This was written in collaboration with EJC Press as part of Issue 3 of Cross Island Impressions, an inter-JC Press collaboration. You can read Issue 3 here.

By Hong Wan Jing (22S06F; RI), Lara Tan (22A01B; RI), Harel Tan (21-12; EJC), He Jizhao (21-U5; EJC), and Jachin Khoo (21-U5; EJC)

We can all recall the pre-COVID days: the days without the inconvenience of wearing masks, the days where we can put our arm around our best friend’s shoulder, the days where spraying alcohol on tables wasn’t done without being frowned upon. Reminiscing on the times where we had the option to travel to Jozankei Hot Spring to taste natural springwater instead of resorting to the Sembawang Hot Spring, and beachside picnics with classes, I’m sure we can agree that those pre-COVID days were better.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a great disruption to everybody’s lives. With Singapore being one of the worst hit countries at the outset of the pandemic, the lives of many people grounded to a screeching halt, and students weren’t spared either. Students, given their young age, are affected to an even greater extent, especially with regards to their mental health.

What would be of overseas school trips with friends? Would the quality of teaching be affected by zoom lessons? What about SYF, ‘A’ Divs and competitions? These were some concerns students had about COVID-19 affecting their student life.