The Eye: Issue 3

The Eye

Singapore American School Issue 3 May 2024

Competitive Culture

From the Playgrounds to the Cubicle

Sebin Kim (9)

Amidst our playground days, recess games including zombie tag mark the beginning of our desire to be the last man standing. Despite the unforgettable frigid strike in our throats and pounding sensation in our heads; we endured that hellish pacer test for 30 minutes to be on top. With an average speed of 100 miles per hour, we answered endless math problems to acquire the privilege of bragging rights and proudly notified everybody that “that was so easy ”

The familiar desire to win consequently conceals our knowledge of virtue and exposes an overly competitive version of ourselves

This mysterious thrill that arbitrarily emerges fuels us with satisfaction and lifts us above to be sat on a pedestal With ounces of ambition that surpass the clouds and dreams that transcend our fantasies, our desperations grow Those wishful dreams transform into needs–a drug we cannot turn down While it’s no longer a matter of “not coming last,” this sprint evolves into a marathon that reveals a cutthroat battle Contestants throw rocks, destroy pathways, and take shortcuts to prevail victoriously and boast about their “hard work ”

Meaningless yet highly valued competitions, originating from our childhoods continue to shape our standard lives The competitive nature of society forces students to compete against each other ruthlessly The thought of potentially demolishing an individual’s or a fellow schoolmate’s ambitions somehow doesn’t matter anymore

But is this worth it?

It’s generally known that words hold different meanings Therefore, it’s essential to acknowledge that self-drive and selfdetermination differentiate from self-serving acts that consequently disserve others

The textbook definitions of “self-drive” and “selfdetermination” explicitly clarify that one takes action for oneself with the intention of self-improvement. However, instead of prioritizing fulfilling personal goals, the thought of “winning” becomes increasingly more tempting rather than selfimprovement. In essence, virtuous fundamentals seemingly wandered out of one’s mind–leaving self-indulged qualities behind.

Moreover, a recent CNA article uncovered the grueling, brain-numbing reality of students experiencing test anxiety due to an absurdly competitive school atmosphere. The heavy weight of the upcoming assessments becomes overwhelming, and students begin experiencing haunting, scarring nuances Thinking it’s too late to fight against the system, students are confined to an endless cycle that encourages unhealthy competitiveness

More specifically, students attending SAS similarly define and express their concern for SAS’s ridiculously competitive culture While adapting and entering a new division, students began to freely express their dissatisfaction regarding our school’s competitive culture as it contradicts the perception of an ideal school environment Sharing similar beliefs, a 9th-grade student expresses their noticing concerning our school conditions

“I think SAS has an extremely over-competitive culture even in elementary school, I’ve noticed that there’s a lot of pressure in academics and being the best-performing student now in high school, everyone seems to be comparing everyone part of who you’re seen as are your grades, which is a lot of over competitiveness… I’ve gotten used to it [SAS’s competitive culture] and students kind of have to suck it up at this point because we can’t do anything about it anymore. I have accepted it.”

Students have reached a point of acceptance in regard to the competitive nature of SAS. The general acceptance of consistent anxiousness, aspiring to outdo our peers, and purposefully undermining others spread like a virus throughout our so-called “belonging school environment.”

We, as a community, have reached a low point – correction, rock bottom.

The acceptance of a toxic competitive culture, regardless of its indirect perks, is amiss, to say the least.

In the wise words of Louis Pasteur, an accomplished inventor, “The secret that has led me to my goals [is that] my strength lies solely in my tenacity.” Thus, the continuation of playground competitions concludes today as we can tie our own shoelaces and immerse ourselves in new games.

