Seeing my brother, Faris, studying very hard for his ‘O’ Levels brings me back to my old days studying in Serangoon Garden Secondary from 1997 to 2001. I was an average student who went with the flow of everyday schooling life. Crushes, BGR, NCC, tests, exams and football are the bulk of my schooling activities.
Once in school, I would hang out with my Malay friends, whom I have been with since our primary school days, in front of NPCC room.
How time flies. Let us take a look at my mini-scrapbook throughout my five years in secondary school. Shall we?The year when guys were much, much shorter than the girls!
Throughout my year in Sec 2, I had to endure under the hands of a gangster form-teacher.
In 1999, with our classes separated to pure History and Geography students, I was football crazy when Manchester United won the Treble. That year also proved to be the catalyst of who I would become! My sister, Hafidza, complained that I always depart for school very early. If I could remember, I would get out of my house at 0705hrs and brisk-walk to school with the grumpy sister in tow.In late 1998 and 1999, I had to learn the words, ‘endure’, ‘team sprite’ and “we live to eat!” during my testing times in National Cadet Corps en route to become a Charlie member. How I saw the numbers dwindled from 33 to 18 in three years. NCC room was our sacred hangout!
I was still actively playing and watching Mendieta play for Valencia was really an eye-opener in 2000. I made an appearance in a friendly against Balestier Hill Secondary as a substitute goalkeeper and lost the match 5-0. I had to endure sticks for few months.
‘N’ Levels was a good indicator that I was still able to make it but I lost few friends who did not make the cut.
Going into Secondary 5 is like a sign that you are the school’s top of the pyramid. Students know you and your name but you do not have to know them all. All the teachers know whether you are a devil or not. Me? I was much of 50-50 in terms of attitude. I also learnt how to accept those students who decided to repeat their O’s and it was very fruitful.I too got a chance to redeem myself in front of the whole school after that forgetful appearance in a school football friendly.
