Student Issues

Commentary, Nationally Speaking, Op-Eds, Student Issues

Let’s Talk: RI Slur Culture
Reading Time: 4 minutes

By Joan Ang (17A01B)

A few weeks ago, my 13-year-old brother came home from school crying. When my parents asked him why, he choked out the phrase, “my senior called me retarded,” and vanished into his room.

My brother has a learning disorder.

Of course, his senior couldn’t possibly have known this when he said those words, but the experience does call to mind some things that I have heard in my past eight months at RI. From my first days in January, I’ve heard slurs thrown around in casual conversation like nobody’s business—a real culture shock in contrast to my secondary school days.

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Commentary, Op-Eds, Student Issues

5 Things I Wish I’d Known About Finishing A Levels
Reading Time: 4 minutes

by Joyce Er (15A01A)

So this is it. You’re a fresh-faced J1 or anxious J2 anticipating (or dreading) what will be the culmination of 12 years of Singaporean education: the A Level exams. You’re determined to give it your all and bag straight As, and can’t wait for your first taste of post-JC freedom. As a fresh graduate who just finished my examinations little over a week ago, here are some nasty surprises that you might not expect. You have been warned.

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Commentary, Op-Eds, Student Issues

The Holiday Bucketlist
Reading Time: 6 minutes

by Daphne Tang (16S03M) and Lim Lex-xis (16S03M)

As we near the halfway mark of our year-end holidays, now becomes an optimal point for us to take stock of what we’ve been doing so far, and think of how we can make use of the remaining time we have left until we are whisked back into the whirlwind that is school life. For those of us who have already exhausted our usual hangouts and are reduced to lounging around at home languidly, we have compiled our very own December Bucket List of activities ranging from serene nature explorations to thrilling physical pursuits, with prices ranging from $0 to $100 to make the best out of this small pocket of free time. Continue reading “The Holiday Bucketlist” →

Commentary, Op-Eds, Student Issues

Dealing with Disappointment
Reading Time: 7 minutes

By Darrell Koh (16A13A)

As any exam looms closer, one inevitably thinks of the gruelling exams for which the descent into “mega mugging madness” is the only method of survival. At this point, it is common for exam-related worries to be vocalized, as evident from the multiple cries of “I’m so screwed for Econs!”. However, some emotions prompted by receiving results are surely not vocalized with the same enthusiasm. Of the diverse range of feelings that may be produced, two prominent emotions come to mind: satisfaction and disappointment.  The former may readily manifest itself physically, while the latter often shrouds itself in silence. This article will attempt to give disappointment a voice and suggest ways in which those who feel disappointed can stand up again and eventually achieve satisfaction.

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