“A few years ago, I suffered a serious injury at what felt like the worst possible time. I was pushing myself hard academically and feared it would derail my progress. But being forced to slow down made me realise I was burning out. During recovery, I learned to pace myself better and be more intentional about rest and self-care. When I returned to my studies, I was more focused, less stressed, and genuinely enjoyed learning again. My takeaway is that slowing down isn’t falling behind; there’s always time to achieve your goals, but you need to be healthy and sustainable in how you pursue them. If you need a break, take it!”
– Nicholas Teo, Singapore Sustainability Scholar
“Fresh out of junior college, I wanted to study medicine because of its meaningful impact, but I was not admitted to the local medical schools. At the time, I felt distraught and uncertain, but upon reflection, I realised that my strengths and interests might not align perfectly with medicine. Exploring alternative paths led me to Computer Science, which completely changed my perspective on the field. This experience taught me to keep an open mind and embrace a growth mindset. What seemed like a setback opened doors to opportunities I might never have discovered otherwise.”
– Evonne Ng, HTX Scholar
“As a national sailor from primary school to junior college, I’ve always dreamed of competing in major games like the SEA Games and Asian Games. So when I missed my last chance to qualify in J1, it felt like my childhood dreams were dashed. However, this setback gave me time to join my school’s softball team, where I discovered a new sport, formed lasting friendships, and regained the courage to return to sailing, eventually representing Singapore at the 2022 ILCA6 World Championships. I also joined the Singapore Youth Flying Club, learned to fly a plane and completed my First Solo. These experiences taught me how important it was to never stop moving forward, even after major setbacks. When one door closes, another opens.”
– Meghan Tan, LTA Scholar
“Managing a range of workstreams can make it easy to lose track of tasks. I learned this when my workload increased in my second year as a teacher, and I missed a deadline. I tried to handle it alone, thinking asking for help would reflect badly on me. In conversation, my reporting officer shared that asking for help, while counter-intuitive, is both necessary and expected! Knowing your strengths and weaknesses, and working as part of a team, is part of growing as an educator — even if it sounds cliché.”
– Reuben Goh, MOE Scholar
“There was an incident where the motor operation for one of the outdoor panels malfunctioned. As the on-site engineer, I coordinated investigations with contractors and the manufacturer, personally supervising all site work and collaborating closely with the engineers to identify the root cause. After several rounds of rectification, we resolved the issue, giving me a strong sense of achievement. Challenges are inevitable, but careful analysis, problem-solving, and taking ownership of one’s work can overcome them.”
– Logasan S/O Rajnthern, LTA Scholar
“A significant personal challenge I faced was adapting to a new academic system. After living and studying in the United States for a few years, I struggled when I returned and realised I was far behind my peers. I created a rigorous study plan and consulted my teachers regularly to close the gap. The experience taught me to adapt quickly and face challenges with resilience — a mindset that will be invaluable when dealing with the complexities of community needs in the public sector!”
– Yee Ying Yi, PA Scholar
