In their own words: Junior Colleges versus Polytechnics

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"I would like to do a diploma in either early childhood education or information technology at Ngee Ann Polytechnic. The polytechnic route is more direct than the junior college one."

- Mark Lim, 17, a Secondary 4 Express student at Kent Ridge Secondary School


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"I would like to study information security and forensics at Ngee Ann Polytechnic. I'm more of a hands-on person, and the course has an internship programme which allows me to work with an organisation and gain working experience."

- Raqib Zaahed, 16, a Secondary 4 Express student at Bedok View Secondary School


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"Junior college is not for me because I think it is quite stressful. I plan to do biomedical science or leisure and events management at Temasek Polytechnic. Most of my friends are also planning to take courses there."

- Bernice Chua, 18, a Secondary 5 Normal (Academic) student at Yishun Town Secondary School


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"I want to go to a junior college because I hope to expand my knowledge and pursue higher education before I start working."

- Tan Yee Ting, 16, a Secondary 4 Express student at Nan Hua High School


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"I wouldn't mind going to either a polytechnic or a junior college, but I'm hoping to go to Australia to further my studies. I would like to do an eight-month foundation course in biomedical science there as it is a faster route to a degree than the JC or poly route. It also allows me to learn how to be independent, and not take everything for granted."

- Tammy Koh, 16, a Secondary 4 Express student at Holy Innocents' High


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"My first choice is to study aerospace engineering at Singapore Polytechnic. I've been interested in planes since I was a child. I collect plane models and I can name the models of airplanes.

I am worried that junior college may be too stressful. My sister went to Ngee Ann Polytechnic and she told me many stories about poly life and how it has a lot of group work and projects. I prefer those to worksheets."

- Kathiravan Ganesan, 16, a Secondary 4 Express student at Clementi Woods Secondary School

CALVIN YANG AND PEARL LEE

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