From Stress to Success in Singapore: How First Principles Education's Unique Approach Transforms Learning

Known for its rigorous academic standards, Singapore's education model is among the best in the world, but at what cost? Singaporean parents and students are among the most stressed in the world. Students in Singapore take the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), equivalent to our Eleven-plus, as well as the same GCE O Levels and A Levels examinations we take in the UK. This striking parallel to our educational system makes it a valuable case study for us to learn from.

In search of answers, we have studied the pioneering work of First Principles Education, a leader in study skills education-technology based in Singapore. Unlike traditional methods such as tuition classes focusing only on grades, First Principles Education’s approach uses its proprietary “Singapore Scholars Self-Starter Suite” to help students nurture long-term study habits for lifelong success.

Their groundbreaking research with over a thousand Singapore students has also uncovered six crucial study habits responsible for top students consistently outperforming regular students. First Principles Education’s founder and CEO, Emil Lim, coined these habits as “Diamond Study Skills’ for their unbreakable and eternal nature. Their strategies and success stories offer proven solutions that could be highly beneficial for students grappling with similar academic and emotional challenges.

In this article, we delve into the hidden struggles hurting children and explore how First Principles Education’s study skills mentoring has led to remarkable transformations for thousands of students in Singapore. Their success stories might just hold the answers to help us navigate our educational landscape.

Many students carry a heavy burden of self-doubt, especially when academic performance doesn't meet high expectations. It's a common scenario in Singapore's competitive education system. When grades fall short, these young minds often internalize failure, thinking, “I’ll never be good enough.” This mindset is not just disheartening; it can deeply affect motivation and interest in learning.

At First Principles Education, they observed such patterns all the time. To solve this, they implement strategies that focus on building self-confidence. Their study skills, modelled after the same study methods used by Singapore's Top 1% of students, are simple and powerful. Within weeks, a fast transformation begins. Students start shedding the weight of self-doubt and embrace a “champion’s mindset”.

One of their students, a P3 boy with dyslexia, exemplifies this change. His mother, an ex-principal of a learning centre, witnessed a remarkable shift in him. "After struggling for years, my boy now has a growth mindset with more confidence in himself. I am surprised by his fast transformation and his 'I can do it' attitude," she shares.

By showing students how to easily study like the top students, their approach focuses on building up a student’s confidence and helping them see that anyone can become a highly effective learner with the right study skills. This philosophy has seen remarkable success, with students reporting increased self-esteem and First Principles Education was recently awarded by the Academy of Singapore Teachers for upskilling school teachers in this approach.

The journey of education isn’t just about the student; it also significantly impacts the parent-child relationship. In Singapore, when a child falls behind academically, it's natural for parents to sign up for many tuition classes or start supervising and nagging at their child. 

Despite these efforts, progress can be minimal and this dynamic can create an unhealthy dependency. It strains the relationship, turning it from warm embraces and "I love yous" to resentful "Leave me alone" exchanges. Studies suggest that such relationships can lead to increased rebelliousness during teenage years.

One approach used by First Principles Education is to focus on developing ‘autopilot habits’ for homework and studies, reducing the need for parental nagging. Their “Singapore Scholars Self-Starter Suite” is a bespoke toolkit combining neuroscience-proven study skills and digital tools to help students apply the best methods easily and consistently.

This approach not only fosters independence in students but also helps in healing and strengthening the parent-child bond. Colette, a busy working mom of a P5 girl, experienced this firsthand. "I don’t have to nag so much and my girl is more independent. All the other tutors have failed to help my girl self-study without nagging from me," she reflects.

First Principles Education’s approach is similar to James Clear’s Atomic Habits Framework, using the science of the human brain to figure out the easiest way for someone to stick to their habits. This approach has successfully reduced the need for constant parental supervision and nagging, reducing household tensions. 

