A-Level Results Release 2023

Written by: Yam Lok Sum (22-A1), Alexia Teo (22-U1)

Designed by: Alexia Teo (22-U1)


For many JC2 graduates across the island, 17 February was a day marked on their calendars with much anxiety and anticipation. Our Eunoians were no  exception and were seen streaming back to the campus that they had grown familiar with over their 2 years. 

This year was novel, in the sense that it marked the return of a joint results release ever since COVID-19, where the release of results in the previous few years was done in smaller groups in class. This year, the whole cohort received their results together in the MPH. 

Their arrival was a slow trickle at first, but more students were subsequently seen gathered at the symposia and around the canteen. 

Friends took final class pictures as they waited for their results that would inevitably mark a divergence in their lives. “I’m so scared” and “What if I don’t get an A?” were echoed in many conversations. To further support the next chapter in students’ education, local university booths were set up outside the MPH  to promote their offerings. Teachers bustled about carrying boxes of certificates, in preparation for their imminent release. 

As 2.00pm approached, the all too familiar music marking the start of Period Zero played through the sound system to usher the mass of students into the MPH. The sea of students (dotted with newly bald heads) filed into rows according to their classes,  with their CTs giving them a warm welcome back. 

The release of results was preceded by a customary speech by our principal Mr Andrew Tan. He welcomed back our beloved seniors, and subsequently revealed the cohort’s mean and median performance statistics. “Your grades do not define you, remember that there is more to life”, he assured. Chatters of excitement spread through the venue as students began engaging in discussions.

After half an hour, the results were individually distributed to students by their teachers. The culmination of 2 years’ worth of hard work lay neatly in their certificate books. Cheers of glee were heard in the hall, even as there were grimaces of disappointment and teary eyes. Friends rallied together to celebrate, provide comfort, and both. This display of solidarity and unity built over the 2 years was heartening to see. 

No matter what, we were proud and happy for our seniors who had concluded this defining period of their life. It no doubt took much hard work and perseverance, which we felt were more important takeaways, trumping any score.

As J2s, we are aware that we will be in the exact same position in a year’s time and that thought had stirred many mixed emotions and much trepidation. Seeing how our seniors had ‘survived’ their journey and were met with joy and freedom at the end, we felt a new sense of purpose and strength in our A-level journey. 

When asked about advice he would give to his juniors, Aaron Wong (21-I4) recounted, “Looking back at my experience in JC, I’ve taken away so much more than just the knowledge to scribble on an exam paper. Whatever happens, remember that A’s isn’t the sole meaning behind your time here. Just try your best and cherish these fleeting 2 years!”

Be brave. Be strong. But at the end of it all, enjoy the process. 

Into the Dark Depths of Discovery

Written by: Aaron Wong Jielun (21-I4) and Lye Jae Vir (22-I1)

Designed by: Alexia Teo (22-U1)


The sun’s rays, illuminating the world below; nature’s thalassic secrets revealed, its knowledge made known to men. The rays permeated the shallow deep, bouncing off the vast array of wildlife around me as I descended. Gradually, the ocean’s denizens grew to be more defined from the homogeneity of the deep blue, the animals and plants becoming more visible. 

Sagittaria sagittifolia, Hippoglossus stenolepis, Eriocaulon aquaticum! 

The familiarity of these entities warmed me, the ocean was my domain and its inhabitants were my subjects. 

Soon, I hit the seabed. My diving suit was attached to a thick lengthy tether supplying me power from my boat above. I would be underwater for some time, and the gear I used required more power than any portable battery could provide. 

Tugging the tether along as I swam, I started the survey. Familiar life-forms of all shapes and sizes, popping up as blips on my radar. The survey area was divided into sections and I had only just embarked on the first one. Rock formations resembling humans and objects from my life greeted me while I stuffed squirming fish into glass jars for their required analysis. 

The Lamp, The Microwave, The Misshapen Fist!

Truly, I was in home base. 

The fish, aptly named Nemo for his distinctively orange hues, had been around for almost every survey since it started a decade ago. The analyzer was still buzzing and Nemo was being prodded at by lasers and needles. Despite being long past his appointed hour, Nemo still had the virility of youth. Although I regarded Nemo as an old-time friend, his memory of only a few hours made it hard for me to establish any deeper connection—albeit being a deeper connection than most I shared with others. Similarly, virtually none of the local denizens were unbeknownst to me. Each one had been meticulously tagged and colloquially named, and any change in the area’s population would not go unnoticed. Every nook and cranny, jotted down and mapped for posterity. 

I looked down at the jar I had kept Nemo in to release him, only to realise that it was devoid of its intended inhabitant. While I was on my internal monologue, Nemo had somehow escaped out of the jar. Checking my radar, a tiny blip with his tag showed up. He was barreling across the area, out of the safe confines of the canyon and off the continental shelf, straight into the recesses of the deep. Horrified, I grabbed my tether and equipment, making my way off to grab Nemo before it was too late. The data was incomplete and Nemo had to return. 

The tether grew tauter as I zipped through the sea. Nemo was almost beyond the shelf and any strong current risked his sure demise. Swimming with all the veracity a middle-aged researcher could conjure, the tether forced me to stop in my tracks. I had stretched it to its fullest limits and it could yield me no further length. Determined as I was, I unplugged the tether – my sole power supply –  relying on the small batteries I had with me. It would only be for a few moments, Nemo was just within sight. 

