DECISIONS, DECISIONS, DECISIONS
Choosing subjects, be it for IGCSE or A-Levels/IB, is obviously a very big step in our lives. As a new academic year approaches, the nervous chitter-chatter about “What subjects am I going to do?” and “I am so lost!” return yet again. We often find ourselves second-guessing our subject options – Chemistry or Biology, Art or History? Sometimes, students may even feel the well- intentioned pressure from parents to pursue a prestigious pathway in subjects like Physics and Maths, when all their heart wants to study is Music. And a handful of times, we secretly fear being separated from our friends. While they are all excitedly ‘blowing up’ Science labs, others sit in a classroom wondering what they might be missing.
Hi! I am Saffron and this was exactly what went through my head back in 2021, as a Year 9 student. Now, in Year 11, I study Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Additional Maths, Economics and two languages, as well as the compulsory subjects. Although this may seem very intimidating, I assure you SJIIM fosters an environment that helped me to make this decision confidently. Then again, I am going to have to make yet another big decision in a few months time as I venture into the A-Levels, where I currently plan on studying Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Math…which makes sense if my next words are “I want to become a doctor”… which I do!
In Year 9, I remember thinking “I am growing up too fast” when my Head of Year announced that we were going to have to pick subjects soon. We attended assemblies, talks and meetings about every subject combination that we could take. What I like about SJIIM is that the teachers have encouraged and prompted us very early into thinking of what we wanted to do in the future by talking to us about the countless opportunities available to us, both in school and outside. The teachers were always very patient whenever we had our one-to-one meetings, assuring us with smiles, as we let out another groan about how “I don’t know what to do with my future”. My favourite memory while choosing the subject was the subject Options Evening. Although I had mine online, I remember seeing Science teachers literally set things on fire on screen and being completely mind-blown while others provided me with a perspective of Business or Economics that I had never thought of. Whether you are certain or unsure of what you want to do, I assure you that SJIIM promotes a safe environment for us to ask anything we need to know – Heads of Year, subject teachers and our very own Mr Hollis is always there to help!
This endless support has obviously made the subject selection process so much simpler for me. By providing students with wider perspectives and enlightening us thoroughly about what each subject has to offer, choosing subjects for IGCSEs or even post-16 options is not that challenging after all. I was quickly able to pick out the subjects I enjoyed in my early years of High School and decided to continue studying those to pursue my dream career in science. I feel like SJIIM is the perfect environment for me to continue my Sixth Form Studies, with its inclusive community and extremely approachable teachers. I have high hopes that I will be directed and supported towards the future I envisage for myself.
By Saffron Toh, Year 11