Dear You,

If your A-Levels didn't turn out as expected, you might be feeling a sense of hopelessness. But before you lose all hope, I would like to share my journey from messing up my A levels to graduating from NUS with a scholarship, and obtaining an honours with distinction in Economics.

Back in 2017, I received my A-Level results. Personal challenges during my JC years meant I couldn't dedicate myself fully to my studies, and unsurprisingly, my grades weren't enough for any local university courses. Coming from a reputable JC, I felt incredibly isolated, not knowing anyone who had faced a similar setback. I didn't know what to do next. Should I just apply for a private university? Should I retake A levels?

When I sought advice from my teachers, they cautioned me against retaking, highlighting that a significant majority (~80%) of private candidates don't improve their scores. However, after carefully weighing my options, I decided to go ahead at retaking A levels. I decided that I was going to beat the odds. I committed to working harder, staying more focused, and being more disciplined than ever before. There was no room for doubt; I was determined to excel on my second attempt.

Fast forward to many many years later, that decision paid off, and I didn't let myself down.

Yet, even after years of university, internships, and professional experiences, retaking the A-Levels remains the most challenging endeavour I've undertaken. The absence of a structured school environment meant I had to be self-disciplined, without regular exams or checkpoints to gauge my progress. However, the toughest part was the emotional solitude—without peers on the same journey, I felt incredibly lonely. At one point, tuition even became my weekly highlight, because that was the only time I got to meet others who were braving A levels together with me!

Fun fact: My private candidate experience even became an important narrative during my scholarship interview, as I used my journey to show that I was someone who was incredibly resilient! And yes, I landed the scholarship.

I'm not here to decide for you whether to retake the A-Levels. But if you decide to commit fully to retaking, and to work harder than you ever have your entire life, then I want to be here to journey with you.

This is the vision behind the Retakee Programme I have created. My goal is to provide you with a supportive, structured environment, top-notch resources, and a sense of community. I’m here to help you defy the odds and join the 20% of students who improve their results on their second attempt, if you will let me.

If I can you do, so can you.

Yours faithfully,
Ms. Katherine