Dear World,
Today was the release of the GCE O level Examination Results for those who did the examination in 2011 (last year). The results seem rather positive and I am sure many parents all over Singapore are proud of their kids. To everyone, congratulations and I hope you are able to pursue the courses of your choice.
There is a reason why I brought up the O level results. I had just completed Starter for Ten by David Nicholls which I bought about a week ago. To be honest, I was not sure I would like it but when I read the first page, I was pretty sure it was going to be good.
Basically, it is about a guy who just completed his A level examinations in England and the story revolves around the first year of his University career. He makes a lot of mistakes – and I should emphasize ALOT of mistakes. In fact, every mistake he did was rather predictable, he blew off his studies for a girl, he made a fool out of himself and he did not really be the person he wanted to be. Yup, sorry Mr Nicholls, but I saw it coming. *shrug*
With a more predictable plot, you would think I hate it. But I don’t. Mainly because I think it captures every feeling that any student would ever go through, at one point or another. The anxiety of waiting for results or going to a good school, or studying the subjects you want to or re-inventing yourself. Now I sound cliche and at the same time, I might be making the book sound cliche but I think that Nicholls first establishes an understanding between the reader and himself, that while the story may sound familiar, the lesson to be learnt is that we all have some silly story like this. We simply aren’t alone in feeling everything a student is suppose to feel.
To O level students, this book at this point of time, is not on my recommendation list for you. Wait a year or two. Junior College, High School and University students might get it more. May be the following extract will explain why:
” All young people worry about things, its a natural and inevitable part of growing up, and at sixteen my greatest anxiety in life was that I’d never again achieve anything as good, or pure, or noble, or true, as my O-level results.”
That’s why I bought the book. I suggest you take a look at it too.
With regards,
Cheyenne
