KiasuParents - Parenting in Singapore

How many hours should a JC student spend self-studying and revising on a daily basis?

As the 'A' levels exam approaches, the time spent preparing should naturally increase. So how much time should a student spend studying during JC1, first half of JC2 and second half of JC2?

This would vary from student to student, so can anyone really answer this? Some spend every waking moment at their books, while some probably spend a couple of hours. I would prefer to judge by the student's level of preparedness, but also taking into account his level of fatigue and stress. Looking at it from another angle, given that there are only 24 hrs a day, allowing for 7 hrs of sleep, 2-3 hrs for meals, personal care and relaxation, and more hours for school and CCA, I guess the rest of the time can be spend studying? But this would be the maximum, and probably can't be continued for months at a stretch without repercussions on physical and mental health. I also believe that there is a need for a weekly break, so I would recommend longer stretches of leisure time during the weekend.

There is no straight forward answer to this. It depends on the student's activities / commitments / ability.

On a personal basis, I hardly studied in Year 1 and had to make up for it in Year 2, where my daily routine was to wake up at 5:45am, classes from 7:30am to 1pm, 30mins lunch and self-study from 2pm-5:30pm, 1hr jogging, dinner at 6:30pm in school, self-study from 7pm-10pm in school, take the bus and reach home by 11pm. I had no life beyond that routine for 10 months straight, other than 6 hours of band practice every week.

ChiefKiasu wrote:On a personal basis, I hardly studied in Year 1 and had to make up for it in Year 2, where my daily routine was to wake up at 5:45am, classes from 7:30am to 1pm, 30mins lunch and self-study from 2pm-5:30pm, 1hr jogging, dinner at 6:30pm in school, self-study from 7pm-10pm in school, take the bus and reach home by 11pm. I had no life beyond that routine for 10 months straight, other than 6 hours of band practice every week.

Well, if we are into personal recollections, my husband and I were quite different. In my JC days, I used to study most daylight hours during the week, and also in the evening until around 10-11pm. I took half the weekend off for other stuff. In the weeks before exams, I would wake at 4am to study when it was cool and quiet, but sleep at 9.30pm. My husband, on the other hand, was a steady worker but hardly needed to study outside school hours (he took subjects he found easy). He was a student councillor, took on additional ECA because he had time on his hands, and had activities outside school too. And he became the top student. So it really depends on the student.

I wasn't smart, so had to make up for with hardwork . Even so, I was not top, only amongst the top who graduated in 1984. I was offered an overseas scholarship at the end of year 1, contingent on my A level results, so there was motivation for me. It also helps that I had a study buddy with my same aspirations. We pushed each other.

hee, I didn't work very hard in JC1 and went all out in JC2. Only recall staying back in school library after hours and studied till about 9pm when it closed; weekends will chiong to other pp's school (try out new environment) or go to CC study rooms from am to evening. This routine started in March...first time I start so early.

The best help was probably having the smartest kid in school in my study group. Else I still don't know how else I could have scored in Economics.

It is nice to reminisce but I believe times have changed and it is much more challenging now. Had a ball of a time for 1 1/2 years during my JC days. I had E and AO for my A level prelims and managed to turn them into As. That was way back in 1982. Can't see it happening now.

slmkhoo wrote:This would vary from student to student, so can anyone really answer this? Some spend every waking moment at their books, while some probably spend a couple of hours. I would prefer to judge by the student's level of preparedness, but also taking into account his level of fatigue and stress. Looking at it from another angle, given that there are only 24 hrs a day, allowing for 7 hrs of sleep, 2-3 hrs for meals, personal care and relaxation, and more hours for school and CCA, I guess the rest of the time can be spend studying? But this would be the maximum, and probably can't be continued for months at a stretch without repercussions on physical and mental health. I also believe that there is a need for a weekly break, so I would recommend longer stretches of leisure time during the weekend.

7 hours of sleep? That's a luxury.