My future = ?

[OlympicDreamer]

Hi all, first 20 years of my life has been worse than a roller coaster.
It's practically a roller coaster with up, down, left, right, upside down, waterfalls and vomiting front passengers.

My PSLE was 200, O level was 27, landed myself in Republic Polytechnic studying DIploma in Business Information Systems and graduated with a GPA of 3.02.

I am particularly a quick learner with web developing a.k.a web applications, however the prospects in terms of $$ are no so good even if I stick to the same company for a long time. The $ only comes in when I am the creator of a facebook equivalent web application.

I am thinking of getting a degree in Engineering, however there are many issues that I have to consider. My O-Level results cannot get me into an Engineering Diploma course, I have never taken an A-Level Examination thus unable to go to a University Direct, my Diploma is not relevant to any of the Engineering course except the Electric Engineering. *I am more interested in Maritime Engineering / Civil Engineering.

The paths I can take are listed as following.
1. Retake O-Level and go into the related diploma courses
2. Retake A-Level and apply for Uni
3. Retake both O-Level and A-Level
4. If O-level results not good enough, then enter ITE relevant course and continue in poly followed by Uni.
*Note - (Polytechnic might reject application due to being a current diploma holder)

OR

5. Sign on to army mindef bond and go study 5 years engineering and come back serve another 2-3 years bond and be free @ age 31-32
6. Bank loan, go australia and study.
7. Take a Degree course in Information Systems with a bank loan
7. Just be a web application developer or Information System manager

Some other considerations are, the capability of my understanding (IQ) to understand and grasp the usage of the formulaes and their proper uses in the industry. There is no point in deperately trying to pass every test and exam in a university when I am clearly not capable of studying.

I am not asking for you to make a decision for me, however I would like to hear your opinions.

I am worried about my future with a GPA of 3.02 holder of a Business Information Systems Diploma. What on earth can I do, what should I do, what will I do, and what will happen to me?

I want to have 2 children, 1 son 1 daughter and if lucky maybe get twins. It doesn't work that way D: Oh well. If I do happen to meet the love of my life, and we have kids in future. I want to be able to provide for my family if my wife does not work/earn much.

There are things to consider, such as the size of the house, expenditure of life's daily necessities, expenses of day to day, bills here and there, maybe she want to buy a car, maybe she want the kids to learn a musical instrument, allowance for my parents and her parents, my kids wants to keep pets, we need domestic helper, family wants to travel overseas once a year to western countries, she wants to buy a branded bag every year, Wedding anniversary, christmas presents, out classmate's wedding ang pao.

It's not easy being a human that worries about his future when he has never worked hard for it in the past. I am sorry for myself.

 

[Potatoe]

Have you even served NS yet? Seriously for a 20 year old (guy!) to be worrying about marriage and children is just.. pardon me but socially awkward. Use your time in ns to find out what you want to do in your life lah.

First, A Level is not a simple straight forward thing. From the top of my head, I can't think of any A level subjects that play to your strengths. The most I can think of is C Maths, Physics and F Maths. And these aren't exactly related to your interests either so I dunno how you're going to cope with them.

2nd, your O level foundation is distant and probably can't help much to prepare you for the next step to A levels.
You can study on your own and obtain ACCA qualificaitons but that also isn't your core interest either. You might want to consider SIT as apprantly people have gotten into SIT with GPAs around your region.

Additionally go through BMT first and see whether you like military regimentation kind of lifestyle. Do well go to OCS and consider signing on with Navy. Dude you are lucky to be born in Singapore where there are so much possibilities available to you I don't see why you need to wallow yourself in your own myopic tunnel vision.

 

[patryn33]

what is your goal? a degree? or just make enough $$ for your dreams to have family, car, house and what not?

if it is a degree
Option 1: will take a long time. don't mind finishing a degree in 30s? even if U can do well for Os and Dip. much uncertainty here.

Option 2: retake A will not get U into local Uni since you O is bad. Can you do well for A is another issue, if u find handling Poly is an issue. how many time u wanna retake?

Option 3: Well, U have to determination to do that until U qualify for a degree?

Option 5: sign a bond, is that still possible? they don't give bond to anyone that wishes to sign. On top of that Army come 1st b4 edu. Can find the time to do DL program?

Option 6: bank Loan, not related degree study Maritime Engineering / Civil Engineering. will take U 4yrs thats alot of money with OZ dollar so strong. comp Sci can do in 2yrs. still it is alot of money.

Can try SIT to do Marine Engineering, not that expensive. not sure if unrelated Dip is ok. Do check
http://www.singaporetech.edu.sg/tuition-fees/tuition-fees-ay2012-13

option 7: if that is what U wanna do, go for it do a IT degree.

Option 8: Information System manager? Dip can be one?

 

[MoxLotus]

Have you even served NS yet? Seriously for a 20 year old (guy!) to be worrying about marriage and children is just.. pardon me but socially awkward. Use your time in ns to find out what you want to do in your life lah.

