‘Am I a failure if I don't go to university? ’: Singapore JC student fails almost every subject despite 2 years of effort, fears future without degree
Asian student
SINGAPORE: After spending two years trying to improve his grades in Junior College (JC), one Singaporean student is beginning to worry that his poor academic performance could leave him with limited options after graduation.
The student said he had received “Us“ for nearly all his subjects, with General Paper (GP) being the sole exception.
With a place at university now looking increasingly unlikely, he is struggling to figure out what comes next.
In a post on Reddit’s r/SGExams forum, he asked: “Am I a failure if I don’t go to University in Singapore? I've been failing in JC for the whole 2 years I've been studying. I don't want to retake AS because, genuinely, I don't want to endure another year. I don't think I can even do well no matter how much time you give me.“
“And quite frankly, I don't want to do it anymore, but I don't want to be basically a bum that hasn't been to university, having no job because it either requires a degree or other people are more qualified than me. I don't want to work at a minimum wage job; I want to live. I feel so unbelievably trapped.”
Although his teachers had reassured him that university was not the only route to success, he admitted that it was difficult to take their words to heart when those around him seemed to be doing so much better.
“It's been a rough 2 years seeing everyone do well while I struggle to grasp basic concepts. It simply doesn't resonate with me,” he wrote. “I'd like to think I am somewhat hardworking. I'm at least still doing most of the work, listening and participating in class. Yet, I've gotten nothing but Us.”
‘Different people have different aims and goals’
Much like his teachers, many commenters reminded the student that academic qualifications were not the only measure of a person's potential or future success.
One user shared that several of their friends had chosen not to attend university but had still gone on to earn good salaries.
“I have friends who didn’t go through Uni, by their own choice, and they’re earning quite a good amount, dare I say more than degree holders. Albeit the beginning for them was tough, but somehow they’re able to be where they are right now.”
“You’re more than just your results and degrees; maybe you’ll take a bit more time to find your niche, and that’s alright; everyone’s on their own timeline. I’m sure over time you’ll find your niche.”
Newsletter
Get updates straight to your inbox
Another commenter urged him to think about his longer-term ambitions, writing, “The question is what do you want to do in life? And is uni a necessity for you to get there? Different people have different aims and goals, so what are yours?”
A third user suggested exploring polytechnic as another option: “You could consider poly as well; I know a few people who did go to poly after JC. It isn't really that bad. It's comparatively more application-based. In the end, we're all on our own paths. The trapped feeling is real; I think many of us feel that way, some more than others due to our own neuroticism and environment.”/TISG