A look into each subject

So what’s next after 19 November?You’ve gotten your posting results for Secondary 3 in 2014. Happy or upset, delighted or depressed, this newsletter is for you. EVG Vibes has done interviews with many secondary 3 students of 2013 to give you insights for what’s next after 19 November.

Biology (The Science of Life)

Okay, you’re either a person who is extremely passionate in Sciences or perhaps, going to Junior College entices you. Regardless of the fact, Biology is an interesting subject, where you learn mainly about how the body functions, how your hypothalamus secretes hormones, and the fun part is when you learn about causes and consequences of diseases such as

arthrosclerosis and cirrhosis of the liver. How about the in-depth coverage of photosynthesis? Want to find out more? Start reading your new biology textbook, then! However, be prepared as you have to be a self-directed learner, know how to apply your knowledge in application questions. You are considered wise, not nerdy if you study before your biology teacher starts teaching. If you are not genuinely passionate about Sciences or you are not the kind of person who constantly wonders about the science of life, be warned

that this subject is not the one for you.

Additional Mathematics (Not as scary as you think it is) This is a subject where many myths are involved. Ranging from Binomial Theorem, Differentiation, Integration, Polynomials, and even Inverse Matrices. I’m here to break them! Additional Mathematics is a compulsory subject for all express stream students so you have to know this really well. (It is advised that you continue taking this subject unless you are really bad at it, because Additional Mathematics is beneficial for your tertiary studies.) To ace in additional mathematics, you have to be REALLY good in algebra. Well, let’s just say as long as you know your laws of algebra well, you’ll most definitely be alright. Surprisingly, additional mathematics is an easier subject to score in as compared to Elementary Mathematics. This year, there was even a student who got full marks for the Additional Mathematics paper during Mid-Year Examinations! Tips to ace this subject you ask? You have to keep practicing and not giving up. Remember: What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!

Social Studies (Never a trivial matter) Social studies is very different from the one you learn in primary school. You learn about the Singapore Government, overseas conflicts such as the multi-ethnic clashes in Sri Lanka and Northern Ireland. To be prepared for social studies, best ask your parents first or research about Singapore’s policies such as Medishield, Medisave, CPF (yes, you have to know what that stands for) and know your geography well, such as what’s the difference between England and UK.In social studies, you have to do Source-Based Questions and essays. Learn to write fast and be accurate. Oh yes, more often than not, many would choose to memorize essays word-for-word. It is best to be exam smart when coming to Social Studies.

CH(Combined Humanities)/Geography (The World around us) Along with social studies, students have to take another humanities subject, be it Geography, History or an English Literature elective. This is known as combined humanities.Wong Jia En from 3 Respect indulges EVG Vibes on why she wanted to take a Geography elective. ‘Taking geography as an elective is really fun. You get to apply geographical knowledge in real life, like explaining to your friends why certain natural disasters and formations happen. In geography, you learn new things about Planet Earth all the time, and most natural events such as typhoons can be explained using geography.” she said.‘The best thing about geography is that you get hands-on experience with weather instruments! But if you really have a passion for geography, do take pure geography. Also, the bad thing about geography is that you have to memorise facts, like all humanities!’ Jia En adds.Elective geography is a common subject taken across the level, with more or less than 75% of the cohort taking geography as an elective.

CH(Combined Humanities)/History (Stop staring at the mustaches) Another humanities subject is History, the second most common subject taken across the level.

As a student who takes Elective History, I find this subject extremely interesting. One learns about famous historical figures such as Josef Stalin and Adolf Hitler, and interesting facts (or fiction), and uncover historical facts along the enjoyable timeline in History. Elective History gives you an occasional advantage over your peers who take Geography and English Literature, as the Elective History paper format is exactly the same as the format in Social Studies, so I guess you can apply the things you learn from Social Studies to History and vice versa.Elective History has its perks and the bad stuff. If you are a History student, it’s advisable that you are reasonably alright in source-based questions. (We can’t guarantee that, though.)This subject has its fair share of memorisation, but for history, I recommend getting a guidebook from Popular Bookstore and read it avidly like your favourite book. That is the easiest way to memorise facts for History.

CH(Combined Humanities)/English Literature (Fasting and Feasting on Texts and Unknowns) Zhi Qi from 3 Commitment enlightens EVG Vibes why she chose to take English Literature for her elective.

“The teachers are nice, the set text (Fasting, Feasting by Anita Desai)

interesting as well. In lessons, you have to really pay attention because there are important things you have to take note of.” she said. However, she further says that by learning literature as an elective would not be as strict as compared to pure literature. “Some may feel it’s okay if the teachers cut some slack, but some prefer teachers who teach every lesson as if the O Level paper is the next day! I have no comment on which I prefer, though,”Zhi Qi also remarks that if students are extremely interested to learn more about the English Language and have a burning passion (literally!) for it, they should take a different elective and take pure literature instead.

Principles of Accounts (Secretaries for fictional people) Jian Hui from 3 Integrity eagerly tells EVG Vibes what’s the fun in taking POA.

“POA is a subject that is easy to score your distinctions in. It’s actually just calculations and some theory stuff. But you must be meticulous, not careless as one mistake can affect all. If you make one silly mistake, you may get the whole question wrong in the end.”A student who prefers to remain anonymous gives her thoughts about POA.‘POA is a really fun subject! You don’t have to memorise formulas, but formats, which is WAY easier than math. And also, it’s not true that you have to be good in math to be good in POA because they are 2 totally unrelated subjects.”“When balancing accounts, I find it rather irritating, especially when I’m in a bad mood! That’s all I don’t really like about the subject.” she adds.

Art (Speaking a thousand words with each stroke)

\Amanda Tan from 3 Commitment gives her views on art. “Art is a subject where you are free to express yourself with guidance from the school’s art teachers. They give you suggestions on how to improve your artwork. However, art is a time consuming subject that leaves you physically and mentally drained. When you see your final piece, you are just plain happy, though. That’s what I like about art.” she explains.Seemingly, almost no students of 3 Express in 2014 are taking art next year. But if you are one who enjoys Art, go for it! Follow your passion!

Pure Literature (Fasting and Feasting even more)

Yu Xuan from 3 Integrity tells EVG Vibes on why she took Pure Literature.“Pure Literature is a subject that will be interesting to anyone who loves the English Language. Classes are fun and not really stressful. It’s quite relaxed, the pace is,” she says thoughtfully. “In pure literature however it is a subject hard to score in. It depends on how well your grasp of English is. So I recommend more reading!” she adds.Kia Nam from 3 Commitment tells us more.“In pure literature you read books, the environment is conducive for learning. The teachers are awesome! Also, you don’t necessarily have to be excellent at English to do well in pure literature. However, if you don’t like to read, don’t take pure literature as you will eventually regret it.”

Pure Geography (Geographers Unite!)

Zhi Qi from 3 Commitment tells us about pure geography.“In pure geography you can learn a lot about the coastal environment, and know more than the elective geography students. We also have exposure to national geographic. The bad things about pure geography is that the extra interesting thing about pure geography is fieldwork,” she says.

We hope that this has been useful to every student who is anticipating their new subject combinations, or are wondering what’s coming up for them. EVG Vibes wishes all a happy December, and wishing students and staff a very merry Christmas and a joyful 2014!