and most importantly, their graduation night. The heartfelt compilation was accompanied by statistics of their holistic achievements, including 167 student initiatives and countless medals brought back by students in sports and academic competitions.
“Oh, the places you’ll go!”
Mr Aaron Loh
His speech was brief, but words tend to stick. Before the Y7s could process anything further, they were split into separate venues for results collection: the multi-purpose hall (MPH) and indoor sports hall (ISH).
Then it began.
As some made their way to the ISH while the others stayed in the hall, the overall mood was the same no matter the location: ecstasy and relief. Screams of joy erupted from all corners as the Y7s collected their results one by one. Many hugged their friends with jubilated smiles as they congratulated each other. Seeing the fruition of their 2 years of hard work was truly overwhelming as some laid flat on the floor, while others ran a victory lap around the hall in celebration.
As the Y7s watched one another receive their results, some went to a private space in a secluded corner to slowly peek at their result slip, while others chose to wait for their friends and open it together. There were also some who could not bring themselves to view the results, internally panicking as their friends stayed by their side to soothe their anxiety and provide them with support and encouragement.
Despite everyone reacting in a different way, there was still an obvious common theme: none of them were facing this alone. Collecting one’s A-Level results is a shared experience, one that reminds you that no matter the outcome, there are people that are on your side, supporting you every step of the way.
And with that, the results collection process was finally over, marking the true end of the A-Levels. As the Y7s burst out of the venues, some left behind advice for the next batch in line.
“Don’t take your current results: whatever TPs, Prelims, don’t take it to heart. Because honestly, whatever you get, it’s not the final one. The final one is just the A-Levels (results). So just continue working hard and at the end, your hard work will actually pay off.”
Devesh Vishindas (25S06R)
“Take it slowly, try not to rush getting the results. Do it step by step and I think you can achieve what you want.”
Tiance Yang (25S06D)
“Make the most out of your time in JC. Just explore different things and try out things that interest and excite you. And don’t just only study, but focus on what can also give you good experiences and make JC memorable.”
Serene Zhang (25S06H)
To many of our Y7s, the JC experience that once seemed interminable might now feel like a lifetime ago. A full two years, measured in countless lectures, tutorials, breaks and examinations, elided into a few distant memories. Though the academic marathon had come to an end, some things remained reassuringly unchanged—be it the comforting hugs from friends, or the (surprisingly!) neat rows formed by our Y7 classes in the MPH. The unmistakable atmosphere of warmth, coupled with nostalgia and anticipation in equal measure, seemed to carry the batch forward.
Upon interviewing some of the Y7s, it was clear that the A-Levels, in retrospect, had become less about grades, and more about the perspective gained through their journeys. Standing in the MPH once again, many reminisced about the people who made their efforts worth the struggle. Distance makes the heart grow fonder, and it was incredibly heartening to note that the months since Grad Night had done little to dull the camaraderie within the cohort.
After the intensity of A-Level preparation, it seemed like many of our Y7s are now rich with time, filling the cascade of days ahead with possibility. Travel plans were a recurring theme, as were long-delayed hobbies. Even mundane, but satisfying ambitions of adulthood like cooking had been wholeheartedly embraced. In a way, these plans signalled a pleasant shift in tempo, leaving our Y7s with exciting aspirations to navigate. 27 February may have been the end of an era, but it was also the beginning of a new chapter. Year 7s, we can’t wait to cheer you on as you move onto greater pursuits, and we wish you every success in the adventures ahead!