Now completely independent of any restriction, I continued my mad rush to salvage the survey. Nemo appeared dazed from the distance, ostensibly from an overdose during his time in the jar. Lunging, I grabbed Nemo and stuffed him into the jar once again, ensuring that it was sealed tight. Triumphant, I tapped the jar and the survey resumed.

My mind now free of my former pre-occupation, I took in my surroundings. Alien rock formations, caverns and canyons. The sun’s rays barely penetrated this area, its secrets and knowledge refusing to be let known to the world. 

The Fish with Sharp Teeth, The Bones and Carcasses of Unknown Origin, The Chilling Bellows of the Deep! 

The world around me exuded an eerie aura, the faint glow of the sun only revealing the silhouettes of entities untagged and unlabeled. The creatures and rocks here beckoned not to me, they bore no intimacy and name to the researcher from afar. 

In my desperation to save Nemo, I had gone off the shelf and into the deep ocean. 

Suddenly, a large blip appeared on my radar. It was entirely unknown to me and the database, appearing only as question-marks and a blip confirming its organic existence. Even for the deep ocean, a species this large being undiscovered was almost unheard of. The radar bore no data about it, this creature was genuinely alien to mankind. Checking my power supply, the portable batteries I carried could only yield an hour or two of strenuous use. However, such an opportunity rarely presented itself, even to the researcher with multiple lifetimes. 

With a sigh I opened the jar, “Sorry, bud.”

I nudged a sober Nemo out. His body was not suited for higher pressures.

“I’ll see you again later.” 

But Nemo was well on his way home by the utterance of the last word.

And so, in the name of scientific inquisition, I took off into the abyss. 


The surface was getting further away like a distant sky, but still I went deeper. I had to. Near the surface, bathing in light and illumination, everything had already been discovered; carefully examined, studied and classified. But down here, in the deep, who knew what revelations could possibly emerge. And so down I went. Down into the deep, dark recesses of discovery.

My radar sensor pinged a constant red on the inside of my helmet visor. The distance between me and the creature I was tracking never seemed to shorten, no matter how hard I swam. It was almost as if it was deliberately keeping just at the edge of my sensor’s radius, luring me to it. No organism I had studied ever exhibited such behaviour. It had to be a coincidence. But the alternative gnawed on me. I was so curious.

All the while, my suit’s pressure gauge was steadily rising and its power bar was falling. My oxygen metre flashed. I got tired of keeping track of it all. My full attention was only focused on the creature. 

My arms clawed through the water towards the creature, as if they were pulling on a watery thread, trying in vain to tug the creature closer. My legs kicked furiously, maximising the momentum of my heavy suit. The residual light from the surface had thinned out until I was trapped in an inky suspension. 

I tapped on the headlamp affixed to my helmet. A white beam carved through the darkness like a searchlight. 

The water shone a subtle greenish hue. The rock formations had thinned out into long spikes, geological appendages that twisted and cracked. Strange, bioluminescent polyps grew across and inside their surfaces: red, yellow, purple, orange variations that even my  vast knowledge could not ascribe names to. 

For all their vibrancy, however, they were shrivelled up, and sparse.The deep sea seemed dead. Other than the polyps, neither my eyes nor my sensors could detect any other traces of life. With the exception of it.

In this emptiness, and with the aid of my headlamp, I could finally just barely see it now.

For all my eyes could tell, the creature was a muddy silhouette that deceptively could have been either two or twenty metres away. My suit’s sensors helpfully informed me that it was in fact thirty metres away. Thirty? With this level of turbidity, and in this darkness, being able to visually discern something at that distance… 

It had to be extremely big. The thought alone sent my mind racing with excitement, making me forget the dull numbness aching within my skull.

WARNING! HIGH PRESSURE. POWER LOW. OXYGEN LOW. WARNING!

Shrill cries emanated from the hunk of metal that cared for my body’s safety more than I did. But the suit wasn’t alive. It had never experienced truly living, like I was now. I was in a greater position to decide what I wanted to do with my body. And I decided to go deeper.

WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!

The beeping was sounding faster and faster, matching pace with my thumping heart. Just a bit more. Just a bit further. I had to see it.

The first thing that failed was the headlamp. Its light flickered and died, plunging me into a faceless void. I could only listen to the sounds of my own breathing echoing within my helmet, and the mute sloshing of water around my suit.

In a few minutes, my sensors shut down too. With no sight, no direction, I continued swimming. I didn’t need my sensors to track it. I knew it was down there. I just had to keep moving.

In time, my movements began to grow sluggish, as resistance pushed against my arms and legs. The suit’s hydraulic motors had ceased functioning, so I was now keenly experiencing the opposing force of the wall of water enveloping me. Even as I was forced to slow down to a crawl, I kept moving.

I had no idea how much more time passed in that faceless abyss. I had no idea when I first noticed its presence. But at some point I felt a sudden disturbance in the fluid ahead of me. Then I heard it reverberating through the metal suit, drilling into my skin: a low rumbling. 

It was pitch black, but I had to see it with my eyes. My own eyes. Unfiltered. My hands reached for the base of my neck. My fingers pressed in—SNAP—and my helmet was removed.

I see it. I’ve discovered it. I’ve finally gotten what I wanted.

And so did it.

