singaporeans who are familiar with millenia institute/polytechnics, i need your help

[darkishreality]

so I finished my o levels last year and got a l1r4 of 14 (cca included) and enrolled myself into a design course in a poly. it was my last choice but i didn't appeal as i wanted to try it out and see for myself how far can i go. 

 

within the first week of the first semester however, i've had mental breakdowns for nearly everyday when i get home from school. i would just sit at a corner of a kitchen and ponder about the meaning of doing all of it. i did cry at times, too. the assignments weren't the kind that i had in my mind and it was so hectic and complex that i just go ????????? at it. The teachers have also announced the requirements for CA and i was just ?????? I have also found myself tuning out during lectures as my interest in the course has reached an all-time low.

 

i thought i would be able to handle the modules/subjects for the common foundation, but out of all 7 modules , i only enjoyed and did well in two (which happens to be modules that all students in poly would take.) 

 

so i sought for a transfer, but i was immediately rejected at the counter because they did not accept any more course transfer requests. (but???? it was only the FIRST week of school???) and the only way for me to get out of the course right now is to get a withdrawal. However if i withdraw I would have to pay for all of my school fees which are almost 2.5k. 

 

if i withdraw, i would have to wait for the next admission exercise for me to either

 

- get admitted back into my poly but to a different course 

- get admitted to a different poly 

- go to Millennia Institute 

 

and the admission exercise only happens once a year, so that means i'd have to waste a year (but i kinda consider this a gap year) and in that duration i plan to take up either a full-time or part-time job.

 

What should i do? i see myself working in the media industry in the future, yet the related courses in poly are so competitive. would going to MI sound like a good idea for me to properly work out what i truly want? and if i can, i want to attend a university. i really can't stand a week more into this course or else i'm going bonkers. 

[Hqnnik]

Wait, I'm taking O's this year, and have intentions of going to a design course too, what's wrong with it? I'm getting worried now.

[snsd9sone]

if you really hate the course, then you are better off just changing course but take note that you can only transfer course next year which means you will waste a year, and you start brand new. This means you spend 4 years in poly.

I am in my final year for accountancy in ngee ann poly, it was my 6th choice (wanted to go jc) and i hated it at the start, but after my first sem, i started to like some modules.

I am not sure about MI, but if i am in your situation, i would try out at least 1 sem and if i really don't like it, i will transfer course.

[elolery]

I have a friend in NUS's design school and he's suffering like crazy, but his passion is enough to drive him to do well. He is not in media though.

 

If you have already done your best, and have no other factors like personal issues disturbing your work, and yet are still suffering in the course ( I mean if you have true passion then you would be gaining at least some satisfaction in your work to drive yourself), then it's wise to consider other courses. Going through something you dislike for 3 years is not funny. I haven't been to poly but there should be a school counsellor you could seek help from? 

 

edit: You should try out 1 sem first. 1 week is too little trial time.

[Onehallyu#1NiceOppaKW]

what make you sign up in the first place?

It is not necessary you sign up a course that fit most of your interest.

[Nyul]

Oh I've just started my poly education too. It's only the third day of the second week but I really feel like graduating poly already. 

Hmm your problem sounds awfully similar to my friend's. The thing is, would you really want to study in MI? Because I heard even studying in MI can make you go crazy. I think the best is to try holding on for the first semester and see whether you would get the hang of your assignments, modules and stuff like that. Besides, wouldn't there be new modules for the next sem? So yeah, if I were you, I wouldn't withdraw just yet because it's only the starting of the first year. What poly are you in btw?

[heethighs]

I think you should transfer, but not waste that one year. Try to enrol for school immediately. I'm sure there are schools that have multiple intakes. I don't think getting work experience at what 16/17 years old is necessary or useful at all. 

 

Try to see if there are any other institutes that offer diplomas. I'm not too sure about media, but what I was and am interested in (Early childhood education), there were many other institutes that offer that.

