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<?xml encoding="UTF-8"><html><body><div id="attachment_118709" style="width: 710px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-118709" onerror="kspReplaceCdn(this)" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-118709" src="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/sean-kong-r2WhdAwJPxM-unsplash.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="467" srcset="https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/sean-kong-r2WhdAwJPxM-unsplash.jpg 1920w, https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/sean-kong-r2WhdAwJPxM-unsplash-800x533.jpg 800w, https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/sean-kong-r2WhdAwJPxM-unsplash-320x213.jpg 320w, https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/sean-kong-r2WhdAwJPxM-unsplash-1536x1024.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px">Photo courtesy of <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/woman-in-gray-dress-resting-her-hands-on-white-table-r2WhdAwJPxM" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Unsplash</a></div>Wondering if your teen, who is attending a neighbourhood school, can do well at the national exams?&nbsp;
Yes, we do hear of single-digit O-Level scorers from secondary schools where the average incoming <a href="https://www.moe.gov.sg/microsites/psle-fsbb/resources/score-calculator.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">G3 student&rsquo;s</a> PSLE score is 19 and above. But this may not reflect the general performance of the school&rsquo;s cohort.
Also, if your teen has entered Secondary 1 this year, you should be aware that in 2027, your teen will not be sitting for the O-Level exams. Instead, they will take the new Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) exams at the end of Secondary 4, which may consist of papers at different difficulty levels. This is similar to the current A-Level examination, where students take subjects at H1, H2, and H3 levels, as well as the PSLE, where students take subjects at Standard or Foundation levels.&nbsp;
As it&rsquo;s still early days, few details about the new exams are available, but you can rest assured that your teen&rsquo;s school will keep you updated. In the meantime, please read our <a href="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/article/subject-based-banding-key-changes-2024/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">guide to the biggest schooling changes in 2024</a>, so that you&rsquo;re aware of what your teen is experiencing.
Note: Graduating cohorts before 2027 will continue to take the O- and N-Level examinations.
If you are concerned about your teen&rsquo;s exam performance, do make good use of the time that you have now, to help your teen set the stage for school success. To avoid stress, focus on what&rsquo;s within your control &mdash;&nbsp;use our suggestions below!
<h2>Get to Know Your Teen&rsquo;s Educators</h2>
Having more information about a school&rsquo;s educators can help to set your mind at ease. From an outsider&rsquo;s perspective, the Ministry of Education does seem to spread their teachers around fairly. For instance,&nbsp;some school leaders have both &lsquo;elite&rsquo; and neighbourhood school experience, and a number of teachers in neighbourhood schools are teaching scholars, or have attended prestigious schools. Whether this translates to effective teaching skills is another matter altogether, but do know that a school&rsquo;s teaching staff typically possesses a wide range of recognised qualifications. From an educational standpoint, they are fully equipped to provide a comprehensive and enriching learning experience for your teen.
To learn more about the educators in your teen&rsquo;s school, you can read the principal&rsquo;s newsletters, or see if your teen&rsquo;s teachers have LinkedIn profiles. If not, you can make contact with your teen&rsquo;s teachers over email or during school events &mdash; this is the best way to get to know them. Volunteering for school activities will also help you to better understand the school culture and its support networks.
<h2>Be Specific About Areas of Improvement</h2>
Studies have shown that the following factors can <a href="https://theconversation.com/understanding-emotions-is-nearly-as-important-as-iq-for-students-academic-success-131212" target="_blank" rel="noopener">influence academic success</a>:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Intelligence</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Conscientiousness</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Emotional intelligence</li>
</ul>
Although intelligence has a genetic link, a teen&rsquo;s <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/traits/intelligence/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">environment</a> can also affect intellectual outcomes. This can include parenting methods, access to learning resources, and even healthcare and nutrition.&nbsp;
As for emotional intelligence, this refers to the way your teen handles their own feelings and reacts to the sentiments of others around them. Students who have higher emotional intelligence may be less affected by test anxiety; often, they&rsquo;re also better equipped to overcome boredom and frustration when dealing with schoolwork. In addition, those with higher emotional intelligence tend to have better social relationships, which allows them to easily access support when needed.