Harry Shelby: A Personal Murder Case

Written by: Rebecca Yap Jia Xin (22-O1), Tan Le Kai, (21-I4)

Designed by: Alexia Teo (22-U1)


Harry Shelby was a name that everyone knew and loved. Dubbed the greatest detective of his time, Shelby was hailed by all as the epitome of justice. There was never a case he could not solve. Headline after headline praised him as England’s finest bloodhound, a man who hunted down criminals relentlessly once he caught their foul scent and tore them down in the name of justice.

And one such game just happened to be afoot.

“My God, I can’t believe they came at my Lizzy! My lovely wife!” He seethed as he stood at the heart of the crime scene. The victim’s body lay face down motionless in a pool of blood in the middle of their residence, surrounded by a flurry of stray papers as well as furniture that was knocked over. The curtains were torn and the windows were smashed in, setting up the obvious break-in point of the murderer. 

The victim’s blood had seeped into the carpet below them, causing Shelby to scrunch up his nose in disgust as a misplaced step of his led to a sickening squelch. The furniture around the room was strewn about, indicating the panicked struggle of the victim, which Shelby pointed out to the attending policemen. He methodically combed the scene, taking bloodstained prints from the windowsill as well as taking note of the slashes on the body that showed the weapon used.

He crouched around the body and examined the floor for traces of the elusive murderer when something shiny caught his eye. 

“How are you able to stay so calm, sir? Surely the death of your wife must affect you somewhat.”

Just as the evidence had come to his attention, Shelby glanced towards the side of the room where a young policeman came forward, clutching his hat in his hands in respect. Shelby’s face softened and for a moment he looked more like a grieving widower than a confident detective. Shelby plucked his own hat from his head with heavy hands.

“I miss my wife dearly and with all of my heart,” the widower shook his head. “But I must do what justice calls me to do—that is to do my upmost best to catch the blasted murderer so that I can save England from the same fate my poor wife suffered.”

The policemen nodded in respect and Shelby smiled, placing his hat back on his crown and shoving his hands in his pockets. The young policeman proceeded to salute him.

Unbeknownst to the two officers, Shelby thumbed the rim of the small button he had fetched from the ground earlier.

It was about a centimetre and a half wide in diameter and had a dull grey colour. His mind leapt into action, browsing through his mental catalogue of years of fashion magazines and passersby’s clothing before stopping abruptly at a single article of clothing.

Not even ten minutes after he had stepped out of the crime scene, he already knew where the killer’s haunt would be.


Factory 7”, Shelby uttered, having arrived after a short trek down to reach just before sunset. He had been very careful to ensure that the policemen had not followed him along. He needed the killer all to himself. Illuminated by evening light, Shelby discerned a man sitting perfectly still in the warehouse, which had long been out of function, alone.

“So you’ve found me, Shelby,” the man said in a nonchalant tone. 

Shelby was unfazed by the comment as he walked into the warehouse with an air of arrogance, strolling straight towards the killer.

“Oh the old detective’s walk! How delightable! It’s a perfect crime!” the killer banters light-heartedly. 

Shelby walked on until he was no less than a foot away from the man and reached into his pocket, startling the man slightly, who appeared to wince subtly and reached into his own pocket as well, eyeing Shelby intently. As the man drew his pistol, Shelby drew his iconic pipe and began to smoke as the man burst into hysterical laughter and sets his pistol aside.

“You’re classical as always Shelby! You never fail to delight me! How about you tell me, good sir, how did you solve the crime?” mocked the killer. 

“Well, for starters, it was easy to plug myself into the case of my own wife, a case that in all circumstances will appear to any person as one of great concern to me, easily drawing sympathy to allow my access to the crime scene. Hence, it was easy for me to collect all the evidence I needed. Or should I say, the only evidence I needed. Here, I have the iconic factory worker’s pin, and from the pristine condition of the pin, it was easy to deduce that the worker must not have done much dirty work, which led me straight to Factory 7, the packaging section of the factory.”

The killer, understandably, was annoyed, both by the cigarette smoke Shelby was puffing out and his rambling. He, however, did not want to interrupt the detective and reached into his pocket to smoke along with the detective. It was rude to interrupt a detective’s moment.

“However,” the detective continued. “It is far from a perfect crime. For a perfect crime will have no loose ends hanging, especially not one desperate for cash and is shown to be a cold-hearted killer…”

There was silence for a moment.

Then, like a chain reaction, a spark went off in the killer, the instinctive motion where his right hand reached into his left jacket, feeling for something, something he desperately needed…

Alas, he dropped down, slumped to the floor. A bullet had pierced the killer’s chest.

“You were my Watson. Dumb and impressionable, but most importantly unquestioning, doing as I said. Your only fault is that I am too cautious of a man to trust anyone. Perhaps, down the road, I will see you in hell. But, for now the greatest detective alive has got unpleasant work to do,” Shelby declared, staring straight into Watson’s eyes.

Watson stared back, his eyes betraying his soul, showing mixed emotions of anger, betrayal, guilt, sadness and regret… before silent acceptance of his fate, as one bullet after another was fired, until four bullet holes covered the man’s face. Putting his gloves on, Shelby carefully removed all the bullets from the man with his tool kit, along with the man’s gun, keys and ring. Finally, he pushed a large shelf onto his torso and head, hearing intently for the sound that was distinct to the sound of a cracking skull. He enjoyed that sound, the killer had disrespected the great Shelby afterall.  After a simple clean up, Shelby took a black trash bag out of the warehouse, tired after a day of detective work and ready to go home for a hot shower. 

