School Life

Commentary, School Life 23 February 201410 May 2019

Being a JAE in RI – Just Another Environment

Reading Time: 5 minutes

By Jayne Chan (14S03D), Sushma Pai (14S03R), Divya Muthiah (14S06C)

At the start of every new year, 300 brave O level survivors will enter the realm of the Raffles world, facing excitement, apprehensiveness and awkwardness in equal measure. All around them, they will see green, black and white, and unfamiliar faces huddled together in groups, chattering away animatedly. This is how JC life typically begins for a JAE (Joint Admission Exercise) student. Life in RI will definitely be very different from how it was in a non-Rafflesian secondary school – intimidating even – but most JAE students find themselves blending in perfectly well by mid-year. With a few tips to guide you and the clearing up of some misconceptions, we hope to ease and quicken a JAE student’s adjustment into the Rafflesian family.

RP (Raffles Programme) students are snobbish.

False! This is one of the more common rumours a JAE student would hear about RI, but in actual fact, most RP students are friendly and accepting – it would be unfair to generalise all RP students as snobbish. With that said, every JC has its fair share of arrogant kids and of course, RI is no exception. Even if you do face such negativity, learn to take it in your stride. There can’t always be nice people out there in the world, and there’s no harm in learning how to deal with it earlier in life.

RI is a very competitive place.

Competition is an inevitable feature of any education system, but in RI, (due to the nature of the student body here) competition will be more intense. Then again, it’s all part and parcel of the RI experience. However, we would like to stress that it’s healthy competition, and not just pure cut-throat competition. Most students are more than willing to rally around to help their fellow schoolmates, so you don’t have much to worry about.

RP students are higher achievers than JAE students.

A person’s academic capability is absolutely not linked to whether they are from JAE or RP. In fact, there are many JAE students whom the writers have witnessed outperforming their RP peers (though this is sadly not true of the writers themselves, who happen to be JAE). Ironically enough, since JAE students have just been mugging their hearts out for O levels while RP students have been taking their lives relatively easier, JAE students are expected to get into the swing of JC academics faster. Many claim that they’re supposedly more well-prepared to sit for a major nationwide exam than their RP peers, whose last such experience was, well, PSLE.

Rough Seas and Rocky Shores

“A ship is always safe at the shore – but that is not what it is built for.” – Albert Einstein

Here we discuss some of the issues you’re likely to deal with in your first few months in a new (and sometimes terrifying) school environment.

1. Intimidation

Being in an unfamiliar environment with millions of questions flying through your mind can be unsettling, especially if you’re one of the select few who entered RI alone without your fellow secondary school peers.
Most JAE students agree that Orientation is the best time to get to know people, so treasure that opportunity and make full use of it. Even though Orientation is now over, take the time to hang out with your OG before the bulk of your workload catches up with you.

Remember that most RP kids are as eager to make friends as you are. While they may already have a bunch of close friends, practically everyone’s more than willing to get to know more people. However, friendship is a two-way effort! Don’t expect to make many friends if you don’t bother to start a conversation or say hello to the people around you. It can be as simple as grabbing any other student and making small talk (What CCA are you in/are planning to join? Do you like the school uniform?). Just take a deep breath and plunge into it. Once you get over that initial fear, everything else will fall into place.

JAE Heroes — Your friendly JAE heroes are here to help you get used to your new school environment!

2. Making Decisions

Since JAE students enter the school later than RP students, decisions have to be made fast. You might struggle to cope with it all at the start. Immediately after Orientation, the IHC seasons begin and then CCA applications/trials come along, followed by enrichment programme applications, and then student council and EXCO applications, after which you have a break in June that leads up to CT1s. And before you know it, half of JC1 is over. Sounds overwhelming, doesn’t it?

