Paths

People often would have come from different backgrounds, different experiences, different characteristics and basically just a different route in life that they choose to take. One first major differences that a normal person has to make in their life is when choosing the route to take after their secondary school. And this critical route really forms many things in that person's life. All these are my personal opinions and are based on observation of a typical normal student entering the following institutions. No offense taken.


Junior College. People who choose this path study very textbook based subjects such as Math, Science and Economics. They are seldom exposed to society at large and know very little about "the real world". Hence, they are usually very superficial when it comes to making decisions and they do not know what to expect when they leave college. At times, they may not have specific or realistic goals for their future. They study hard due to the intensive workload that they have when they sit for their Advanced Level Examinations after two years of study. But the topics covered are mostly irrelevant to what is being done while working. That being said, their group of friends are usually very close people and they usually have a lot of fun together. They are more enthusiastic in participating in school events. And have active CCA records. Will obtain a practically useless cert unless furthering education in the University (which is yet another comepetitve arena and whereby they will only start to learn more about "the real world").


Polytechnic. The people who came into the polytechnics will understand what is it like to be exposed in "the real world" irregardless of the diploma they are in. Lecturers are generally not spoon-feeding students any more. Whether or not a student gets kicked out of school or does badly, does not matter to a lecturer as much, and in fact it means one less competitor for other students vying for the same results. They usually have specific goals in which they want to attain upon graduation even though they may not be studying what they are interested in. They have a better picture of their future and can make more rationale decisions. However, they get exposed to harsh reality at a younger age (which sometimes may not be a good thing). Workload may be more relaxed in some manners, but definitely not less challenging than that in the JC. They are usually more laid back and have the "heck care" attitude and mentality. Friends may or may not be close. But it is definitely a "every man for his own" areana.


Institute of Technical Education. I do not know much about people studying in this area. But there are definitely hardworking ones who progress eventually into a polytechnic and even doing better than a direct entry student. They are more practical and down to earth. They do not fantasize about having big dreams (although they may at instances), they just want stability.


I do not decriminate any individual or people in general who take different paths in their education life. I just feel that people do behave very differently when they go to different places. How they make choices, how they make friends, how their attitudes are towards certain things. I did not regret my choice made in going to the polytechnic. And there are of course people who are different. I have to admit I stereotype these people. But its because over the years of observation, my conclusion are more or less mentioned above.