After all, he would have to appear in front of the press yet again as the brilliant detective Shelby tomorrow morning.

r/AskEunoia

Tan Ken Shin (22-A2)

I wish I knew how to let go of old habits better. In the first semester, I was extremely overwhelmed by the number of lectures and tutorials, and could barely keep up with the work. This is primarily because I assumed the methods I used in secondary school were enough to cope in JC, and how wrong I was. Of course, over time, I found my own pace and method of working which worked for me. Everyone’s method of studying is different, and so my advice is, to be more open-minded in trying different ways to do things, if I had been less stubborn and more willing to let go of my old habits, I would have adjusted to JC life faster. 

Naja Thorup Kristoffersen (22-A6)

Choosing your subject combination may seem like a daunting task, but fret not! There is plenty you can do to make it easier for yourself. First, look up the prerequisites for the various university courses you are interested in and take note of the subjects required. If you are not sure of the exact job you want yet, try to narrow it down to a field of study. Second, you can talk to your seniors, relatives or teachers and ask about their experience with the various subjects to get a better overall understanding. Most importantly, try to strike a balance between being practical about the future, and also picking the subjects you have an interest or passion for.  

Rebecca Yap (22-O1)

Personally, I would say go with what you’re interested in because learning what you love motivates you to persevere for the sake of your passion. But from a pragmatic perspective, you should definitely consider what would help you get to the course or job you would want to have in the future. It’s important to research the entry prerequisites for your favourite courses or scholarships you are applying for so you can take the best route to your end goal. Do approach your seniors for more insight into the different subjects EJ has to offer too. I’m sure they will be more than happy to help!

Vernice Tan (22-U1)

When it comes to subject combinations, the most important thing to note is where you want to go after A levels! Assuming you wish to pursue medicine for instance, H2 Math and 2 other H2 sciences will be required!  On the other hand, courses on social sciences and humanities may not require these prerequisites. I’m sure some people choose the science combination so as to prevent losing options later, however it is also very important to pick a subject combination that you won’t mind doing and are interested in.

At the A levels, all the subjects are equally difficult and require a lot of hard work. So, picking subjects that you actually enjoy is very important in doing well. 

Hao Rui (22-A4)

It may sound a bit cliche, but you really need to choose your subject combination based on your interests. You will be more self-motivated to study hard for subjects that you are passionate about, and you may also voluntarily look up things related to the subjects in your spare time. All these will help you to excel in your subjects and make your JC life less stressful and more enjoyable. 

Meanwhile, consider whether the workload of the subjects you intend to study is appropriate for you or not. If the subjects you want to study are mostly content-heavy, make sure you have the ability to manage your time well before you proceed to make the decision. After one year in JC, I must say that not having enough revision time before exams is common, especially in J1. Aside from studying the subjects you choose, Project Work and CCA work  will also take up a significant part of your time.

Alexia Teo (22-U1)

Friendships in any new environment can be confusing or stressful. JC is no exception! If you have any such emotions, don’t feel alone or afraid because it’s perfectly normal. One fact that may reassure you is that EJ provides plenty of ways for you to make friends. From orientation and class allocation right at the start of the year to various opportunities and interest groups as you venture through your 2 years, there are no shortage of ways for you to meet people. So, don’t be too worried about “clicking” with a group of friends. The beauty of JC is that there will always be friends to be made if you’re willing to try! The advice would be for you to try your best to go out of your comfort zone; don’t be afraid to go at something alone! You’ll definitely meet likeminded people along the way. Building something from scratch will take time and effort, and friendships are no exception. You may be skeptical if your JC friends seem very different from your secondary school ones but remember to trust in the process and I’m sure you’ll find some steadfast friends!

Naja Thorup Kristoffersen (22-A6)

I am sure you are all no stranger to school-induced stress, and unfortunately junior college is not likely to get any better in that department. I think two things are crucial when it comes to dealing with stress. Good time management and knowing when to take a break. Try to get as much work done in school between lessons and other free periods so you do not have to bring as much work home. Aim to prioritise revision from the get-go and work with your friends and help each other out when needed. The school also provides mental health days so do not hesitate to take one when you need one. Knowing when to rest is just as important as knowing when to put in the hard work. Being unreasonably hard on yourself will not do you any good so be kind to yourself and others and keep trying!

Sophia Chiang (22-O1)

EJ is home to a wide variety of Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) which are sure to make up a huge part of your time here! In your year as a member of your CCA, you’ll make new friends and have fun, growing alongside your fellow CCA mates! 

There are 3 general categories of CCAs in EJ. These are Sports & Games, Clubs & Societies and Performing Arts. The CCAs in these categories are listed below for your easy reference.

Sports & Games

Badminton, Basketball, Floorball (Boys), Hockey (Girls), Netball (Girls), Softball, Squash (Girls), Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Track & Field, Ultimate, Frisbee, Volleyball

Clubs & Societies

Computing & Robotics, Debate, Environment, Library, Media, Mind Sports, Outdoor Adventure Club (ODAC), Press, Service Learning, Visual Arts,

Performing Arts

Chinese Orchestra, Choir, Dance, Drama, Symphonic Band

Outside of these categories, there is the Student Council, which is made up of 5 committees – Communications, Culture, Welfare, Houses as well as the Secretariat. Acting as the voice of the student body, the Student Council is heavily involved in curating your EJ experience, making it an integral part of EJ’s culture.