When you do feel lost here, don’t fret! There are lots of people you can approach for help. Counsellors, your OGLs, CCA seniors, or even your friends can help you out. Most of them are very willing to share their opinion on how things are run in RI. There are plenty of helpful seniors and students who would be happy to answer queries. If you have friends in RI/RGS, say your classmates, who would’ve entered the school earlier for JIP, do talk to them and ask them about the information they have received about various enrichment programs/introductory lectures/etc. It pays to do your research early, rather than walking into school on the first day completely unaware of what’s going on.

3. CCAs and Enrichment

One of the best things about RI is the wide variety of enrichment programmes and CCAs available. There are about 70 CCAs and 17 enrichment programmes, each as impressive as the others – you’ll be spoilt for choice! If you choose the ones you’re truly passionate about, you’ll probably be able to keep yourself well-occupied throughout your two years, and will be presented with many unique opportunities. You might have the chance to participate in overseas CIP trips, bicultural programmes, national competitions, or even research programmes. Despite so, here’s where the tough part about being a JAE student comes in. As would anyone looking to choose the right CCA and enrichment programme, you will have to do plenty of research. Issue is, this is trickier if you’re a JAE student with fewer seniors and friends to consult, especially at the start of the year when you’re faced with many important decisions to make. If you have any doubts, don’t hesitate to check with your peers or seniors.

4. Academics

While you may have been the top of your cohort in secondary school, it might not be the same here. As long as you pay attention during your lectures and tutorials, do your work on time and actively consult your teachers, you should be able to manage (take heart in the fact that countless students before you have managed it). However, to do better than the average student, arranging to meet up with your teachers and doing extra practices will help. A lot. We have some of the best teachers right here in RI, and your teachers are more than willing to help clarify any doubts!

Joining the Rafflesian Family

Every JAE student is a cross between a non-Rafflesian family and a Rafflesian one, so a JAE student will turn out as a unique hybrid who’s able to adapt to the changing environment. As a newly minted Rafflesian, don’t be too intimidated by all the rumours you hear! By the end of your two years here, you might realise that coming to RI might’ve been the best decision of your life.

Commentary, School Life 13 February 201410 May 2019

101 Crowdsourced Ideas for Valentine’s Day

Reading Time: 6 minutes

By Allison Choong (14S05B), Arintha Adelina (14S05B), Law May Ning (14S03O), Seraphine Chanentia (14S06N)

Q. What would you expect a girlfriend/boyfriend to do for you on Valentine’s Day?
A. Kiss me.

– Female respondent, currently single

How did you spend Friendship Appreciation Day?

Did you know that Valentine’s Day was originally a religious celebration of a Christian saint named Valentinus? The original festival had nothing to do with roses or chocolates – the only semblance of sentimentality was that the said saint carried out secret marriages for soldiers otherwise forbidden to marry.

What then does the arbitrary retailers’ dream day mean today, beyond making most American men $150 poorer? And in particular, what does it mean to the average Rafflesian?

In an attempt to demystify the unspokenly exciting day that might spice up an otherwise dull school life, Raffles Press presents to you an online survey of 120 respondents on boyfriends, girlfriends, expectations and reservations. Of the 120 people we surveyed, about 56% were girls and only around 26% were in relationships.

Expectations

Q. What would you expect a girlfriend/boyfriend to do for you on Valentine’s Day?
A. Buy me chocolates! And spend time together with me.

– Male respondent, currently single

The first of our questions was ‘What would you expect your girlfriend/boyfriend (or hypothetical one) to do for you on Valentine’s Day?’. Girls are commonly stereotyped to expect more gifts and romantic gestures, and some may feel weighed down by perceived expectations from the day. But is this actually true?