First, A Level is not a simple straight forward thing. From the top of my head, I can't think of any A level subjects that play to your strengths. The most I can think of is C Maths, Physics and F Maths. And these aren't exactly related to your interests either so I dunno how you're going to cope with them.

2nd, your O level foundation is distant and probably can't help much to prepare you for the next step to A levels.
You can study on your own and obtain ACCA qualificaitons but that also isn't your core interest either. You might want to consider SIT as apprantly people have gotten into SIT with GPAs around your region.

Additionally go through BMT first and see whether you like military regimentation kind of lifestyle. Do well go to OCS and consider signing on with Navy. Dude you are lucky to be born in Singapore where there are so much possibilities available to you I don't see why you need to wallow yourself in your own myopic tunnel vision.

I concur with what potatoe has said. go through ur NS first while doing so, explore all the options around u. good luck.

 

[yellohotdog]

you are thinking too far bro..

 

[iminalost]

Cancel A level option unless you are willing to spend at least 2yrs preparing for it. JC takes 2yrs of studiea to sit for A lvls But that's provided with O lvl foundation for subjs like amaths n sciences. if u r nt rusty with these subjects, go ahead. but then again u will be 24yr old after NS with A level cert while others have uni cert at tt age. Or u can try taking sat test. or go private unis like sim mdis etc. it's gd that u have a family plan for future. im same age as u but i have no firm goals....im studying bcoz most ppl do tt. i have no idea on what i wanna do after grad.

 

[173173173173]

why not consider sim?

 

[rollbread]

Since u already have diploma on information system, then just go for part time degree then find a job. Along the way find courses and obtain certification to further enhance yourself. If lucky ur ns is clerk or those 8-5 timing, u can even start studying during ur ns. It's difficult but it's possible.

By the way, to sign on bond with army, u need to obtain a place in uni first then can get the bond.

 

[viridian]

education-wise, since you got diploma already, you shld look towards degree. no point re-taking 'o' or 'a' lvls or gg ite cos these are the levels below diploma.

 

[dongdong88]

You are particularly quick learner in developing web applications. I suppose you can program without much issues? Your logic thinking is probably stronger than average. You may want to venture into creating mobile apps. Lots of companies are looking for such developers. Don't have to restrict yourself to Facebook. That's one path.

You can set up a Facebook-like website. I think there are some famous ones... e.g. Pinterest. That's another path.

Back to studies:

Option 1: While I wouldn't say there's any harm trying, given your previous O Levels results, it may seem like that your foundation isn't strong enough.

If you want to go down this route, it's best that you know your strengths and weaknesses well and spend more time on those topics that you are weaker in.

Option 2: Does not seem possible? You have never taken A Levels before. Anyhow, it should be similar to Option 1.

Option 3: Same as Options 1 & 2. I don't believe you can retake A Levels though, since you've never taken it.

Option 4: Possible. Just whether you want to spend time doing it. Just bear in mind you will no longer have subsidies if you go down this route.

Option 5: I don't know how possible this is. Your result does not attract MINDEF. One other option might be to combine Option 4 with Option 5. Take the JPSDS (Joint Polytechnic SAF Diploma Scheme), this is one of the easiest route to advance your studies. Although they prefer someone from related studies (mainly related to civil engineering, aerospace engineering and marine engineering), they also do hire graduates from IT as well, to handle some of their IT operations. But you will be restricted to certain vocations only...

Option 6: Possible. Australia universities will probably require you to brush up your foundation at one of their community colleges.

Option 7: Again, possible if the universities accept you.

Option 8: I don't see a need to restrict yourself. Keep your options wide. Go for upgrading courses, explore other areas, etc.

 

[braduate]

my PSLE <205, my Os >39. you think too much. it's never too late. give yourself some credit.

you are looking for the destination. experience the journey.

 

[abstraction1990]

Work first and re-assess the priorities in your life. Revolve your life around these priorities and it would form your motivation to excel further.

Most importantly, know what are your strengths and weakness. Should you further pursue something on the basis of your strengths and priorities, success is way within your reach.

Whilst working, should you need a degree to upgrade yourself only now then you consider the private universities and do it part-time.

Study something that is relevant to your full-time job and also relevant to the future job that you want to pursue after obtaining the degree.

 

[OlympicDreamer]

Thanks guys for the input, I will read through the replies again and again.

Sadly, SIT indicates that anything engineering Degrees other than computer engineering is not related to my Diploma..

