AS 2024 beckons, participants of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) team share their hopes for the upcoming year. For updates on the BRATs programme, go to facebook.com/niebrats.
“2024 will be a year of uncertainty and exploration for me. Having completed my A-Levels this year, I now have a break until my tertiary programme starts in September.
Li Zhen
During this time, I will seize the opportunity to explore my interests in volunteering and internships, which were challenging to pursue during secondary school.
One thing I learnt transitioning from secondary school to college was that sometimes we just have to go with the flow.
That said, I’m both anxious and excited about what life has in store for me. Here’s to another trip around the sun!” – Ong Li Zhen, 19
“I have a lot planned for the new year as I started delving into the world of business and entrepreneurship this year. I look forward to working closely with my friends to turn our business into reality.
Charis
I know that it will be a bumpy journey with many moments of us questioning ourselves but it’ll all be an inspiring story we can share one day.” – Charis Chiang En-Hui, 20
“I’m definitely looking forward to more solo travel in 2024!
This year, I went on my first travel without my parents.
It was nerve-wracking as I had never travelled or taken a flight alone. Nevertheless, deciding to go on my first solo trip was one of the best decisions I’ve made.
Nieha
I hope to explore more of Malaysia first before venturing to the rest of the world, and ticking off a few places from my bucket list.” – Nieha Mitrallini, 20
“I can’t wait for new book releases and songs.
That said, I’ll be taking my A-Levels next April or May, so I’m definitely on pins and needles about that.
This year was fairly stressful with my International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examinations and the transition to college, but it was worth it. In 2024,
Hayley
I’ll be one step closer to adulthood and total independence, which will bring an entirely new set of challenges.” – Hayley Poh, 16“
This year has been one of the most stressful periods of my life.
I studied hard and tackled my IGCSE examinations one after the other. Next year, I will finally emerge from the secondary school life I know all too well.
I am planning to enrol in the Australian Matriculation (Ausmat) programme in college, which will give me more time to figure out what I want to do in the future.
Transitioning to college life will be challenging. I will shoulder more responsibilities, learn independence, and have no one else to manage my life but myself.
Even so, I am excited to discover where this new chapter of my life will take me.
I can’t wait to make new friends, experience new things, and learn more about myself and my life’s purpose. 2024, here I come!” – Alyson Wong Yan, 17