Q. What would you expect a girlfriend/boyfriend to do for you on Valentine’s Day?
A. Not get heat stroke at Take 5.

– Female respondent, currently single

At first glance, it might appear that flowers, chocolates, and handmade gifts like cards and letters can commonly be found among the girls’ responses. Some wanted “personalised gifts”, others “self-composed songs”, while one slightly vague response hinted at the desire for “a romantic event”. Some girls seem to be more imaginative than others, providing us with more detailed descriptions of their ideal Valentine’s Day. One female respondent detailed that her ideal date would be to “go on a walk in some quiet nature place, like a reservoir, beach, garden or park and stone with me somewhere quiet and with no one, just looking at the scenery with a cup of tea~”. However, the generalisation of demanding girlfriends is definitely false, with even some of those in relationships not even expecting gifts. “I just expect him to spend time with me. No gifts needed”, said one. Out of 67 girls, the majority of 31 expected to spend some time with their would-be significant other on the special day, 27 expected some sort of gift if a small one, and the remaining minority didn’t expect anything at all.

Q. What would you expect a girlfriend/boyfriend to do for you on Valentine’s Day?
A. Wish me Happy Valentine’s?

– Female respondent, in a relationship

As for the guys, it would seem that some still hold the mindset that they’re not supposed to be on the receiving end. About ⅓ expected nothing at all, with one respondent even remarking, “I’m the guy. I should be the one doing something special for her.” However, contrary to popular belief, some guys did expect some sort of presents – one commented, “Write me a card at very least.” The majority of male respondents simply wanted to spend time together or hang out. As clichéd as it might sound, it seems that the best present is our loved one’s presence, regardless of gender.

People in a relationship:

“Give me a surprise!” – Male
“Make me feel happy.” – Female

People not in a relationship:

Spend a quiet day with me reading books. – Male
“A handmade card perhaps? I’d love a necklace, or flowers or chocolate are fine too. :) A simple picnic would be amazing.” – Female
“Be there.” – Male
“I wish she existed…” – Male

Attractive Traits in a Partner

What our respondents could agree on, however, was that the most attractive trait was – thoughtfulness! It topped the charts for both girls and guys, with almost 80% of responses. It was followed by sense of humour, which again ranked second unanimously by both genders. Following these two traits though, disparities between guys and girls’ preferences start to occur. Attractiveness apparently plays a more important role in choosing a potential partner for guys as compared to girls. Attractiveness ranked third in the guys’ preferences, while it’s close to the bottom in the girls’ preferences. It does seem, however, that girls still prefer guys to be their knight in shining armour – protectiveness ranked relatively high in for the girls! It could also be assumed that Rafflesians are most interested in well-read and charismatic individuals, considering how both self-confidence and intelligence made it to the top five of the guys’ and girls’ rankings.

Dealing with a Relationship

We also asked the respondents about the one mistake they felt that guys/girls tend to make in a relationship. Majority of the female respondents responded something to the effect of “expecting a fairytale-like relationship” as the most common mistake, subsequently facing disappointment when things go sour, leading to an unhappy relationship.

Contrastingly, the responses we received from the guys were rather surprising. While we often hear that guys like to rush into a relationship, it seems that Rafflesian guys like to take things slow. One male commented, “People often go in too early without really knowing their feelings and end up breaking the other’s heart.”

The one key mistake that both genders wholeheartedly agreed on was the issue of miscommunication. Supposedly, our respondents felt that overthinking and making assumptions about the other’s feelings were key causes of conflicts and break-ups. It seems emphasising the importance of communication doesn’t only apply in workplace, but in relationships as well.

As anyone would be curious to know, we asked our respondents to talk about the one key piece of advice he/she would provide for their potential partners. Responses ranged from serious advice (honesty is the best and talk things out, even if you’re not one to talk or share concerns easily – after all, a relationship should have no secrets) to amusing ones like ‘get me a cat!’ and ‘please exist’.

On this romantic eve of Valentine’s Day, Raffles Press would like to wish all the couples out there a memorable Valentine’s Day. We would like to point out that, as one of the respondents cleverly put, “One shouldn’t celebrate their relationship specially just on one day. Every day that you’re together is a gift to be cherished (:” As for everyone else, we wish you a happy Friendship Appreciation Day! Look on the bright side – you’ll be able to get all those chocolates you’ve been eyeing in the supermarket on sale within the next few days!

