Impressions of Nanyang JC
I could still remember a few weeks back when I just attended my first day of school in a new JC, the start of a new phase in my life. I was very reluctant on that day. I had to wake up especially early and had to travel a very long journey to school as my house was situated far away from the college.
That morning had not gone very well for me. I had to wait for half an hour for a bus to pass by the bus stop. Unfortunately, it was not even the bus I wanted to take. When I reached school, I was almost late and I was busy looking for my Orientation Group. In a new environment with new faces, I was very nervous and afraid. However, I soon made my new friends. They made my day slightly better and there were a lot of fun activities that had been planned for us. My Orientation Group Leaders were very enthusiastic and they made the atmosphere in the day to lighten up. The Mass Dance Program was among the best. Indeed, my stay in Nanyang JC for the first few days was fun and memorable.
However, it’s not only the seniors and new friends that made my stay here worthwhile. The teachers had been a wonderful help to me. They would try to help me with the academic problems that I encountered. I no longer feel intimidated by their presence. I really wish that I could continue my studies here in Nanyang JC.
By: Felicia Prasetya
Here’s a rather shocking fact that would incite a good many ‘HUH?’s among NYJCians: I was not aware of Nanyang Junior College’s existence until September last year. Anyone who accuses me of hiding in the mountains all these years would be forgiven, though a pile of practice papers and books would be far more accurate. In spite of my ignorance, I went ahead and chose this school during PAE 2006, simply because its cut-off point then was closest to my Preliminary Examinations result. It was not much of a surprise that I got in though doubts still lingered in me on whether I made the right choice coming here.
Fast-forward to about 5 weeks later and here I am, at my desk, typing out an article on a place I have grown to like. With regard to whether I had any regrets coming here, it would be insincere to give a 100% no for an answer. 98% would be more like it as hey, I do feel that certain aspects of NYJC could be improved on. But a month here has allowed a strong attraction to take root in this school.
For one, I like the people here. Not just my classmates and Orientation group mates but teachers, seniors and canteen vendors (the Yong Tau Fu rocks). The seniors are ever enthusiastic and friendly of course; some even to an alarming degree. As for the teachers, they were not as stern as I thought JC teachers would be. In fact, I learnt lots from them, including some lame jokes. Being able to find my way around the colossal building and locating most of the restrooms were some of my greatest ‘achievements’ here.
Speaking of the school building, it took some time to get used to the fact that each class is not assigned to a classroom but has to move around from place to place. This is something new to us post-secondary students. Nevertheless, we managed to adapt to the new lecture-tutorial system and our tendency to mistake one room for another diminished over time. Want to know one of our favourite hangouts? It’s the canteen because that’s where the great food is.
Week 6 is looming ahead and filling me with dread, for it brings news of the 2006 ‘O’ level Results. Will I be able to stay? Nothing hurts more than being uprooted from familiar surroundings and placed in a whole new environment. No matter what they say about change being the only constant in life, you always need time getting used to it.
Should I have to leave, I’ll be glad to have garnered many happy memories over the past few weeks. These are worth preserving for the rest of my life, even if it is about attaining almost 100% familiarity of the location of school restrooms.
By: Wan Yin Yi