A* Mindset

Ever watched Tom Cruise’s “Mission Impossible”? Tom Cruise was really suave in the movie, cruising through all obstacles with that smoothness. What we thought was impossible, Tom was able to overcome them with good planning and a high degree of precision.

Truly, if only in life, we can be as polished as him. Yet, do we really believe we can do what he had done? How many times do we tell stories of “impossible-ness” to ourselves?

To a F9 student: “A1 is great, but for me to get an A1, that is impossible!”

To an overweight student: “I can never get gold for NAPFA!”

To a shy child: “OH DEAR! How can I ever be on stage with everyone looking at me??”

Are our goals truly impossible?

How many of you had been ridiculed when you had suggested something that you really want to do and people around you just slammed it shut by making slight remarks like “don’t be ridiculous, that’s so impossible!” or “please be realistic!” or “get real!”?

I had read recently an article that helped me see this in a different perspective.

There is no such thing as an Impossible goal. There are only Impractical steps to get to the goal.

This had really shifted my paradigm! It’s so true that we judge the end goal as unreachable when in fact, we seldom put time into thinking how we can actually take steps to get there! So today, I am going to share the steps I had learnt to start our journey to get to our “I-M-Possible” goals.

1. Set your I-M-Possible goal.

What is it that you truly want to achieve? Is it that A1 in Maths and Science? Is it that NAFA gold? Write it down! Entertain nothing but possibilities!

2.   Decide why you want to achieve that goal.

Is it to get to that TOP junior college that you had always dreamed of? Is it to be able to qualify for the first team in the basketball team? What is that strong “why” that will drive you forward? The bigger the WHY, the more “energy” you will have to see your goal through.

3.     List all the possible ways that could help you get to that goal. ALL. Again, any methods you can possibly imagined, write it all down!

Getting a coach on the specific subject, spending an extra hour everyday to run through all the not careful mistakes in your homework/tests, walk to school instead of taking that 5-minute bus ride etc etc. List EVERYTHING.

4.    Choose the most practical way to get to that goal.

Looking at the possibilities that you had listed. Choose one most practical way FOR YOU. Not for anyone, but one that works for you.

Now, you may find that the way you had decided on is not going to see you through all the way to your goal. That’s perfectly fine! The key is to get started. In time to come, the ways and opportunities that will help you get to your goal will start revealing themselves. The very first step will lead to the next step, so, get started!

All the best in your I-M-Possible pursuit!

-by Lynn-

Objectives:

1.   Instil commitment and discipline in students

2.   Make learning fun via a game system

Level Up Challenge

The backbone of the A.S.S. is the Level Up Challenge, which is held every 7th week of term.

Level Up Week

Held every 2 months, during the 7th week of each coaching term.

The Level Up Challenge will replace all classes during this week.

Students will take a Memory Challenge first.

Upon passing the Memory Challenge, students will take the Confidence Test.

Once they pass the Confidence Test, students will level up and earn points.

Level Up Week Schedule

Weekdays 5pm – 9pm:

Students who do not complete the Memory Challenge or Confidence Test on the designated weekday will return on Saturday or Sunday (10am to 5pm) to complete it.

Students can come in any time between 5pm to 9pm on the relevant day, and may leave as soon as they have completed the Confidence Test and leveled up.

Incentives

Individual standings:

Students will get points depending on how quickly they level up.

End-of-year exam results will be taken into account.

Top-scoring student of the year will get a prize.

-by Pey-

There is this interesting story told of one young man who asked Socrates how he could get wisdom. To this request, Socrates replied, “Come with me.” With that, he brought the young man to a river. Without any warning, Socrates pushed the young man’s head underwater and held the young man’s head till the latter struggled desperately for air. At this moment, Socrates let him go.

When the young man regained his poise from the uncalled-for incident, Socrates asked him, “What did you desire most when your head was underwater?”

“I wanted air.” was the reply.

Socrates nodded and said “When you want wisdom as much as you wanted air when you were immersed in the water, you will receive it.”

* * *

We all want to work towards brilliant results, yet how honest have we been with ourselves on how much we want it?

I had learnt that it is vital to know both – of what we want and how much we want it. That will bring about an intense and wholehearted desire to work out a solution-based path, overcome blocks and generate momentum to pursue the course to get what we want.

If you think you want your straight A1s – think – how much do you want it. Be honest. Do not think yet about how you are going to get it, (I am sure the young man does not care how he is going to get air, HE JUST WANTS IT). First think how much you really want it! Feel it. That will bring about the strength and determination to propel you forth to entertain any possibilities. When that is in place, the “how” will come.

Many people don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan!

This may sound cliché to you, as I believe that you have heard this umpteen times. And the fact that I am telling you this here again shows the importance of planning a revision schedule.

How do you plan your revision schedule?

Firstly count the number of days and hours you have before the examination commences. Count, for each subject, the number of chapters or topics you have to revise. Divide the number of chapters by the number of days/ hours. This will provide you a good idea of how much time you have for each chapter.

By doing so, you will also know how much to study to have the topic considered revised. Many students end up spending too much time on the front chapters and realize that they do not have time to complete their revision.

Start planning your revision schedule at least 2 months before the examinations. On your revision schedule, you need to put the exact task you will be doing, instead of just revise Additional Math. For example, from 2pm to 4pm, I will be revising Additional Math Chapter 2.

Note that you will need to allocate time to relax and do the things you like. A balanced schedule will give you the maximum results. Remember, all work no play makes Jack a dull boy!

The Mindset behind Revision

Revision is the final preparation for your examinations, and it is absolutely vital that you have Self-Discipline. Caution yourself that there’s a snow-ball effect if you do not complete your task today as these unaccomplished tasks will be pushed to the next day, in which you have already assigned other tasks. The work can be tantamount! If you need to sacrifice play or sleep in order to accomplish the tasks set for that day, DO SO!

- Adapted from “A is Easy” ebook, authored by Yew Kiin and Ken Oh
(Available in Advostore now)