If your teen&rsquo;s grades have been disappointing, you can reflect on the following questions to identify areas for improvement, and seek help from your child&rsquo;s teachers or tutors:
&nbsp;
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #000000;">
Category
</td>
<td style="border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #000000;">
Reflection Question
</td>
<td style="border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #000000;">
Factors to Consider
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-color: #000000;">
Intelligence
</td>
<td style="border-color: #000000;">
&ldquo;What subjects or topics has my teen found challenging, and have I noticed any changes in their attitude towards these subjects?&rdquo;
</td>
<td style="border-color: #000000;">
Note down specific subjects/topics, any observed changes in attitude or interest, and the onset and frequency of these changes.
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-color: #000000;">
Emotional Intelligence
</td>
<td style="border-color: #000000;">
&ldquo;In the past six months, how often has my teen expressed or shown signs of stress or anxiety about schoolwork or exams?&rdquo;
</td>
<td style="border-color: #000000;">
Record instances of stress-related behaviours or expressions, their frequency, and triggers if identifiable.
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-color: #000000;">
Emotional Intelligence
</td>
<td style="border-color: #000000;">
&ldquo;Are there any external factors (such as social relationships, family dynamics, health issues, or extracurricular activities) that might be impacting my teen&rsquo;s academic performance?&rdquo;
</td>
<td style="border-color: #000000;">
List external factors that might affect their academics and describe how these factors might influence their performance or attitude.
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-color: #000000;">
Conscientiousness
</td>
<td style="border-color: #000000;">
&ldquo;What study habits does my teen have, and how often do they appear genuinely focused versus distracted during study time?&rdquo;
</td>
<td style="border-color: #000000;">
Observe and jot down details about a typical study session for your teen, including study duration, breaks, and distractions.
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-color: #000000;">
Conscientiousness
</td>
<td style="border-color: #000000;">
&ldquo;On a scale from 1 to 10, how conducive is the learning environment at home, considering factors like noise level, availability of resources, and support?&rdquo;
</td>
<td style="border-color: #000000;">
Assess and rate each factor of the learning environment and identify areas for improvement.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2>Weigh the Time Spent on MTL&nbsp;</h2>
Did your teen spend a significant amount of time on MTL (Mother Tongue Language) tutoring in primary school? Should they do the same in secondary school?
Although there are advantages to being fluent in more than one language, many teens will continue to struggle with the complexities of a second language. With a heavier academic workload and later dismissal times, it may not be wise to allocate too many hours to MTL tutoring. As a gauge, if you would merely like your teen to have basic MTL proficiency, a weekly tutoring session of 1.5 hours should suffice.
Concerning school-based requirements, your teen won&rsquo;t have to use the MTL grade for <a href="https://www.moe.gov.sg/post-secondary/admissions/jae/polytechnics" target="_blank" rel="noopener">polytechnic admission</a>. If your teen wishes to enter a junior college, they will minimally need to score a D7 for the MTL, even if they are not using the grade to compute their O-Level score. There are some <a href="https://www.moe.gov.sg/post-secondary/admissions/jae/junior-colleges-and-millennia-institute" target="_blank" rel="noopener">exceptions</a> to this, but regardless, teens who don&rsquo;t get the minimum grade will have to retake the O-Level MTL exam in JC Year 1. In a worst-case scenario, they may have to switch schools or leave the A-Level programme if they continue to fall below the MTL minimum grade.
