By Camillia Anum Mohamad Ashraff (24S03B)
Two plates. Matching bracelets. Mysterious arms and/or elbows.
These are all key characteristics of the practice everyone knows and loves (or hates): soft launching. For the uninitiated, a “soft launch” is essentially an ambiguous post that is meant to hint at a romantic relationship.
Continue reading “The Art of Soft Launching”
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.
Continue reading “Commitment Issues”
By Pan Haotian (24A01B) and Darren Wong (24S03C, Peer Helper)
Your resident Aunties and Uncles are back with our Ask Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset column, this time as a collaboration between Raffles Press and Peer Helpers’ Programme (PHP)! Ever wanted to rant about that someone you just can’t stand? Overwhelmed with too many feelings? Submit your confessions to https://tinyurl.com/RIAAUU and we’ll give them our best shot. This column will be published at the end of every month.
What should I do if my stress is making it hard for me to eat and sleep? I don’t know how to reduce the stress because it is how I feel and it is hard to change.
Stressed-Out Sebastian
Dear Stressed-Out Sebastian,
“Stress” may be the 1740th most common word in the English language (thank you, Google), but it’s likely the most common word in any Rafflesian’s vocabulary. For many of us, stress is no longer an exception in an otherwise peaceful school term: it’s the new normal. Yet we need to remember that just because something is common doesn’t mean that it’s normal, and behind the commonplace complaint of stress hides entirely unordinary symptoms.
Continue reading “Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset: Reducing Excessive Stress”
By Low Jing Kai (24S03H) and Wang Xinxuan (24S06L, Peer Helper)
Your resident Aunties and Uncles are back with our Ask Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset column, this time as a collaboration between Raffles Press and Peer Helpers’ Programme (PHP)! Ever wanted to rant about that someone you just can’t stand? Overwhelmed with too many feelings? Submit your confessions to https://tinyurl.com/RIAAUU and we’ll give them our best shot. This column will be published at the end of every month.
In an environment which is described as a pressure cooker and competitiveness is so ingrained in our culture, how do you stay healthy when there is such a strong feeling of “I might lose out”?
Distressed Darren
Dear Distressed Darren,
Feeling that we are not doing enough, especially when we feel our peers are performing better than us, is a feeling shared by nearly every student. This feeling can motivate us to work harder and reach greater heights, yet, it can also lead us to become overcome with self-despair and lead to unnecessary stress. This is why we need to know how we can manage this feeling of inadequacy and not let it get the better of us.
Continue reading “Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset: Dealing with Competitiveness and Academic Insecurity”
By Syaura Nashwa (24S03R) and Rachel Toh (24S03I, Peer Helper)
Your resident Aunties and Uncles are back with our Ask Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset column, this time as a collaboration between Raffles Press and Peer Helpers’ Programme (PHP)! Ever wanted to rant about that someone you just can’t stand? Overwhelmed with too many feelings? Submit your confessions to https://tinyurl.com/RIAAUU and we’ll give them our best shot. This column will be published at the end of every month.
“Is it possible to suppress negative thoughts? Does it work?”
Solemn Samantha
Dear Solemn Samantha,
I’ve seen many just like you. Amidst those frolicking, you’re in a place no one can reach—your mind. It’s hard to block out those voices which bring you down. Harder yet, to suppress them. You wonder why you can’t be as carefree as your friends.
Continue reading “Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset: Gaslighting myself—does it really work?”