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.
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)
The Origin* 