If your teen is strong in their other subjects (i.e. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore-Cambridge_GCE_Ordinary_Level" target="_blank" rel="noopener">scoring an A1 or A2</a>), it&rsquo;s advisable to look at the <a href="https://www.ibo.org/programmes/find-an-ib-school/?SearchFields.Country=SG" target="_blank" rel="noopener">International Baccalaureate programme</a> instead, where the second-language demands are gentler. Or if your teen has very specific subject interests, they may be more suited to a polytechnic education &mdash; an added advantage is that they will no longer have to worry about the MTL.
<h2>Create a Healthy Home Environment</h2>
In order for your teen to lead a healthy life, which can have a positive impact on their grades, here&rsquo;s what the experts <a href="https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=sleep-exercise-screen-time-help-your-teen-adopt-healthy-habits-88-p11018" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recommend</a>:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">8 hours of sleep a day</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">1 hour of physical activity a day&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">No more than 2 hours of daily screen time</li>
</ul>
However, don&rsquo;t feel discouraged if your family finds it difficult to follow these guidelines. You can simply take note of your teen&rsquo;s existing sleep, exercise, and screen habits, and try to introduce small improvements. For instance, if your teen is currently sleeping at 11PM and waking up at 6AM, you can encourage your teen to go to bed half an hour earlier for a start. If your teen prefers sedentary activities, you can suggest a new routine, where the family takes a walk after dinner at a nearby park.&nbsp;
For many families, the hardest habit to address will be screen time. If your teen enjoys reading, encourage them to read a physical book instead of using a device. You can also introduce shared screen activities for the family, such as selecting a TV series and watching an episode together every night. Screen time usage tends to be heavier during weekends and school holidays &mdash; you can counter this by scheduling social activities, or enrolling your teen in courses that they are interested in. You can also encourage your teen to use screens in a variety of ways, such as listening to a podcast instead of playing video games.
Every small step towards a healthier lifestyle counts, and by making gradual changes together, you can foster a supportive and positive environment that helps your teen to thrive, both at home and in school.

Want to share stories and tips with other parents, or seek their advice? Join the conversation on the <a href="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewforum.php?f=29" target="_blank" rel="noopener">KiasuParents forum</a>!
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Can Teens From Neighbourhood Schools Get Good National Exam Results?

What To Do After The O-Levels In Singapore

<img onerror="kspReplaceCdn(this)" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-69638 size-full" src="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/learncouncil1.jpg" alt="" width="1353" height="900" srcset="https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/learncouncil1.jpg 1353w, https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/learncouncil1-320x213.jpg 320w, https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/learncouncil1-800x532.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 1353px) 100vw, 1353px" />
It is natural as parents to give the best to your child by enrolling them in the best schools, providing them enrichment programs and tuition, all in the hopes that they will do well in PSLE and have a head start in life. Now that you&#8217;ve accomplished your first hurdle with much success, how can you help your child continue to do well in secondary school? What do students from top schools like Raffles Institution or Raffles Girls Secondary do to keep themselves ahead?
We interview Ms Jasline Hong, Founder of <a href="http://www.thelearnerscouncil.com/">The Learners Council</a> (TLC) of her experience in coaching top students. She has not only studied in Raffles Girls School and Raffles Junior College, but also taught in Raffles Institution for more than 6 years to share her insight in how to nurture high-achieving students.
<h4>Qn: What should parents know about the transition from primary to secondary school? How is the learning environment like?</h4>
Firstly, students take only 4 core subjects in primary school. When moving up to secondary schools, they start reading 8-9 subjects, and at a much greater depth. Besides a heavier academic load, students have CCA to cope with, a new environment to adapt to and peer pressure to deal with. It is actually quite a steep learning curve and there is a lot to adjust to.
Secondly, the nature of the subjects get more technical and questions naturally get tougher, especially for Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics. Subjects also become more conceptual, mainly for the Sciences like Chemistry and Physics. What we teach at TLC mirrors what is taught in top schools; we ensure that our students not only grasp the concepts, but are also able to apply and use the right exam techniques to score. 