CCA Events, Commentary, Please Mind the Platform Gap, School Life 5 February 201410 May 2019

[Please Mind the Platform Gap] Orientation 2014: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Reading Time: 8 minutes

By Feng Zhuo (14S03S)
Photos taken from the Orientation Facebook Page

Orientation. That big word associated with hope, anticipation, and perhaps even a bit of fear. It’s coming your way, but you don’t know what to expect. “Will this be the start of something promising?” You wonder. The optimist in you is determined to make the four days the best in your life yet, challenged only by the quiet naysayer that co-habitates within your heart, a soft voice which whispers fears and worries about that oh-so-hyped-up event. “What if I can’t make any friends during Orientation?” “What if it just ends up being the worst event of my life?” True, those are valid concerns (and so emerges the naysayer in the writer), but don’t ignore the trusty old optimist which asserts that it’s still too early to tell, especially when you suddenly realise: “Hey, I actually don’t have a clue about what ANY of the four days entail!” So here’s a little help on that.

Now, let’s go back to the root word.

Orientation. noun.

Variations and related short forms include OG, OGL and even OGlings. Let’s get started clearing down all those clouds of confusion that might have subconsciously scattered over your head as you read through that sentence.

The OG is just about the most important term throughout your entire course of orientation. Those two letters will be like family to you in your ever-expanding vocabulary of short forms in J1, a parallel to what they stand for throughout the duration of your orientation. The OG, or Orientation Group, is a group of twenty people from your house, who are just as excited, clueless and scared as you are on your first day. The First day, a first awkward ‘nice to meet you’, and a first eagerly returned “how do you do”; this group will stand testament to a series of your firsts in this new phase of life. This is also when any pent-up gender awkwardness slowly melts away, because, as in life, you don’t get to choose who to be with. Say goodbye to your girl friends or bros, say hello to that long-dreaded (or long-awaited) gender interaction! Each OG will have approximately ten boys and ten girls, so you better beat off those stereotypes you hold of the opposite gender, because the next thing you know, you will be dancing with someone from that foreign species in a traditional(ly embarrassing) orientation event called the batch dance. But hey, who said it had to be awkward, right? Your confident self proclaims that as a true Rafflesian, you will embody the Fortitude of the FIRE values and be a good sport even when the going gets tough (or really awkward) during the batch dance.

Over the course of orientation, you will need seniors, who put the ‘L’ in ‘OGL’. As Orientation Group Leaders, they will be grouped in threes to fours, heading a single OG, and looking out for who they affectionately term as their OGlings. And there you have it, this is what makes up a basic OG unit, with people from different genders, schools and even levels coming together as one unit, ready to brave the new challenges that orientation, or even J1 life, will throw at them.

“Wait! I still don’t know what the next four days are going to entail!” Before you start panicking again, let’s hear from the Orientation I/Cs themselves regarding the key highlights of Orientation. According to Ruthanne, “Each day typically has at least one highlight, so Station Games, War Games, External Activity and O’Nite are definitely things to look out for. Our Storyline plot and decorations this year are quite amazing too, so if you ask me, I’d say everything is a highlight!” The other Orientation I/C, Ernest, feels that the Batch Song and Dance are events to look forward to. He also reveals that this year’s theme, Kaleidos, was chosen based on the hopes for the J1s’ new school life to be similar to a Kaleidoscope, where filtered rays of life can pass through to form an array of incandescent colours, symbolizing the start of a vibrant experience.

On the Batch Dance, Orientation Programmes and Logistics I/C, Arjun, fondly recalls from his personal experiences. “It is made to be a bit tricky each year…but that’s the whole fun of the Batch Dance! You and your dance partner get to have so much fun trying – and in my case, failing – to keep up with the moves! I still remember when it came to one dance move where you just had to sway and clap, suddenly the WHOLE batch was in perfect unison and everyone just burst out laughing. Of course, I also remember when my dance partner accidentally punched me in the face. Let me tell you, it is not fun to get punched by a judoka.”

