A-Level Results 2010: A J1’s Perspective
by Olga Bessarab
Photos by the Photographic Society
Tension filled the air like a haze. One could almost hear the laughter and crying that would soon fill the area around the ACJC hall. In the void deck my seniors sat smiling, but I could see the unease etched on their faces, as if it was carved into their skin, making the muscles freeze up.
My own heart skipped a beat as I lifted my head to look at the clock. Soon their destiny would be revealed, and I would get a chance to document it, and to feel the excitement through them.
When the results were released, I scurried after my maniAC mentor in search of unsuspecting seniors to interview.
I saw tear-stained faces, strained faces, smiling faces, laughing faces. Not a single face was without expression.
I soon spotted my Drama senior (or should I say, grand-senior) with puffy red eyes and tears streaming down his face. I immediately thought of the worst and told him “It’s okay.”
It was then that I found out that he had done exceptionally well in his exams and was crying out of happiness.
The A Levels, they can bring out all sorts of reactions from people.
Most people had found the examinations a difficult process, yet there was something about every senior that filled me with hope and inspiration. Perhaps it was the fact that each of them had fought gallantly, and won. Each of them had made the A Levels a mere memory, to be looked back upon with fondness or maybe contempt. I wouldn’t know. My point is, they had done it, and if they had, so can the J2s this year and the J1s next year.
Being a maniAC member is not without its benefits. I was able to collect quite a lot of study tips from my interviewees, which I would love to share with you.
Former maniAC editor Yee Hui said that doing and completing tutorials is of extreme importance. Sujay Natson, who scored seven distinctions, also noted that one should pay attention during lessons and manage one’s time well.
For those people who prefer an artistic touch, Sam (from Drama) had actually devised a study method where he gave himself lectures and tutorials. He actually pretended that he was teaching a class and ‘taught’ his pupils not to make careless mistakes and the steps to solving certain questions.
I must say that I am proud to be a Drama student. Drama people do come up with interesting and effective ideas!
My biggest lesson learnt that day? That life goes on. You should give all you’ve got and be proud of the life you lead. You learn all you can and give your best shot during the As. At the end of the day, though, life goes on. No matter what marks you get, there’s still a future for you (I believe so, anyway), but you must never, never neglect the learning process; rather, make the most of it, because that’s going to be one of the best memories you’ll have of the school: learning with your friends.
Congratulations, dear grand seniors, and all the best for your futures!