<h4>Qn: From your experience, how well do students cope with the secondary syllabus? Can parents help?</h4>
While there are brilliant students who adapt well and start learning independently without external help, there are also very many students who will find it hard to keep up. This is because school teachers expect some independence from students in their learning and are thus more hands-off. With higher academic demands, heavier CCA commitments, exposure to computer games and social media, many end up with insufficient sleep and a limited ability to focus.
Parents may start finding themselves unable to help with their child&#8217;s schoolwork as well. This is natural as parents are not MOE trained and have no experience in marking exams. I cannot emphasize how important it is to know how the exams are structured and the techniques required in tackling them. At TLC, I ensure all my tutors have experience teaching in schools, in marking exams and in mark schemes; only then are we able to detect misconceptions through students&#8217; answers, know the demands of assessments and be able to know why students are not scoring in their exams.
<img onerror="kspReplaceCdn(this)" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-69640" src="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/learncouncil2.jpg" alt="" width="939" height="485" srcset="https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/learncouncil2.jpg 939w, https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/learncouncil2-320x165.jpg 320w, https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/learncouncil2-800x413.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 939px) 100vw, 939px" />
<h4>Qn: You have coached many top students, what strategies do you use to help them ace their secondary school education? </h4>
At TLC, we teach ahead of the schools so our students are always more than well prepared when they go to school &#8211; that’s also our goal as we want to make learning easy for them. Our students find learning easy and when that happens, they begin to enjoy learning. For example, Sec3 students learn Sec3 content, with a head start into Sec 4 at the end of their Sec 3 year, and likewise for other levels. In fact, most utilize this added boost to their learning to move on to higher order and more challenging concepts. This is the secret to a top scorer. While many struggle to keep up, TLC students are ahead of the rest.
<h4>Qn:  How about struggling students? Are they able to get ahead? </h4>
Yes it is possible as long as they follow what we teach in class. We break down difficult concepts into very simple, bite-sized and practical facts for students, making them so easy to comprehend and remember. This helps to make Science and Math a joy to learn and a subject they no longer find so abstract.
Because we make learning so easy for them with our lucid explanations and appropriate pacing, this helps the weaker students learn ahead and gain confidence in school. Some students need more time, but we are always more than willing to answer their questions via WhatsApp or stay back in class to help them out after class. There are many testimonials of huge grade improvements at TLC.
<h4>Qn: By providing 24/7 WhatsApp help, are you spoon-feeding and making students so reliant on you that they cannot perform during exams without your help?</h4>
Can a teacher ever “over-help” a student? I don’t think so; if a student needs help, he needs help. I don’t think we are creating an over-reliance on tuition for our students. WhatsApp help is really an additional bonus for our students that other centres do not have, but we have this service at TLC because we value all our students and we want to provide them with holistic help. Many centres only see their students once a week, 2 hours each week. How much real help can they offer to students who are already in need, and hence seek tuition? Moreover, we find that students have problems with their schoolwork as well and we as dedicated teachers, would love to help them.
We have so many testimonials thanking us for this service as students are so busy nowadays, they are unable to meet us face to face. Through our dedication, we inspire our students to be responsible for their own education.
<h4>Qn: What should parents look out for if they are looking for a tuition centre? How is TLC different from other Tuition centres? </h4>
Unlike the past, exams now feature more thinking and critical reasoning. It is important to choose a centre that does not focus on drilling i.e. a format of lesson followed by self-practice questions as this is not helpful at all.
At TLC, our teachers have the ability to impart concepts and thinking skills effectively. This skill to effectively engage students and help them truly learn is a skill. Many private tutors who know a lot about a subject may not necessarily be a good teacher &#8211; there needs to be a good balance in content knowledge and teaching ability. We also only select MOE trained teachers as they understand a student&#8217;s requirements better.