For those who are worried about dancing with two left feet, fret not, there is another more exciting highlight to look out for. OGlings (time to get used to being addressed with this new term!) can look forward to O’Nite, which is the final night of Orientation. Each OG will get to dress up under themes that are decided by the OGs themselves, and there will even be a prize for the best dressed from each House. OGlings can dress up as superheroes, soft toys, or even an invading species from Mars. (Just remember to keep your costumes appropriate for a school environment!) At the mention of O’Nite, Arjun recalls how his own OG dressed up as a wedding procession, complete with bride and groom, best men and bridesmaids, a wedding photographer, musicians, and even flower girls! Needless to say, the OG swept everyone off their feet and proudly won the Best Dressed OG award for their house.

Of course, no OGling will ever leave Orientation forgetting the (one-of-a-kind) experience of War Games. War Games I/C, Zhi Peng, gives his take on the games. “As the name suggests, War Games is the time where many of the OGlings go crazy, as the games involve teamwork and elements that will engage everyone participating in it. With the addition of competition between the houses, it will definitely be intense, exciting and memorable!” Regarding the concerns that have surfaced on RJ Confessions about the possible violence involved, Zhi Peng responds, “As the games are carried out, there is no doubt some OGlings might get carried away and be excessively competitive and violent, but our I/Cs will be there to manage the situation if things get out of hand! It will get a little physical for some of the games but it really adds to the fun. Just take care of yourself and others and all will be well.”

However, amidst all this fun and games, it might be time for the easily-tired to do a little bit of mental preparation. The programme ends at 5pm everyday, except for the last day, which will culminate into an event (O’Nite) that will end at 7pm. OGlings might also want to note that most OGs choose to stay back for OG dinners to enhance the Orientation experience, making the daily schedule end even later, depending on how enthusiastic your OG is. Regarding this, Arjun shares the personal experience of his first OG dinner. “You should also make the most of your OG dinner on the first night. After every day during Orientation, all OGs go out to eat, but I think it’s safe to say that that first meal is the most important by far. Start talking to your OG mates. Get food together, share your likes and dislikes, your CCAs, play games like “Two Truths One Lie” – whatever works! Just be as open as possible and make that night last for as long as possible.” However, the writer would like to caution all incoming J1s to prepare themselves for the “people mountain people sea” at J8 during dinnertime throughout the course of orientation, made up of people none other than their very own batchmates. As such, it would be good to explore other alternatives, such as going to the nearby Thomson area, or even ordering pizza to school.

While Orientation might sound like a very exciting experience for many, some may find it very daunting because of the energy and enthusiasm it requires over the span of four days. This may be a little overwhelming, especially for some of the new JAE students who have just entered Raffles and are new to the school environment and culture. However, Arjun gives his take on that.

“I think the most important advice I can give is very simple – be willing to try new things. That’s the purpose of Orientation after all! The change from Secondary School to JC life is honestly quite drastic, and Orientation serves to open you up to new experiences so you can enjoy JC to the fullest. In fact, many of the activities you’ll be taking part in are planned to take you just a bit out of your comfort zone. Maybe you don’t like making too many new friends. Maybe you don’t like physical games. Maybe you’ve never talked to someone of the opposite gender before – who knows! But if you come with an open mind and an enthusiastic spirit, you’ll be able to make the most out of your Orientation experience.”

Ruthanne also pitches in on how to make the best out of the experience, “The J1s should really try to get to know their OGLs better! Aside from being their leaders during Orientation, OGLs can really prove to be great sources of advice and support. After all, they’ve already gone through the same problems the J1s will be going through! So don’t distance your OGLs and treat them as your friends. They can be your pillars of support even after Orientation.”

