From Past to Present: A Journey of Growth and Change – Rachel Tan Zhen Zhen Revisits Han Chiang High School

The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. -Nelson Mandela

Introduction

Rachel Tan Zhen Zhen, a Han Chiang High School student who graduated in 2021, recently visited Han Chiang High School which shaped her path to success to observe the current learning process of Han Chiang students. Since her graduation, Rachel’s perseverance and undeniable effort have led her to numerous remarkable achievements. After completing her A-Levels at INTI International College Penang, she was accepted into the National University of Singapore, where she will pursue a degree in quantitative finance. She also received the NUS ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship.

During her academic journey, Rachel excelled in her IGCSE exams, achieving 9 A* grades, and continued her outstanding performance with 4 A* grades in her A-Levels. She did a gap year before university and during that time, she performed community service such as volunteering for two weeks on the Doulos Hope, a ship serving as a floating library. She also participated in various Leo Club community service projects.

Words of Gratitude

Rachel expressed her gratitude to Madam Kung for presenting her with the award and extended her heartfelt thanks to all the teachers who taught and guided her during her time at Han Chiang High School. She also thanked her peers who accompanied her throughout her high school years. Lastly, she is grateful to her family for their unwavering and continuous support.

Secrets to Success

Rachel emphasised the importance of academic consistency, believing that even a small amount of daily study time can lead to significant long-term benefits. She cautioned against the habit of last-minute studying and procrastination, considering it detrimental to effective learning. Additionally, Rachel advised students not to be afraid to ask questions, as she firmly believes that teachers are always willing to help and support their students.

Besides that, Rachel spent time practising past year’s papers to reinforce what she learned in class and get exposure to different questions. She mentioned that it is important to completely understand the concept taught in class instead of just memorising the given notes so that one can easily apply the concept to any related questions that they have not encountered before.

Moreover, a value that Rachel holds strongly to is that one should try his or her best in anything that one does so that there would be no regret regardless of the outcome. She is persistent in her efforts to study and does not give up easily when encountering difficulties.

Challenges

During her academic journey, Rachel faced her fair share of study-related stress. To manage this, she balances her hectic study schedule with leisure activities. In her free time, she enjoyed playing games, which provided a much-needed break from her studies and helped her relax. Additionally, she spent quality time with her family, finding their presence comforting and supportive. These moments of relaxation and family connection were crucial for her overall well-being and helped her maintain a healthy balance between her academic responsibilities and personal life.

Advice and Wishes

Rachel advised students to study hard, and never give up and wished them all the best in their studies. She encouraged them to study consistently and not to put too much pressure on themselves. She also hoped they could enjoy high school life and make lifelong friendships at Han Chiang High School.