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Simple Tips for Better Maths Results!

school holidays

Where To Look For Jobs Suitable For Students

Update: Fight for part—time jobs gets tougher (Students looking for part time jobs might face a little more challenges with more workers getting retrenched in this financial turmoil, be positive and hold the faith)

I overheard a group of youngsters mentioning about the different types of jobs available for them. They were on handphone with their guy friend. The few girls ask him to consider being a waitor or a cashier at one of the major supermarkets.

I remember I started my first job after my A Levels. I guess the trend has changed; with more toys to play, more clothes to buy, heavier handphone bill to foot. Youngsters have to find means to support their lifestyle, isn't it?

It is so common to see a youngster with at least some if not all of the following items:

  • Handphone (s)
  • PSP
  • ipod
  • Camera
  • Laptop

So we can imagine the amount of $ required to support the gadgets lifestyle when parents decide not to be part of their ATM supporters anymore.

It is no wonder that more students are quickly finishing holiday jobs to make more pocket $, know more students and be more finanically and mentally independent; the pursuit of adults lifestyle.

Youth.sg has teamed up with Jobscentral to provide more suitable jobs for students. I thought this is really a brilliant idea! Cheers! More details here

Enjoy your work stint and have fun!

Sec 2 to Sec 3: How To Prepare Yourself For Elementary Math

I have earlier written an article on Sec 2 to Sec 3: How To Prepare Yourself For Additional Math

For those who aren't taking additional math, how can you prep yourself this holiday? (Note: I ain't telling you to burn your holidays mugging. Nope! But I mean to say have some work time and play time!)

I remember I was given quite a bit of holiday assignments during Nov/Dec holidays. Read in Facebook comments, this is still the ongoing trend in schools. Finish those work fast (No motivation? Get friends to complete the work together )and you can play for the rest of the days! Do not be like majority of the folks who wait till the end of the holidays, only to realize school is starting in a few days time that they start knowing that homework is due.

What I personally suggest for prep for Sec 3 Elementary Math is to ensure that your Sec 1&2 foundation topics are built upon on solid ground (These topics are tested in 'O' levels and every often schools do not have the time to revise thoroughly during term time)

Some of the foundation topics are listed below:

  • Making subject formula
  • Algebraic expansion rules
  • Algebraic factorization
  • Properties of Angles
  • Mensuration (New syllabus e-math has formula provided in exams)
  • Similarity & Congruency
  • Statistics (Mean, Median, Mode)
  • Equation of lines

These topics involve some fundamental applications which will be revisited again in Upper Sec.

Some of the Major Sec 3 Topics you would be expecting include:

  • Indices (*new)
  • Quadratic Equations (*new+very important)
  • Congruency and Similarity (*revision+application)
  • Graphs (*new+add on from Sec 1/2)
  • Properties of Circle(*new)
  • Trigonometry (*new+very important+high weightage in E-Math & A-Math)
  • Co-ordinate Geometry (requires basics from Equations of lines from Sec 2)
  • Arc Length & Sector Areas (used to be A-Math topic but included in E-Math now)
  • Quartiles & Percentiles (Statistics)
  • Matrices (*new)

(Those highlighted ones are the topics which are heavily weighted and you must pay more attention in following through. They are also fundamentals you would need in A-Math as well)

You may want to familizarize yourself with the 'O' level E-Math formula provided but in school tests and exams, some schools choose not to provide.

(Click on image for larger view or you may even want to print out a copy and stick on your desk for easy reference)

School Holiday Programme Debate

With the start of the June holidays, there have been pretty much debate on the matter of schools getting students back for lessons. Much have been discussed. "School principals give yourselves a break"

In my humble opinion, I think that holiday classes are absolutely required for graduating students for example the students doing their O Levels. Having said that, I am not suggesting that schools take up all the entire school holidays for that purpose. Depending on the objectives of these holiday classes, having 1-2weeks of them is reasonable. Teachers can get a break too.

Being an educator myself, I understand the importance of recharging one's mind to be prepared for the remaining terms. So teachers deserve a break too but the fact that they are committing their break time to their students speak volume. So it was a little disheartening when I read with disappointment on how parents not see from the point of teachers and principals in this case.

As for other level of students, I feel that enrichment programmes can be introduced during this holidays but made on a non-compulsory basics, allowing parents and students to make their own decision. Holidays are meant to be of a balance of work and play. From the articles read in Strait Times Forum, it seems to be that some parents aren't too appreciative of the schools' good intention. But arrangements for such programme must be communicated in advance to the parents so that parents can plan for their overseas trip with their children.

Well, in terms of school holiday programmes, I want to acknowledge my fellow educators working real hard at making a difference in the students' life and the effort of the school in planning for the enrichment programmes.

Hmmm... perhaps we should have a term devoted to some sort of summer camps just like in USA. Being a camp counsellor in USA, I totally love the experience!

Jobs galore for students this holiday season

BENJAMIN Heng landed his dream vacation job last month. He was paid to play some of the latest video games to hit town.As a 'game marshal' hired to promote Microsoft's Xbox 360 console, the 20-year-old gave 'live' demonstrations at shopping malls, earning about $600 for eight days of work.

From Strait Times

http://www.straitstimes.com/Free/Story/STIStory_189295.html