One of those insane student that you've pointed out just so happens to be one of my classmate. I've known him since we're in Form 1, and if you take the level of visibility he is in library into account, or the frequency of revision he does on every single day, you will bet that he ain't some serious academic-type of guy.

It turned out that I was wrong. He's easy-going, and it seems to me that he takes every single thing lightly. But, I was flabbergasted by the results that he produced so far in his schooling years, be it in the academic stuffs or not. While there might be lots of students that I know that will go at great lengths to ace in the class, like studying more than 5 hours every single day, going to every single subject that a tuition centre has to offer, or burn midnight oil till 2am in the morning. But, he is different than any of them. He told me numerous times that he stopped going to tuition since he was in Form 1, and that his daily routine will only be completing any homework that his teachers give and that's it. He will not revise till 12 in the midnight, or even trying to cram.

After observing his study patterns for some time, I found out the reason behind his success of achieving relatively good academic results despite the short amount of time he invests in his studies when I was in Form 3. Unlike spending incessant amount of time cramming at home or tuition, he only listens to his teacher's lessons at school and he usually won't revise further when he's at home. That's because the amount of intensity of his concentration at school is extremely high with little amount of time he spent studying, which is the contrary to mine, where I usually spend a huge amount of time cramming with little burst of concentration. When he's at home, he will prioritise in completing his homework as fast as he can and that's the exact moment that he will revise. Ergo, it wasn't surprising anymore after I got to know that he's consistently one of the top students in my class with an easy-going and laid back attitude all the while when he was in secondary school.

I have also come to this realization of no matter how diligent or hardworking I am, there will be other students out there that are far more intelligent than me and can even party harder than me.

P/S: The workload of 4 subjects are overwhelming enough for all of us as you've mentioned, but, he's the only one taking 5 subjects and is still going strong. It will be amazing if he is able to secure a 4.00 CGPA in the STPM exams.

This post has been edited by RED-HAIR-SHANKS: Jul 30 2014, 10:03 PM

You don't give yourself enough credit. From here, I can tell that you read up a lot of what's outside the syllabus. And you have a genuine interest in what you're studying. A lot of people, even STPM students, don't bother.

Both physics and bio? wow!

This post has been edited by OTRoad: Jul 30 2014, 10:13 PM

Your friend has the right idea of how studying for STPM should be done =)
Everybody has their strengths and weaknesses. I can totally relate to your situation as I don't see myself as inherently smart as well, so I make up for it by working harder than my peers.

I don't think there is anything wrong about being slightly envious of others, as long as you don't let it eat you up. You have nothing to lose by being diligent and hardworking, and if anything, I'm sure that if you have the right attitude towards things, you can inspire others such as yourself too.

It'd be nice if I'm able to thoroughly enjoy my Form 6 life like you've mentioned. But, all of the pressure for the imminent trial exams and inordinate amount of workload has given me the least amount of time to look for some space and time to 'play' .

One of my STPM teacher even told us all that: ''你们一来到 Form 6 就已经没有这个东西叫 holiday''.

First term is tough. It'll get better and later on you will see what I meant. Time will show you everything but you must allow it to appear and register.

Most college textbooks on Science and Mathematics are usually very thick. Some authors split the subject in 2 or 3 volumes.

If you really like the book, you should find a printing service center to print out the book in Black & White (or colors) with hardcover binding.

For 1,000++ pages, you can probably negotiate the price.

This is free stuff with bloods & sweats from the Authors. So, don't ridicule!

This is the problem I'm facing right now. Time flies, and it's too fast

And this is also what teacher told us. And my teachers are so hardworking that they stuffed us with endless homework so that we will not be enjoying our holiday

My teacher said, first term for physics stream is the most easiest term?! If cannot score in first term, how about 2nd and 3rd term?!

This post has been edited by scgoh123: Aug 4 2014, 10:49 PM

Not possible. Everyone who has completed STPM would no doubt agree that the 2nd term Physics is the easiest. The first and third term are both insanely hard, with some people saying third term's the hardest.

This post has been edited by Just Visiting By: Aug 1 2014, 05:54 PM

Isn't this subjective? One could have mastered Mechanics before Electricity and Magnetism, so one finds Term 1's Physics to be a breeze. Or one could have poured his heart and soul into studying E/M during SPM, while only look at Mechanics in passing before STPM.

Consider reading outside texts? Cambridge A-Level and Singapore GCE 'A' Level students use texts outside the syllabus, for example Fundamentals of Physics by Haliday and Resnick. I think STPM syllabi have recommendations on books, and I would recommend getting a hold of one of the texts to supplement, or even replace your current STPM textbook. For extra challenge you might want to buy Singapore GCE 'A' Level practice books, especially for Maths, Physics and Chemistry.

Aside from Rice's free Physics textbook, here are a few more which have survived the test of time, for pre-university students or first year undergraduates.

1. University Physics by Young and Freeman
2. Physics for Scientists and Engineers ( with Modern Physics ) by Serway
3. A-Level Physics by Roger Muncaster
4. New Understanding of A-Level Physics by Jim

I think one of them should be enough, as they are very dense and you won't need to study all the chapters.

Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern Physics by Serway & Jewett is my primary college physics reference book.



Here is a sample chapter :: Motion in Two Dimensions

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1. Biology(IGCSE/o-level/ a level/ IB/ Stpm
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It is possible someone could have mastered Mechanics before Electricity and Magnetism. However, electricity and magnetism are less abstract, the questions are very far less complicated and complex (when you write the steps to a solution, you can see). You don't need to be good or weak at certain topics to say one is more difficult. You could have mastered both topics and based on your own judgment deem which is more difficult.

Wait, what? So, your teachers want to give you all a hard time by making you all work and study perpetually in hoping that it will boost your academic progress in the long run? I really don't mind if it works, but considering the fact that first term trial is roughly 1 month away and that you've got your hands full with all those coursework, don't you think that it's too much?

Plus, it won't be a good investment for our studies at all if some of us just regard the homework as a work, and not some medium for practice and revise our knowledge.

I can't comment much further on that, but one of my seniors got A in physics in the first term(last year), and he/she might get a lower grade as the total CGPA dropped to lower than 3.50 in the second term. Oh, the said senior got a 4.00 CGPA in the first term if you must know.

Anyone done their Maths T PBS assignment yet? Can give me a brief description on how to answer each question? My teacher don't want to teach about the assignment because have to catch up with syllabus.

Do you mind putting up the Math T assignment on this thread?

Sure. By the way, does anyone have a copy of full-marks-scoring assignment from past year? I know the question is different, I just want to look at the format for answering the questions.

why can't my stupid phone upload images? urgh

Try something else.