4B Chemistry students 2008!!!

This is a simple write-up for the class I taught for between 1 to 1 and half years (some were previously in Mr P. Lim's class so not fully all 1 and half years) (nope, it is not a typo. I'm sure the students know what does P stand for... hints... flap flap... hehe).

Although some students look distressed at the idea of changing teachers, I think today's lunch was supposed to be happy and not really a farewell... it is more like a treat for the MYE. Yes, some of you performed below expectations. But on the whole, you guys moved up and I'm pleased at the progress (though a bit slow for some) and you need a reward! :)

The next big thing is the SPA for both Chemistry and Physics. After that, you guys may take a short 1 weeks break, but hopefully come back and tackle the entire syllabus for one last blast at the prelims.

Don't forget the course of action I proposed before the MYE.

1. MYE (over)
2. SPA #2 (upcoming)
3. Topical Revision (to increase your content knowledge and brush on the basics)
4. SPA #3
5. Prelims (your content knowledge should be at least 80% there)
6. Other school papers (to increase your level of difficulty)
7. Do yearly O level Papers (to work on answering techniques to obtain maximum marks from your answers!)

Remember, the aim is NOT 75, it is also not 80 and so on. It is the maximum that you can get, the best you can do!

Okay, here's a final personal write up about the class. No offence if you guys happen to read it and find it offensive, but I must be frank or what is the purpose of putting a fake comment?

1. Esther - Good chemistry student, but of course is performing slightly lower than expected. But this MYE is a good thing for you cos you know you need to get back to work and pull that result up to where you belong.... Don't be too stress also! :)

2. XinYing - Sheer persistance and determination is the result of her result. Occasionally has lapse and makes strange mistakes, but on the whole, solid and good. Must have more confidence on her skills cos I have so much confidence on her that I almost forgot that she came from NA, if not for the fact that she keep reminding me I taught her Maths.. -_-". Stop having negative thought about Physics! Just conquer it! :)

3. Simin - This is an amazing run for her. I hope she takes her result as a morale booster to spur her on and do better. Think it is time for you to aim higher than B3 ;) Loves electrolysis (but last year only 2 marks came out. To play safe, do revise other topics!) Good well rounded student who can balance CCA with studies! Keep it up! :)

4. Elaine - Yes, you improved, but still weak in many areas. Use the weeks after band concert to revise. Can do better, but must be more clear and not get things mixed up. Work hard! :)

5. Jiaying - I'm impressed with that saturday studying day. You showed more determination on trying to improve Chemistry than I expected. Your content is still messy in some topics and still need to memorise and revise more before you can try more questions. Don't be discouraged by the marginal pass. Instead, think of the positivity that you finally passed a Chem exam to spur you on! :)

6. Liying - Very quiet(in chem, not in band! hahaha), but good student. Chemistry a bit inconsistent, but I know her Maths is superb! Perhaps you need to ask questions on certain topics to clear doubts. Will do quite well if she keeps trying and working hard! :)

7. Raine - Has high expectations of herself in Chemistry. Don't be discourage if you result is not up to your aim yet. You need to work on some topics and more on answering techniques to gain the maximum marks. Good chemistry student and will do well too! :)

8. Syahirah - I think you have talent for Chemistry. Your answers shows me quite some understanding and not just because you memorised the answers by doing TYS. Such talent should not be wasted and I suggest you try to aim even higher. You need more revision as those topics you revise are well answered while those you don't know are... well, let's not go into that... hehe... All the best! :)

9. Yanying - I think you must have heard me say a thousand times... "do faster". I'm very proud to see a true Chemistry score at last (since you finally finished a whole paper :p ) and you need to move into the next step and get higher grades. Your basics are okay and I know you do your TYS quite consistently. Next step is up another level... time to try other school papers!! Muhahhahah!!!... :)

10. Calvin - Your basics is good. But your answers need more refinement. You should also try to up a level by trying other school's papers. Also, you must aim for more than 90 :p You want A1, get that to secure it!! I know you can do it, but you must cut down on errors! :)

11. KarLeong - Did a lot better this time. Must ask more questions so I know what you don't know.. and let the new teacher know what you don't know. Need to work on some weaker topics. And please try to balance your studies evenly. This time if I'm not wrong your Physics is weaker right? O level is L1 R5, not Chem1R5 (how I wish though..hehe..)! You can do it! :)