However, if one were to ask any J2 senior regarding the sustainability of the bond in their OG, it would be easy to find out that not all OGs manage to stay together amidst all the challenges and new unshared experiences that come as part and parcel of J1 life. While some OGs, like Arjun’s, can proudly claim their title as “one of the most bonded OGs in the batch”, “meeting for breakfast every morning and making it a point to go out during every holiday, even going for school events and plays together”, it would only be fair if the other side of the picture was shown. It is the truth that many OGs do ultimately break apart, with the duration of this process depending on how much effort the OG puts in. An anonymous Year 6 even declares, “I haven’t seen my OG since the end of Orientation!” But regardless of the final outcome, just like how Year 6 Leong Yee Ting wisely puts it, “Just be open and try to treasure what little time you have with your OG mates. Maybe you were thrown together for a reason; maybe not – but that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the moment while you can, and just let it be thereafter.” In fact, instead of not letting it hinder you, let it be your motivation. Be that person that you’ve always wanted to be; get to know the people you’ve always wanted to know; make full use of the time you are given with your OG, because that fresh, new, experience as a wide-eyed J1 only comes once.

Concluding with a heartfelt statement from Arjun, “Most people don’t remember the specifics of any of these activities during Orientation – in fact, most of us have long forgotten the steps to our Batch Dance – but you will always remember the experience.” Orientation might be The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, but who cares? Nothing changes it from being Your Orientation.

With that, the writer wishes all J1s (or soon-to-be OGlings) an amazing Kaleidos 2014.

Here’s to the start of something new.

—

Follow Orientation 2014 on:

Facebook: facebook.com/kaleidos14

Twitter and Instagram: @kaleidos14

(Click here for the Kaleidos 2014 Publicity Video)

Clubs, Commentary 4 February 201412 May 2019

Why We Don’t Debate Alone: Winning ESDC 2014

Reading Time: 3 minutes

By Lee Chin Wee (14A01B)

Not too long ago, I was wrong about debating.

Perhaps because my views were blinkered by the heavily televised debates between American Presidential candidates or by watching my own debating heroes when I was younger, I always believed that debating was about the individual. A grandstanding, intellectual fencing match between six speakers who were divided into two teams for argument’s sake. To the casual observer, debates are often decided by one person – typically the one who sounds the most stylish, makes the sharpest rebuttals, and pummels the opposing team into submission.

Continue reading “Why We Don’t Debate Alone: Winning ESDC 2014” →

Commentary, Please Mind the Platform Gap, School Life 28 January 201410 May 2019

Please Mind The Platform Gap: Relationships in RI

Reading Time: 5 minutes

The guest writer of this article has requested to remain anonymous.

To some, dealing with the opposite sex is not simply a matter of minding the platform gap. It is a veritable chasm, with most of us hailing from four years of single-sex schools. Junior college brings boys and girls together not only in learning, but also in socialisation. Some things are for sure: you’ll make wonderful friends, male and female alike, and you’ll learn a fair bit about the opposite sex. Girls will learn how smelly boys can be, and boys will –or not– get used to casual period talk. Boys will not always understand female emotional intricacies, and it takes a long time to get used to guy leg hair.

There are a ton of avenues to get to know others in JC: orientation, classes, lecture groups, CCA, through mutual friends, camps… The list is endless! It is a whirlwind of social life within the walls of the Year 5/6 campus, and couples are a natural result. A statistic speculates that there are well over fifty couples in the batch by the end of the first year. There is at least one couple, or someone in a relationship, in almost every class. Budding romances will be all around you; some will shock you, some will disappoint, and others you’ll grin at and cheer on from the sidelines.

Still, there always exists that Singaporean mantra ‘studies come first’. “I’m not allowed to have a boyfriend till I’m in university,” shrugs a Year 6. “Relationships can be a huge distraction with the commitment and all, and coming from Raffles the pressure to perform (for A levels) is especially high.”

Studies, disapproval from parents, and the two-year admissions staggering due to National Service are the three most common cons naysayers have quoted. They are indeed valid concerns, as junior college is primarily a preparation for the mightily important A-level exams. Studies aside, there have been several interesting responses from Year Sixes interviewed who have had crushes and confessions, yet don’t envision themselves attached. One cites a fear of commitment, and another insists boys are like brothers to her.

