Release of 2023 O Level results

Inspiring Journeys to Success

After the release of the 2023 ‘O’ level results, the CGS Corporate Communications Committee had the opportunity to interview some of the Character Edusave Awardees to provide some insights into their experience in preparing for the O Levels.

Can you describe your journey to success in preparing for the ‘O’ Levels? Were there any specific challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?

Xin Hui: Preparing for O Levels was a tiring but worthwhile journey. On several days, I had to sacrifice my rest and leisure time just to complete my notes and assignments after a long day of school. However, I was able to study together with my friends and had the support of my teachers at all times which made my journey a less painful one. One of the biggest challenges I faced during my preparations was dealing with exam stress. I always had the thought that I was not sufficiently prepared for all my exams which made me super anxious. To deal with this, I had my friends recall the important points with me before the exam and tested each other. 

What strategies or techniques did you adopt to maintain your motivation and focus during the preparation period leading up to the O levels?"

Joanne: I believe that having a healthy body and mind are important, and striking a good balance has helped me remain focused throughout the O level period. Each week, I would set aside some time to exercise and build my physical health, taking the chance to mentally reset such that I do not feel burned out. This helped to keep me motivated and focused during my study sessions as I was not overwhelmed by constant revision. Maintaining my mental well-being and physical health was essential in enabling me to perform at my best during the exams without feeling too drained.

As an Edusave Character Awardee, you have demonstrated the school values of courage, resilience, drive for excellence, innovativeness, empathy, and teamwork. How have these values influenced you in your Upper Secondary school days? Can you provide specific examples?  

Stacie: These values made me more emotionally mature, allowing me to handle various situations with more composure and make good decisions. For example, courage paired with empathy helped me to successfully resolve any disagreements I had with my peers quickly before it became a problem. I was able to circumvent the issue and put myself in others’ shoes before getting upset. In addition, resilience and drive for excellence played a big part in my motivation to study hard, giving me good exam results and ensuring that I never fell behind in class. Lastly, knowing how beneficial teamwork can be, I was always happy to help and be helped by my peers, making school life much less stressful.

 What advice would you give to current and future students? How can they develop the same level of resilience and determination that you have demonstrated? 

Shantell: Learn how to time manage well and to seize the opportunities you have. Find a system of planning and tracking tasks that works well for you, so that you can stay organised and ahead of your deadlines. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone when opportunities arise as these experiences will contribute significantly to your growth. However, it is equally as important not to overcommit, ensuring a healthy balance to manage challenges effectively. As for developing resilience, have a clear goal and find the reason for chasing that goal. Make sure that you also have a good support system that can be both a safety net and driving force for you to achieve your goals. 

Janessa: Trust the process. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. I feel that as long as students believe in themselves, they can develop the same level of resilience and determination.

Insights by:  Joanne Pang Rui Qi, Janessa Low, Ong Xin Hui, Shantell Wong, Stacie Goh Mei Yi (Class of 2023)

Photos

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