JC Advice: 5 Productive Tips to Get Through from a Senior
It goes without saying that Junior College (JC) can be demanding and taxing, especially with subjects like Project Work and General Paper (GP).
While it can be overwhelming, there are ways to make the experience more enriching and less tiring! As someone who has gone through both O and A Level examinations, I understand how rigorous the studying can be. Without further ado, here are 5 neat tips to help you get through JC advice I wish I had taken more seriously back then!
1. Stay Healthy
To put it simply, a healthy body fuels a healthy mind. To avoid burnout and fatigue, its important to take care of your physical and mental well-being. I know firsthand how easy it is to neglect your health when youre caught up in schoolwork. Over time, I realised that health and academics arent an either-or situation. Here are some practical ways I incorporated a healthy lifestyle into my daily routine:
- Start every morning with a full glass of water (~500ml) - Keep a 1-litre bottle next to you while studying, and aim to finish at least 1.5 bottles a day
- Go to bed at the same time every night (around 11pm), even if youre not tired - Wake up at the same time every morning (around 4:30am) I found I studied better in the quiet morning hours
- Stretch sore parts of your body throughout the day (neck, shoulders, back) - Go for a short walk after studying every night (~30 minutes after you stop) > ?? These methods worked for me, but they may not work for everyone. Feel free to adapt them and find what suits you best! Beyond staying nourished and active, remember the importance of spending time with your loved ones. The pursuit of academic excellence can feel lonely but youre only young once! Balance is key: study hard, but dont forget to live meaningfully.
2. Pursue Progress, Not Perfection
In a competitive environment like JC, its easy to compare yourself to others and feel inadequate. Reflecting back on my O and A Level days, I wish I had focused more on my own progress instead of measuring success against my peers. > Comparison is the thief of joy. There will always be someone better at something and thats okay. Instead of chasing perfection, be your own biggest competitor and strive to improve on your last performance. And when things dont go your way: - Take time to recover - Reflect on what went wrong - Pick yourself back up It may be a bad day, but its not a bad life. ??
3. Organise Your Studying Points
JC subjects can be very content-heavy, which makes it easy to lose track of what youve covered. When I was in JC, I often found myself missing key details when drafting my own notes. To fix this, I started organising my notes against the school notes and syllabus.
- Keep a copy of your subject syllabus for reference - After revising each chapter, test yourself against the syllabus points - Identify topics you need to work on further This method works especially well for Humanities and Science subjects, helping ensure you dont overlook anything important.
4. Keep a Common Mistakes Book
For almost every subject I took, I kept a Common Mistakes Book a simple notebook where I recorded: - Repeated mistakes I made - Common pitfalls pointed out by teachers Reviewing this book before exams helped me avoid repeating errors and spot weak areas early. This technique was especially helpful for Mathematics, where topics often build on each other. Catching and correcting misconceptions early prevented them from snowballing later on.
5. Utilise Online Resources
In todays digital age, the internet is full of free study tools and materials to help you learn more effectively. Whether you need additional guidance or just want to stay focused, theres something out there for everyone.
- If you have trouble focusing for long periods, try study-related YouTube content. Watching study vlogs or Pomodoro-style focus videos helped me feel less lonely during long study nights. - The Pomodoro Technique is great for shorter attention spans alternating between focused work and short breaks helps prevent burnout. If youre curious about which study method fits you best, there are even quizzes online to help you discover your ideal approach!
One platform I wish I discovered earlier is Tick a free online note-sharing platform with: - Notes from other schools and seniors - A wide range of summary notes, essay plans, and study resources - Coverage across multiple subjects and syllabi Tick is a great place to find high-quality notes that complement your own learning.
If youre looking for resources to support your H2 Mathematics learning journey, weve got you covered! Heres what you can find on our website: - Downloadable Topical Worksheets - 100 essential H2 Math questions, each with video explanations and handwritten solutions - Mini-Course on Vectors - Experience learning the most content-heavy H2 Math topic with expert guidance - H2 Math Question Bank - A searchable library of questions asked by students, with detailed video solutions by Mr Gan - Blog Articles - Tips, tricks, and free guides including: - [5 Best Free H2 Math Online Tools for Any JC Student] - [How to Use MF26 Like a Pro]
Conclusion
With all that said, I hope youve found these tips helpful! The two years spent in JC can be stressful and intense, but that doesnt mean it cant also be enjoyable. Remember school life goes beyond just studying. ??
Find your balance, stay healthy, and make the most of this chapter of your life.