yingsquare's first impression..

Ever since I entered Anderson Junior College, it has never failed to impress me. With the strikingly familiar façade, it constantly reminds me of my previous school, Bukit Batok Secondary School.

From the light green exterior walls all the way to the pine-tree-look-alike outside the hall, it all resembles that of my beloved secondary school, which I have spent four wonderful years at. The positioning of the main gate, and the sewage drains surrounding the school, it seems all too familiar. However, even with the resemblance of the various venues, it took me quite a while to get used to the environment.

As I am a second in-taker, coming from Saint Andrews Junior College, I have to admit my discomfort on the first day of orientation. I still remember vividly how aggrieved I felt. It was because I had to do the AJ cheer, within just few hours after entering the college. Although I was physically at the school, my heart was still at Saint Andrew’s, where I had fond memories with my 1st three months’ classmates as well as orientation group mates.

The three months spent at Saint Andrews were memorable, and I promised it will always be cherished deep inside my heart, no matter how the cruel the reality is. Although none of us had actually voiced it out, we all knew that most probably, we will not be in contact. And as we come from all over Singapore, we might not even have a chance to see each other anymore. This truth had hit me early, and I made a mental note to at least keep in touch with those people that I am closer with.

Choosing Anderson over Saint Andrews was probably on impulse. All these years, I have never expected myself to be in Anderson Junior Collage, probably because of the various stories that I heard of it. Please don’t be mistaken, I am not saying anything negative about the school.

Anderson is, relative to Saint Andrews’, an older school. The facilities, I thought, would not be as good as that of Saint Andrews. Moreover, I do notice that the colour of the uniforms does not really match well? Perhaps from a teenager’s point of view, colours of uniform are quite important, as I do know of some friends who chose Saint Andrews over Anderson because of the school building and the uniform.

Well, for me, I have already decided to spend two fruitful years studying hard and I will try to ace my A’ levels. Anderson has always been rumored to be a mugger school, where it is said that the culture will be very suitable for serious students who don’t mind getting down on their feet to study. As I am a person who gets influenced easily by the circumstances I am in, I chose Anderson, such that even if I tend to side track sometimes, I will be deviated back onto the right path in no time.

Though I convinced myself it to be this way, truth is that I had not really thoroughly thought through before submitting the JAE form. I was still hesitating even after I submitted the form, with Anderson being the first choice. There was even an impulse to call up Ministry of Education to edit the earlier form, to change my first choice back to Saint Andrews.

Fortunately, I didn’t. This is not because of any major issues, in case you are wondering. I just thought that I ought to learn to take responsibility for my own actions. This will also teach me a lesson, that is not let my emotions get to the better of me. Anyhow, I am not having regrets choosing Anderson as my first choice, as it does indeed lives up to its name, as a leading neighborhood junior college. The studying culture here is also commendable.

One thing I would want to clarify is that, Anderson Junior College is not really as run-down as it was rumored to be. In fact, I think the essential facilities are good enough, and the equipments are also well maintained. Though it does not have the kind of luxurious rooms like kitchens or a swimming pool, the basic necessities are met, just fine.

In case there is any prospective AJCians looking at this entry, AJC is for you, if you are sincerely seeking for a holistic education, and you don’t demand for any posh lecture theatres. =))