Kristen Yee – Class of 2025

For Kristen Yee (24-U6), learning is not just a classroom requirement, but a lifelong endeavour. From biomedical research and H3 Chemistry, to entering an economics essay competition, she inspires us with her pursuit of excellence across a wide range of disciplines. 

“My journey in EJ was filled with both higher highs and lower lows than any other period in my life thus far. The days sometimes felt long and tiring — rushing off from class to chemistry olympiad training at NUS, staying back in the canteen to draft an economics essay with a friend, struggling with obscure coding software for my research project — but they were also fulfilling, stretching me and giving me a chance to grow beyond the limits I thought I had. At the same time, in EJ, I felt as though possibilities were endless. Many of the unexpected programmes and activities I joined simply began from a “Why not?” and were never activities I ever foresaw myself doing. Being able to try everything and anything without fear of failure or judgment is what ultimately made my EJ journey so full of joy and something I will always remember fondly.

Two main groups of people motivated and inspired me during my time in EJ. The first, of course, were my friends, both old and new. Their support helped me stay balanced when I was questioning my identity as a learner and my path for the future. My teachers also played a big role: they crafted engaging lessons, were always willing to answer even the most far-fetched questions and encouraged me to join various competitions and programmes — even those in areas where I had little background, like an Economics essay competition. These experiences broadened my horizons and taught me so much — both about the various subjects and myself. 

One experience I would like to keep with me is learning not to judge a book by its cover. Throughout my EJ journey and specifically Project Work, I realised just how much my peers had to offer! It taught me to look beyond the surface, appreciate all our different strengths and weaknesses, and see how, together, everyone came together to create something unique and immeasurably better than what we could have done individually.”