"A" Level or Diploma?

NEWater SG

I just finished my O Levels... and I just can't decide where to go. I've got so many people who're telling me that taking the As is the conventional and easier way to university... while I've got others telling me that getting a diploma is better for the long term.

I'm facing a dilemma (sp?) because I'm one who just cannot get himself to study. Even though the Os were a week away, I was still playing my PS2. I just can't do it. If I went to a JC I think I'd just die. My huge lack of motivation is due to the pointlessness of O Level education. Take Add Math for example. Why the heck do I have to fool around with triangles? Why should I know that Sin90degrees = 1? Is this going to help me in my future working life?

I'm currently leaning towards the diploma route.. because based on what the handouts from the different polytechnics say, I'm supposed to be ready for work the minute I get the diploma. My current plan is to get that diploma, finish NS, work for 3-4 years, and I go overseas to get my degree. It is to my knowledge that degree holders with diplomas to their name tend to earn higher wages than those who got their degrees through A Levels.

Is my plan logical... or even sane? Can someone please help me because my parents are still stuck in their 1970s mentality where diploma-holders = dirt while degree-holders = gold and I get a lot of biased advice from my relatives (who are also stuck in their 1970s mentality) and friends (who are just trying to drag me into whatever institution they want to get into).

Help?

Coco_Coco SG

do wad u r interested in and think u can excel. one trives in his/her field of passion and strength.

CenturionMBT SG

Pal, I faced the same situation as you one year ago.And i can tell you it was a tough decision.But ultimately, i chose poly mainly because i prefer to follow my interest.
If you can, you should try out the first 3 months in JC before you actually make your choices on where you want to go to see if you like JC life.

JC and poly, it is not much of a difference as both could eventually send you to a university.It is just that for JC, it is a two year intensive course and in poly , it is a three year course.

But ultimately, it is up to the individual himself.It is whether he wants to work hard or not.Whether you are in poly or jc, if you don't do your best, you won't even have a chance to step into a university.

And yes, your choice is logical because working experience would help in getting a place in an overseas university.Just work hard and do your best.

Anyway, good luck to your future.And i hope you make a wise choice.Don't follow the herd. Follow your heart.

nismoS132 SG

Originally posted by NEWater:
[b]I'm currently leaning towards the diploma route.. because based on what the handouts from the different polytechnics say, I'm supposed to be ready for work the minute I get the diploma.[b]

since you just finished your Os, i'm sure you should be more than familiar with this chinese proverb.

zi shang dan ping.

NEWater SG

nismoS132: Sorry to disappoint you but I'm one of the jokers/fuckers who take Chinese B in order to slack. What the hell does that mean?

Centurion: Yah okay thanks alot.

thinker SG

I agree with what Coco_Coco has said. Ask yourself where your interest lies and seek the right path(JC/Poly). Take into consideration of what type of jobs/responsibilities for your path (you may like to check out the online job search/ Straits Times/ career book/ talk to poly or JC personnel/ discuss with your school teacher to further understand).

I have friend who study where his interest is, but he dun like the type of work in the real world. He realised it only after he started working. Right now, he is working in a job that is not related/relevant to his studies. Kinda of wasted his years of study Embarassed

Ah Ma SG

IF U GT CONFIDENCE TO GO NUS & NTU, THEN GO JC, IF NOT GO POLY

chainsawieldinun SG

i agree with Centurion -- you always have the first 3 months to 'try try' and get a feel of JC life in general, + a quick look around the specific college. if you really really can't decide, i suggest you take a peek 'round poly as well... used to crash classes (the bigger lecture groups only, hor) where i had friends. Mr. Green

but ultimately i guess it's what feels right for you --> success is more defined by what you are good ar doing rather than what you are supposed to be good at doing!

tibirg SG

yep...ur interests....
besides JC and poly, there r art schools like LaSalle or NAFA for O-level graduates. Ask urself if u have this thing for arts, etc... Go to their websites and find out more...
otherwise, follow ur interests

LazerLordz SG

It depends whether your place personal satisfaction with your job in life higher than the money you can earn.Sometimes, following your heart may not give you a steady income in our straitlaced economy.For others, they are at their happiest when they have financial security.

Poly or A levels..Its your choice.The cultures are different.I may be biased but the poly route is more geared towards very serious business-minded people whereas the JC crowd mainly place an emphasis on the more bigger picture..at least for people who take up Arts.They might shy away from the rigid system and are able to think more critically about issues which bother them.The good thing about poly is that it helps to you to stand on your two feet, in terms of study and research.Its like a watered down version of university.

Ask around.Do not base your decision on just a few sources.

applesweetgirl SG

you say you are a slacker.
i don't recommend JC then.
are you trying out for the first three months?
i am.
and i'm intimidated by all the work they expect us to do.
aiyoh..dunno what to do also..

damz83 SG

Like most of the above have already said. Trying out JC for the 1st three months is a good idea. For one, it gives you a feel of how JC life is like, and second, most JC students would agree that their 1st three months was the best a most fun time of their JC. So even if you feel like JC's not the place for you, at least you get to know more ppl and have fun.

GrimR SG

Follow your heart.. Smile

NEWater SG

lol im in yishun jc now and heck… it sucks.

_attitude_ SG

to the older generation JC is a more promising route.. but ya .. if you wanna spealize in a specific area go to Poly.. me also had a very hard deciding lat yr cos ya i can make it to both JC and poly… in the end i chose poly .. and ya.. I’m Loving It !! hahaa..

Lingos SG

I did A levels.. i think it is a different environment in Poly..
It depends on what kind of environment you thrive in.