Was searching youtube for study videos to motivate myself (haha who am i kidding, not gonna work) when I came across this video. It's really inspiring and she makes quite a lot of sense, but she also mentioned something that I don't think I will ever be able to do - to make my studies "the most important thing in life".
I hate to admit this, but studies will never be the top-most priority in my life. I know the importance of education and especially in Singapore's competitive society, getting good grades, but as a student I feel that there are much more worth causes to strive for in life, and a balance of studies, fun, and people is necessary for a fulfilling life.
I'm not sure if it's just the differences in the Singapore education system and elsewhere but to me it's really quite true that local students lack the drive to achieve so much more (or at least, in my school). Of course there are people who really do well in their studies and generally most of us aren't that far off as well but I just don't see us striving for the best. Education have become less about the joy of learning, and more of studying just for the sake of As.
I love school, but I just can't bring myself to devote 100% of my life to my studies. Firstly there are the flaws in our education system, like the pure memorization of facts rather than the understanding and application of knowledge (which has improved vastly in current years) and also a very strong focus on math and science. Yes we know, Singapore's a knowledge based economy, but that doesn't mean that there isn't a need to develop students in the humanities and arts. For one, our arts scene is rather lacking and there aren't much governmental efforts to truly foster it as well. All this destroys the supposed enjoyable process of education and deters students from the ultimate goal of education, as the pursue of knowledge.
I hate to admit this, but studies will never be the top-most priority in my life. I know the importance of education and especially in Singapore's competitive society, getting good grades, but as a student I feel that there are much more worth causes to strive for in life, and a balance of studies, fun, and people is necessary for a fulfilling life.
I'm not sure if it's just the differences in the Singapore education system and elsewhere but to me it's really quite true that local students lack the drive to achieve so much more (or at least, in my school). Of course there are people who really do well in their studies and generally most of us aren't that far off as well but I just don't see us striving for the best. Education have become less about the joy of learning, and more of studying just for the sake of As.
I love school, but I just can't bring myself to devote 100% of my life to my studies. Firstly there are the flaws in our education system, like the pure memorization of facts rather than the understanding and application of knowledge (which has improved vastly in current years) and also a very strong focus on math and science. Yes we know, Singapore's a knowledge based economy, but that doesn't mean that there isn't a need to develop students in the humanities and arts. For one, our arts scene is rather lacking and there aren't much governmental efforts to truly foster it as well. All this destroys the supposed enjoyable process of education and deters students from the ultimate goal of education, as the pursue of knowledge.
On the other hand, Singapore society has caused us to formulate certain thoughts and opinions about education too. Since young, we have been told that without good grades, one will not have a good future. This inculcates in us a type of mindset that education is more of a forced necessity rather than an activity one chooses to engage in. Ideally, this is of course one of the aims of education, yet it doesn't work if it is enforced upon us with much pressure to do well. This results in students finding school a torture, where one works hard for the sake of the results rather than the learning journey, and the national examinations (PSLE, O lvls, A lvls) further supports this point. Has the Singapore education system deviated from the ultimate goals of education and placed an overly strong focus on students' results?
I believe in the need for a holistic education, where students are exposed to a variety of subjects such that they are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to survive in society. However, this might also cause students to detest studying certain subjects that they do not find an interest in. For instance, although most secondary schools offer students the choice to choose their desired subjects, many has made math and chemistry compulsory subjects in education. I can't say much for math, but chemistry is a subject I do not see much point in studying, especially since I am not working towards a career that requires it. Education should remain relevant to the workings of the world, yet I don't see when I am ever going to utilize math topics like differentiation or trigonometry in future, just to name a few.
The Singapore education system surely does have its benefits, as it has nurtured students capable of achieving great results throughout the years, yet we must also consider the elements of the process of education. It is impossible to expect all students to strive for their best in their studies, especially when we do not see the point of doing so. Furthermore, what's the point of education if it simply produces individuals who are able to churn out great results without enjoying the lifelong learning process? This, is something we ought to question ourselves with.
I believe in the need for a holistic education, where students are exposed to a variety of subjects such that they are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to survive in society. However, this might also cause students to detest studying certain subjects that they do not find an interest in. For instance, although most secondary schools offer students the choice to choose their desired subjects, many has made math and chemistry compulsory subjects in education. I can't say much for math, but chemistry is a subject I do not see much point in studying, especially since I am not working towards a career that requires it. Education should remain relevant to the workings of the world, yet I don't see when I am ever going to utilize math topics like differentiation or trigonometry in future, just to name a few.
The Singapore education system surely does have its benefits, as it has nurtured students capable of achieving great results throughout the years, yet we must also consider the elements of the process of education. It is impossible to expect all students to strive for their best in their studies, especially when we do not see the point of doing so. Furthermore, what's the point of education if it simply produces individuals who are able to churn out great results without enjoying the lifelong learning process? This, is something we ought to question ourselves with.
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