Well, this is response of Justin and Adeeb's post about the type of education we've been receiving as students in singapore and how it really has been an extreme struggle for virtually every kid that goes through it. This post is just my thoughts about life beyond the system and well, my view on life I suppose; not just my 'bitching' about the system. :)

Of course to the brighter ones and the ones who manage to conform and embrace the system, it might be easier in a sense. But it's ultimately the notion of competition that has been instilled within us from a young age. That fear of absolute failure that has really dawned upon us because let's face it, we're pretty much all fighting for places in one of the 3 local universities here. Or even for the limited amount of scholarships to go overseas. Even just applying overseas for those top universities would be a tough time with the quota of probably only 6% of the cohort being international students. And with society demanding that having a degree is merely the pre-requisite, our grades at As have really become a matter of life or death. Pretty disgusting.

And the cruel reality of it all is that, even with the degree that we may get,  it's still not good enough. Work places are demanding work experience on top of our degrees, case in point, my sister. Even with a damn degree, she is being offered the same pay she was being offered as a poly graduate!

I understand how this is not applicable specifically to many other sectors of work but I suppose that my point it this... With everytime some one says that As was the hardest thing we ever had to do, I don't really believe them. Cause as a Singaporean in the 21st century, it's no doubt a constant fight and struggle if you don't fit a certain mould. And since we are most definitely filled with ambitions and dreams , it's pretty bleak knowing that to get what we want would probably require some ridiculous prerequisite that we never even thought about or considered... cause all we've been told to do is to mug our lives away just to get the grades. Sucks knowing that even that's not good enough.

So, what is good enough then?
Why do we fight so hard when at the day, nothing seems enough?

I really do ask myself that a lot.

Some say that our generation is spoilt and overambitious..even so, I don't think that should be the only issue right? I mean, we have been so caught up in a whirlwind of non-stop 'education' that honestly, even I feel like I've lost sight of life, and everything else that should matter.

What I reckon? It would be stupid to say 'Screw Society' because well, it's impossible for us to change an entire generation of people's mindsets... at this point at least. Plus, we can't go about life ignoring whats going about us... It'll be so irresponsible.

So, let's live life. To study but not for the sake of it but cos we truly enjoy what we're are reading and absorbing. To understand that the As is extremely important but to just leave it at that. I truly believe that if there was a genuine interest in what we study, it will translate in our papers and stay in our brains.. I like to believe that whatever I learn now is important as a growing global citizen. Cause let's face it, true appreciation of any subject cannot be faked (unless you're a ridiculously amazing writer) and it shows on a person.

So let's fight this system, but within reason.

We can complain and whine but if we want to make that change... It's got to start with us. Our attitudes to life, to how we handle all this crap and come out on top in OUR terms and not the ones that society decides to force upon us.

I believe that if we find passion and love in our lives & really fight for the happiness of us and the people around us,  life will become better. It's a bitch that there will always be someone at the bottom but it's believing that even at the bottom, we can make our own tops.

We all love different things & I believe that together, we can make life better bit by bit. But first, we have to learn to fuse pragmatism and passion, not fear failure & truly embrace the notion of trying to be a better person everyday.

So let's live life guys, but just don't be that ignorant person who complains and makes no move for change. Cause I reckon, it would make us just as bad as the people that we complaining about.

 No ones perfect, we're only human. So why don't we concentrate on our strengths to  make society into one that creates happiness. Definitely easier said than done and possibly ridiculously cheesy but...

It's OUR fight guys... If we truly care, we'll fight right?

Xxxkim

P.S : My disclaimer, it's my personal opinion. I know at the end of the day, we can't make everyone happy (sadly), but we can try... And I believe that in that effort alone, we'll gain something. I know I'm not the brightest student out there getting straight As and I used to complain about how being in JC is ruining my plans for life... but I don't think so anymore. I like to believe that I'm doing all I can to work the system to my advantage... It's the most I can do for now. We can learn something through every experience, it's whether we want to. :)