Post O-Level Thoughts: JC or Poly?
November 15, 2015I don't know how I should be feeling.
I finished my O-levels and to be honest, I'm feeling very angsty now.
I feel like people are very complex beings. It's not easy to categorise us into personality types because there are so many different kinds of people who are divergent.
Similarly, I feel like the differences between poly's and JC's are so stark. What about those who work well with a little hands-on activities and academic, content-based assignments? Do we really have to pick one? Is there a way where I can get the best of both worlds?
With all these spiralling thoughts, I'm so undecided between going to JC or Poly now.
I don't know what my plan is and I don't know where to go for my tertiary education.
For a long period of time, I had my mind set on going to a good JC and to take the conventional path to university. But when my grades plummeted earlier this year, I was forced to rethink my options and see if I was the academic kind.
I managed to slowly but steadily pick myself up during prelims but my L1R5 wasn't good enough to get into the JC of my choice.
I continued to work hard leading up to O's but I'm worried that my best is not enough.
Consequently, I'm relying on my results to make the decision for me, hahaha.
Anyway, I've been reading peoples opinions on JC or Poly. I'll try my best to compile what I've read in this one post. I'll be crediting my sources of course :)
JC or POLY?
I'm going to separate the pros and cons of both options.
POLYTECHNIC.
1. Longer and more holidays
Unless you're the kind who enjoys having a lot (too much) free time and being bored, I think having longer holidays isn't a very appealing incentive to go poly. Personally, I'd rather spend long fun days with friends in school :) But everyone has their own opinions!
Source: Google/Tumblr
2. Able to wear your own clothes to school
It may be all exciting and fun at first. You may be looking like a fashionista for the first few weeks but after a while, you may get bored. Perhaps you'll start wearing slippers/flip flops and shorts.
On the other end of the spectrum, people may care too much about what they wear and end up spending a long time choosing what to wear before heading to campus.
Unfortunately, some people may be judge you on your appearance and choices in fashion. Be prepared. But ultimately, if you like it and feel good, work it!
Source: Google
3. Able to "slack"
From what I've read, people who 'slack' either have really good time-management and are on top of things or just don't care about their GPA/grades.
In addition, if people around you are slacking, with peer pressure, you may tend to lose motivation as well.
Source: Google/Tumblr
4. No need to go through 'A' levels
This means no more academic subjects which JC students have to take. Especially, no more languages!
This also means that you don't have to rely on that one A-level paper to do well. You don't have to mug like JC students when their major exams approach. Your GPA and grades are reliant on your collective effort throughout your 3 years in poly, unlike in JC where it's all or nothing.
Some may view this as a good thing since you don't have to have all the stress weighing you down at A-levels since you don't take that paper.
Source: Google/Tumblr
But, some others may view it as having more stress. Because this also means that you have to be in full-steam engine throughout the 3 years making sure that you maintain a good GPA. Every test/module counts. The stress may be continuous.
See what works best for you.
5. Must be VERY independent
From what I hear/read, the lessons and modules are rather bitesize. This gives you time to digest what you learn. However, there are A LOT of these bitesize tutorials, assignments and projects. All this adds up and the workload becomes HUGE.That being said, you have to be VERY disciplined to not fall behind. Same goes for JC. You have to have a positive attitude and be ready to work hard.
However, from what I've read, I think the difference is that the teachers/lecturers in Poly leave the students to motivate themselves a lot more than in JC. This means that poly students have to much more independent and self-directed.
Source: Google
6. Harder to get into a (local) University
If your original plan was to not go uni, then poly is a great choice. A diploma is better than an A-level cert. However, a university degree is better than a poly diploma.
Source: thehearttruths.com
In addition, local universities usually have higher expectations for poly grads. The total number of student intakes from JCs is higher than the total number of student intakes from polytechnics so the competition to get into a local university, if you're a poly student, is extremely high.
Approximately 20% of poly students make it to a local university.
7. Internship opportunities + Real work-life skills
Poly graduates will be better equipped with relevant industry-needed knowledge and specific skills for work-life. This will give you a clear head-start when joining the workforce as you have more experience compared to JC students. (Whether or not the JC students catch up is another issue.)
Plus, it's really exciting to go overseas to learn more! Poly offers more (overseas) trips and internships for you to develop your skills.
Source: Google/Tumblr8. More expensive
Poly students have no concession fee on public transport and have higher school fees compared to JC students.
But, with the higher school fees, you're also paying for the amazing facilities and amenities. For example, the food in poly is usually better than in JC in terms of variety and ambience, most poly's have multiple air-conditioned foodcourts and a bigger campus.