Our dedication to teaching sets us apart, as we do not simply lecture big groups of students like what they would experience in school and in many other centres. Our classes are small, and we care about each and every student. Our curriculum is customized and our students learn what they truly need. Students can also reach out to their teachers whenever they have a question, and our centre is comfortable and conducive for learning. We pride ourselves in caring, stretching, coaching, and supporting our students unlike any other. Given our limited space, we do have fixed enrolments each semester and we encourage all parents interested to register a place for their child early.
<img onerror="kspReplaceCdn(this)" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-69642" src="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/learncouncil3.jpg" alt="" />
About The Learners Council
Formerly known as The Physics Council, The Learners Council is an expanded tuition centre catering to the IP, O and A-level students in Physics, Maths and Chemistry. It also offers holistic programs for primary and lower secondary school students in math and science. Visit www.thelearnerscouncil.com to learn more.
Location: Guthrie House, <a href="http://share.here.com/r/mylocation/e-eyJuYW1lIjoiVGhlIExlYXJuZXJzIENvdW5jaWwiLCJhZGRyZXNzIjoiMSBGaWZ0aCBBdmVudWUgIzAzLTA2LCBTaW5nYXBvcmUiLCJsYXRpdHVkZSI6MS4zMzA2NiwibG9uZ2l0dWRlIjoxMDMuNzk1NTgsInByb3ZpZGVyTmFtZSI6ImZhY2Vib29rIiwicHJvdmlkZXJJZCI6MTY4NTkyOTIzNjk0NTAzfQ==?link=addresses&amp;fb_locale=en_US&amp;ref=facebook">1 Fifth Avenue #03-06, Singapore 268802</a> (5 mins from Sixth Avenue MRT)
Contact: 82924288 or email admin@thelearnerscouncil.com
<h4>2019 classes are open for registration!</h4>
<a href="https://thelearnerscouncil.com/contact" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img onerror="kspReplaceCdn(this)" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-69644 size-full alignnone" src="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/learnerscouncilbutton2.png" alt="" width="235" height="51" /></a>
&nbsp;

What’s next after PSLE? Ace Secondary School the Rafflesian way

<img onerror="kspReplaceCdn(this)" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-67602" src="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/KSP-listing-image-01-01.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="350" srcset="https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/KSP-listing-image-01-01.jpg 1459w, https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/KSP-listing-image-01-01-320x160.jpg 320w, https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/KSP-listing-image-01-01-800x400.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" />
Physics and Mathematics at A-levels and O-levels are generally seen as abstract concepts that are difficult to master. In practice, working away at TYS questions with little understanding may score you a passing grade, but what about a distinction? To find out, we speak to Ms Jasline Hong – Ex-RI Department Head of Physics and founder of leading tuition centre <a href="http://www.thelearnerscouncil.com">The Learners Council</a> (previously known as The Physics Council), whose students have consistently produced stellar results of 80% A’s under her guidance in the last 3 years. Here are her top 5 tips.
<h4>01 Lessons that teach you to score </h4>
Knowing exactly what examiners are looking for is key to scoring distinction. Jasline shares that at The Learners Council (TLC), her team of MOE-trained tutors are well-versed with the demands of school syllabus, saying: “We have enough teaching experience to know what examiners are looking for so our goal here is to train students to think independently and answer questions accurately.”
Students learn strategic methods to solving questions. Through these questions, the syllabus gets easier to absorb and understand. Moreover, frequent class tests and timed practices ensure that students are ready for the national examinations. No longer is it just mere practice which students can do on their own but tutors are here to provide guided practice. Being able to critically get to the heart of a question is what sets the A students apart from the B students.
“TLC practice questions have challenged me to reach a greater understanding of the concepts learned.” says Amanda Leow (Class of 2016).
