From your personal experience, select ONE quality that you have acquired. Describe how you have acquired it and why that quality is important to you

500 words

Through the years, my experiences have allowed me to build on my resilience. My life motto - “Potest Qui Vult” (when there is a will, there is a way) - has shaped my attitude and encouraged me to pursue opportunities boldly, even in the face of adversities. As such being Resilient is one quality that I have acquired and have been essential in my life journey.

I would like to recall upon my first major setback in life, the PSLE. As a twelve year old who hardly ponders about the future and was more interested in instant gratification, I never had my priorities in check. Being a student athlete and the then Vice Head Prefect, though has allowed me to develop more holistically, have caused the focus on my academics to fade. Regrettably, my grades landed me in the Normal Academic Stream. As an impressionable teen, I was led to be convinced that the future was no longer promising. However I have never allowed myself to resign to fate, despite knowing that it would require an arduous amount of effort to redeem myself and get into the express stream, I developed the will to succeed. With a focused mind and a hunger for success, the mental barrier of excelling academically promptly faded and I began to appreciate the value of education. By the end of 2006, my principal recommended that It would be best to pursue my ‘O’ Level in the express stream. I accepted his recommendation and never looked back. The following year, I graduated from St Patrick’s School as the Head Prefect and Track Captain. I carried this resilient mind-set forward in my time at Victoria Junior College. I eventually graduated and was the college’s Track Vice-Captain. It was clear to me then, that if one has the will, he would eventually find the way despite setbacks and resilience is a vital quality to possess.

During my National Service my theory of resilience was further tested. I being was streamed to the Specialist Cadet School (SCS), against my desire of serving as an Officer. However, I crossed over midway through the course and commissioned as an infantry officer. I was also given an early promotion to the rank of Lieutenant during my tour as a Platoon Commander. Upon leaving the Army, I embarked on my first career as a Pilot Trainee with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and have advanced to the Basic Wings Course before being deemed as unsuitable for the vocation.

Being resilient is just one of the many one qualities that one should possess in order to do well. Given my inquisitive nature and willingness to learn I am confident that I would be able to excel in my studies as well as to contribute by representing the University in events, competitive sports and other activities. Moreover, the multi-faceted course would help develop my thinking skills and global mindedness. I earnestly look forward to being given the opportunity to study at UniSim.