It’s ok if you cried at first, because chances are, you are below 21 and legally, you are still a child. But let that be for just one day, and no more after that. The past is over. You cannot change your past, but you can still influence your future.

(1) Do not blame others. The first step in making any kind of improvement to yourself is not to blame your teachers, your tutors, your notes, your handphone etc. Blame yourself. It was YOUR show. Only YOU can fail your self and only YOU can make your self succeed.

(2) Reflect on yourself. What went wrong?

(3) Search and find your true self. What are your real interests? What is your passion?

(4) Plan your next course of action. What can you do with poor A-level results? Here are some options:

(a) Redo your A-levels. If you didn’t get an overall pass, redo it in your own JC; you’d still need the right environment and the support. If you obtained a bad pass, you will not be allowed to redo it in your JC, yet you will not be given any place in any local university. So you either self-study, get tuition, or enrol yourself in a private school like SLA or MDIS College. But re-taking A-levels will not bear fruit unless you do steps (2) and (3) above properly; if you continue your bad habits and bad strategies or you simply did not like the subjects you were taking, it’d be very hard for you to be self-disciplined and to maintain focus. You don’t get different results by doing the same things the same way over and over again (in fact, Einstein called that kind of expectation, “insanity”).

(b) Go overseas (if you have the money or get some kind of sponsorship, loan or bursary). Do the SAT and go to the US, or do a foundation year in Australia and move up.

(c) Apply to a local polytechnic to get a Diploma (but make sure you do steps (2) and (3) carefully first). With a good poly diploma, you can still get into a local university. But I think you should apply to a poly using your O-level results instead (it worked for some students before). With a poly diploma, you may even apply to be admitted directly into the 2nd or 3rd year of a recognised overseas university. REMEMBER THAT MONEY IS NOT THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR. IF YOU HAVE TALENT OR PROVEN ACADEMIC ABILITY, THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A SPONSOR.

(d) If you have poor A-level results but very good O-level results, you might want to apply to the NIE to become a teacher; either you will be allowed to do a degree course or you might have to become a non-graduate teacher first before moving up later. Remember that a non-graduate teacher can become a graduate teacher via the Open University Degree Programme run by SIM. But the non-graduate teacher scheme is gradually being phased out.

(e) Apply to SIM to get a Diploma in something you like. Some SIM Diplomas are sought after by employers.

(f) Apply to a private education provider like MDIS, Kaplan, Stansfield or PSB Academy to get a Diploma or if you have two A-level passes, you might still get to do a degree course. But bear in mind that these degrees or diplomas may not be recognised by the Singapore government. But if you intend to work in the private sector, it should be alright.

(g) If you are tired of studying, work for at least two years first and when you reach 21, apply to SIM University (UniSim) if you have two A-level passes. UniSim degrees are recognised in Singapore, even by our government.

(h) If you want to be an accountant, self-study for the exam conducted by the ICPAS.

(5) Take action. Strategise. Gather resources. Believe in youself and your abilities. Adopt the right values and attitude. Set your short-term and long-term goals clearly. Write these down somewhere. Be positive, and be with positive people.

You see, there are so many ways to move on. Do not let setbacks affect you too much. Pick up and join back the pieces. Get up if you are down. Don’t go anywhere near Bedok reservoir (oops!). Spend time with your loved ones instead. Remember these lines from Miley Cyrus’ song (if you don’t hate her of course):

“But I gotta keep tryin’
Gotta keep my head held high

There’s always gonna be another mountain
I’m always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Sometimes I’m gonna have to lose
Ain’t about how fast I get there
Ain’t about what’s waitin’ on the other side
It’s the climb.”

Do not worry about being left behind as your friends move forward. Chances are, you are going to live for another 60 years or so. When you look back someday, it wouldn’t matter that you ‘lost’ one or two years somewhere along the way. Setbacks happen to everybody; I had my fair share of failures and setbacks. How we respond to these setbacks matter.

If you still feel down, then please watch this video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOlTdkYXuzE. It might help you a bit. : )

Good luck!

Related page:   A-Level Results: What to do if you get BAD or DEAD, i.e., the ‘middle class’

A-LEVEL TUITION

A-Level BIOLOGY (H1/H2) – Whatsapp 88668423 (Specialist)

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GENERAL PAPER BONUS SESSIONS 

The registration for ‘A’ and ‘O’ Level exams as a private candidate usually opens around early to mid-April (Please check SEAB website). If you are registering for a Science subject (Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Combined Sciences), at the time of registration in April, you will be asked whether you have done any science practical training in any school, centre, or institute. 

Thus if you are considering Singapore Learner as your science practical training provider, you are strongly advised to register with us and begin your science practical sessions for each subject BEFORE APRIL for us to certify that you have attended basic science practical training. Thus it is recommended that you commence practical training with us in Jan/Feb. Please note students usually do about 10 practical sessions per subject to be competent in practicals.

The following is taken from SEAB website:

“If you are registering for a Science subject with a practical paper, you:
• Must have sat the same Science subject(s) previously, OR
• are currently attending or will be attending a course of instruction in Science practical at any institute/school. You must complete the course of instruction in Science practical at the institute/school enrolled in. You are required to declare that you have fulfilled the above requirements at the point of registration. Registration for the subject may be cancelled without a refund of the examination fees if a false declaration is made.“

LOOKING FOR THE BEST PLACE TO DO YOUR SCIENCE PRACTICALS? JOIN US!

We provide A-Level / H2 / IP and O-Level Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Science (Physics/Chemistry/Biology) Practical Training for private / school candidates and homeschoolers, for both local (eg. H2, Singapore-Cambridge) and international exams (CIE, IB, IGCSE).

*Enjoy great discounts on fees if your lab sessions start in February! Send a message to 88765498 for details.

*Or attend (by appointment) our SINGAPORE LEARNER OPEN HOUSE on Sat 22/2 or Sun 23/2 (both 2pm-5pm) to find out more about our Science Academy (for private candidates) or our Science Practical Training & Enrichment Programme (for all students from Primary to A-Level). Attendees will get to meet our teachers and view our Science labs and apparatus. In addition, students who sign-up on the spot will be offered our generous January fee discount scheme while others may opt to receive our $50 fee discount voucher instead (2 per practical student). To book an appointment, send a message to 88765498. Hurry, appointment slots are limited. To avoid disappointment, book now!

Our Main Practical Programmes:

A-LEVEL H2 PRACTICALS (Available Jan to Oct)

PRACTICAL CRASH COURSES (Mar, Jun, Sep and Oct)

MOCK EXAMS FOR SCIENCE PRACTICAL (Sep and Oct)

Other Practical Programmes We Provide:

CIE A-LEVEL PRACTICALS

INDIVIDUAL 1-1 PRACTICAL COACHING

Why Us?

• Our teachers are highly qualified and very experienced, and we actually TEACH you good practical techniques.

• We have been a one-stop comprehensive science practical centre providing solid practical training for ALL THREE sciences and for all levels and streams since 2017.

• Our laboratory apparatus are exam-grade and the same as those used in MOE schools and our chemicals are all NEA-approved.

• We have a structured practical training programme catering to the needs of both beginners and experienced students.

• We have a small class size so that the teacher is able to observe the actions of each student more closely and demonstrate the correct practical techniques where and when necessary.

You may need science practical lessons if you are a private candidate who needs a science lab and apparatus as well as practical coaching, or you are a school candidate who needs more practical training to get top grades.

Singapore Learner @ Bukit Batok

Blk 644, Bukit Batok Central, #01-68. S(650644).

Tel: +(65) 6569 4897,   +(65) 88765498