Issue 3

Student Spotlight: Shivani Nayyar

From Mumbai to Everywhere

Reflections of a Third Culture Kid

Shivani Nayyar (11)

Layout: Farizia Karanjia (11)

I stretched my hand out in front of me, fingers hovering over the doorbell The loud ringing sound I was so familiar with sounded in my ears Before I knew it, I was sitting stiffly in my Dadi’s living room for the first time in three years, surrounded by family, yet feeling like a complete stranger to everyone around me My dadi’s house remained unchanged, with its sunken-in chairs, old marble floors, and parathas cooking on the tava The smell of haldi in the humid, dusty air, the green of the shisham trees and the small crack in the second step on the way up to the door were all the same, but I wasn’t I had grown up since my last visit before the pandemic, but I didn’t truly understand how much until then. Faking a smile, I felt my cheeks getting sore from relatives squeezing them and saying beta, I remember you when you were only this small!. Overwhelmed by anxiety, I listened to the loud conversations around me in Hindi and Punjabi mixed in with the cacophony of laughter. As I sat there not being able to understand a word of it, it all felt wrong, like I didn’t deserve to be there. This is supposed to be my home, I thought, but instead I felt like a fish out of water.

I often find myself wondering how to fit my identity inside a box so that it’s easy for people to understand me, when I don’t even understand myself.

This was the beginning of a series of desperate attempts to figure out this funny thing of ‘identity’. I had always felt a slight awkwardness in answering the inexorable, “where are you from?” question. However, in recent years this question, whenever asked, fills me with a deep sense of shame, shame that curls around my bones and wraps itself around the skin. Pico Iyer, British Novelist, once said that “being part of no society means one is accountable to no one” I feel this captures how many expatriates feel because we are always on the move, never staying in one place long enough for it to truly be a home I have been trained to adapt to any environment, to feel comfortable in the midst of change accompanied by loneliness I often find myself wondering how to fit my identity inside a box so that it’s easy for people to understand me, when I don’t even understand myself

I was born in Mumbai, India, and left soon after to China, then America, then Singapore I didn’t get to experience living in India, leaving me with a dull, empty feeling of a home that never was My Indianness has always been this obscure concept to me, something I feel even guilty to claim, seeing as I never lived there, I don’t speak the language, and I only visit one or two times a year We celebrated Diwali every year, but even still I didn’t feel any deep connection to India, it was merely a constant shadow over my being I was hanging on to my Indian identity by a thread attached to my passport and the Aadhaar card of my so-called citizenship; the skin of my ancestors felt like it wasn’t meant for my body Like I was betraying them, somehow I’m sure that many of you reading this, as third culture kids, can relate to this experience, feeling like no matter where you go you don’t truly belong I’m sure many of you have been in the same situation as me, visiting the country of your birth or where you are supposedly “from”, without feeling any strong ties to it Feeling left out and awkward, not really knowing what you’re supposed to do except smile and pretend everything is normal

To tell you the truth, I am still dealing with the inevitable guilt and feelings of unworthiness that seep into my thoughts whenever I visit India, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve realised that constantly dwelling on everything that supposedly makes me “less Indian” is a waste of time

Instead of wishing that my life could have been different, that I had lived there or spoken the language, I should be appreciating the culture I was born into, and be grateful for how moving around has shaped me as a person Even though the lack of one place to call home sometimes makes it impossible to feel grounded, it has given me the privilege of traveling the world, making life-long friendships, and being able to change within new environments My identity, though complicated, is not a burden, but a gift I feel it in all the music I’ve listened to and the Bollywood movies I’ve watched. The friends I’ve hugged goodbye to, the books I’ve read, the hotel pillows I’ve slept on, the beaches I’ve swum in, the food I’ve eaten, every time I’ve seen the sun rise on opposite sides of the world. Yes, whenever I travel somewhere new, I am bound to feel uncertain, craving some sense of belonging. And yes, truthfully, my skin sometimes still feels too tight, raw and awkward on my body. Perhaps I will never escape this lingering feeling of unworthiness; in fact, I am learning to embrace it. My home is everywhere, and yet nowhere at all. My identity is not, and probably never will be transparent, or easy to put in that box my younger self so desperately wanted to shove it in. Identity is multifaceted and often confusing; it can be influenced by various factors and subject to change over the course of one’s life. I am continuously growing and learning how to let the different parts of my identity coexist, no matter if they make sense together or not. I am beginning to realise that I don’t have to conform to a particular stereotype to be Indian, and I don’t even have to fully understand who I am yet.