<img onerror="kspReplaceCdn(this)" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-67603" src="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/KSP-listing-images-01.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="350" srcset="https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/KSP-listing-images-01.jpg 1459w, https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/KSP-listing-images-01-320x160.jpg 320w, https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/KSP-listing-images-01-800x400.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" />
<h4>02 Qualified, dedicated teachers who demonstrate their passion   </h4>
TLC teachers go the extra mile to ensure students understand and learn. Students can arrange for 1-to-1 consultation sessions after class to clear any doubts. Not very different from private tutoring, tutors can even be reached through WhatsApp.
“I am really thankful for all the physics marathon 4-hour long sessions you had with us, and all the late nights you spent preparing the materials or answering our 1 am study questions. It felt as if you were mugging with us the whole way. And also, I’m really grateful for all the time you have sacrificed with yourself/your family to help us. I don’t think I’ll ever meet a teacher as amazing as you and I’ll miss you so much after finishing As,” shares Kristen Tay (Class of 2018)
<img onerror="kspReplaceCdn(this)" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-67605" src="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/KSP-article-images-03.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="375" srcset="https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/KSP-article-images-03.jpg 1459w, https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/KSP-article-images-03-320x172.jpg 320w, https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/KSP-article-images-03-800x429.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" />
<h4>03 Fast Tracks, Headstarts, Crash courses &#8211; confidence boosters </h4>
Nearing exams, TLC’s intensive revision programme is “intensive” as it thoroughly recaps. During this crucial period, tutors work extra hard to pick out common and challenging questions and ensure students cover their bases. Extra attention is given to weak students, and stronger students are given ample challenging questions. Summarized notes, timed practices, top school’s exam questions, after-class support and more, TLC pulls out all the stops to ensure students are 200% prepared for exams.
<h4>04 Ample preparation</h4>
Another key to success is preparation. Most students register and start studying even before the term begins! Students enrolled in “Headstart” have an upper hand and “fast track” science and math for lower-sec students help them prepare for upper sec.
<img onerror="kspReplaceCdn(this)" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-67606" src="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/KSP-article-images-02.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="350" srcset="https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/KSP-article-images-02.jpg 1459w, https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/KSP-article-images-02-320x160.jpg 320w, https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/KSP-article-images-02-800x400.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" />
<h4>05 Tutors inspire a love for subjects </h4>
“Effective learning in the classroom depends on the teacher’s ability to maintain the interest that brought students to the course in the first place” (Ericksen, 1978)
Ultimately, the secret to succeeding in school is to be able to enjoy the lessons and to find a love for the subject. TLC has a knack for inspiring our students’ love for the subject. Dedication shown by our teachers fuels students’ love for the subject and desire to excel, thereby allowing them to take effort to reciprocate the extra mile teachers put in for them and this kicks off a positive cycle in student learning.
The parent of Joy Pang, graduating student from Fairfield Methodist Secondary School, Graduating Class of 2016 has this to say: “&#8230;I want to thank you for igniting Joy&#8217;s passion in Physics. Her Physics grade has improved from E8 last year SA2 to B4 this year SA1. It&#8217;s definitely a big confidence booster for her and she is now aiming to get A1 for her SA2 and O level. Credit goes to you and we truly appreciate your effort!”
The Learners Council is accepting registrations for 2019 “Headstart” Classes. 
<a href="http://www.thelearnerscouncil.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img onerror="kspReplaceCdn(this)" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-67716 size-full" src="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/learnerscouncilbutton.png" alt="" width="400" height="51" srcset="https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/learnerscouncilbutton.png 400w, https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u36736/learnerscouncilbutton-320x41.png 320w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a>
Registrations will close once seats are filled.
Regular weekly tuition programs for O and A-Levels are also available on their website: <a href="http://www.thelearnerscouncil.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.thelearnerscouncil.com</a>.  Alternatively, you may contact Ms Hong at Mobile: (+65) 82924288, or Office: (+65) 6909 0701.
About The Learners Council
Formerly known as The Physics Council, The Learners Council is an expanded tuition centre catering to O and A-level students in Physics and Maths. It also offers programs for primary and lower secondary school students in math and science. Click <a href="https://thelearnerscouncil.com/about/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a> to learn more.
