The best and worst of 2025, according to young people
The TLDR: As 2025 comes to an end, young people tell TLDR the best – and worst – things that happened to them during the year, from graduating from school to stepping on an ant hill.
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From making friends to losing a pet, young people tell TLDR the best – and worst – things that happened to them last year.
PHOTO: PIXABAY
Ang Yiying and Megan Ching
With the new year around the corner, TLDR asked young people about the best and worst things that happened to them in 2025, and what they are looking forward to in 2026.
THE BEST
Achieving dance dreams
Singapore Polytechnic student Cassius Tang achieved the milestone of joining his dream dance crew in 2025.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF CASSIUS TANG
“(The best thing that happened to me was) joining HRCY (a dance crew whose name is pronounced ‘hierarchy’), because I have wanted to join an outside crew for a while now, and I have always looked up to and watched HRCY from afar, so it’s been unreal that I even get to train with them, which is also a milestone in my dance journey.” – Mr Cassius Tang, 19, a student from Singapore Polytechnic
Impromptu trip to Vietnam
Singapore Polytechnic student Syazmira Samsaimond never thought she would go on her first trip in 2025 to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, with a good friend.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF SYAZMIRA SAMSAIMOND
“(The best thing) I would say is exercising my free will more this year. I realised I’d been waiting for an opportunity to come, rather than having the urge to say, ‘Yes, let’s do it.’ I never would have thought that I would go on my first trip with a good friend of mine to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam... (My favourite part was) being stuck together in a foreign country for the first time; it (gave us) new discoveries about each other and, with that, it made us more vulnerable to each other too.” – Ms Syazmira Samsaimond, 19, a student from Singapore Polytechnic
Forging new bonds
The best part of the year for Anderson Serangoon Junior College student Darrell Marvelo Santosa was meeting his girlfriend.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF DARRELL MARVELO SANTOSA
“(The best thing that happened to me was) definitely meeting my girlfriend, and also the friends that I made. It was unexpected. I went to junior college thinking that I would make very few friends and not enjoy life as a JC student. Then, all of a sudden, friends started to come into my life. Friends who became best friends, those whom I really missed during school holidays. They made life in JC worthwhile. And the best part is, I met my amazing girlfriend, who made all the tough challenges in JC worth going through. With her, going to school became something I look forward to, along with my amazing friends.” – Darrell Marvelo Santosa, 17, a student from Anderson Serangoon Junior College
THE WORST
Breaking an ankle
Fabian Tay, 16, going to Victoria Junior College. Credit: Courtesy of Fabian Tay
PHOTO: COURTESY OF FABIAN TAY
“The best thing that happened to me in 2025 was making it through the school year and being able to move to VJC (Victoria Junior College). I think the worst thing that happened to me was fracturing my ankle. I had just joined the VJC football team, but I fractured my ankle and I can’t play any more. I was in training when I stepped on a senior’s foot. He pulled out his foot and I broke my ankle, which was in a cast for three weeks.” – Fabian Tay, 16, who is going to VJC.
Losing a pet
Anderson Serangoon Junior College student Erica Tan Yu Xuan and her family pet dog, Lucky, before it died on Nov 12.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF ERICA TAN
“The worst thing that happened to me in 2025 was the passing of my family pet dog, Lucky, on Nov 12, just a week after his birthday. He had been with me since 2011 and was a constant source of comfort during my hardest times, especially in 2024. Losing him was extremely difficult, but I remain deeply grateful for the companionship and support he gave me over the years.” – Erica Tan Yu Xuan, 17, a student from Anderson Serangoon Junior College
Insect nightmare
The worst thing that happened to Pasir Ris Crest Secondary School, Kacia Teo, in 2025 was accidentally stepping on a nest of ants at a park.
ST PHOTO: MEGAN CHING
“I have a big fear of insects. And then yesterday was the worst thing that happened to me in 2025. I was at Fort Canning Park at 9pm and accidentally stepped on a nest of ants. There were so many ants everywhere and I was so scared. I was screaming and crying. (In 2026) I’m going to try not to be too scared of insects and have a more open mind to animals, so I won’t be too affected by this type of experience.” – Kacia Teo, 15, a student from Pasir Ris Crest Secondary School