Let’s Talk about Houses

Nicholas Matvey (9)

A sea of purple, blue, and black shirts fill the gym as chatter and laughter echo throughout the bleachers A cowbell rings in the distance and flags hang high with the legendary house names Teachers direct excited students where to sit and excitement rings in the air for the long-awaited house assembly However there is one key detail I forgot to mention regarding this scene: It’s a middle school assembly However, in high school, with the stress of grades, college, sports, and friends surrounding high school life, house competition has fallen down on many people’s to-do list

As I mentioned earlier, high school life has so many different areas of stress and management: Wondering if you’ll make the IASAS roster, studying for that final until your eyes fall out, writing day after day for that college application essay. It’s a lot for an adolescent to handle. A house competition with no actual prize isn’t tempting to spend time or stress on. On house shirt days you see barely anyone wearing their house shirt in high school but a tremendous amount in middle school. I believe middle schoolers care more about houses because middle school isn’t nearly as taxing as high school. Therefore, middle schoolers tend to wear their house shirts more since if you have less overall stress, you tend to focus more on the less important aspects of school. But in high school, our priorities become more evident. Next, the whole point of house competition is to increase school spirit and morale; But in high school, we have so many IASAS programs that fulfill our school spirit I would argue that IASAS spirit is better than house spirit because house spirit relies on divisiveness, while IASAS spirit builds on unity as a school Since IASAS arguably inspires much more school spirit than house competition, said competition is kicked to the curb in favor of the booming drums, tall podiums, and medals of IASAS

Since there is no award for winning the house competition, it makes it even more unappealing to students to waste time and energy on trying to earn house points As we get older we start to question more what we get out of a situation, especially in the stressful life of high school If house points are something the school cares very much about despite student opinion, even something as simple as a party in the gym at the end of the year for the winning house competition could make all the difference to motivate our students

The popularity of houses is a hard thing to control on the part of school admin But I implore you all to question the relevance of house competition in high school given the reasons above

Krishnan DidiHari HouseSystem 2020 SingaporeAmericanSchool

Layout: Daniel He (9)

Elliot Loh (10)

You vs. Tests

How to Excel at Studying

By Jenna Lee (9)

In a school that emphasizes academic rigor and competitiveness, students are often seen struggling with their classes. I’ve witnessed my peers desperately memorizing their AP Biology terms, or rewriting a thousand-word essay the day before it’s due In addition, the wide variety of extracurriculars and athletics gives a student nearly no time to rest, and no time to study The whole concept of “excelling”, therefore, almost sounds impossible

But amidst these struggles, one may find it shocking how simple excelling at school is. In fact, is is incredibly straightforward I’ve gathered tips and tricks from my experience, as well as from upperclassmen who’ve succeeded all throughout high school. The following tips may aid you tremendously with that journey, so without further ado, here are my three tips:

Tip 1: Finding structure in school and studying.

Excelling at studying begins with excelling at planning and finding structure If you find that your schedule fluctuates immensely depending on the day and week, begin by creating a concrete time table on mandatory events of each day; for instance, if you were certain you had baseball practice every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 4-6, you would block out those times on your timetable Then, find patterns where you had free blocks of time to study; for this scenario, you could say from 3:00-4:00 and 7:00 onwards. These time blocks should be palatable chunks of time, and if possible, remember to leave room for breaks and slower days where studying may take longer Having such concrete plans which also calculate for transition times and breaks allow our minds to follow a fixed schedule, excluding room for procrastination and excuses. During shorter sessions, in order to identify which tasks should be completed first, learn to prioritize shorter and near-future tasks first while leaving longer projects and essays for remaining time to optimize time.

Tip 2: Pacing your studying.

