10 THINGS I want to hear at my commencement

I’M GRADUATING this weekend. For me, university would not be complete without the commencement ceremony.
Everything’s ready. The graduation gown has been rented, school library fines have been paid, and most importantly, all requirements for filing for graduation have been met.
This year, Tulane University in the United States had among its guests comedian Ellen DeGeneres to [...]

Streakers get the boot: fair or not?

Be creative in punishing them
I MET the punishment meted out to the streakers with incredulity. Why such harshness when no one was hurt, albeit a few pairs of eyes?
Expelling them from their hall is similar to suspension from secondary school, in that they are both usually the last resort and the easiest option available.
The guilty [...]

Just what exactly goes into student stress?

More is less
THE modular system for local universities has led to us cramming for one semester’s modules only to forget everything before the next semester even begins.
Too much work is covered in way too little time, sapping our energy and making it impossible for us to truly appreciate what we are taught.
After an overseas exchange [...]

Real education starts after school

I TOOK a common route after junior college: I went to university, together with most of my peers, and majored in finance.
My classmates and I enrolled with dream jobs in mind – to be bankers with five-figure bonuses, partners at accounting firms by our mid-30s, or even directors of our own consultancies, but with graduation [...]

Time to speak up – or maybe not

Who will step up at Speakers’ Corner? YouthInk writers voice their doubts.
Is this real or pseudo?
TO DEMONSTRATE is to put forth a purposeful and visible critique of society, policy or leadership.
People demonstrate where their intended effect will be greatest – in front of iconic landmarks, before the eyes of their leaders and countrymen.
In Britain, I [...]

After the slog of varsity, we merit top pay, don’t we?

The Gen Y has been set loose into the workforce – with ambition, aptitude and attitude. What are their expectations as they start their career climb? YouthInk writers probe the issue.
To strive, to seek – life’s an odyssey
CAREER progression for my generation of jobseekers hinges less on loyalty and more on achieving one’s fullest potential.
The [...]

What price for a pound of flesh?

YouthInk writers give their take on whether human organs should be traded.
Allow it, but regulate it
AS A young doctor, it is not difficult to take one side of this debate, especially after witnessing first-hand the suffering and scepticism of patients on an organ transplant waiting list.
It is frustrating not to be able to save a [...]

Is Project Work too much effort, or worth it?

Project Work adds value to A levels, but grading needs to be fair, say YouthInk writers.
A taste of the real world

PROJECT Work gives students a taste of what life in the real world is like.
Working professionals are often assigned a problem, put into a team and expected to find a solution quickly – however vague [...]

Complain? Try a little courtesy first

YouthInk writers get to the root of the ‘complain culture’ in S’pore.
Courtesy is the key
OUR Asian culture may be the key reason Singaporeans refrain from giving feedback.
Common cultural traits bandied about include
‘being polite’, ‘passive’ and ‘non-confrontational’. Generally, I find that true of my peers.
It’s a chasm of difference from Western culture, which tends to encourage [...]

Finding happiness in all places and the right faces

As Singapore’s happiest person hits headlines, YouthInk writers talk about what gives them joy.
Stop to smell the roses
AS TRITE as this may sound, I think this is the secret to being happy: Worry less and enjoy life more.
Singaporeans generally have it pretty good. We have an excellent standard of living and outstanding social infrastructure accessible [...]