Location: Guthrie House, <a href="http://share.here.com/r/mylocation/e-eyJuYW1lIjoiVGhlIExlYXJuZXJzIENvdW5jaWwiLCJhZGRyZXNzIjoiMSBGaWZ0aCBBdmVudWUgIzAzLTA2LCBTaW5nYXBvcmUiLCJsYXRpdHVkZSI6MS4zMzA2NiwibG9uZ2l0dWRlIjoxMDMuNzk1NTgsInByb3ZpZGVyTmFtZSI6ImZhY2Vib29rIiwicHJvdmlkZXJJZCI6MTY4NTkyOTIzNjk0NTAzfQ==?link=addresses&amp;fb_locale=en_US&amp;ref=facebook" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1 Fifth Avenue #03-06, Singapore 268802</a> (5 mins from Sixth Avenue MRT)

Founder of The Learners Council and Ex-RI Department Head Reveals Tips for Producing Top Physics & Math Students

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It is crunch time for all students with the examination period just around the corner but this is especially so for those preparing for their O and A Levels. As tensions run high and stress levels skyrocket, how can you help your child to prepare himself/herself better for the national exams?
Although students will be tested on everything that they have learnt since Secondary 1, preparation for the O-levels typically doesn’t start until the students are in their third year of secondary school. This implies that a student would usually have two years to fully prepare himself/herself for the national exams. Similarly, gearing up for the A-levels commence right from the time students enter Junior College.
It is crucial to have a concrete game plan to ensure that study time is fully optimised when studying for the national exams. Here are some useful tips on how students can prepare themselves better.
<h5>1. Seek help early</h5>
It is important to know one’s strengths and weaknesses, and by identifying which subjects one is weak in, one can seek assistance earlier to improve his/her grades in the respective subject(s).  Tuition, whether in a group or individually, can drastically help in boosting one’s grades as the student will be able to receive personalised assistance and have his/her queries answered more quickly.
Many tuition centres now offer O-level and A-level “crash courses” of varying duration to students who are looking to brush up on their weaker subjects in preparation for the national exams.
<h5>2. Form/Join study groups</h5>
Studying in groups helps to facilitate revision better as students are able to exchange answers and ideas with fellow classmates while studying. This approach is especially effective when they are revising for humanities subjects like Literature, History and General Paper, where critical and creative thinking are required. It provides students with the opportunity to discover new and better insights regarding various concepts and ideas that are different from their own.
Another benefit of studying together with friends would be the motivation and support students can receive during this stressful period. By working towards the same goal, students within a study group will be more inspired to study harder and smarter by sharing tips among themselves.
Despite its benefits, some students may still prefer studying on their own than with their friends. One should adopt effective study methods that best suit oneself.
<h5>3. Planning is key</h5>
Drawing up a study plan to ensure that students have sufficient time to go through each and every subject is very important. It is fundamental for students to allocate more revision time for their weaker subjects, while not forgetting to also study for subjects that they excel in.
<h5>4. Work on past exam papers</h5>
They say practice makes perfect. Attempting questions in the Ten Year Series is beneficial as it provides students not only with the opportunity to revise for their respective subjects but also gives them a better idea of what can be expected during the examinations.
<h5>5. Adopt good sleeping habits </h5>
If student are unable to get quality or sufficient sleep, then all the other tips covered in this article will not be effective at all. One’s brain regenerates during the time that the body goes into sleep mode and by resting the brain cells, a student will be better prepared for another day of studying.
“Sleep on it” – we’ve heard this many times but did you know that it actually helps the brain to retain information? According to research done by the Department of Psychology at Royal Holloway University, when we sleep on new information, the brain can retain it more effectively. Therefore, students are encouraged to take study naps in between revision sessions for better learning. 
<h5>Let KSP’s LearnConcierge help you
</h5>
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