During studying itself, it is crucial to space your workload up through creating timeframes to rest and change scenery. Research from Cornell Health proves that breaks, ranging anywhere between minutes to hours, have the ability to increase focus and energy, creating more purposeful studying blocks rather than attempts to retain information that will likely be forgotten. I also suggest pacing the workload itself. Like stated above, shorter and “concrete” tasks (for instance, 30 minutes of reading a book, 10 questions in your math textbook) should be tackled first, as a relative timeframe will already be attached, while longer period tasks, such as essays and projects, can be tackled with remaining time

Tip 3: Active studying and review.

Instead of attempting to stuff a full concept into your headdeemed “passive studying”- research encourages students to adopt active learning methods, which refer to the gradual incorporation of new concepts into the brain in layers To do so, I have three methods that I find helpful: flashcards, mind mapping, and practice questions. Rather than note taking, which focuses on clarifying information in comparison to applying it, practice questions adopt concepts into the learning process itself, and mind mapping can allow a student to grasp which topics they are familiar with and vice versa. Flashcards are my personal favorite; I can use them to learn vocabulary words, understand concepts, and apply them to my learning, depending on which aspect I’d like to focus on.

Ultimately, though finding a thorough understanding on the art of studying is pivotal, it is important to note that every student has a different schedule, perspective, and starting point to finding a routine, and therefore, I cannot stress enough the importance of creating an independent schedule that caters to your own specific needs Through these tips, I strongly believe that it is possible to create that very individualized routine, and truly wish you well in your academic endeavors!

The New York Times Ignition To The Grindset

Why The New York Times Daily Games Help Facilitate Focus

Azara Mathur

(10)

My work ethic is perpetually overshadowed by my inability to concentrate. My brain works in circles, aimlessly spiraling in a cluttered mess contained within my skull. In the 4th quarter stretch, zoning in on my classes has been a bit of a task; there’s been far too much to think about, attend, and volunteer for. Somehow, I’ve found the remedy to my troubles in the New York Times daily online games It seems counterintuitive to say that the one thing that helps me focus is a 5-7 minute obstruction to my actual classwork, but I swear my school day only starts after completing the Connections, Wordle, Mini Crossword, and (now) Strands

While I believe in the figurative and physical value of making your own bed, it’s hardly a cognitive activity. Us students need relevant challenge to generate academic momentum; we need to grease our cognitive gears before grinding it out These puzzles act as a source of micro-stimuli, which recall basic skills, such as language, and pose them in challenging and engaging ways. We get to think, but not too hardly, about how to categorize words and organize letters Each individual game is a mini puzzle We are rewarded (with that catchy jingle) just for finishing after scanning our brains for our lexicons and pop-culture references. It’s casual, nonstrenuous mental activity that teases us and provides us with a sense of accomplishment. The habit of puzzling has been shown to boost productivity and improve metacognitive skills within students What better way could there be to start the day?

When you’re struggling to face your English essay head-on, a common rule of productivity entails tasking yourself with an easy job before completing your main one. An example of this phenomenon is William McRaven’s principle about making your bed before work/school By making your bed, you are completing a task and setting up the basis of your day through an action you perform right after waking up It revolves around the ideology of doing the 'little things' right, which opens up the possibilities for tackling the 'big things'. I’d like to apply and modify this logic to the context of a school day. By contesting why we can collectively use the New York Times daily games as a driving force to getting through the school day.

School is a mentally tolling place, as we encroach open the daunting territory that is AP exams and finals, we need to utilize creative ways of getting and staying motivated. I personally find that there is no better incentive than a taste of success The puzzles make us struggle a little, and not mindlessly click or scroll at things These games enable us to get a bite-sized preview of the critical thinking, competence, and problem-solving skills we use on the daily.

Computer and online games have a bad reputation at our school, especially since the Tetris epidemic of middle school. However, we need to collectively overcome these stigmas and strengthen our Wordle streaks. Completing these games on a daily basis is like a jog for your brain, which warms us up for the sprints of the day, It’s possible I’m trying to justify my favorite pastime as an academic activity, but the New York Times is singlehandedly holding the keys to my sputtering brain. Make use of your schoolsponsored NYT account, go play Connections,

Layout: Ashima Oza (10)

WHY SAS RE-IMAGINED?