“They are playful and childish,” she laughs. “In a good way! They are great friends, but I prefer to wait for them to go through NS and mature first before you know, looking for a husband. I’m the conventional type who wants to date only when I can see a lifetime with that person, and I kinda get the feeling that will scare any boys off.” She looked pretty embarrassed, but sportingly added, “Some of the boys my friends are dating are mature though, and seem to really care for (my friend) and value her as a best friend, so I’m happy for them! But nope, just guy friends for me for now.”

Of course, there is always the teenage Romeo-and-Juliet question: is he/she in love with their partner, or in love with the idea of love? When asked why he thought his male peers entered relationships, one boy said, “I guess there are always a variety of reasons, like companionship, and most truly like the girl and want to commit to her. I know of some guys who go into relationships looking to show off, or for sex. They are a minority though, but personally I feel girls make better friends for now.”

Who then, is ready for a relationship? When is the right age or the right time, who is the right person? No one will know this but yourself. However, before any self-assessment one needs to grasp two simple facts.

The first fact, and probably the harshest reality: any couple is either going to break up or end up married. The more poignant second: a relationship is an investment, a commitment, a work in progress.

There are bound to be crushes in JC. Someone glimpses a cute guy at an IHC and the next hour she is texting her ‘spy’ contacts for info. Someone else sees a pretty female acquaintance walking his way, and stares straight ahead refusing to make eye contact. Numbers are exchanged whether by traditional, awkward face-to-face requests (by the way boys, this does impress girls. We asked.) or via Twitter, Facebook or mutual friends.

Not all crushes develop into something more. Many are, at most, a lively source of conversation among friends and something to look forward to in school. And for those guys and girls brave enough to make the first move, not all meet with favourable replies.

“There’s CCA, schoolwork, enrichments, plus I still wish to spend time with my secondary school friends. You actually have to put a lot of time and effort into a relationship to make it work, and some boys, when they ask, don’t really know the girl well or are truly serious about it,” says a Year 6 girl, who turned down a confession early in her J1 year.

“But,” she adds, “I’m honestly happy for my friends (in relationships), especially couples who seem compatible and complement each other! The boys are generally really sweet and caring. So no, I don’t feel much worry for them, especially if they are doing well in school or know full well the heavy commitment.”

Raffles Press interviewed a Year 6 girl, who has been with her boyfriend for over a year. It was hardly a whirlwind courtship, for they were close friends for two years before they went official. They have faced all the traditional obstacles; from high-commitment CCAs and leadership roles to classwork and parents. She shares with us her favourite part about being attached.

“The best part is that there’s this mutual support. Like you know on your worst days when you feel like something’s always going wrong, that special person will always be there for you to make it better. It’s really all about support, and it’s more than having a best friend because on a deeper level, there’s a sense of security.”

However, she also admits that couples are seldom prepared for the effort relationships require to work out, especially with grades and other CCA or social commitments. “It’s about what you value, I guess,” she says. “If you value it all: grades, your relationship, free time, and you aren’t willing to sacrifice, you’re in for a rough ride.”

Relationships in JC can be amazing, and for the general school populace, a great churner of the gossip mill. To our newly-minted Year 5s: there’ll be couples, there’ll be breakups. But there are also many ways of maintaining special friendships with members of the opposite sex through study dates, mutual agreements to put special relationships on hold till exams pass.

Junior college will ultimately be two of the most eventful and fast-paced years of your life. Relationships may crop up on the sidelines, but even the sweetest couples can tell you that there is nothing as important or special as friendship. Most couples start as friends anyway, and let us tell you this: you will have times of fun (and stress), you will spend time maturing with your peers, and you will find friendships that are for life, whether with a spark of romance or not.

We loved being in Year 5, we hope you do too! Raffles Press wishes all incoming students a great two years in RJC :)

In the meantime, have fun dating your books.