 

With that being said, everyone knows how much of a killer design in poly is and if you find yourself not enjoying it, I suggest you call it quits and find alternatives.

 

All the best! x

[silverstorm]

Wow I never knew I would find fellow Singaporeans on OH here hehe.

 

I unfortunately know nothing about polys): But idk for you, but would you like to give your current course another go tho? I mean its really only the first week and maybe you should give yourself a bit more time to experience the course a bit more before you decide whether you really dislike it. I mean there should be a reason why you picked design in the first place... right? 

 

If you want to go back to MI/ JC, it's really back to the rote memorization that you experienced and intense mugging a la o levels, so you've got to ask yourself if you are okay with going through that, cos if you can't do well it's gonna be...painful.

 

Though personally I feel being in the media industry is all about connections rather than what type qualifications you have... so if you do take a gap year make sure you use it well to build contacts. BUT i'm not sure how accepting they are of young students who are not specializing in the media industry yet. Or maybe try looking at private unis/ institutions if you don't want to wait too long?

 

I really hope everything works out well for you! (:

[Jam]

Uhm why would u even choose a course you had no interest for...

[Jam]

if you really hate the course, then you are better off just changing course but take note that you can only transfer course next year which means you will waste a year, and you start brand new. This means you spend 4 years in poly.

I am in my final year for accountancy in ngee ann poly, it was my 6th choice (wanted to go jc) and i hated it at the start, but after my first sem, i started to like some modules.

I am not sure about MI, but if i am in your situation, i would try out at least 1 sem and if i really don't like it, i will transfer course.

accountancy is the course i wanna go for

is it good there in ngee ann poly?

[darkishreality]

Wait, I'm taking O's this year, and have intentions of going to a design course too, what's wrong with it? I'm getting worried now.

 

it's only advantageous to you if you have an art background and if you can handle heavy workload >< 

 

if you really hate the course, then you are better off just changing course but take note that you can only transfer course next year which means you will waste a year, and you start brand new. This means you spend 4 years in poly.

I am in my final year for accountancy in ngee ann poly, it was my 6th choice (wanted to go jc) and i hated it at the start, but after my first sem, i started to like some modules.

I am not sure about MI, but if i am in your situation, i would try out at least 1 sem and if i really don't like it, i will transfer course.

 

I really don't mind spending 4 years in poly if i get to be enrolled into a course i actually enjoy.

 

staying there for a week is already too painful for me to tolerate let alone a sem really >< but i'll try.. 

 

I have a friend in NUS's design school and he's suffering like crazy, but his passion is enough to drive him to do well. He is not in media though.

 

If you have already done your best, and have no other factors like personal issues disturbing your work, and yet are still suffering in the course ( I mean if you have true passion then you would be gaining at least some satisfaction in your work to drive yourself), then it's wise to consider other courses. Going through something you dislike for 3 years is not funny. I haven't been to poly but there should be a school counsellor you could seek help from? 

 

edit: You should try out 1 sem first. 1 week is too little trial time.

 

i actually requested a session with the school counsellor online a few days ago but to this day i still have not yet received any reply :/ 

 

to be honest 1 week is usually enough for me to see if i would like it or not. It usually works like this for me idk why.

 

what make you sign up in the first place?

It is not necessary you sign up a course that fit most of your interest.

 

i placed it as my last choice as a 'safety net' in case i couldn't get into any of my course. even though i read through the syllabus, i thought it would close to what i've learnt in secondary school (since our niche area was in design thinking) but after going in for a week, i realised that it wasn't even close to it :/ 

 

Oh I've just started my poly education too. It's only the third day of the second week but I really feel like graduating poly already. 

Hmm your problem sounds awfully similar to my friend's. The thing is, would you really want to study in MI? Because I heard even studying in MI can make you go crazy. I think the best is to try holding on for the first semester and see whether you would get the hang of your assignments, modules and stuff like that. Besides, wouldn't there be new modules for the next sem? So yeah, if I were you, I wouldn't withdraw just yet because it's only the starting of the first year. What poly are you in btw?

