Felix Ker's blog

I recently got invited into Facebook groups like PETITION AGAINST HIGH BUS FARES for POLY STUDENTS and Travel Concession for FULL-TIME SIM Students, a plea for common sense but I didn’t join. What’s the point?

The creators of the groups wrote stuffs like:

It is obviously unfair that SMRT and SBS charge polytechnic students adult fares while JC students only pay 45cents per trip. Are we not of the same age as JC students? Do we NOT travel as much as JC students do? Are our families any better off than theirs? The general answer is NO, Polytechnic students are in fact just average students. Yes, there are elder students who are already working and capable of supporting themselves, but they still hold a very much smaller percentage as compared to the young students fresh from secondary school. I do believe SMRT and SBS are smart enough to not make decisions based on stereotyping thinking, and i certainly do believe that they are capable of being fair and unbiased, so i take it this fare difference was due to negligence in decision discussion and making. A higher fare would very directly affect the students’ moods about school, discouraging students from poorer families to continue with their studies. This could impact the Singaporean economy as the majority of people studying go to polytechnics after their O levels, and a high fare would discourage workers from coming back to polytechnics to upgrade themselves.

and ..

I’m sure many of us feel the need to be recognised as full time undergraduate students who deserve concession for public transport too, just as much as our peers in the public universities. I heard even students, if it is indeed true, of LaSalle College of the Arts get approved as tertiary students who deserve concession.(Pardon me if I’m wrong) So why not us too?

But you think your voices are heard when you write so much on Facebook? Ministers don’t use Facebook (am I right?).

My suggestions

Riots won’t be allowed in Singapore, so don’t even think about it.

I would suggest we all target our school’s students’ union. Let them voice it for our behalf. If not, what’s the students’ union for? 

If your school’s student union isn’t doing anything about this, write in to your school’s student affairs. Remind them that you’re (we’re) all not rich.

Now I know its not easy, but contact the media. Let the media know that you got a few thousand people here that aren’t happy. (Few thousand for a poly isn’t sufficient. At least find 20% of the school population.) Form a group of 10-30 people first, camp at food courts daily to gather signatures and NRICs/Student ID. Let the media know what you’ve got and that they should voice it for you.

And again if this doesn’t work, go suck thumb.

Oh or if you’ve got a better suggestion, let me know. I completed my 3 years in poly and I know, if they wanted to implement what you suggested, they would have done it years back.

… again, good night.

The photographs

• Some of you may have forgotten all about this.
• Some of you don’t care.
• Some of you are still waiting patiently.
• A few of you nudge me so often for it.

Preview

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I got my semester results last week, but just had no time to write an entry about it. I’ll just share alittle about my results and results of people around me! 

My grade point average (GPA) for this semester is 3.0. It’s been a stressful semester with final year project. Actually not really. I felt stressful because of the last minute work! I cannot promise myself, but I will try not to do anymore last minute work! My cumulative grade point average wasn’t much affected by my GPA though.

Let’s move on to my peers

To hell with Jonathan: he worked hard enough and got himself another GPA - 4. Note – another. 4 times GPA 4.0 and once GPA 3.9?

Edwin Ang didn’t do badly too! GPA of 1.75 isn’t that bad, right? At least he passed all his modules. And, he’s damn satisfied and happy, lah! In case you didn’t know, SP stands for Sure Pass. Thats why no one should fail.

That german friend of mine (Adolf) achieved GPA 3.64 this semester, which I helped raise his cumulative alittle. He’s targetting an A for internship, which is achievable. Good luck. I mean: you should work hard too!

Shermian felt that a ‘C’ shouldn’t appear in her results this semester. Sadly, she didn’t thank me for being her supportive friend. (LOL!) =(

My ex-wife (Qiuhui) thinks GPA 3 is an achievement (I think so too!). She added on that 3 is her highest GPA ever (highest for me too -.-)

fishy (siiyu) blogged that her GPA remained stagnent. To go university, you need money. SIM or overseas. Worth considering? (I can talk to you if you need someone to talk to. You’ve been emo lately, girl!)

Nathaniel thinks that GPA 3.3 isn’t good enough as his group has done more than other groups! Try harder next time?

Congratulations, Cara! You’ve done well this time. Keep on working hard okay! I’ll push your boy if we get to work in the same company for internship! (I wonder how Belinda fare)

With current semester’s GPA of 3.944, ur-dex (aka Bing Huan) is wondering how he can push his cumulative GPA to 3.5 from current 3.2. Only way is to find a time machine, I think.

Siewling wrote that she got an A for her ITP, but didn’t mention anything about her GPA. Maybe it’s some high but unsatisfied value. =)

How to improve?

Friends, I’ve got tips for you. Please share this with your friends.

• Wake up early and don’t be late for classes.
• Listen during lectures. Don’t fall asleep. Leave the chats to break time. SMSes are fine, but limit them.
• Participate during tutorials.
• Practicals are hands-on, so use your hands, NOT mouth.
• Work on your projects/assignments early. Don’t start last minute.
• Don’t know, must ask. Remember this.
• Be nice to your lecturers. You know why. Remember there’s something called class participation.

I think I should write an entry to help students study better. HAHAHAHAHAHA! (I didn’t do well, so I doubt it’ll be helpful.)

Some nice things in SP:

I am impressed by the efficiency of the Department of Computer & Information Systems (CIS) in Singapore Polytechnic (SP), in carrying out it’s duty in maintaining the IT Infrastructure of SP.The fact that your staffs take feedbacks and suggestions seriously show that their commitment in providing IT infrastructure to staffs and students to the best of their ability … - Read More -