But there are many scholarships around! With a Google search, you can find many different scholarships for different courses and industries. This can help a lot :)
9. Competition
Competition is everywhere, it's also very prevalent in JC. However, it may be more obvious in poly because out of 3 poly students, 1 had good O-level results and could have gone to JC.
If you aren't that 1, you may have to work harder. But most importantly, don't compare :)
Plus, if your course does not require any prior academic knowledge, you don't have to bother about your peers O-level results.
10. Not a place for making mistakes
When you're in secondary school, you may have little class tests for you to learn from your mistakes. In JC, you will have common tests to learn as well.
When you go Poly, there's no room for mistakes because every test counts towards your GPA. From your first year, when you may still need time to adapt to poly life, your tests will already count towards your GPA. A small mistake on your part may be a big mistake on your GPA.
In poly, you're expected to mature and be an adult (hence the adult fare in public transport too).
Source: Google
Poly life will work for you if you:
Next,
Junior College (JC).
From what I hear, the first few weeks of JC will be like
Source: Google
But most JC students don't regret their choice once they've adapted to the JC life!
It's crucial to pick a JC which suits you well. If you work best in a 'mugger' environment where everyone is very motivated, if my sources are reliable, I believe MJC and other top JC's are suitable for you. (Comment below if you heard otherwise)
If you like a work hard and play hard school, VJC is perfect.
The bottom line is, if you plan to go to a JC, look at the big picture and whole package :) Find a JC which has a culture that works best for you. You want to enjoy your life, not hate waking up, going to school and dread living.
Now, on to the pros and cons of JC.
1. A LOT more stress
If you thought O-levels was tiring and terrible, forget about JC.
Less free time for yourself, more homework, subjects are more in depth and longer school hours. It's intense.
Source: Google
2. 2 years in JC compared to 3 years in Poly
When you go university, you'll be in Year 1. Poly students who manage to get into uni will be promoted to the 2nd year automatically so it all evens out in the end.
Source: Google
3. Have to do well in A-levels to go University
An A-level cert isn't as useful as a poly diploma. The main reason why students choose to go JC is because they want to go uni. So you have to make sure that you'll be able to score well enough in A's to get into a uni.
With that being said, local universities take in a lot more JC students compared to poly students. I think that if it comes down to a JC student who did poorly (but I don't mean failed and did super badly) in A-levels or a poly student with a good GPA, the university my pick the former.
Source: Google
4. Competition
In primary and secondary school, there was a diversity of students. Regardless of how academically inclined the student was, they HAD to sit for PSLE and O-levels. Now that the not as academically-gifted students choose the non-JC route, it leaves the more academically inclined in the JC path.
What does this mean? It means that if you're 'average', you suddenly become the worst (even if you aren't that bad!). The smartest people will be your competition (imagine the bell curve) so you have to up your game.
Source: Google
5. Extra Co-Curricular Activities (CCA etc.)
CCA can be a huge part of your JC life. I you choose a CCA you love and make great friends, that'll make your JC life a lot more fun and enjoyable!
However, A LOT of time and effort will be put into CCA. I heard that some CCAs in some JCs have sessions on weekends and even train up to 4 days per week.
Be prepared to juggle your work, sleep, life and extra commitments.
Source: Google
JC life will work for you if you:
Sources:
http://prettywildthing.blogspot.sg/2013/06/jc-or-poly.html
http://smong.net/2015/01/jc-or-poly-after-o-levels-or-course-jc.html
http://stopthe-pretence.blogspot.sg/2012/03/truth-behind-my-jc-life.html
http://mauris.sg/blog/2013/03/going-polytechnic-wrong-choice-commentary/
http://www.hometuitionagency.com.sg/blog/resources-for-parents-students/pros-and-cons-of-the-route-of-jc-or-poly/
http://sgforums.com/forums/2297/topics/458400
http://www.epigami.sg/blog/how-to-choose-between-a-junior-college-or-a-polytechnic/
https://www.youth.sg/Peek-Show/2015/1/common-misconceptions-of-jc-and-poly
http://sszeki.blogspot.sg/2015/01/jc-or-polytechnic.html
https://www.reddit.com/r/singapore/comments/2ri9vz/reddiporeans_who_have_gone_toare_currently_in/
Ultimately, stick to our choice as much as possible. If you plan to transfer, do it ASAP and don't change your mind again. If you give up easily and jump from institution to institution, you'll end up wasting time and money.
There will always be hard times in life but that doesn't mean you should give up- It means you have to step up :)
Do your best, work hard and stay positive. You'll make it.
No matter what anyone says, the choice is YOURS. It's YOUR life, make it awesome :)
P.S. There are other Pre-U options as well such as ITE, private institutions and even colleges overseas. This blog post is to just address the 2 most popular post-secondary destinations.
