More and more of my friends got stressed out living in Singapore. Although it is trivial, what worried me is that people are getting overly committed in the competition and feeling more depressed while doing so.
Let's put down your assignments and think for a while. So, what about competition?
Singapore has a well-established system that cages talented people in the same place, forces them fiercely compete to each other and juicing economic rewards in the process. It is much harder to realize the harshness when you're in it; I was repeatedly told singapore's job market is among the hardest to break into. Therefore singapore talents (people like you readers) are bound to believe ""rising to the top"" is the sole purpose of life, and you did whatever it takes to win the game. However, such attitude is too narrow-minded and doesn't necessarily guarantee happiness. [1]
From my humble perspective, looking for more incremental material goals and spare yourself some room to relax will make you much happier than going all-in into studies/career/whatever you are TOLD to pursue. 5.0 or 4.5 CGPA difference are meaningless if you spent 24/7 in library. Having $1m or $100m doesn't matter if you don't have time for casual relationships. We, of course, have to stay within the system for living; but we can always take one step back, enjoy the process and have a happier life here.
Smartass in NTU like you should also beware of the ""winner bias"" - feeling theres always someone who is marginally better than you no matter how well you performed. This is akin to comparing yourself to NUS peers (disclaimer: illustrative example), and then to overseas universities of better ranking, all the way to Ivy leagues. You could spent all your whole life living by envying others, chasing over academic qualifications, corporate pedigree and material rewards; OR you could chart your own adventure and face with novel challenges, at the same time mock those monkeys who thrived for another boring résumé.
Food for thoughts.
