03 Nov Challenges Students Face in JC Classes
When you complete your O-level exams and perform well, you become super excited. This is because you are going to join another phase of education-Junior college. At this level, you will have two years to study. Besides, you take several subjects in your JC classes.
But the truth is, JC classes are not simple compared to secondary school. The syllabus changes completely, and it comes with its package of responsibility. Therefore, if you managed to pass your O-Level with minimal effort, don’t expect the same in JC.
Challenges faced by JC students
1. A different study approach required other than the one you used before
The O-Level classes are simple and do not require much commitment as compared to JC classes. Therefore, if you apply the same study method you used at O-level at A-level, you might not achieve your best. Apply a different study approach.
Mostly, at O-level, students are required to memorize concepts. This allows them to remember the lecture notes and apply them during the exam time. But the case is different when it comes to JC classes. This is because of the complexity of concepts.
For instance, in JC H2 chemistry, a student is expected to understand each topic and their relationships. This is because, during exams, a student needs to apply different concepts from different chemistry topics in one question. This gets some JC students off guard and especially during their first year. Therefore, if you want to perform well in your JC classes, approach your studies from a different angle.
2. Project work
It is demanding course work for all JC students because you can’t escape project work. During your first year, you sit for H1PW. It is a subject that requires both teamwork and independent research. Therefore, you have to be good at working with others and also on your own.
The project work has two papers done during exams. For paper one, there is a written group report and an individual assignment for insights and reflection. On the other side, paper two tests the oral skills of both an individual and the group at large.
Therefore, you need to strike a balance between the two. Unproductive teamwork can lead to unsatisfactory results. Also, spending a lot of time doing personal research and ignoring group work can contribute the same. Therefore, if you do not have a clue on how the project work goes, you might not achieve the best.
3. The demand for JC1 July Mid-Year Exam
After you join Junior College, you only have seven months to prepare for your July Mid-Year Exam. It is a crucial exam as it determines the retention of your best performance for the rest of your JC classes. This is challenging for most JC students because they spend the first months trying to adapt to the new environment.
As you try to adjustboom, it is the June Holiday. During the school holiday, you participate in student leadership camps and CCA training. Within no time, you are back to school, and the MYE is around the corner.
Therefore, it is crucial to perform well in your MYE because, after two months, you sit for the Promo Exam. The Promo Exam tests what you learned in your first semester. Therefore, if you fail your MYE, you will have a pile of JC class notes to revise. Also, the H1 Project Work is usually at the pick during these two months before the Promo Exam.
4. The complexity of the subjects
As you move to a higher academic level, the broadness of concepts continues to increase. Therefore, at JC, expect complex theories, formulas, equations, and calculations. You have a lot to cover within the two years in Junior College.
For instance, in JC H2 chemistry, most students get overwhelmed by the workload. This is because you have to work on 11 topics for only seven months to sit for your Promotion Exam. Therefore, it is crucial to get prepared to work extra harder than your O-level Pure Chemistry classes.
5. Competition from IP students
Top Primary School Level Examination (PSLE) performers mostly bypass the GCE O-Level exam. The students proceed to take the A-level exam directly. Therefore, the O-level exam is not as competitive as the A-Level exam.
The GCE O-level students who pass through JC classes might find themselves at the bottom of the exam result list. This is because they face the giants who go through the IP system. Also, the weak O-Level students choose to go to polytechnics instead of junior college.
Therefore, the challenge is real. You have to put more effort into your JC classes to remain competitive during your A-level exams. Moreover, some top O-Level performers choose the A-Level route. As a result, they become more prepared for the A-level exam than IP system students.
6. More time in school
You only have two years for JC classes, but you find that most of the time in those years is for school work. This is because you enter school at around 7.30 am and leave at around 5 pm. This can be tiresome, but you have to cope.
Also, if you have your project work meetings, CCA training, or a Mother Tongue lesson, you need to prepare to leave school in the evening. Therefore, you need to exercise personal discipline through a study plan and follow it.
The best way to cope with the tight JC class timetable is time management. Plan yourself after school. Have some time to relax, do personal studies, or attend JC chemistry tuition. That way, you will have an easy time to revise and sit for your exams adequately prepared.
Every phase of your education comes with its challenges. It is your responsibility to come up with ways that allow you to rise above those challenges. At junior college, you will face these obstacles, but you can make it. Approach the journey from a perspective that will help you do your best.
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