It is that time of the year again when students who qualify will ponder on a very important question – enrol in a Polytechnic, Pre-U Centralised Institute or Junior College (JC)?
For students who do not make the minimum requirements for Poly, Pre-U or JC courses, tend to face the question – “Do I enrol in ITE or retake my O Levels?”
My first advice to students will be to check their goals.
Those who have set goals should be able to ascertain their likely options.
Basic Guidelines
Here are some basic guidelines for making sense of the options between poly or JC:
1. Develop your desired milestones from this point. See how each of the various options help you to more towards your long term goals. For those with specific long term goals, your options will tend to be lesser and more rigid. For those with a general idea of their long term goal, you are likely to have more options.
2. Discuss with someone who has knowledge about the merits of each course and how that pathway can help you achieve your long term goals.
3. Make your decision based on a number of factors, including financial requirements. While going to a Polytechnic may provide you with an early start on the specific pathways that you want, it may not be a good choice if you are financially constrained. JC and Pre-U students continue to enjoy certain subsidies and privileges that students in Polytechnics/ITE do not.
4. Given the diversity of opportunities, be concerned about the approaches taken by each institution. For example, Republic and Temasek Polytechnic employ Problem Based Learning as their approach to student-centred learning. What do you know about these approaches and how best can you adapt to a change in approach? In this respect, be aware of your preferred learning style. When the emphasis is on collaborative learning, students who can learn best from a discussion and could readily share their thoughts and ideas can take advantage of such an emphasis. Auditory-digital students who want to be more engaging with others can also do the same.
5. In every course you take, some fundamental learning skills, habits and routines are necessary in order to excel. Hence, this is just another beginning for you.