Student Issues

Op-Eds, Opinion, Student Issues

The Paradox of Achievement: What is Happiness Really?
Reading Time: 4 minutes

By Kavya Thirunavukkarasan (25S03I)

It’s 30th September. Promotional examinations are finally over. The long-awaited freedom has arrived, and your time is all yours. Instead of diving right into your long list of movies to watch, shows to catch up on, places to visit, and activities to do, you realise that you feel… bored? The thrill of relaxation just doesn’t appeal to you anymore, and you are left wondering why you no longer crave the things you’ve worked so hard for.

After months of grinding and focusing entirely on studying, many students face a strange sense of emptiness as soon as the stress and pressure disappear. The feeling is almost counterintuitive—you’ve been looking forward to this freedom for weeks, yet now that it’s finally here, it feels underwhelming. But why? Shouldn’t this be the time to enjoy the freedom you’ve earned, to relax without guilt?

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Commentary, Humour, Op-Eds, Opinion, Student Issues

An Official Decree From the King of Procrasti-nation
Reading Time: 6 minutes

By Isaac Tay (25S06L)

This article didn’t go quite as planned.

It was supposed to be a feel-good, inspirational, motivational article about productivity hacks and routines I tried out during the June holidays.

For myself, this was going to be the push I needed to save my holiday from what it seemed destined to be. I’m talking about that kind of June holiday, where you’re feeling super pumped to grind your studies before the holiday starts, before three weeks go by and you realise nothing’s been done.

But this isn’t a story about productivity hacks, or routines. 

This is a story about a boy who wanted to be a king.

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Commentary, Op-Eds, Opinion, Student Issues

Let’s Talk: Performing Arts Deserve Love Too
Reading Time: 3 minutes

By Isaac Chan (25A01B)

Raffles Players takes the stage. Applause is scattered and thin.

The Raffles Players SYF Arts Presentation on 18 April saw nearly no Rafflesians in the audience, save for some Players members, teachers, and two Raffles Press journalists.

This isn’t, however, because Players is unpopular or bad — in fact, their production of More by Haresh Sharma was positively stellar, winning them their first Distinction in eight years — but because it was scheduled at 10.30 am on a Thursday when the rest of the school is slogging away in class.

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Commentary, Op-Eds, Student Issues

Mugging Culture: Praised, yet Criticised
Reading Time: 5 minutes

By Cao Yuhan (24S03M)

Calm down, it’s not that serious.

The mugging culture in our school has gotten out of hand. 

When you walk around the school on any weekday afternoon, you will be able to see mugging in action; students doing revision, watching lectures or completing their tutorials are scattered across the school. During exam periods especially, mugging becomes everyone’s after-school activity. 

As if mugging itself is not exhausting enough, the emergence of mugger critics has introduced new challenges to mugging culture. 

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Op-Eds, Opinion, Student Issues

Commitment Issues
Reading Time: 4 minutes

By Alena Siaw (24S03O)

Since secondary school, extracurricular activities have played an integral role in shaping one’s student identity. They remain a cornerstone of student life, offering a plethora of opportunities: CCA, WEPs, VIA, leadership positions, and H3 subjects (with upcoming applications). However, in a world where choices are seemingly endless, we can feel lost and uncertain about what to take up, and more importantly, which path to follow.

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