The beginning of my education journey 👩🏻🎓
Like most Singaporeans, I took the PSLE, where I scored 227 and managed to enter the express stream for secondary school. In those four years, I discovered some of my strengths, interests and qualities. For example, I was strong in the English language, and I enjoyed learning biology, humanities and the arts! I was also lucky enough to serve as president of the multimedia CCA, which helped me realise my potential leadership qualities. (Although the education system has since changed a lot, I wanted to elaborate on my background so you could have a better idea of my context.)
Even though I enjoyed certain subjects, my grades were pretty average, I had some As, mostly Bs, and some Cs. When it came time to think about what’s next after O’levels, I decided to join the Early Admissions Exercise for polytechnic. I was clear I did not want to pursue Junior College as I heard that it was essentially a more intense version of secondary school, and at the time I was soooo done with classrooms, textbooks and traditional studying. I applied for design courses at Temasek poly, Ngee Ann poly and Singapore poly (I’ll be happy to share my experiences with the aptitude tests and interviews :D)
I was offered a spot in Communication Design at Temasek poly and managed to secure it with an L1R4 of 14 points. My first two years in poly were affected by covid-19, it was a struggle to learn design off a screen in my room. Similarly, I was an average student, I had strengths in developing brand stories and conceptualising, but when it came to print and physical artworks I was weaker in those aspects. The highlight of most diploma’s would be the credit bearing internship, which I’ll share more in my next post as this one is getting too long!
Reflecting on my education journey, I found that the Singaporean system, while structured, offers many pathways to cater to different interests and strengths. Like many students, the PSLE was a significant milestone that set the course for my secondary schooling. Scoring 227 and entering the express stream opened opportunities in subjects I enjoyed such as English, biology, humanities, and arts—which helped me identify my passions and leadership potential through extracurricular activities like leading the multimedia CCA. Choosing polytechnic over junior college was a pivotal decision. Many students face this dilemma, especially when the thought of more intense traditional schooling is unappealing. By opting for the Early Admissions Exercise in polytechnic, I was able to focus on a creative field—Communication Design—that aligned with my interests. This decision showcased the flexibility within Singapore’s education system to pursue vocational and creative studies. The COVID-19 pandemic presented unique challenges, particularly with online learning for design courses that typically require hands-on engagement. Like many students during this period, adapting to remote classes demanded self-discipline, innovation, and resilience. I discovered that while I excelled in digital storytelling and brand conceptualization, physical artwork creation was more difficult without in-person guidance and studio access. One key highlight of polytechnic education in Singapore is the credit-bearing internship, which bridges academic learning with real-world experience. This practical exposure is invaluable for skill-building, career clarity, and networking. Sharing experiences about aptitude tests, interviews, and internships can support others preparing for similar paths. Overall, my education journey reflects growth through exploring interests, overcoming challenges, and making informed education choices. Whether in traditional or creative fields, understanding one’s strengths and navigating the system’s options can lead to fulfilling experiences and future opportunities.
