Networking Group - JCs General

[sharonkhoo]

bbbay\" post_id=\"2121684\" time=\"1698569341\" user_id=\"175278:

A posting from a H3 distinction some years back

https://www.reddit.com/r/singapore/comments/77ki9c/questions_on_h3_smu_game_theory_moe_pharma_chem/doodu46/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Agree that the H2 grades should have priority. At the end of the day, the H2 grades matter the most. If the student still has the capacity and interest beyond that, then by all means take H3. But if the student feels that his H2 subjects will suffer, then it's better to pass on H3.

[Imp75]

Thanks for your advice. The thing is the kids are grown up now so ya they can make their own decisions. She’s thinking between H3 maths and H3 game theory and is more leaning towards the latter as I think eventually she’s not interested in STEM but H3 game theory does. Not earn any credits when eventually if she Enrols into NUS. The uni taught H3 is also taught at fast pace but wrap up by Apr/May which also clash with her CCA commitments as well (she’s a leader so expected to be very busy). It’s quite a headache for her. She also contemplating joining chingay as well.

[sharonkhoo]

Imp75\" post_id=\"2121700\" time=\"1698628479\" user_id=\"2358:

Thanks for your advice. The thing is the kids are grown up now so ya they can make their own decisions. She’s thinking between H3 maths and H3 game theory and is more leaning towards the latter as I think eventually she’s not interested in STEM but H3 game theory does. Not earn any credits when eventually if she Enrols into NUS. The uni taught H3 is also taught at fast pace but wrap up by Apr/May which also clash with her CCA commitments as well (she’s a leader so expected to be very busy). It’s quite a headache for her. She also contemplating joining chingay as well.

One of the \"adulting\" skills that our kids have to learn is how to say \"no\" to things. In early years, studies and other tasks are curated for them with the amount of time and energy they have in mind. Once the they get older, no-one plans these things for them to that degree (or at all), and they are the ones who have to decide what they can take on, or what they have to refuse or postpone. We can't decide for them (or they will never learn), but I found that asking questions helps: \"will you have the time to do X and Y if they happen around the same time?\", \"which one is really important to you at this time?\", \"can you read up/postpone/refuse instead?\" Asking the questions make them think about them, without making it seem that we are deciding for them, and (hopefully) they will make a more sensible decision.

[Imp75]

True but this mom is bad at dishing impartial advice and dad is too chill about anything else and doing minimum is best in his opinion. Child is left to decide for her own sake.

[doodbug]

That’s good, the child exercising agency takes full ownership and accountability for his or her own choices.


We as parents, do not have full picture of the what ifs, and we are not always the best people to make the assessment. Even as someone who is working in higher education, I would not know all the pathways and considerations out there now - whether for university or scholarships or what. Things are so complex and multi-faceted nowadays its not possible to categorically say which is a better course of action.

So here is the chicken-out mama - you (i.e. the child) take the decision, and you bear the consequence HAHAHAHA. My views are just, my views, and are an input for you to consider, for what it’s worth.

[sharonkhoo]

Imp75\" post_id=\"2121706\" time=\"1698636662\" user_id=\"2358:

True but this mom is bad at dishing impartial advice and dad is too chill about anything else and doing minimum is best in his opinion. Child is left to decide for her own sake.

She may well turn out better and stronger because of the experience.

[jedamum]

If kid is facing a plateau in learning a h2 subj, will doing it in H3 expand the viewpoint? If kid is doing well in a h2 subject, will doing it in H3 drown the interests? Am referring to H3 physics and math. Kid is considering one or none. Any comments?

[sharonkhoo]

jedamum\" post_id=\"2122727\" time=\"1700180740\" user_id=\"159:

If kid is facing a plateau in learning a h2 subj, will doing it in H3 expand the viewpoint? If kid is doing well in a h2 subject, will doing it in H3 drown the interests? Am referring to H3 physics and math. Kid is considering one or none. Any comments?

My daughter didn't do either H3 Maths or Physics, but had quite a few classmates who did. As far as I know, it didn't seem to have negative effects on their interest in the subjects. I think most/all went on to do related university courses. My daughter took H3 Econs even though she wasn't yet sure what she wanted to study at university, and ended up studying Econs.

I think it depends on the student's interest and mindset. My guess is that those who like thing broad may be put off by going deeper into a subject, and then maybe will prefer the modular (e.g. Singapore or US) type of university course where depth can be avoided. Those who like depth will usually enjoy doing more, and perhaps the more \"single-subject\" type of university course (e.g. UK, or careful choices of courses in Singapore/US) may be preferred.

[doodbug]

I can’t see how reading H3 would affect the candidate’s H2 in any negative way actually, if the child is generally interested in the subject.


That said, my kid doing H3 has determined that he is not reading the H3 subject in university.

If one qualifies, taking up a H3 depends on how a child wishes to allocate his or her time - there are many able kids who opt out of H3 too, for a variety of pursuits which may or may not be related to an academic subject.

If the child is looking to apply for a Physics or Math related university course in a top UK university, then I would say, go for the H3.

[lee_yl]

jedamum\" post_id=\"2122727\" time=\"1700180740\" user_id=\"159:

If kid is facing a plateau in learning a h2 subj, will doing it in H3 expand the viewpoint? If kid is doing well in a h2 subject, will doing it in H3 drown the interests? Am referring to H3 physics and math. Kid is considering one or none. Any comments?

Do one will do unless the kid is very very strong. Is he doing Further Maths?

H3 Maths quite ok, lots of mechanics and can help H2 Physics too. But H3 Physics has too much waves, optics and some particle physics which are more cheem, so unless very keen in these areas, else hard to grasp.