hi everyone, im 23 years old. i was a school dropout back when i was in secondary school, I was in the academic stream , i droppedout of school at 15 out of the N/A stream, parents signed me to take private O at a private school, studied for awhile and took up 5 o level subjects, but when exams were around the corner i cabot. Appealed to Moe to take be back in secondary school, sps took me back in, and i chose NT stream. I end up holding 3 N level papers.
I cannot furthur express how foolish i was, i had opportunites and throw it away + parents support, no right person in the head would do that or throw away an opportunity like that, plus i dont come from a rich family, more or less average.i was a major rebel at the time, but believe me up to this day i regret because i was a dilinquent child at the time, and i learned life the hard way, time flies and everyone else is advancing, i got a lot to catch up on, i want a normal life a good one if possible not just a roof under my head kind, i will not give up now, because i want education to be able to live normally, feed myself properly and be able to show my parents i made it when they are still around.
everything my parents thought me was right and whatever they said was right, i always had problems listening to authority and following the rules back then, it just seems that everything i do can be related to disaster here, just having fun in life, partly i feel also because of the restrictions in singapore at the time and the laws they have for every single thing, and about anything can get you jailed.
I enjoyed my youth to the fullest believe me not many singaporeans did so early. i learn a lot of things in life outside of school, to me these are the most valuable lessons. The PROBLEM IS life needs creditions, it needs certifications, qualifications for every single thing, even if its just to open doors for people, or even labour work, or even signing on in the army, civil defence as a fire officer or anything.
My dilemma now is which is better to study back all over again for my O Levels in a private school or take up a full time course culinary course at SunRice GlobalChef. I have another option, this one lies within my passion, its either i can take part time diploma course in Sports Management or Sports and Science, and study myself at home for 0 levels, killing 2 birds with one stone, as private diploma classes for that field is only held in the weeknds...to cut some time for me to work my way up faster, as of age is 1 thing i know 23 is not too old, but seriously just taking o levels back again now? its been about 4 years that i have not been in school. i want to know what is better, and if if a private diploma cert is any good and worth it? or should i just take 0 levels first?
Whatever comments you have please kindly share i am willing to learn, any piece of advice will be nice. thank you!!
I think you should study as much as possible maybe take O Levels and also take part time course on whatever subjects you have interest and happy in doing. Study all the things at the same time. Keep yourself busy. There are plenty of opportunities in life so dont worry if you miss the first boat.
At your age, you won't get another chance to go back to secondary school.
If I were you, this is what I will plan and do. Please listen.
- Take up O levels sitting in 2014, choose 6 subjects. Meanwhile, get a job so that you can support yourself while studying. I can help you with most subjects, promised.
- Go on to a local polytechnic, at 25 years old in 2015. Not that old when there are people aged 30 onwards also studying as Year 1.
Another way would be:
- Take a private diploma. Private diplomas are decent, probably unable to apply for civil servant jobs, only private sector.
If you are afraid of the age barrier, then go for private diploma. Afterall, you will still take up a degree next time, privately.
PM me so I can know more and help you choose better.
One more thing, if you have to support your family like very soon, then go private diploma, faster.
If you are well supported by family, such as well-to-do, no need to care, go straight for O levels.
Retakign your O's would be a good start
x
Originally posted by dracas:I believe I am very qualified to advise you on this as I was exactly in the same situation you were in. When I was 18 or 19, I was very unmotivated, I was in Temasek Polytechnic Business IT course and literally skipped every classes and failed all of my exams. In the end, I was kicked out of the course. I spent 2.5 years in NS and after that I was lost. I had no aims, no goals, no life. Trust me, if you are not a rich man’s son and don’t have the sharp business acumen to start your own business, without a proper qualification in Singapore, you would most likely be doing odd jobs. In fact, I broke down several times crying while doing odd jobs as I thought this the life I was going to lead in future. And when I finally woke up and wiped away my tears, I swore to study hard with a fiery vengeance. I enrolled in MDIS biomedical course and completed my foundation course with distinction. I was amazed what my mind was capable of if I was determined to do it. Later on while intern full-time in A*STAR the top premier research institution in Singapore, I managed to graduate a 2nd upper hons in Biomedical Sciences. I am not trying to impress people but what I am trying to do was to prove to myself that I am not as dumb as I thought myself out to be. I worked for a year or so and some of my professors recommended I go back to school for higher studies and thus, I was accepted into NTU M.Sc program. It has been a very long and tough journey and I really feel you. I felt that kind of fear and despair feelings when I was in your shoes and that’s why at 2.30am in the morning, I still feel I have to advise you on this. In fact coming this far, my hunger for learning has grown stronger and fiercer. I hope this would be helpful to you. Don’t worry about it, whatever you focus on expands. I highly recommend you take a NLP course, because after my NLP course, I felt as I could do 200% more with what I have now. Now is the beginning, make full use of it. Cheers! (pardon me for the grammatical errors as 3am is not a very conducive time for me to check it through)
Bravo for u !
I have a friend who used to be "N"Level but work + study until he got a master degree....I guess you just have to put in maximum efforts to change your destiny ! You are only limited by your own mind/heart....in SG, advanced qualifications are very important if you want to earn above average pay....of course you can start your own business and become a millionaire....but those cases are rare....a safer route is to study hard and get a good job later....
I mean you are still young, spending a few years to get those qualifications are definitely worth the efforts. You will need it for the next 30 to 40 years right?
x
Must get gahmen job!
Maybe you should try taking up the Private Candidate for O levels.
Learn to relax. Look at the videos on http://sacredsagesg.com/Special-for-those-with-huge-burden.php. everytime i have difficulties i look at those videos. CAn do it can do it.!
The 7 No-Brainers Keys To Success That We Ignore Everyday : http://www.successabsolute.com/report/7NoBrainer.pdf
Seriously, if you willingly to work hard nothing can really stop you & I really mean it.good that now u start to think like this which is known as quarter life crisis.. This is the very first step of growin up by tryin to get out of a crisis.My humble advice would be start from 'O' level first... Dun make mighty and unrealistic 10 years plan . But rather focus what u wanna achieve in short term(1year) by setting up small goals one step at a time. Ask yourself within this 1 year & subsequent years ,what is the maximum hardwork U can put in to catch up with others(etc. work and study). Build your resume with work experience that could win someone who have no experience..(find your direction & market yourself)Ithere are many people completed "o" levels but with no direction in life .(seen too many cases like that)