Mary Villaruz (10) Elizabeth Krause (10)

With the sounds of construction echoing throughout the school hall, we, like probably most of you, were wondering: why is SAS being reimagined? Why has the classic single classroom setup been deemed old-fashioned? We appreciate the bright new classrooms and whiteboard desks but also get distracted by people walking by These occurrences led us to want to examine the why’s behind classroom setups changing, the pros and cons

There are many positives to the new classroom spaces including a boost of flexibility, choice, and creativity in the student’s learning experience Centennial Schools, a private school in South Africa, found that their learning hubs accommodate both group and individual learning styles, and when the teacher allows the student to choose which learning experience they want When the student feels they have control they are likely to apply themselves more to the lesson Furthermore, socialization comes with flexibility in seating Depending on the way the teacher sets up the desk students get a chance to work with many of their peers Career teachers found that when choice is present in the student's learning journey it can boost creativity From a whiteboard desk to a notebook students get to take control in the new learning spaces Jennifer Lee, a CBC news reporter, found that the new double classrooms also promote socializing as there are more kids Additionally, Centennial Schools have found standing up during lessons can help students focus and be overall healthier We have seen this in SAS as vertical whiteboard time was added into the math curriculum which we and many other students have found to help us stay actively learning Although, Ms Gowan, a Humanities 9 teacher, stated that “what the teachers gain in flexibility we lose in making the classrooms our own ” This can result in spaces that feel less comfortable for the teachers and students In summary, the new learning environment is helping students take control of their learning journey through different accommodations and choices

These positives can easily be overlooked by the negatives, we’ll set the scene How many of us have watched out the window distracted by the stream of students walking by our class? Wondering where they are going as they prance past our glass windows Kate Markovich (10) stated, “In the new math classroom I struggle to stay focused because of people walking by which is especially annoying during an assessments ” Glass classrooms do little to assist our learning, instead, they take our attention away from the teacher and are a pain in instances like a lockdown drill Monica Stanton at Trinity College found a similar issue with her classes, noting that the visible pedestrian traffic poses a tricky predicament, whether or not to ignore your friend walking by Without realising these classrooms are taking our attention from the teacher to the walls waiting to see who next will walk by Not only does the wall design prompt distraction but, the new classes can be overstimulating, with all the patterns and vibrant colors

The mix of bright yellow couches and blue-painted walls can be construed as too much, causing restlessness and an inability to focus. The exact opposite of the calmness and creativity they are trying to promote, according to Sensory.com.

As we see in our new spaces, a ton of different options are offered for students to do independent or small work activities, but we see these classrooms become reliant on technology TVs and projectors hang from the ceilings and as opposed to books and papers being handed out The language changes from "Can I borrow a pencil?” to a surplus of “It’s attached in your drop folder,” and “Let me share the doc with you ” Implementing too much technology into our learning spaces can create a dependency on them to complete our assignments, being online in every class creates the irresistible pull to grasp onto other means of getting our work done, like the use of ChatGPT or a reliance on Grammarly every time we need to check our spelling

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3

Lifestyle Opinion

WHY SAS RE-IMAGINED?

Mary Villaruz (10) Elizabeth Krause (10)

Lastly, the classroom sizes of these new reimagined spaces are much larger than the average classroom sizes. For example, the 9th grade hubs which challenge the past ideal for a traditional classroom. Many universities and colleges to this day promote smaller class sizes as a reason to attend, thinking that the promotion of a stronger teacher-student relationship and more hands-on help with learning is superior. However, we are now seeing the opposite in our schools, now students are bunched into hubs of 40 kids with 2 teachers, instead of a smaller environment of 20 students to one teacher A study by the National Education Association (NEA) found that “smaller classrooms increase the rate of learning for all students in the classroom ” They go on to note that classes with “13-17 students faired the best, while classes with 22-25 students began to significantly fall behind.” This would directly contrast our new imagined school where students are bunched into classes of 40 with 2 teachers Instead, we should focus on having a more hands-on learning environment, with smaller groups, more engaged students, and more direct conversations between teachers and students.

