PE Classes: The most difficult subject??? By Kanav Arora

Another aspect of this scholarship worth mentioning would be the PE classes or the Physical Education Classes. I would not consider them any lesser than the normal classes. Twice in a week i had to overcome my physical limits under the scorching sun doing all sorts of things like running, jumping, push ups, sit ups and probably everything. And the repercussions lasted for the whole week with cramps and pain in abdomen and legs. It would be tuff for some guys especially if you are not the athletic type ones.

First, the reason for the emphasis on physical education. Apart from the stress on all round development and a healthy body, these classes are to help Singaporeans prepare for a compulsory National Service Programme after they complete their Junior College education. The international students would not be a part of this but still they are expected to take part in these classes like their other classmates.

The main component which would be very difficult and tiring is the 2.4 km run. For guys, the passing time is around 13 minutes and for girls like 18 minutes. I still remember the first time I started to run it and I was already panting having given up after only 1 km. the second most difficult is pull ups. You gotta raise ur chin above the bar 3 times but trust me its not easy( for girls they just have to raise their chin while lying down...) I have friends who could not even do a single one after 2 years. I also belonged to this category for a year or so but finally I managed to do enuff to give me a Silver Medal. There are some other components too along with these but they are not that tuff. At the end of two years, you have to sit (ok not Sit. Run, stretch, etc etc) for all the components of the test at once and if you succeed in passing all the components, you are assured of a bronze medal, else fail.

Well, I would not say it is difficult for all. People who have experience in running and have gone through a rigorous physical training program should not find any problem. Well I should rephrase and change 'people' to only 'boys' because I think it is not all all tuff for girls ( thats the only time I wish i was a girl) and i have already given enuff examples of the apparent partiality.

In the end, i would jus like to say prepare urself mentally. It would be tuff, but then I daresay its not fun. Once you are used to it, you would not mind this and actually it does keep you fit. To give all the GUYS some hope, i was a typical scholar who had seldom experienced any form of physical torture before. I struggled but in the end managed to win a Silver medal...

So jus carry on....