In addition, EJ also has Student-Initiated Interest Groups (SIIGs) which you can choose to participate in on top of your CCA. This allows students to pursue their interests in even more areas during their time in EJ. The 9 SIIGs are listed below for ease of reference.

Student-Initiated Interest Groups (SIIGs)

Ambassadors, Chamber Strings, Earthlings, Ethos, Makerspace, Rock Band, Science (ScIG), Strategic Affairs, Street Dance

Note: list of SIIGs is subject to change (some of them are becoming CCAs this year I think).

Hao Rui (22-A4)

Since you will be working for your CCA for almost one and a half years, you need to choose something you are passionate about to make your future JC life enjoyable. Taking myself as an example, I really enjoy writing articles on topics that I like. However, I was very unsure if I should join Press back then. As a foreign student, I was not confident in my English ability, so I worried if I could do well in my CCA work. After one year in Press, I would say that I really enjoyed the time since I did things I am passionate about, and I am surrounded by a group of friendly people who share the same interest as me. Hence, I would conclude that you will be able to overcome all the challenges you once worried about as long as you follow your own passion.

Darius Chen (22-E4)

My favourite thing about EJ is the events that we have. Thanks to the efforts by our seniors, peers and teachers, we are able to enjoy a long list of activities and programmes that have helped us to create fond memories of EJ. Up to now, I still remember the exciting orientation activities. Of course, towards the end of the year, we also had Euphoria, where we were able to celebrate our peers’ achievements and bond as a class. There were also many other events like d-day and various House Signature Events that certainly helped us to relax and create memories with our friends. 

Sophia Chiang (22-O1)

Although this is different to every individual, for me, the core of my EJ experiences are the people. My classmates, friends and peers make every occasion full of life and laughter, and this makes my EJ experience so much better because sharing an experience is always better than having it alone. These incredible people also make the struggles of academics a little more bearable, which is essential amongst the academic rigour of JC. Additionally, EJ’s vibrant school culture, encompassing school events throughout the year such as Inter-House Games and Euphoria, amongst others, means that my school year is always charged with excitement and I have so many things to look forward to, which sets my JC experience apart from my peers from other JCs. These are the things I love so much about EJ, and these are the reasons that I am always proud to say I am from EJ!

Darius Chen (22-E4)

Other than the popular Mixed Rice and Western stalls, my personal recommendation for food in EJ is the Duck Rice stall. The food served here comes with a large portion of rice and meat (Roasted Duck, Char Siew and Roasted Pork), and is drizzled with dark sauce. Other than that, the cafe on level 10 also serves great food and drinks for quick snacks. My personal favourite is the Ham and Cheese Puff as well as the Sausage Puff, with these pastries guaranteed to fill your stomach. Do also try the drinks that they serve in the cafe!

Vernice Tan (22-U1)

Oh I have some recommendations for food around EJ! I think a lot of people tend to go to Junction 8, it’s a pretty obvious choice with the food court especially, but the choice of restaurants can be a little sparse. If you’re willing to spend a little more there’s a restaurant called Ambush with some student deals! 

AMK Hub is also a good pick with cheaper restaurants such as Takagi Ramen and Saizeriya along with a wide selection in the basement.

The cheapest and nearest option would be to head down to Bishan North which is only a 10 minute walk away. There are 2 different coffee shops to choose from! Get your drinks from the itea or Skytea there and make sure to give some attention to the Good Taste Chicken Rice if you go. Great name they’ve got.

Brandon Ng (22-E4)

Is your stomach growling but you don’t know what to eat? Here’s a recommendation!

Made by Masterchef SG Season 3 2nd runner-up, Azwandi ‘Andi’ Robani, his signature cheeseburger is a sure-try! Within the burger, the juicy, succulent beef smash-patty is topped with a melted cheese slice, doused with burger sauce (typically barbecue), accompanied with crunchy fresh lettuce and completed with 2 soft buns.

Made with love, the flavours are sure to overwhelm you the moment you bite into it. At an affordable price of $3.00, there is also the option of fries (+$0.50) with cheese sauce ($0.50). 

Alexia Teo (22-U1)

At EJ, we have a range of food choices for students to choose from! 

One recommendation to start you off would be our infamous duck rice. This could be a safer choice, before you venture off to try what else the canteen stalls have to offer, as the delicious dish is a popular favourite for many!

For spice lovers, your cravings can be satisfied at the Yong Tau Foo store. If mala isn’t your cup of tea, you can try the tom yum soup base or the mala base (available as soup or dry).

A relatively new but equally noteworthy addition to our school canteen is a stall offering burgers cooked by a (literal) masterchef, with a generous side of fries. How many can say they’ve eaten a Masterchef-worthy dish at their school canteen? Not many, but you could certainly be one of them! 

A good meal is incomplete without a beverage of your choice. Quench your thirst with a cup of milo or teh bing! Bottled and carton drinks are also available. 

Dig in and enjoy! 

Lye Jae Vir (22-I1)

There are many methods to start reading the school timetable, all correct but my way is the fastest. At first glance, you may be confused by what all these symbols mean. But fret not, I am here to help you read the school timetable. 