 

i literally shrivel at the thought of what i have to do for the modules. The new modules are pretty much just more in-depth in what i'm learning right now actually, and i just don't see the point in learning it. I'm in Singapore poly heh what about you?

 

I think you should transfer, but not waste that one year. Try to enrol for school immediately. I'm sure there are schools that have multiple intakes. I don't think getting work experience at what 16/17 years old is necessary or useful at all. 

 

Try to see if there are any other institutes that offer diplomas. I'm not too sure about media, but what I was and am interested in (Early childhood education), there were many other institutes that offer that.

 

With that being said, everyone knows how much of a killer design in poly is and if you find yourself not enjoying it, I suggest you call it quits and find alternatives.

 

All the best! x

 

But i feel that having work experience would make my resume more attractive to my future employers. hrm..

 

but anyways, thank you! 

 

Wow I never knew I would find fellow Singaporeans on OH here hehe.

 

I unfortunately know nothing about polys): But idk for you, but would you like to give your current course another go tho? I mean its really only the first week and maybe you should give yourself a bit more time to experience the course a bit more before you decide whether you really dislike it. I mean there should be a reason why you picked design in the first place... right? 

 

If you want to go back to MI/ JC, it's really back to the rote memorization that you experienced and intense mugging a la o levels, so you've got to ask yourself if you are okay with going through that, cos if you can't do well it's gonna be...painful.

 

Though personally I feel being in the media industry is all about connections rather than what type qualifications you have... so if you do take a gap year make sure you use it well to build contacts. BUT i'm not sure how accepting they are of young students who are not specializing in the media industry yet. Or maybe try looking at private unis/ institutions if you don't want to wait too long?

 

I really hope everything works out well for you! (:

 

hahah we have a singaporean thread actually :P 

 

the reason i picked design was actually just .. experimentation. i was at the point where i wasn't sure what my interests and just picked a course that I hope to do well in. So yeah. 

 

I actually missed studying, doing tys and writing essays after drawing for a week :P i missed the times studying for o levels coz i knew what i was had to know and everything was pretty much in control. 

 

I'll take a mental note of what you have written here. thank you! 

 

Uhm why would u even choose a course you had no interest for...

 

experimentation, hoping that it could develop some sort interest in me.

 

i was naive, and i never knew it led to my biggest mistake.

[Onehallyu#1NiceOppaKW]

 

 

i placed it as my last choice as a 'safety net' in case i couldn't get into any of my course. even though i read through the syllabus, i thought it would close to what i've learnt in secondary school (since our niche area was in design thinking) but after going in for a week, i realised that it wasn't even close to it :/ 

 

 

 

There are a lot of subject in secondary school that differ a lot or totally new in poly. The work load in poly is double than secondary school. It's normal.

[silverstorm]

 

hahah we have a singaporean thread actually :P 

 

the reason i picked design was actually just .. experimentation. i was at the point where i wasn't sure what my interests and just picked a course that I hope to do well in. So yeah. 

 

I actually missed studying, doing tys and writing essays after drawing for a week :P i missed the times studying for o levels coz i knew what i was had to know and everything was pretty much in control. 

 

I'll take a mental note of what you have written here. thank you! 

 

 

We do?!   Yasss time to go look for it!~

 

hahah its true, I actually do miss how structured it is in JC where you just try to do your tutorials, practice all your mock papers and you're set for exams. And the studying isn't that bad, as compared to my course in uni now :/

 

If you're not very certain about your future career path then going to MI might be a better choice then, you'll have more time to think and hopefully make the right choice? But it's reaally long tho... Yeah nevertheless you still got to find opportunities to expose yourself in the industries you're interested in, particularly like media studies where most of the subjects don't exactly pertain to that imo?

