Month: March 2020

We have just a couple more slots for our fun-filled writing class this March holiday. If you are interested in: ✅ honing your writing skills ✅ having some fun this holiday ✅ learn to write intros, conclusions and conflicts Please join our class! P5-P6 How to tackle 3-picture composition writing class 20 March 2020 Friday 10am-1pm What’s covered: – how to choose a picture that helps yours story stand out – how to make your story logical – how to create characters and effectively describe them – how to craft memorable introductions and conclusions – going through past year preliminary examination questions to familiarise oneself with the format Message us here for more information. https://ift.tt/2cWZ0aG #holidayclass #writing

Posted on by Wallace

We have just a couple more slots for our fun-filled writing class this March holiday. If you are interested in: ✅ honing your writing skills ✅ having some fun this holiday ✅ learn to write intros, conclusions and conflicts Please join our class! P5-P6 How to tackle 3-picture composition writing class 20 March 2020 Friday[…]

Dear parents, In light of the new developments with regards to the COVID19 virus globally, we’ll follow MOH and MOE guidelines on stay home notices to ensure everyone at Study Room remain safe and healthy. Please let us know if you’re traveling out of the country. Given the quickly evolving COVID situation, neighbouring countries like Malaysia and Indonesia are considered high risk, in addition to Europe (Italy, France, Germany, Spain, UK), USA, Japan and Korea. Also, please stay home if unwell. We will appreciate the consideration. On our part, we will continue temperature screenings and rigorous disinfection on a daily basis. Continue to stay vigilant in our fight against COVID. Thank you for your patience. #sgunited (Credit: Image from CNA)

Posted on by Wallace

Dear parents, In light of the new developments with regards to the COVID19 virus globally, we’ll follow MOH and MOE guidelines on stay home notices to ensure everyone at Study Room remain safe and healthy. Please let us know if you’re traveling out of the country. Given the quickly evolving COVID situation, neighbouring countries like[…]

The P6s did a story on a dilemma a few weeks ago. The three pictures: someone cheating in an exam, a knife and a diamond Seemingly easy, but there are a couple of things to look out for. 1. You need to illustrate the dilemma clearly. At least a paragraph. 2. So what if there is a dilemma? How did you arrive at your decision in the end? This is crucial for the story to make sense. You can’t say be undecided and then suddenly make up your mind. 3. Almost everyone wrote either about cheating or picking up a diamond, which is really a yawn fest in the end. How can you be different? One of the students Isabelle wrote a brilliant story. I am showcasing the story here because it stood out. The setting is very different from the rest, she illustrated the tension during the dilemma well, there was a hook in the introduction and a proper closure. Read it and tell me what you think. —- Tears welled up in my eyes as I took the dagger out of my pocket. I looked down at him. I closed my eyes and exhaled. It was now or never. “Are you ready?” I asked, with my heart palpitating in hesitation. Tom, my best friend, nodded. I clutched the rope as I looked up in determination. Tom and I were mountain-climbers and we had undergone at least ten years of training. Tom, who loves challenges, had yet again planned a mountain-climbing trip to scale ‘The Matterhorn’, one of the world’s most dangerous mountains, which has claimed the lives of over 500 people. Scaling this mountain was going to be arduous. To safeguard ourselves, we tied a rope around ourselves together before starting the climb. I was to climb first before Tom. I gripped the rope tightly and started to ascend. The strong wind blew against us as we slowly, but surely made our way up the 4000-metres high mountain. Just as I was about to grip on a rock, I felt an immense force pulling me downwards, followed by a ear-piercing scream. Puzzled, I looked down. My mouth hung agape as I felt the colour drain from my face, as my heart dropped to the end of the valley. Tom’s feet were dangling in mid-air as he clung onto the life-saving rope. Before I could utter a single word, a loud ripping sound suddenly filled the air. “What was that?” I asked, horror-struck. Both of us were now pale with fright as we realised what had just happened. The rope was about to snap. This had never happened in any of the climbing trips we had ever gone to. Frenzied, I racked my brain for a solution. “Cut it!” Tom let out a firm order. Horrified by his idea, I hollered back, quivering as I repeated that thought in my head, “Are you crazy? Do you want to die?” “It’s the only solution we have. If you cut it, you will still be able to survive! If you don’t cut it, we might both die!” Another rip could be heard. I had to decide fast. It was now or never. “Just do it!” this hero shouted again. My eyes falterd with fear and my composed features were in a rise. I bit my lip. I could not bear to do it. He was my buddy and who was I to decide if he lived or died. I looked helplessly at him as he nodded back again. But… I had to do it. I had no choice. With clammy and trembling hands, I pulled a dagger out of my pocket. I gripped the rope. Tears welled up in my eyes as I sawed the rope. I had to do it, it was the only way for at least one of us to survive. I sealed my eyes shut, as tear rolled down uncontrollably. I could not bear to watch. A blood-curdling scream echoed throughout. I cupped my face with my hands. How could I be so heartless? With an aching heart, I gingerly made my way down. When I reached the base of the mountain, I noticed a pool of blood on the thick, white snow. Could it be? My heart throbbed wildly as I dug up some snow. Tears cascaded down my face at the sight of Tom’s limp body. He was covered in blood while his legs were twisted in an awkward position. I immediately pressed my ear on his chest, listening for any sound of heartbeat. My eyes lit up. “It’s a miracle! He is still alive!” I screamed, feeling extremely elated. Quick! To the base camp! I thought. I made my way through the snow, heaving Tom behind. “Someone, help! Help!” I hollered waving my arms hysterically upon reaching the camp. Doctors and nurses rushed out and carried Tom on a stretcher. They placed him in an ambulance. I hopped on, hoping that he would be able to make it. I paced back and forth, anxiously waiting for the doctor’s statement. Then, a doctor walked out of the operating room, a solemn expression plastered on his face. “He is alive,” began the doctor, “However, he will be paralysed waist down for the rest of his life.” I gasped. My heart felt heavier than a stone. It could not be true… I walked into the room. Tom was already awake. He sat upright, looking through the window. “I’m so sorry… if it was not for me, you would not have to sacrifice yourself.” I said as guilt overwhelmed me. “No, no it is not your fault. It was my decision, I told you to…” his voice trailed off. I looked down. No matter what anyone said, there would always be a sense of guilt in my heart forever. #friwritingtips

