All About GEP

[MMM]

Yes, I fully agree with you Zack. I was a late bloomer myself.


I never know what is the objective of study in my younger days. My parents are just pushing me to pass to next level but they never set any expectation on me. I think they are relieve so long as I pass.

I went to Normal stream after PSLE. It was only in sec 3 that I discover how good it felt to do well in exams and that the teachers recognise me. This pushed me to work hard and I did well for my "N" and subsequently "O". As there wasn’t a single science subject in my "O" since the principal felt that normal stream students shouldn’t take any as they can’t cope. I couldn’t qualify for Poly unless those biz subjects which was very competitive. My "O" scores though not bad just wasn’t good enough to let me do a biz diploma.

Iso doing "A" as I felt I was already a year behind, I went to do pte diploma. Not fully aware of the recognition aspect even though I won book prizes. I had my 1st job in a bank and as my diploma was not as recognise as poly I had to start from a clerk. But I think my bosses like my working attitude and wanted to promote me the following year. But I left the banking industry to pursue another area.

All is not lost as I eventually went on to do my degree and prof papers. Just 2 days ago, my mum met my pri school friend’s mum. This friend did well since young, went to top school and is a scholar. The mum told my mum how much this friend of mine is earning currently. FYI, I am still earning at least few k more than him though I went thru a much complicated route.

Undeniably I feel "good" in a sense that despite that I was never top, that does not mean I will be significantly worse off than my top peers. I feel that it’s fate sometimes where I get to meet the right people and was given the right opp at the right time to bring me where I am today. Also, I think my working attitude also helps. So yes, I want my kids to excel and dun go through the same route as me. But seeing myself, there is never a guarantee that if you are a top student, you will definitely have a brighter future.

[ZacK]

Hi MMM,


Thanks for sharing... Actually how our personal experiences are will also have a bearing on how we raise our kids.

I choose to think that having gone through the non-conventional route... I'm not so particular abt what my son's grades are as long as he does not go below the point where it indicates that he has a learning problem :oops:

For now... My son gets a break from enrichment classes... He only starts his CMA class later this month... He attends his usual Mon-Fri half day kindergarten class which I find has been beneficial for him. At best to just sign him up for swimming classes... Other than that he is free to do what he wants with his time

I'm glad that you had the right opportunities at the right time... I'm only on par with graduates holding the same job responsibilities. Attempted to do a PT degree but dropped it (as it was going through the motion) to do professional papers instead

[MMM]

Hi Zack,


I understand what you mean.

For me, I actually prefer my kids to be self-motivated rather than being pushed by us to study. I know this is too idealistic and how many kids are self-motivated. I feel that a self-motivated person can do a lot more. I am just praying that my son to "kai (1) qiao (4)" faster. It’s like once the switch is turn on, you will know what you want and the rest will follow.

On the other hand, I always tell them that what they are doing is for themselves and not us. We are not the ones who is going to sweep the singapore road or throw the spore rubbish should we choose not to study. They are the ones who have to face it themselves.

Haha unlike you, i am not so relaxed mum as I send them for enrichment classes. I actually give them "vision". eg. if you do well, you can go to this school,etc… I think this is what my parents fail to give me when I was young. They are happy if I get married, have 2 kids, get a bank teller job (haha that explains why my 1st job is in a bank), stay in a 5 room flat and drive a 1000 cc car. I didn’t know what I was aiming for in life.

On the other hand, on a long term basis, I would strongly encourage you to pursue a degree or some prof qualifications. There are too many grads nowadays, though there is nothing special but without paper, you will find yourself "handicapped" at some stage. Eg. companies who insist that the certain role must be filled by degree holder,etc… when you are on the lookout.

[jedamum]

MMM:

there is never a guarantee that if you are a top student, you will definitely have a brighter future.

I was a top student. And now I'm a sahm. Is that a bright future?

[tamarind]

jedamum:

MMM:

there is never a guarantee that if you are a top student, you will definitely have a brighter future.

I was a top student. And now I'm a sahm. Is that a bright future?