The first possible source of confusion may be the top letters. You may be wondering why you received different versions of your timetable. Well, the lettering at the top signifies the subject combination of that timetable. For example, LEM and LEm will have two different timetables because they differ in taking H1 or H2 Math – capitalised letters signifying H2 and vice versa. So just read the timetable that belongs to your subject combination. 

Another possible source of confusion might be all the different venues at the bottom of the rectangle thing. For example, your economics lecture might have LR2-AN8, LS3-AW9 and SR4A- AN5, all at the bottom. You may be thinking, so which one do I go to? Well, frankly, these venues mean nothing, to me at least. You’ll probably know the venue from other avenues, such as your teacher or subject representative. 

As a side note, you may be wondering what all these letters and numbers signifying venues mean. There is actually a fixed naming convention, but that is not within my area of expertise.

The second last major source of confusion may be all these white spaces. For example, while half of your class is having a chemistry lecture, the rectangle may be split in two. One half showing the lecture slot and the other being a blank space. Well, this means you have nothing going on and it’s a break. In fact, if you have no more lessons for the day and it is past 1 PM, you are legally allowed to just leave school. 

Finally, you may be wondering, what a PE Break slot means. Well, just treat it as a blank space that happens to be after PE. However, it’s meant to be a time for you to cool down, change into school attire and get to class. 

After reading and going through my tips and tricks, I hope that whatever initial struggles you may have had regarding the timetable have been resolved. With my guide, I am sure you will be an expert at reading the timetable in no time. 

Brandon Ng (22-E4)

Just received your timetable, but don’t know how to read it? Fret not! Here’s what you need to know.

The white spaces between periods are known as breaks, where you can spend time freely. Do spend it wisely though, like to get meals or explore the school with friends!

The lesson name is found on the top of each rectangle, while the venue can be found on the bottom.

For this lesson, the venue is the ECG room, while AS6 means the ECG room is located in “Block A, South Wing, Level 6”. 

These are the venues found around the school. Be sure to familiarise yourself with these places!

Tan Ken Shin (22-A2)

Euphoria: After the intense and strenuous PROMO examinations, get your sunblock and suntan lotion ready for a visit to the beach! The entire JC1 cohort is invited to Sentosa during Euphoria for a day of fun and games! Including water games, sand-castle building battles, and a dance party to end off the day! Euphoria is an unforgettable experience for every Eunoian, so be sure to look forward to it!

Leadership Camps: Should you decide to pursue leadership roles like a student councillor or class/CCA directorate, you will be able to attend 3 leadership conferences, and each is jam-packed with engaging activities that are bound to nurture your leadership talents as well as allow you to have a lot of fun! For example, Dragon Boating and Amazing Races! In addition, you will also receive leadership camp shirts that you get to keep, and you can wear them to school on Fridays!

Lye Jae Vir (22-I1)

While in Orientation, you may be wondering what awaits you throughout your first year in JC. You may be thinking that after the honeymoon period in the initial months, JC will just be doom and gloom. But fret not, there are actually many things one can look forward to. 

On the more noticeable end, EJ celebrates events like National Day or College Day with house events and musical concerts, a welcome respite from the routine. With sing-alongs and cheering crowds, these events will definitely be a core memory in your EJ experience. Moreover, occasions like Deepavali or Mid-Autumn Festival feature small pop-up booths that allow you to get a taste of different cultures – all for free. Another shake-up in the usual canteen experience. 

Other than these major school holidays, the student council also regularly organises events throughout the year to encourage fellow students to keep going. These can take on the form of movies in the auditorium after school or even photo booths with your friends. 

But, other than all these events, the key highlight for many students is Euphoria, organised by the student council. It takes place after all the examinations are done and dusted at the end of the year, something many students look forward to as a way to recharge and celebrate the end of J1. Euphoria features a day of activities at Sentosa – from a mass-rave by the beach to numerous activities with your class, Euphoria will definitely be the flagship event you can look forward to as you go through J1. 

With all these activities, I hope you do not regret ending up in EJC. More than that, I am sure these activities will be something that you can look forward to, forming core memories of your JC experience that I am sure you will look back upon fondly. 


Credits:

Headers designed by: Alexia Teo (22-U1), Cheng Zhi Shan (22-U1)

Formatting by: Rebecca Yap (22-O1)

Dealing With Burnout

Written by: Lok Qi Ern (22-O1)

Designed by: Angelica Chiw (22-I6)


As junior college students, we definitely aren’t strangers to long hours of studying with little to no rest. In the arduous and gruelling race towards the finish line, we often find ourselves evaluating all of our life choices and wondering why we get out of bed every morning, feeling disappointed and full of dread (and no, sending that ‘Time to drop out of JC’ sticker on Whatsapp is not the answer to your problems). 

In fact, this is a sign of disillusionment; a feeling of disappointment in something we once highly valued (our education), which is a telling sign of burnout. It’s the knowledge that we all worked extremely hard to be where we are now, only to find pressure and inevitably disappointment getting the best of us. Other symptoms can include lacking the energy to be consistently productive (aka feeling ‘tired’ ‘drained’ ‘sian’ all the time), changing sleep habits, finding it hard to concentrate, being easily irritable, and being troubled by unexplained headaches, stomach or bowel problems, or other physical complaints. If reading the aforementioned behaviours feels like scanning through the past (or ongoing) chapter of your life, tailor-written down to the last sentence, you are likely experiencing burnout. 

