4) What is one event in your life that has changed you as a person?
In 2009, I was a lazy and unmotivated student. I paid little to no attention to my studies and had no thoughts of my own future, as I wasted my time trying to accumulate as many credits as I could on my game instead of revising for the upcoming PSLE national exams. My lack of preparation for the exams was reflected in my relatively low score, which only allowed me a place in Xinmin Secondary School as a normal academic student. While my parents were worried sick about my education, I failed to see the bigger picture and continued life in my old stubborn ways.
In Xinmin Secondary School, my love for writing and speaking manifested in me when I joined the Debate team. Though I was the only student there from the Normal Academic stream, I was elected as the captain for my level because my instructor saw my potential, not only as a speaker but also as a leader. Ms Cindy Beh, my Literature teacher, had also noticed my aptitude and flair for the language. She witnessed my passion for the subject and thus encouraged me to strive for a promotion to the Express stream so that I could continue to pursue my education in English Literature.
However, having never achieved any personal or academic achievements throughout my 6 years in primary school, I was initially doubtful of my ability to attain the promotion, which was awarded to only the top two students within the cohort. Nevertheless, it was the first time in my life that I actually felt the strong desire to work harder, towards a brighter future for myself.
My journey towards the promotion was no mean feat, as I struggled to understand the Mathematics and Science concepts. Thankfully, my teachers were more than willing to tackle my doubts whenever I approached them for consultations, and were proactive in providing additional assessments for me to practice and improve. Not by my own efforts alone, but also with my teacher’s fervent support and guidance, I was eventually granted my promotion. Since then, I continued to study hard for my ‘O’ levels so that I could further my studies in a Junior College and, will continue so, even as I go on to attain my degree in the university!
In conclusion, my life in Xinmin was undoubtedly a life-changing event. Without my teachers who saw the potential in me and gave me the opportunity and push for both my strengths and weaknesses to flourish, I would not have stepped out of my comfort zone to realise my ability of achieving academic excellence. It is with this that I therefore seek to become a teacher who not only educates, but also inspires the next generation, as my educators did for me.