[Nyul]

 

i literally shrivel at the thought of what i have to do for the modules. The new modules are pretty much just more in-depth in what i'm learning right now actually, and i just don't see the point in learning it. I'm in Singapore poly heh what about you?

 

 

oooh I see, I'm in Temasek Poly! Me too man, I'm not really enjoying my course at all. But since I'm in Engineering, the things we learn for the first sem/year is literally the foundation to most engineering courses, which explains why it's such a dread. I'm not looking forward to the second year though, I see a lot of my seniors suffering. I can never imagine being in design school tbh. The workload is so heavy and it seems super stressful. I can definitely see why you're not enjoying the course at all.

[darkishreality]

There are a lot of subject in secondary school that differ a lot or totally new in poly. The work load in poly is double than secondary school. It's normal.

 

You're right, i guess. 

 

We do?!   Yasss time to go look for it!~

 

hahah its true, I actually do miss how structured it is in JC where you just try to do your tutorials, practice all your mock papers and you're set for exams. And the studying isn't that bad, as compared to my course in uni now :/

 

If you're not very certain about your future career path then going to MI might be a better choice then, you'll have more time to think and hopefully make the right choice? But it's reaally long tho... Yeah nevertheless you still got to find opportunities to expose yourself in the industries you're interested in, particularly like media studies where most of the subjects don't exactly pertain to that imo?

 

Yes we do ~ 

 

mock papers????? i missed those omg 

 

i don't mind the duration really, and yeah i need to find opportunities and at least have some knowledge of the industries i'm planning to work in. 

 

oooh I see, I'm in Temasek Poly! Me too man, I'm not really enjoying my course at all. But since I'm in Engineering, the things we learn for the first sem/year is literally the foundation to most engineering courses, which explains why it's such a dread. I'm not looking forward to the second year though, I see a lot of my seniors suffering. I can never imagine being in design school tbh. The workload is so heavy and it seems super stressful. I can definitely see why you're not enjoying the course at all.

 

ahhhh i see! oh dear, that's really bad if you're dreading your course. :( i saw a lot of my seniors suffering too, to the point that they say staying up late for 5 days in a row would become a norm :( sighhh

[snsd9sone]

accountancy is the course i wanna go for

is it good there in ngee ann poly?

If u wan to work asap after getting diploma, then ngee ann is a better choice compared to other polys.

But if you are aiming for uni, then i suggest you go other poly cos to go nus accountancy, you need gpa of 3.9 and out of all my frens, i think only around 10 hav 3.9 and above. of course you can use your cca to help as well but i feel cca don't help much and on top of that, you are also competing with other polys and jc kids

[snsd9sone]

I really don't mind spending 4 years in poly if i get to be enrolled into a course i actually enjoy.

 

staying there for a week is already too painful for me to tolerate let alone a sem really >< but i'll try.. 

first year courses are normally shared throughout the entire school with the exception of some modules so what you are learning now might not be what you will be learning in year 2 or year 3.

[darkishreality]

first year courses are normally shared throughout the entire school with the exception of some modules so what you are learning now might not be what you will be learning in year 2 or year 3.

 

but i really don't have an interest in design anymore :< 

[Cheeky]

I would say try out the first semester first and see whether can you cope with the module and stuff. If you really cannot cope with the modules then I would suggest you drop out of the course before the second semester starts. I would usually advise people to stay in the course throughout Year 1 and wait Year 2 module because Year 2 it's where you start to learn things more about your course whereas Year 1 is more about learning the fundamentals of that certain school. I'm TP, studying Hospitality and Tourism(HTM) and I can tell you that it's damn boring and shitty during Year 1 because everyone is learning Economics, Accounting and other modules which are not Hospitality and Tourism but since it's a business course, I need to learn these subject. Now I'm in Year 2, all of my module is related to my course so yeah. If you initially don't have a passion about the course that you are in, give it a try first. If after the first semester ends and still doesn't like your course then I would suggest you withdraw from the course and enrol into a new course.