It is now important to clarify that burnout is not a medical diagnosis, though it has been known to be linked to depression. This does not make it any less serious of a condition, as many students are unaware that they are experiencing burnout, and do not take action before it gets out of hand. 

The good news is that there are several courses of action you can embark on to get rid of burnout! 

A crucial step to take is to set boundaries. When you’re not working, leave your work behind, Therapist Thornton says. As hard as it may seem, creating a physical and mental headspace to rest would allow us to disengage from the causes of stress, and be better prepared to take on the work with a clear mind. Of course, this works with sustained discipline. 

Additionally, engaging in sports and exercising might seem like a burden to some of us, but regular physical activity can even be, daresay, life-changing especially when coping with burnout. Physical activity improves brain health and reduces stress rates, leading to a clearer mind to approach work with a fresh mindset, and as we take small steps towards regaining interest in the work we do on the daily, we will perhaps regain satisfaction from learning. 

Confiding in loved ones and trusted adults is also important, along with building a strong support system that can detect when you are falling back into your habits and guide you back on track. We are, ultimately, social creatures, and having the support of other humans is extremely important. 

Change isn’t easy. It’s why we tend to fall prey to the beckoning comfort of old habits and addictions— sitting in your chair and binging that Netflix show to avoid thinking of your problems is always easier than going for a jog to clear your mind. But fret not, as identifying that one is experiencing burnout is the first and most important step to beating it. Press on, and as a wise man once said: people often say that motivation doesn’t last. neither does bathing— that’s why we recommend it daily 

Arts Appreciation in Singapore

Written By: Yam Lok Sum (22-A1)

Designed by: Alexia Teo (22-U1)


“It is art that makes life, makes interest, makes importance.” 

~Henry James

Whether we notice it or not, the arts are an important part of the human experience. It simulates thought and reason and is known to have brought a revolution in many cultures. The arts also encourage the generation of ideas which allows viewers to draw their own emotions in their thoughts and pull from their personal experiences as they encounter them. As such, the arts are very powerful in this way as it naturally develops critical and innovative thinking skills in an individual. Many important qualities such as listening, observing and responding to multiple perspectives are also inculcated in the process. The question is, however, to what extent are the arts actually appreciated in Singapore, given our frequent emphasis on the sciences in our society today?

First, let’s dive right into the different forms of art and each of their specialities.

Visual Art

Visual art is an art form consumed primarily through sight, such as physical or static art objects. These include paintings, sculptures, drawings, crafts, photography, architecture etc. Some famous artworks that we are familiar with include the iconic painting ‘Mona Lisa’ and the Singapore Soul sculpture by Jaume Plesa on a more local scale, located in the prime area of Singapore, Raffles Place. The Singapore Art Museum, Asian Civilisations Museum and National Gallery Singapore are a few places where you can appreciate and dive into the great variety of visual art pieces displayed there.

Performing Arts

Performing arts is art that is performed in front of an audience. They include vocal and instrumental music, dance, theatre and drama. Performing arts are usually more interactive in nature compared to other types of art. Book your tickets to the Singapore Dance Theatre and the Esplanade to enjoy magnificent performances by our local talents! 

Literary Arts

Literary arts is art found in writing or stories that convey artistic and cultural value. They include poetry, literature, journalism, and non-fictional works. It is one of the oldest ways to preserve heritage and history and share information across generations. Many literary works have been recreated into plays and musicals over the years, such as ‘Matilda’ by Roald Dahl and ‘Wicked’ by Gregory Maguire which have both been well-received around the world. The Singapore Book Council and SingLit Station are ways in which Singapore is promoting literary arts by making it easily accessible to all. 

According to MMCY, in 2019, 69% of Singaporeans attended arts and culture events; 75% consumed arts through digital media, and 82% felt that the arts fostered a greater sense of belonging. Over the years, Singapore has also successfully established high quality and internationally regarded cultural institutions, such as the Esplanade and National Gallery Singapore. Together with highly respected educational institutions like the School of the Arts (SOTA), Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), LASALLE College of the Arts, and the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music. These reflect that the arts are still relevant and appreciated in Singapore today. In addition, Our SG Arts Plan is a 5-year plan initiated by the National Arts Council which charts new directions for the various forms of art in Singapore. This initiative aims to energise and excite more Singaporeans, as well as bring together diverse communities through different art forms. It includes increasing support for freelancers, promoting Singapore art overseas, strengthening research in the arts sector and using technology in art-making and outreach. 

Singapore has a vibrant arts scene, home to a diverse range of established and emerging artists and arts groups that present distinctive works and programmes. Over the years, we have seen a growth in artists and arts groups including freelance practitioners, arts educators, arts managers, technical and production crew. With all the effort put in by the various communities in promoting arts appreciation in Singapore and the positive response from the public, it is safe to say that the arts are appreciated in Singapore to a large extent and even await for more opportunities to showcase our arts in the future.  

The Curious Case of Belgium

Written by: Lye Jae Vir (22-I1)

Design by: Rebecca Yap (22-O1)


The curious case of Belgium. When the name ‘Belgium’ is evoked, the images that come to mind are more often than not: Papa Smurf, Tintin and French Fries – assuming that is, if one knows it exists. But the purpose of this article is neither to raise the highlights of Belgian culture nor to emphasise its existence. Instead, the ‘curious case of Belgium’ showcases a more shocking and striking statement: The Question of Belgium’s Existence. 