Getting a good hubby who can earn enough so that you can have the luxury to stay at home, is also a very bright future :lol:

[ZacK]

MMM:

Haha unlike you, i am not so relaxed mum as I send them for enrichment classes. I actually give them \"vision\". eg. if you do well, you can go to this school,etc... I think this is what my parents fail to give me when I was young. They are happy if I get married, have 2 kids, get a bank teller job (haha that explains why my 1st job is in a bank), stay in a 5 room flat and drive a 1000 cc car. I didn't know what I was aiming for in life.

One thing I do not want to do is to be a slave to my son... I do what is enough to keep him in the race, spend my own time wif him to inculcate the right values. So I make sure my wife and I have our own individual space to breathe to pursue our own hobbies/interests... I read of so many parents doing so much ... yes out of love for their kids... But if we(parents) cant even take care of ourselves and ensure that we are not burnt out... How can we expect our kids to be any different and to cope... By having my own space, I also wont feel that having kids is a burden then.

MMM:

On the other hand, on a long term basis, I would strongly encourage you to pursue a degree or some prof qualifications. There are too many grads nowadays, though there is nothing special but without paper, you will find yourself \"handicapped\" at some stage. Eg. companies who insist that the certain role must be filled by degree holder,etc... when you are on the lookout.

I know what you mean... But I'm not really that young anymore... So cant compete wif the grads with qualifications... At my level, I have to go in based on experienced. And that is why track record and good reference is impt. Anyway, my next career check pt is 4 yrs later... For me to decide what/where I wanna do/go

[ZacK]

jedamum:

MMM:

there is never a guarantee that if you are a top student, you will definitely have a brighter future.

I was a top student. And now I'm a sahm. Is that a bright future?

I'm sure for many having a bright future equates to success.

For me, success is subjective and has a different meaning for different people... My success is measured in terms of:
- The level of happiness with my life.
- The level of love that is reciprocated by the people who means a lot to me.
- The ability to maintain the lifestyle that I have envisaged for my family and I.

So even if I cant stay in a 10,000 sq ft bungalow and drive a fancy Ferrari car... I know I can be successful becos that is not what I'm after

[ZacK]

tamarind:

jedamum:

[quote=\"MMM\"] there is never a guarantee that if you are a top student, you will definitely have a brighter future.

I was a top student. And now I'm a sahm. Is that a bright future?

Getting a good hubby who can earn enough so that you can have the luxury to stay at home, is also a very bright future :lol:[/quote]Hmmm if that is your definition... Then my wife will never have a \"bright future\"!!! :oops:

[MMM]

Just something to share, when I did my part time degree, there was at least 2 guys in the room who are 50 yrs & above. All very established in their career : ) But yes, it's not easy and a huge challenge.


Next year, my co can sponsor me for MBA but I am still having thots if I really want to do that. It's like I could have use that time to guide my own kids in their studies esp with 2 in pri school..... Sometimes it's a personal choice and knowing what you want and what works best.

ZacK:

MMM:

But I'm not really that young anymore... So cant compete wif the grads with qualifications... )

[ZacK]

MMM:

Just something to share, when I did my part time degree, there was at least 2 guys in the room who are 50 yrs & above. All very established in their career : ) But yes, it's not easy and a huge challenge.


Next year, my co can sponsor me for MBA but I am still having thots if I really want to do that. It's like I could have use that time to guide my own kids in their studies esp with 2 in pri school..... Sometimes it's a personal choice and knowing what you want and what works best.

No worries... For me learning is a continuous process regardless of our age... If we do not learn new things/skills... We would be regressing because requirements are not stagnant thus possibility of being made redundant.

I do not preclude the possibility of pursuing tertiary qualifications later... Just thot that the professional papers would give me more mileage at the moment ... My next class starts from Sep 08 till Mar 09

So to go back to the main topic... I wont be overly particular abt my son's grades when he is schooling... I'll probably follow CKS and let my son decide (part of empowerment) should he be nominated to try for the GEP. Because the journey/learning process is continuous... As long as he continues to keep learning new things/skills... I'm sure he'll be successful