This post is specially for the Sec 4 who had finished their preliminary examination, and achieved unexpected results (it will always happen for most of us).

If you want to go to a JC, my advice is try DSA first even if you think you can get into your target JC. Why I am saying this is because if you get into a JC successfully, life will be much easier for your O levels. I mean seriously, you can now focus on your studies without having to worry if you can meet the cut-off point of that school. However, if you decide to change CCA in JC, don't DSA, of course.

Here are my tips for DSA:

1. Choose a school that is appropriate for your DSA. Do not choose RJC or HCI just for reputation, because you are most likely to suffer in academics. Always remember that school is not a place to master your sports or aesthetic skills, but a place to master your academic skills. The aim of going to a JC is to go to good universities, to get good jobs. You should know that finding jobs is much harder now due to greater globalisation. Back to the point, you should choose a school where you can cope its schoolwork and catch up with the learning pace. Basically, the speed of the lecture and tutorials is much faster in Top 5 schools compared to the others. Most likely, it's because the students there are excellent in their studies hence they are able to learn faster and more knowledge. You do not want yourself to retain and study for one more year in JC, right? Therefore, choose a school that you can cope with. Apply to RJC and HCI only if you like studying LIKE HELL (like what my JC tutor said).

2. Choose a school with good CCA that you are applying for. Good CCA, in this case, means CCA with good acheivements like Gold with Honours for SYF Central Judging, National Top 4 in sports etc. It's because if you choose a school with a CCA that is lousy, you're going to suffer like hell. Because the CCA will depend on you and will try to keep you for one more year to achieve good results for competitions. That means you will be 'forced' to retain for one more year. I'm sure you do not want to get into this win-lose situation, you do not want to be controlled by the school (I mean it literally). Furthermore, if you go to a school with the good CCA, you are most likely to get better experiences through activities such as overseas trip, national and international competitions. If you want your graduation certificate to look good, this will be your chance.

3. If you have got into a school successfully, do not or NEVER lose focus on your studies. Maybe you will think that you won't get more than 20 for your L1R5, but think carefully. How will you be compared with other JC students. For example, if the cut-off point for that school is 6 and you get 15 for your L1R5, how will you feel if the students ask you what your L1R5 is? Somehow, DSA can be just for playing safe to get into the school (but you must also not forget that you have to train yourself for the CCA so that you will be better than other students in terms of sports or aesthetics), so do your very best for your O Levels so that you won't be the 'odd one out' in the school in terms of academics.

That's all I've got to say. Think carefully if JC is really your choice, do not have a mindset of going to that school just for reputation. You will suffer, and I mean it. Go for DSA only if you are very enthusiastic in the CCA. Good luck for your O Levels. Study hard and rest well too.

-End of Post-