The season for the Polytechnic Open Houses has begun! Over the next few days, fresh O-Level, N-Level and ITE graduates will be able to catch a glimpse of the exciting possibilities the Polytechnics have to offer.
I think back fondly of my Open House experience 8 years ago (wow I’m old). Being clueless about where to go next after O Levels, I decided to check out a few of the Polytechnics. The day before the open houses, I planned my route strategically across 2 days so that I can maximise my time at each poly and collect the goodie bags. I was quite eager to study at a Polytechnic but nervous to step foot into such a big institution that is entirely different from Secondary School.
Finally, the day came and walking into the Polys, I was greeted by overly-friendly and enthusiastic seniors with every few steps I took. I felt like a small fish in a big ocean–the campus was huge and I was in awe of the different amenities. This year, Open House has turned into a virtual event despite COVID-19 and it has made it even more accessible for anyone to hop on to learn more about the poly and its courses!
Looking back, there were so many things I wish I knew about before entering Poly. If you follow @polyparcelsg on Instagram, you probably would have seen our recent Instagram Story where we asked Poly seniors to send in some of the things they wish they knew. Here are some things we wish we knew!
#1 GPA matters
GPA or ‘Grade Point Average’ makes everybody twinge at the mention of it–unless they have a 4.0 GPA. One thing that’s different in Poly is that grades are cumulative. Instead of having one final exam, each homework or assignment is graded upon a 4.0 scale and at the end of the 3 years in Poly, the Cumulative GPA is what you will use to apply for jobs and further studies.
Going into the first semester in year 1 was a blur. I didn’t know how the grading system worked. I just knew I had to attend classes and submit assignments before the deadline. I went along with the flow and with a blink of an eye, it was ‘results day’. Thankfully, even though I did not know how important each assignment was in adding up to my GPA for the semester, I was still able to get a good grade.
Soon, I began to realise that each assignment or exam has a different weightage. Some were only 15% of the overall grade for the module while others were 40%. I wish I knew that earlier so that I can place greater priority and time on those that had a higher percentage!
*A tip for students in Republic Polytechnic (RP): Ask each lecturer for his/her daily marking criteria to snag an A for daily grades!
RP has a unique grading system that is different from other Polys. One of your seniors sent this in! Follow @polyparcelsg for more tips from your seniors.
#2 It’s not all play
“Aiya, poly very slack one.”
Sounds familiar? A misconception that many had, including me, was that Junior College is for people who can study and Polytechnic is for people who want to play. I was wrong. Exams and textbooks still exist and many hours had to be spent revising and completing projects. Studying in Poly can be very stressful especially when it is nearing the end of the semester.
A senior mentioned how hectic it can get with tests, projects, and assessments all due on the same week–a week we often call “Hell Week”. If only I knew that I would be accumulating a huge amount of sleep debt and having dark circles around my eyes every day… However, once the semester is over, it’s a breeze as there are no assignments or studying required during the long break!
A common joke that my friends and I often bring up is that there are 3 ‘S’ of Poly life–sleep, social life, and studies. You can only have 2 out of 3. At some point, it’s not even a joke anymore. I had a friend who got less than 5 hours of sleep every day because he had dance practice daily and had to juggle that on top of his studies.
Next time, if anybody says studying in Poly is easy, show them that you are still doing work at 3 am.
#3 Try out different CCAs in Year 1
Another senior mentioned that he wished he knew more CCAs. Unlike Secondary School, you can find almost any CCA in Poly. I was amazed to find an Entertainers Club in Ngee Ann Poly where people learn and practice magic tricks. I also came across cultural appreciation clubs and different community service clubs that reach out to the less fortunate.
For this, I am fortunate to have heard from my seniors that Year 1 is the best year to try out all kinds of CCAs because it is a year where you have less work and more time to explore! For most of the CCAs, you can simply appear at any of their gatherings and join in their activities and if you feel like you’re not interested, you can stop going at any time–#ghosting. As such, I’ve been to (and ghosted some) Photography Club, Song Composing Club, Netball, Inline Skating, CCA Champions and a few of the Christian groups. Seeking new experiences and looking to meet new people is certainly good but of course, it’s better to find a CCA and commit to it to get the full experience!
#5 People come from different backgrounds. Be kind to all.
“Poly is where you will meet a lot of backstabbers.” My friend said that to me before I entered Poly and I was terrified! While this rings true for some, it is not necessarily 100% true all the time. I have made many long-lasting friendships. I think what’s more accurate is that there are all kinds of people and it is important to understand that everybody comes from a different background. With that understanding, it changes your perspective on how to relate with others and show kindness even though it can be difficult.
I wish I knew about this earlier so that I wouldn’t have spent those few months worrying about what my senior said about people in Poly! I completely resonate with people who share with me about their fears and worries moving on to this new phase in life where everything is so different. Many of us, seniors, have been through that. Hence, we decided to organise an online event called Honest Conversations, where anybody looking to enter a Polytechnic can hear from seniors and ask any question about what’s life like in Poly.
#4 Poly was going to be the best years of my life
Nothing can beat my time spent in Poly! Having been through Primary School, Secondary School and University, my days in Poly have got to be the best. Rushing to submit assignments before 2359, silently laughing at silly things in class and having meals together during breaks was what bonded all of us. If I knew that I would not be able to experience anything like Poly life, I would treasure my 3 years there much more. But I live life by this quote: “Don’t cry because it’s over; smile because it happened”. I hope you will enjoy your time in Poly as much as I did!
Wondering what's next? Thinking of choosing a Poly course but not exactly sure about it?
Join us at Honest Conversations, a virtual platform where YOU get to hear from and have conversations with Poly seniors from different polys and courses. Ask them anything as they spill the beans on what Poly life really looks like 💬 and gain clarity on your choice!
Honest Conversations
(Exclusively for Parents and Students awaiting O Level results)
🗓 13 OR 14 Jan 2020
🕗 8 - 930pm
📍 Zoom
For more details, click here.
Sign up now @ bit.ly/polyconversations