12. Esmond - Rollercoaster is the best way I can describe you! Sometimes quite good, sometimes I'm shocked by your answers. I don't think it is not because you don't understand the chemistry part... more like lack in content. Do more revision and practise your TYS more! Hopefully from prelims onwards is only good , better and BEST! :)

13. Danny - Improving, but can work on your answers better. You really need to revise more. It has never been about you not undertanding, but only a matter of your willingness to put in some effort to memorise the contents. While it is true that understanding is very important, you need to have some basic content (e.g. naming of the conditions of some reactions) before you can answer a question. Start now! :)

14. Shou Yee - I think I stress you out when I talk to you about Chemistry. But you gotta work more on your weaker areas. You are also improving, but you can do more. Try to set up a time table and follow it so that you know when to finish your revision before the Prelims! :) Keep moving up, you are getting there! :)

15. Nelson - Yes, you may have failed again. BUT from your recent MYE and your latest SPA practise shows that you are trying, but perhaps did not have time to finish revision. June holidays is the time for you to catch up! Don't be discourage and keep working. You have improved a lot, seriously, thought it was not enough for a pass this time. Keep trying! :)

16. Terrell - After Nelson, must be you lah... hahhaha association what... 2D 06 pals... :p It is no secret that you have the talent in Chemistry (and other subjects also). It was always more a matter of if you want to and don't want to or not. You mentioned you studied for it this time and the results shows. But for you, I would like a little more movement upwards. Think you also can try to push a level up and try more challenging questions! I'm sure you are up to it! :)

17. Timothy - You actually asked very good questions in class and also seems to know your work well, yet somehow in exams you falter. Perhaps you din manage to finish revising everything. So take the holidays to work on your content as well as practise questions. When you are ready, try to do papers (with timing) without referring to textbook and see where you stand. :)

18. Yonglong - Like what I mentioned to you earlier, some of your questions are weird and you do study a lot in details. You need to see the overall picture of a topic first before you can work on your details. Get the rough idea of what each topic is saying first, then revise on the content and memorise important reactions, before trying out questions. Hope you improve more! :)

19. Chienyi - Professor? Is that what they call you? You should be flattered! :D Nobody calls me that in secondary school! hahhaha... You are good, hardworking and the basics are there. But three things to be wary of. Cut down on errors, work on your answering skills to get maximum marks and cut down on your stress!! Don't be bother about other people's marks. In the real O level you won't get to know it anyway. Just do you best and don't think so much about expectations and all. Don't burnout! Good luck! ... Oh yah, you also can work on your other school papers, but i know you bought some chemistry books already, so finish those first. No rush... :)

20. Ruiyang - You are doing below expectations and it is not because you don't have the ability. I know the MYE of all your results are discouraging, but you are better than that. I seriously think you ran out of time to revise all your subjects and you sat for most of your papers not fully prepared. So now is the time to do catching up and see where you really stand by the time you reach Prelims. I know you understand the subject (some topics may be a bit weaker.). And you must try your best to concentrate in the day, though you may be tired from perhaps studying till very late at night. You can do it! :)

21. Gabriel - Happy to see your efforts during that saturday. Of course you still have weak topics to work on. Manage your time properly! Now you can't see your real results as you did not complete the paper. Try doing more papers (with timing) when you are ready. :)

22. Chin Seng - Last, but not the least. Hope you sorted out all doubts about taking this subject! Work on your basics please and finish it by end of June. You said you have gotten the idea, but just that you did not finish revising. I believe that statement. But I also believe this is not the only subject you are not prepared for. Plan your schedule carefully and start soon. You are better in this subject than you think you are. Don't you ever FORGET your diagnostic test result. That shows what you are capable off. Get started! :)

In conclusion, it has been great teaching you guys, though sometimes quite discouraging as you guys look bored when I do revision. I'll miss your cheeky comments and jokes. You guys are night owls I think, hehe.. cos you are more attentive during night study! heheheh... I'll be around still, so if you want to can still ask me questions.

I wasn't joking when I said no one will get D7 and below for this batch (inclusive of 4C, D and E) of pure Chem students. Mr Lim and I have faith in all of you guys, but you guys must put in the effort. It is not really effective when we keep revising the same things and you guys din read at home and try to memorise the reactions, colours...etc and we repeat again. All the best for semester 2 and work well with any teacher you guys have! It's all the same. Unltimately, the effort is from you! :)

(Can have a wishful hope that everyone will at least get a B3 and no lower?) The dream is there, but you gotta make it come true! :D