At risk of giving the reader an initial impression of this article as overtly sensationalist and tabloid in nature, there is an immediate justification and rationale for asking this question. After the 2010 Belgian general election, the country was extremely politically fragmented, with no party able to form coalition governments due to general animosity between each other. In fact, no party won more than 20% of parliamentary seats, making the process of coalition-making even tougher as about three parties had to form a coalition. As a result, from 2010 – 2011, the country was unable to come together to form a government. Most significantly, Belgium now holds the record at 541 days for not having a government in peacetime because of this political impasse. However, this may further raise the question: What is the root cause of this political fragmentation? To understand this, the very underpinnings of Belgian society have to be dissected.

Depending on who you ask, the beginnings of Belgian divisiveness can be traced all the way back to the Roman Empire. But for the sake of brevity, the history of Belgium will be conveniently excluded. 

The humble origins of Belgium’s fragmentation can be found within the convoluted mess that is the map below.

A divided country indeed

 (Credit: r/MapPorn)

In Belgium, the country is predominantly divided into two major regions: the Dutch-speaking Flanders in the North (in yellow) and the French-speaking Wallonia in the South (in red). Belgium practices ‘devolution’ or delegating more power to regional governments in this instance. If counted just by colour, there are at least four unique governments on top of the federal one. 

Besides the institutionalised political fragmentation of Belgium, there are a lot of other aspects of these divisions too. Economically speaking, Flanders happens to be a lot richer, which has made a lot of Flemish people view the less well-off Wallonia as a liability that only drains Flemish funds. But politics and economics aside, these divisions can be found in every-day life too.

Very evenly divided along linguistic lines 

(Credit: Wikipedia)

There are no national newspapers or television channels, even most political parties are only found in their respective regions. In some sense, the country is a loose federation of two nations barely holding onto each other. 

These divisions have manifested themselves throughout the country, permeating straight into the existential core of Belgium. With the country unable to form a national government in 2010-2011, many individual parties felt compelled to publicly consider partitioning Belgium. A French party from Wallonia even publicly held talks with France on a union between Wallonia and France. Currently, in Flanders, the leading party is also pro-independence. These sentiments were even echoed all the way up in the upper echelons of power. Then Belgian Minister for Climate and Energy, Paul Magnette, suggested partitioning Belgium if the political crisis escalated. 

With all these bits of new-found existential-level Belgian knowledge, one may be inclined to think that it should not exist. For Belgium’s sake, one may consider the view that a country this dysfunctional should just partition for the good of all its people within. Maybe it should, or perhaps Belgium could keep trudging on into the sunset of nationhood. But I am no political pundit – at least not yet – and I believe that a country this dysfunctional that is still able to produce the Smurfs possibly possesses the ability to find a way out of this situation.

But besides my personal views on whether Belgium should exist, one may be compelled to ask: What is the significance of this to me, the average Singaporean?

Belgium and Singapore are very far away from each other

(Credit: Google Earth)

Ignoring the poor cropping of the image, Belgium and Singapore seem worlds apart. Completely different continents, histories and contexts. But there are some parallels we can draw between the two, and maybe some questions we can pose to ourselves too. Belgium, a linguistically, culturally and socially diverse country with these differences antagonised to the point of dysfunction. Singapore, in the not so recent past, was not so different from our neighbour a world apart. Our nation had deeply-rooted cultural and societal differences, but the whole island still appears to be very much part of the same country. 

So what happened? 

Before I answer that question, some relevant questions can be raised. The curious case of Belgium allows us to gain, perhaps, a clearer and better perspective on what exactly is a state. Is it a unified language? Culture? Identity? 

In some sense, for Singapore, our answer to that was a common identity. Singapore took a different path at the crossroads, choosing to make national identity take primacy over all other identities. Rather than institutionalising differences like Belgium, Singapore chose to create an identity that resonated with people from any demographic. Learning English, pursuing Mandarin instead of the other Chinese languages, these actions helped us avoid what Belgium is facing today – a crisis of national identity; what it really means to be Belgian. 

To the reader, you may walk away with a newfound respect for our country, maybe even a rejuvenated sense of patriotism. If not, maybe a deeper understanding of a country you had no intention of thinking about and visiting whatsoever. Disregarding all these, I hope at least that this article helped you appreciate – even if only just marginally – the ‘curious’ in the curious case of Belgium. 

References

BBC. (2022, December 13). Belgium profile – media. BBC News. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-17208922 

Connolly, K. (2020, October 3). Why Belgian struggle for identity could tear country apart. BBC News. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54378950 

The Federal Government. The federal government | Belgium.be. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.belgium.be/en/about_belgium/government/federal_authorities/federal_government 

r/mapporn – belgium’s regions explained. Reddit. (202AD). Retrieved  from https://www.reddit.com/r/MapPorn/comments/ojgc2x/belgiums_regions_explained/ 

Wikimedia Foundation. (2022, November 21). Mass media in Belgium. Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_media_in_Belgium

Wikimedia Foundation. (2022, November 7). Partition of Belgium. Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partition_of_Belgium Yglesias, M. (2014, June 30). The case against Belgium. Vox. Retrieved from https://www.vox.com/2014/6/30/5855352/the-case-against-belgium