Posted on by Wallace

The P6s did a story on a dilemma a few weeks ago. The three pictures: someone cheating in an exam, a knife and a diamond Seemingly easy, but there are a couple of things to look out for. 1. You need to illustrate the dilemma clearly. At least a paragraph. 2. So what if there[…]

It’s a Saturday night. I had the last lesson that ends at 8pm and thought I was the last one in the centre. The lights in Room A were still on, so I went in to switch them off. Jun, our secondary school science teacher, was still in the classroom. Seeing how exhausted she looked, I beckoned her to head home early. “I still want to do some work,” she declined my proposal. Then I noticed our new unit also had lights on. Sean, our Maths teacher, was also working OT. ? When I reached the centre at 755am, he was already here. It’s been more than 12 hours of work and he’s not leaving any time soon too. As I left for the day, feeling lazy compared to them, I can’t help but thank my lucky stars to have these dedicated teachers helm the fort for Maths and Science. It’s truly our good fortune. Thanks to all my fab teachers. As I always say, there’s no Study Room without our teachers. ? #studyroomfamily

Posted on by Wallace

It’s a Saturday night. I had the last lesson that ends at 8pm and thought I was the last one in the centre. The lights in Room A were still on, so I went in to switch them off. Jun, our secondary school science teacher, was still in the classroom. Seeing how exhausted she looked,[…]

Are you in upper primary and struggling with composition writing? Does your teacher always say you have gone out of point? Does she complain your ending is too abrupt or your paragraphs don’t link? Help is here! This holiday, we have a composition writing class just for you. P5-P6 How to tackle 3-picture composition writing class 20 March 2020 Friday 10am-1pm What’s covered: – how to choose a picture that helps yours story stand out – how to make your story logical – how to create characters and effectively describe them – how to craft memorable introductions and conclusions – going through past year preliminary examination questions to familiarise oneself with the format Message us here for more information. https://ift.tt/2cWZ0aG #holidayclass #writing

Posted on by Wallace

Are you in upper primary and struggling with composition writing? Does your teacher always say you have gone out of point? Does she complain your ending is too abrupt or your paragraphs don’t link? Help is here! This holiday, we have a composition writing class just for you. P5-P6 How to tackle 3-picture composition writing[…]

