By Jolene Yee (23S03A)

“I heard you have to write a 4000 character essay. Is H2 Japanese hard? Are the lessons intense? Is it a big jump from Japanese in Secondary 4?” 

These were just some of the burning questions foremost in my mind at this time last year. Not only did I approach my Senpais and Senseis for advice, I also attempted to seek answers from Google…only to be directed to the SEAB H2 Japanese Syllabus page, which induced no small amount of panic in me.   

And so, to all prospective H2 Japanese learners out there sharing similar concerns with my eager-but-apprehensive-and-hence-torn-between-H2-Econs-and-Japanese self a year ago, わかるよ、その気持ち! Hopefully, this article can be of some help in addressing your queries and relieving your anxieties, and ultimately in making an informed decision about your subject combination. 

By guest contributor Wang Siqi (23S06A)

“So you’re learning about… rocks?” is the first thing someone says to me upon finding out I take Geography. It seems that Geography has developed a bit of a reputation for being a subject that, well, rocks. Hopefully, by the end of this article, you too will be inspired to jog headfirst into H2 Geog and its many diverse topics. 

By Aiko Yeo (23A01B)

“History is written by the victors.” 

As understood by most, this age-old adage questions the construction of narratives that define regional and international histories. The quintessential history student, however, refuses the superficial readings of such a sweeping claim.

Is history written solely by the victors? Is the victors’ prevailing account permanently set in stone? Is there even a universal standard that qualifies “victors” of the past, present and future?

By Claire Jow (23A01B)

In Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, the character Caroline Bingley exclaims, “I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of anything than of a book! When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.” If these words ring true for you, you might want to consider taking H2 Literature in JC. (Though, admittedly, Caroline was being rather deceitful at this point as she was trying to impress Mr Darcy; remember not to quote out of context, everyone!)