Many people tend to misunderstand my school. They say that the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) means “it’s the end”. But for me, I can say that some of the memories I made in ITE were the best, and I don’t regret enrolling myself in here.

The journey wasn’t an easy one because there were many things I hadn’t expected. My journey through ITE was filled with tests from God, from considering whether to apply, to what course I should join, right down to whether I’d be able to make it to a polytechnic. 

I’ve just graduated from the Nitec in Opticianry course, so let me share what I’ve learnt along the way, especially when participating in the EAE (Early Admissions Exercise) to poly. 

Back in June 2019, I submitted an EAE application for an Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) poly course.

My family and church friends have long known about my dream of working in a childcare centre with kids running around, for I’ve always found joy in teaching children.

So I applied for ECDE, believing that this was God’s plan for me. And as I submitted my application, I told God: “If You want me to get into this course, then let me get selected for an interview.”

Eventually I scored an interview, but the interviewer’s questions weren’t what I had foreseen. Though I felt discouraged, I trusted that God would still make a way.

I prayed daily after that, until the day when I would find out whether I got a placing in ECDE for the 2020 April intake.

As I waited in faith, I had high hopes that I would get a spot. I told God “no matter what the outcome is, I know that Your plans are higher than my plans,” and I held on to Hebrews 11:6a: “And without faith it is impossible to please God.”

My classmates who had also applied for EAE were also nervously expecting their interview results. They managed to get into courses of their choice, and I was happy for them.

But when it was my turn to find out, a sense of anxiety came upon me. I received the message that I didn’t get into the course I wanted. I tried to praise God in the moment, but I found it difficult. 

Just then, tears began to flow down my face as my friends tried to console me. I was thankful for that, but thoughts began to slowly sink into my mind: “Why did God choose me to go for the interview? Why do I always dream about teaching in childcare?”

Doubt had started to grow within me.

But through this episode, I eventually came to see that God wanted me to trust Him even in disappointment, and see that He has greater plans for me.

Now that I’m over that bump in the road, I’m waiting to apply for the Joint Poly Admission Exercise (JPAE) in end February. For JPAE, admission into courses is based on merit and course vacancies. As someone who’s obtained a Nitec in Opticianry, I was surprised that there were only nine poly courses for me to choose from.

I’m at a crossroads when it comes to which course to apply for. Sometimes I think to myself: “It’s so good how my other friends who got into EAE no longer need to worry about whether they can get into poly. And then there’s me trying to figure out my next phase of life.”

It also doesn’t help that my final semester’s GPA isn’t the best compared to others. But I can confidently say that what I got was what God provided for me. He gave me the strength to go through the difficult moments during the past two years in ITE. He blessed me with friends and teachers. He even blessed me with unmerited favour in practical tests! 

God will lead the way as I trust Him for what is ahead.

We don’t know what is ahead of us until we experience it. What is ahead may be scary, but it’s exciting at the same time because God is with us. God will provide for all our needs in life so we don’t need to fear!

I will end my story with this verse from Hebrews 11:1 which reads: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

As I continue the next phase of my life, God will lead the way as I trust Him for what is ahead. We only need to surrender to God and let Him bring us through it.

Truly, He knows what is best for us.