Crashing Landing on You,the second-highest-rated Korean drama in cable television history, is the buzz among my students and their parents these days, so I thought of checking it out to see what the rave was about. After watching a few episodes, I realise it checks a few boxes that makes a good plot. Some of these could help you in your stories too. 1. Distinct characters – a sassy, strong female lead who can overcome all odds. – a righteous male hero for the audience to look up to. 2. A possibility that the story may end with a poignant regret – as both characters are not allowed in each other’s territory, the love that had blossomed between them could be futile. Audiences don’t want happy endings, even if they say they do. It’s more memorable if you don’t get what you want. 3. Constant tension – even in primary school compositions, we demand conflicts, let alone a @netflixsg production. – the fact that one of the characters is committing a crime in any one episode because he/she is forbidden from the territory brings suspense and excitement to the followers. This is in addition to the other subplots they have. 4. First love – first love is always an enduring issue. Look at Taiwan’s Apple of my Eye, Italy’s Call me by your name or the Perks of being a Wallflower. All of them share the same theme- first love – Regardless whether the audience is young or old, everyone has experienced first love or unrequited love, so the content resonates with the audience. In your narrative stories, you may not be able to deploy all of these, but the general concept is the same. You need well-developed, three-dimensional characters people can relate to, lots of conflicts and make the reader resonate with the story you are telling. #friwritingtips #crashlandingonyou

Posted on by Wallace

Crashing Landing on You,the second-highest-rated Korean drama in cable television history, is the buzz among my students and their parents these days, so I thought of checking it out to see what the rave was about. After watching a few episodes, I realise it checks a few boxes that makes a good plot. Some of[…]

Crashing Landing on You,the second-highest-rated Korean drama in cable television history, is the buzz among my students and their parents these days, so I thought of checking it out to see what the rave was about. After watching a few episodes, I realise it checks a few boxes that makes a good plot. Some of these could help you in your stories too. 1. Distinct characters – a sassy, strong female lead who can overcome all odds. – a righteous male hero for the audience to look up to. 2. A possibility that the story may end with a poignant regret – as both characters are not allowed in each other’s territory, the love that had blossomed between them could be futile. Audiences don’t want happy endings, even if they say they do. It’s more memorable if you don’t get what you want. 3. Constant tension – even in primary school compositions, we demand conflicts, let alone a @netflixsg production. – the fact that one of the characters is committing a crime in any one episode because he/she is forbidden from the territory brings suspense and excitement to the followers. This is in addition to the other subplots they have. 4. First love – first love is always an enduring issue. Look at Taiwan’s Apple of my Eye, Italy’s Call me by your name or the Perks of being a Wallflower. All of them share the same theme- first love – Regardless whether the audience is young or old, everyone has experienced first love or unrequited love, so the content resonates with the audience. In your narrative stories, you may not be able to deploy all of these, but the general concept is the same. You need well-developed, three-dimensional characters people can relate to, lots of conflicts and make the reader resonate with the story you are telling. #friwritingtips #crashlandingonyou

Posted on by Wallace

Crashing Landing on You,the second-highest-rated Korean drama in cable television history, is the buzz among my students and their parents these days, so I thought of checking it out to see what the rave was about. After watching a few episodes, I realise it checks a few boxes that makes a good plot. Some of[…]

Question: I am a university student. There is still one module, which I have opted for pass/fail, i.e. I don’t need to score well in it. I didn’t hand in one of the assignments and the lecturer, in one of his emails to us, mentioned that he was waiting for mine. I feel outraged. Why did it have to shame me like this? I am an adult and it is my problem if I did not hand in my work. He’s a boomer and so unprofessional. Answer: Indeed, you are right. Your lecturer shouldn’t have cared about you. By not handing in, you are making his life easier, he doesn’t get any penalty when students don’t hand in work and don’t have to suffer from your whines nor would your friends need to hear you rant. Such a bad decision on his part. You are right again. You are an adult. In real world, it will just affect your reputation when you are sloppy in your work. It’s your decision to want to fail in life. Of course, in the real world, people are less forgiving- you could get reprimanded in person in front of your colleagues and lose your job. But you are an adult. Who cares about others? It’s what you want. I don’t know the point of ranting this to me; I assume you just need people to agree with you, so that’s exactly what I am doing. You are right. Keep being irresponsible. * For my readers, who are usually teenagers, he is right. It is your life. You decide if you want to be successful in life. You are not always so lucky to have people who want you to succeed egging you on. You decide your fate. You can decide if you are someone who just ignores work and be super sensitive or someone who has a steadfast work ethic. The onus is on you. #thurswithwei #boomermemes

Posted on by Wallace

Question: I am a university student. There is still one module, which I have opted for pass/fail, i.e. I don’t need to score well in it. I didn’t hand in one of the assignments and the lecturer, in one of his emails to us, mentioned that he was waiting for mine. I feel outraged. Why[…]