That's all for this long post, bye for now!!
In poly, you're expected to mature and be an adult (hence the adult fare in public transport too).
Source: GooglePoly life will work for you if you:
- Know what you want to do in life
- Like and learn better from projects and hands-on work
- Work well with people/groups (for projects)
- Aren't interested in JC syllabus
- Are disciplined, independent and self-directed
- Aren't extremely insistent on going to a (local) University
- Want to start work after Poly diploma
- Want a change from Secondary school life (no uniform, different schedule etc.)
Next,
Junior College (JC).
From what I hear, the first few weeks of JC will be like
Source: GoogleBut most JC students don't regret their choice once they've adapted to the JC life!
It's crucial to pick a JC which suits you well. If you work best in a 'mugger' environment where everyone is very motivated, if my sources are reliable, I believe MJC and other top JC's are suitable for you. (Comment below if you heard otherwise)
If you like a work hard and play hard school, VJC is perfect.
The bottom line is, if you plan to go to a JC, look at the big picture and whole package :) Find a JC which has a culture that works best for you. You want to enjoy your life, not hate waking up, going to school and dread living.
Now, on to the pros and cons of JC.
1. A LOT more stress
If you thought O-levels was tiring and terrible, forget about JC.
Less free time for yourself, more homework, subjects are more in depth and longer school hours. It's intense.
Source: Google2. 2 years in JC compared to 3 years in Poly
When you go university, you'll be in Year 1. Poly students who manage to get into uni will be promoted to the 2nd year automatically so it all evens out in the end.
Source: Google3. Have to do well in A-levels to go University
An A-level cert isn't as useful as a poly diploma. The main reason why students choose to go JC is because they want to go uni. So you have to make sure that you'll be able to score well enough in A's to get into a uni.
With that being said, local universities take in a lot more JC students compared to poly students. I think that if it comes down to a JC student who did poorly (but I don't mean failed and did super badly) in A-levels or a poly student with a good GPA, the university my pick the former.
Source: Google4. Competition
In primary and secondary school, there was a diversity of students. Regardless of how academically inclined the student was, they HAD to sit for PSLE and O-levels. Now that the not as academically-gifted students choose the non-JC route, it leaves the more academically inclined in the JC path.
What does this mean? It means that if you're 'average', you suddenly become the worst (even if you aren't that bad!). The smartest people will be your competition (imagine the bell curve) so you have to up your game.
Source: Google5. Extra Co-Curricular Activities (CCA etc.)
CCA can be a huge part of your JC life. I you choose a CCA you love and make great friends, that'll make your JC life a lot more fun and enjoyable!
However, A LOT of time and effort will be put into CCA. I heard that some CCAs in some JCs have sessions on weekends and even train up to 4 days per week.
Be prepared to juggle your work, sleep, life and extra commitments.
Source: GoogleJC life will work for you if you:
- Aren't sure what career you want to pursue
- Like and learn best from reading textbooks or lectures
- Are strong in your academic subjects
- Like structured curriculum with a school-like environment (like Secondary school)
- Can handle stress
- Want to go to a (local) university
Sources:
http://prettywildthing.blogspot.sg/2013/06/jc-or-poly.html
http://smong.net/2015/01/jc-or-poly-after-o-levels-or-course-jc.html
http://stopthe-pretence.blogspot.sg/2012/03/truth-behind-my-jc-life.html
http://mauris.sg/blog/2013/03/going-polytechnic-wrong-choice-commentary/
http://www.hometuitionagency.com.sg/blog/resources-for-parents-students/pros-and-cons-of-the-route-of-jc-or-poly/
http://sgforums.com/forums/2297/topics/458400
http://www.epigami.sg/blog/how-to-choose-between-a-junior-college-or-a-polytechnic/
https://www.youth.sg/Peek-Show/2015/1/common-misconceptions-of-jc-and-poly
http://sszeki.blogspot.sg/2015/01/jc-or-polytechnic.html
https://www.reddit.com/r/singapore/comments/2ri9vz/reddiporeans_who_have_gone_toare_currently_in/
Ultimately, stick to our choice as much as possible. If you plan to transfer, do it ASAP and don't change your mind again. If you give up easily and jump from institution to institution, you'll end up wasting time and money.
There will always be hard times in life but that doesn't mean you should give up- It means you have to step up :)
Do your best, work hard and stay positive. You'll make it.
No matter what anyone says, the choice is YOURS. It's YOUR life, make it awesome :)
P.S. There are other Pre-U options as well such as ITE, private institutions and even colleges overseas. This blog post is to just address the 2 most popular post-secondary destinations.
That's all for this long post, bye for now!!
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