This probably applies not only to those who are taking A levels, but generally people who are taking major exams and are waiting for their results.
So you know how before and during the examination itself you are all "can this please be over now", "ugh just imagine my life after As" and "i can't wait for the stress-free life".......
Well let's just say it isn't all party and relax after As. Why exactly?
Waiting for the results......:O
Obviously it's going to be nerve-wrecking, waiting for any results. But waiting for the results that could totally define at least 3 years(Uni) of your life? Not fun at all. So while you are enjoying yourself, watching dramas, animes, doing stuff that you normally wouldn't be able to do while studying, there seem to always be this cloud hanging about ominously, reminding you that everyday passed is a day closer to the release of the results. I personally had a nightmare about receiving my results, and realising that they were total shit results. Like just passed results. Not only me, I have friends who have had similar nightmares, some even continue to dream about studying and taking the a level exams. Basically, be prepared for the stress of waiting for your results which could as likely put you into a panic attack as studying for the exam.
Applying for Universities and Scholarships
No matter what school you are in, as long as you are in Singapore, you are bound to experience pressure from somewhere on getting into good universities and obtaining a scholarship either to relieve your parent's burden or simply for the prestige. And you know what, all these started like all the way back in Secondary 2 for me. My LA teacher, out of the blue, begin speaking really seriously to us and telling us that we have to think and plan for the future, otherwise what is the use of getting into the IP programme. I'm pretty sure it went something like this: "Well, shouldn't you guys be thinking about the future already, what university you are aiming for, what course you want to take, are you applying for scholarships? Or even the most basic, you guys should be preparing for your A levels right now. Otherwise when you want to start preparing? When you are in JC? Then what is the difference between you IP students and the O level students? Then you guys might as well go into O level?" *Disclaimer: not saying O level or IP is better, it's just a fact that IP students do not have to take O levels and hence technically can start earlier in preparing for A levels* And so the true trouble actually starts right after As.....assuming you are not going for early admission cycles or applying for internships or taking necessary tests like the SATs or BMAT for US and UK universities which all takes place before or during A levels. Sighs, I actually wonder how I got through those 2 years now. Ok back to the topic, so now, early admission cycles are starting for Universities, interviews are taking place, scholarship applications are opening up. You gotta consolidate all your achievements and dump them all into your portfolio, prepare essays for the applications and prepare for your interviews to show just how passionate you are about something. You think that's easy? It's kinda like doing another PW all over again. You gotta worry about the results too. So you know, it's not all fun and games and nua-ing on your bed cos you have to be doing all this admin work.
Work.....
Working somewhere, gaining relevant life skills and experiences while earning some extra pocket money is most probably part of many people's after As activity list. While you may not be doing anything challenging, even doing menial jobs from 9 to 5 is tiring...for some reason. By the time you get home, all you want to do is sit on the sofa and not move. There is a wide variety of jobs you could do but I actually applied for an internship at one of the Big 4 Accounting & Audit firm and successfully got chosen for the programme. So basically I'm kinda living the OL life now, except I don't exactly go through all of the hardships(OT-ing without being paid, working round the clock, stress of delivering results...). I can't do much too, like duh, I have zero knowledge on accounting. So I can only help with their admin work, like printing and stuff, or if they do want me to help with chim-er stuff, they have to guide me through it and often I still have no idea what I actually did....Yeah.... So work is kinda boring, except there's fun parts like getting treated, observing interesting stuff... But yeah, there's the socialising part you gotta stress about as well. No I'm not anti-social nor do I hate human interaction. But you know, it's always stressful going into a new environment, knowing you not only have to learn and get use to a new style of life, but also new people, new connections. Worse, I don't know anyone that was also chosen for the internship. And while I did manage to build some friendly ties with quite a few of them during the first day of orientation, we were all split up to different teams. So basically, I am stuck facing a whole new team of permanent staff, adults, with not much common topics.... yes..... So I remembered my first few days being rather stressful. But it got better eventually when I continued to put myself out there and talk to them. So yes, perseverance! But man....it's tiring T.T
And really, there are so much more reasons why after As is not exactly that perfect as you would first imagine. Your parents would most probably not allow you to "waste your life" anyway. While I'm glad to be rid of the constantly studying life, now's not exactly enjoyable either.
