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Why I Quit the PhD?

Just 6 months ago, I was ashamed whenever I told someone that I quit my PhD. I felt like a loser, not-smart-enough, not-persevering-enough and someone who gave up easily. Because of this stigma, I did not tell many people my story of why I left my PhD programme two-years into the thick of it. Today, I share my story in the hope that it can help someone who is thinking of doing a PhD or quitting one make a more informed decision...

Job Hunting is a Survival Skill

The report “Labour movement ‘must help workers transit into new jobs’” (April 26) mentioned the newer trends in the job market that deserve our attention and action. These include more frequent job transitions and a greater need for retraining, skills upgrading and career guidance. I wish to elaborate on the last point. Amid these changes, it is important to improve our workers’ job-hunting skills...

Hands Free Equalization for the Beginner and the Curious

The recommended equalization technique for freedivers is the Frenzel maneuver. The Frenzel is favored over the Valsalva, which is more commonly used by scuba divers, because the Valsalva maneuver uses greater force, and requires more effort and lung flexibility. There is another maneuver that receives less attention and is often not taught to freedivers – the hands free maneuver or the Beance Tubaire Volontaire (BTV) in French, or Voluntary Tubal Opening in English...

The Lost Islands of Singapore

When I was reading One For The Road by local writer Julian Davison, an island called “Pulau (Malay for island) Damar” was mentioned. Davison used to visit this island with his family. He recalled wading thigh-deep in the clear waters of the coral reefs and observing all manner of interesting marine life at his feet. A day at P. Damar was like a visit to the countryside. Little inlets, along a palm-fringed coastline led to Malay kampungs, half-hidden amongst trees. One could stay the night in a seaside bungalow fully accompanied by the therapeutic sounds of gently crashing waves and the scent of salty seaweeds...