In conclusion, for the most beneficial, fast-paced, and engaging education possible. SAS should work to incorporate the beneficial resources from the reimagined classes whilst also maintaining some of the classic classroom designs and principles. Standing whiteboards can be incorporated into spaces with cement walls and paper worksheets, and a more discussion-based curriculum can promote student and teacher collaboration while making the classroom feel more hands-on

Layout: Aarya Shenoy

(9)

Snack Smart

As exam season approaches more time is demanded towards our academics, leaving us with little time for mindful eating. It's easy to reach for quick fixes like chips & and chocolates to curb cravings & find comfort whilst stressed. However this tendency isn't exclusive to solely exam season but is a prevalent habit in our school. Unhealthy snacks flood our campus daily, creating a challenging environment for students trying to make healthy choices. In order to recognize the importance of supporting students' well-being, our school needs to take action to reduce the availability of junk food, while increasing the variety of nutritious options.Thereby prioritizing the health and well-being of our students ensuring they have access to foods that nourish their bodies & brain.

Although the allure of unhealthy snacks may seem irresistible, the consequences they have on our bodies & brains mustn't be overlooked Unhealthy food can impair cognitive functions & lead to multiple diseases. For instance, “Junk food laden diets have been shown to reduce neuroplasticity – which is essential for us to form new memories and learn new things rapidly, impairing cognitive functions” (RMIT University) Cognitive function is essential for learning, including memory, attention, and problem-solving abilities, which are all essential factors for our success in school When consuming unhealthy food high in sugars and unhealthy fats, cognitive function is impaired. It leads to inflammation in the brain, hindering neural connections vital for learning and memory, impending overall bodily health, contributing to obesity, heart disease, and diabetes, further compromising cognitive function

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Anahita Rastogi (10)

25 Healthy Snacks that are Fast and Easy, 2021, Kayla Itsines

Snack Smart

Anahita Rastogi (10)

As we consider the detrimental effects of unhealthy snacks, it's evident that prioritizing a healthy diet offers an abundance of benefits. A diet rich in nutritious foods not only supports physical health but also enhances cognitive function For example, “Individual nutrients, such as vitamins, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and flavonoids play an important role in the enhancement of cognitive performance amongst all.” (B. Klimova, Szymon T. Dziuba, A. Cierniak-Emerych) Nutrients like vitamins, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and flavonoids are present in a variety of healthy foods Vitamins, such as B vitamins and antioxidants like vitamin C and E, are crucial for maintaining brain health and cognitive function. They help nerves function, produce brain chemicals, and guard brain cells from harm Similarly, polyunsaturated fatty acids called omega-3s (found in fish, flax, and nuts) are key to creating and maintaining cell membranes (the outer boundary of cells). They also enhance cellular communication between brain cells and yield neuroplasticity (the brain's ability to adapt and form new connections) which is key for learning and memory. Furthermore Flavonoids, in fruit, veggies, tea, and dark chocolate, contain anti-inflammatory properties to fight off damage and swelling. They improve blood flow to the brain, protect against neurodegeneration (brain decline) and enhance synaptic plasticity,(the ability of neuron connections to strengthen or weaken over time) all of which contribute to better cognitive performance.

As we approach our upcoming exam season, it's essential for us to keep in mind the impacts our dietary choices have on both our bodies & brains By prioritizing healthy snacks as opposed to unhealthy snacks, we not only support our overall well-being but also enhance our ability to perform better academically and in other aspects of our life. So, now as we combat the pressures of exams and daily life, let's remember to nourish ourselves with foods that fuel our bodies and brains for optimal success

Top Ten Foods for Health, UCSF