Being normal: Portraits of 2014 N-level graduates

ST PHOTOS BY DESMOND LIM | PRODUCED BY DERRICK HO

"In primary school, I didn't do my homework and I skipped school a lot. I would hide at the staircase and go back into my house after my mother went to work. Then in Secondary 1, I thought about my past. I think I shouldn't do the same thing over and over again. Now, I'm more serious, maybe because I'm older."

Muhammad Irfan Azmi, 16, a Normal (Technical) student at Greenview Secondary School. Irfan is holding a Casio G-Shock, his first watch - a gift from his parents for doing well in his mid-year exams. He hopes to take up a nursing course at the ITE. He used to accompany his mother who works as a receptionist at the National Cancer Centre when he was younger, which inspired him to want to be a nurse.

Soshanna Nair, 17, a Normal (Academic) student from Si Ling Secondary School. Her father is a golf coach and her mother is a senior administrator at a construction site. Soshanna moved to Si Ling Secondary from another school in Secondary 3 so that she could have a chance to transfer to a Normal (Academic) class, from Normal (Technical). She hopes to get into the Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP),which prepares polytechnic-bound Normal (Academic) students for diploma courses. She wants to study biomedical science at Nanyang Polytechnic.

"Si Ling Secondary was not my first choice, but if I could turn back time, I wish I had joined it earlier. Before going to Si Ling, I wasn't motivated, but the school gave me opportunities to do well in my studies and build confidence in things like hosting school events and dance. It doesn't matter how long I take to finish my studies as long as I reach my dreams."

Sean Bay, 19, a Normal (Technical) student from Pathlight School. His father is a civil servant and his mother is a polytechnic lecturer. Sean, diagnosed at the age of seven with mild to moderate autism, discovered his talent in art and drawing in primary school. He hopes to take up a design-related course at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE).

"Art is emotional, it makes me feel proud of my drawings. I like to draw politicians in Singapore because they have done a lot for the country. I watch the news on television and look at their pictures in the newspaper so I know how to draw them."

Ron Lee (not his real name), 20, an inmate at Tanah Merah Prison. He was convicted of drug-related crimes and fighting and entered prison in October 2012. He enrolled in prison school at the start of this year and sat for the N-level exams nine months later. He will be released in April, and hopes to one day read nautical studies at Singapore Polytechnic.

"I was apprehensive when the prison officers asked me if I wanted to study. I don't even remember what algebra is or what it is used for. I quit school when I was 16 because I found studying meaningless and I didn't get immediate returns. If I work, at least I'll earn money."

Sin Poh Yin, 16, a Normal (Academic) student at Ang Mo Kio Secondary. The daughter of cobblers hopes to qualify for the PFP to study dental hygiene at Nanyang Polytechnic. She wants to be a dentist or a doctor in the future.

"Since young, I've been quite playful. I didn't take my studies seriously until Secondary 3. I told myself to stop fooling around and study and for the first time my grades improved. Not many people recognise N-levels but it's okay. I believe that as long as we put in effort, it's possible for Normal stream students to get a degree, although it may take a longer time."

Varun Ram Dowlani, 16, a Normal (Technical) student at Greenview Secondary School. His mother is a private tutor for lower primary pupils. Varun had wanted to study chemical process technology at ITE, but found out he was colour blind last month. He now hopes to enrol in a business course as he enjoys talking to people.

"I'm scared of my future and scared to think about what I want to be. I haven't thought much about my future plans because if you have high expectations and you don't achieve them, you will be disappointed."

Muhammad Irfan Azmi, 16, a Normal (Technical) student at Greenview Secondary School. Irfan is holding a Casio G-Shock, his first watch - a gift from his parents for doing well in his mid-year exams. He hopes to take up a nursing course at the ITE. He used to accompany his mother who works as a receptionist at the National Cancer Centre when he was younger, which inspired him to want to be a nurse.

"In primary school, I didn't do my homework and I skipped school a lot. I would hide at the staircase and go back into my house after my mother went to work. Then in Secondary 1, I thought about my past. I think I shouldn't do the same thing over and over again. Now, I'm more serious, maybe because I'm older."

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