 

[patryn33]

if that is the case, and U die die want to get a civil or marine engineering degree

the cheapest option to get a accredited Civil engineering degree is
- MUM ~CAD$16K a yr today, expect to pay ~CAD$18K when U are done.
Become an Undergraduate Student | Tuition & Fees

 

[OlympicDreamer]

if that is the case, and U die die want to get a civil or marine engineering degree

the cheapest option to get a accredited Civil engineering degree is
- MUM ~CAD$16K a yr today, expect to pay ~CAD$18K when U are done.
Become an Undergraduate Student | Tuition & Fees

Thank you,

MATHEMATICS
Students must be eligible to register for Math 1000 in Engineering One. In order to register for Math 1000 students must:

Successfully complete Math 3205 or equivalent (advanced mathematics) in high school with a Math Placement Test* score of at least 75 per cent
OR

Successfully complete Math 3204 or equivalent (academic mathematics) in high school with a Math Placement Test* score of at least 85 per cent
OR

Achieve a score of 700 on the SATMI
NOTE: Completion of International Baccalaureate Math (higher level) with a score of four or higher or completion of Advanced Placement Mathematics (Calculus AB or BC) with a score of three or higher will be accepted as equivalent credit for Math 1000.

PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY:
Students must register for Chemistry 1050 and Physics 1050 and 1051 in Engineering One.

Students who have completed Chemistry 3202 (or equivalent*) in high school, and received at least 75 per cent will be eligible for admission to Chemistry 1050 in their first semester, Math 1000 must be taken concurrently with Physics 1050 and Chemistry 1050.
Students who intend to apply to the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, but are currently not eligible should contact our Student Liaison Officer (see contact below)
It is strongly recommended that students complete Physics 3204 (or equivalent*) prior to registering for Physics 1050.

After NS, I will work for 2 years as a programmer, earning avg of 2k a month and live off my dad. That would be 48k savings and then I will loan the rest from a bank.

During the 2 years, I will study A-Level subjects probably with the help of a tutor. At the end of the 2 years the contract probably has already ended, I will take the A-Level examination for the first time and apply for schools that accept A-Level results as an entry requirement comparison. After the examination, I will work some part-time job to compliment the savings.

Upon the result announcement, my future from there on will be pretty much clear whether I find another Programming Job or I start sending out University Applications.

 

[MoxLotus]

Thank you,



After NS, I will work for 2 years as a programmer, earning avg of 2k a month and live off my dad. That would be 48k savings and then I will loan the rest from a bank.

During the 2 years, I will study A-Level subjects probably with the help of a tutor. At the end of the 2 years the contract probably has already ended, I will take the A-Level examination for the first time and apply for schools that accept A-Level results as an entry requirement comparison. After the examination, I will work some part-time job to compliment the savings.

Upon the result announcement, my future from there on will be pretty much clear whether I find another Programming Job or I start sending out University Applications.

48k? why u need so much to study in local uni. the tuition fees for local uni is only around 7k per year as of now.

 

[OlympicDreamer]

48k? why u need so much to study in local uni. the tuition fees for local uni is only around 7k per year as of now.

I don't have the kind of confidence to say I can enter a local university, thus 2 years preparation and savings to strengthen my foundation and also a fallback to enter oversea university. Probably the New University will accept me

The only thing troubling me is the combination of subjects to take for A-level to be able to enter an engineering course. I don't know what to pick since I have never studied A-Level before.

Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board - GCE A-Level Syllabuses Examined in 2013 (School Candidates)

 

[MoxLotus]

I don't have the kind of confidence to say I can enter a local university, thus 2 years preparation and savings to strengthen my foundation and also a fallback to enter oversea university.

The only thing troubling me is the combination of subjects to take for A-level to be able to enter an engineering course. I don't know what to pick since I have never studied A-Level before.

Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board - GCE A-Level Syllabuses Examined in 2013 (School Candidates)

H2 Phys + H2 Maths is a must to take. the rest just choose those that u r more comfortable with.

 

[OlympicDreamer]

H2 Phys + H2 Maths is a must to take. the rest just choose those that u r more comfortable with.

I am definitely going for the subject called "Computing" Id - 9597 (H2). Since my programming foundation and understanding is already B++ !! Easy score there!

CUT OFF POINTS
NUS2011 Indicative Grade Profile for NUS (NUS cut-off points for 2012)
NTU2011 Indicative Grade Profile for NTU (NTU cut-off points for 2012)
SMU2011 Indicative Grade Profile for SMU (SMU cut-off points for 2012)

1st subject - Physics(h2)
2nd subject - Mathematics(h2)
3rd Subject - Computing (h2)[9597]
4th Subject(ART) - ?
5th subject - General Paper(h1)
6th Subject - Project Work(h1)[SEAB assign people to do this with me D:]

 

[Hurzer]

You should research more about Project Work for private candidate (Can I take? How exactly will i be grouped if I can take it? If cannot will it affect my UAS for NTU/NUS/SMU?)

I would recommend to take H1 Econs, as it does not require any O level foundation.

As your O level foundation is almost non-existent, I would recommend you to study for E-Maths/Combined Physics and English for this year, and A-Maths/Pure Physics and English next year.

This preparation work is ESPECIALLY crucial if you didn't take pure physics or additional maths, as you would be slaughtered in H2 maths/physics with no maths/science foundation. I myself who did badly in A maths struggled in JC with my H2 maths ^.^