School Life

How to Respond to Soft/Hard Launches

Reading Time: 6 minutes

By Gladys Koh (26A01B), Irene Eva Thomas (26A01B), Tok Kai Xue (26A01B)

Yet another Valentine’s Day has arrived. It seems like Cupid’s arrow has struck everyone but you. Soft launch after soft launch after soft launch, and then just for emotional damage, some more hard launches for good measure. 

Instant jealousy is natural— it’s your body’s way of indicating that something is deeply unsettling to you. In this case, all couples. Jealousy, however, is passive, and participation in Valentine’s Day should not be restricted to just couples.

While there are no lectures for responding to a soft or hard launch, it would be irresponsible to face Valentine’s Day unprepared. Thus, for your consideration, Raffles Press presents an entirely necessary guide on how to respond when confronted with yet another relationship launch. 

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Valentines for the Broke Rafflesian: Valentine’s Activities on Campus for $14.20 or less

Reading Time: 6 minutes

By Lerraine Neo (26A01A)

Student couples make no sense. One moment it’s aesthetic cafe posts (that clearly took time to edit) of waffles and ice cream and perfectly drizzled caramel syrup, paired with selfies and pictures of each other as About You by The 1975 plays in the background. Then suddenly it’s “oh sorry, I can’t pay you back for the $10 lunch from two weeks ago, I have no money in my bank account”, or “I didn’t have time to finish my tutorial, why is there so much work”, or my personal favourite, “I know I’m forty-five minutes late but it’s because I was talking to my girlfriend.”

You all know who you are. 

There are two clear issues with student relationships: cost and time. Most students don’t have much income, and definitely not much free time. The solution? Raffles Institution. We’re obligated to spend most of our time in school, so why not make the most of it? For somewhere between $1.42 and $14.20, here’s a list of 7 Valentines (or regular date) activities you can do right here on campus.

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How to Dress to Impress

Reading Time: 3 minutes

By Michelle Lee (26S07A)

It’s that time of the year again! Get ready for the debut of couples’ matching Crocs Jibbitz, Italian charm bracelets, and a mirror selfie at Haji Lane set to a Daniel Caesar song… 

Are you sick of the February 14th phenomenon, but you also kinda want to join them? Say no more. This is your scientifically proven, foolproof guide on how you can dress to impress. Or don’t. (And take your mirror selfie at Haji Lane alone). 

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Blood, Sweat and Spirit: Kiwi Cup 2026

Reading Time: 5 minutes

By Ariann Khoo (26S06B) and Kunchur Bharat (26A01B)

All photographs courtesy of RPAC (Y1-4) unless otherwise stated.

A Feat

“R-A-F-F-L-E-S, Raffles!” 

The steady beats of the drums reverberated through the field, spirits high with competitiveness and confidence. Fervent cheers erupted from both sides, the atmosphere buzzing with energy and nerves. First started in 1968, the Kiwi Cup, played between the ruggers of Raffles and Saint Andrews, is an annual match that commemorates years of sportsmanship and camaraderie.

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Identity in the Undistinguished: Singapore Writers Festival 2025

Reading Time: 5 minutes

By Koh Shin Robbie (26A01A)

Identity is not a monolith. In our own self-identity lies many markers at play that, when met with the social conditions of today, create unique lived experiences for each of us. 

Whether we recognise it, these experiences are presented to us in all facets of our lives, across space and time—from the railways of Seoul to HDB void decks, even to the streets of 1960s Singapore. It is then often through such unseen little snippets of life that one’s expression of identity takes shape. Across the various panels in this year’s Singapore Writers Festival, this theme became apparent.

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