A common concern for many parents, not just in Singapore but worldwide, is relying too much on tuition. Some families in Singapore spend thousands every month on tuition alone. But is this always the right approach? Consider this: tuition can be like taking painkillers for a persistent headache—it offers temporary relief but doesn't address underlying issues. This reliance on tuition can instil a belief in students that they can't succeed on their own, and that will only continue to harm their already low confidence.

The team of study skills mentors at First Principles Education challenges this norm. They encourage students to develop self-reliance, fostering skills that transcend the classroom. The goal is for the child to say, "I can study on my own. I don’t always need a tutor watching over me." Celeste, a mother of a P6 boy, found this approach transformative. "If I had joined your program earlier, it would have saved me thousands of dollars on tuition fees," she said, reflecting on the newfound independence her son experienced.

First Principles Education focuses on equipping students with the skills to learn independently, providing valuable resources to help them score confident grades with zero tuition. Of course, this approach works exceptionally well in Singapore due to its highly effective public education system. This shift away from depending on tuition has proven beneficial, with students gaining confidence in their ability to tackle academic challenges on their own.

The company your child keeps can profoundly impact their attitudes towards studying and personal growth. It's a common concern among parents in Singapore: the fear that their child's friends might be leading them astray. But the solution isn't as simple as telling your child to find new friends, which could make your child hate you for dismissing their friends.

First Principles Education tackles this issue differently. They introduce role models—'Big Brother' and 'Big Sister' mentors—who embody the positive attributes that parents want to instil in their children. These mentors are individuals whom your child can look up to.

Michelle, a P5 girl, found such a mentor in our program. She went from struggling with procrastination and low self-esteem to being admired by her friends for her improvements. Her mum proudly shared "I was shocked to see her doing homework without being told. It even happened on a weekend morning while I was still sleeping in. I am glad that she is picking up these habits from her role model mentor”

First Principles Education’s approach of introducing positive role models to act as 'Big Brother' and 'Big Sister' figures provides guidance and inspiration, helping students navigate peer pressures and influences. This method has been praised by parents for helping their children develop healthier social interactions that contribute to their academic success.

In the pursuit of academic excellence, it's easy to overlook what truly matters in the long run: character and good habits. In Singapore's education system, where results often take centre stage, we sometimes forget that these achievements are transient. A top score in PSLE or O Levels is commendable, but what stays with a child forever is their character and the habits they cultivate.

This is where First Principles Education diverges from conventional approaches. They emphasize developing essential 21st-century competencies like self-directed learning and collaborative skills. Their role model mentors, who are scholars and youth leaders, inspire students to adopt these values. Amelie, an O Level student, experienced a transformation through her mentorship. "I learnt from my mentor to never give up. I trusted the process and did my final revisions using all the techniques I was taught. I was initially sceptical but managed to turn it all around from my C grade to an A grade within 8 weeks from O Levels," she recalls.

First Principles Education’s methods address this gap by focusing on holistic development. By emphasizing not just academic skills but also the cultivation of good characters like perseverance, their students can be set up for success beyond school. This approach has received positive feedback from parents, who appreciate the emphasis on character, noting improvements in their children’s attitudes and behaviour.

Many Singaporean parents reach a point of despair after trying every possible solution for their child's academic challenges. From brain training courses to various enrichment programs, the journey is often tiring and fruitless. This sense of hopelessness can be overwhelming, as you start to feel like giving up on your child's future.

First Principles Education offers a beacon of hope in these situations. Their program’s “Diamond Study Skills” contains the six most crucial elements of study habits from years of research with actual top students in Singapore. The skills are all backed by the latest neuroscience research from top universities like Harvard and Stanford and are adopted by MOE schools in Singapore.

Phebee, the mother of a P6 boy, found success with their mentoring approach after a long struggle. "I even quit my job to teach my boy the neuroscience skills but it did not work. I am glad his mentor managed to help convince him to try the study skills. He got an almost perfect score for his recent paper that his teacher thought he must have cheated," she shared. 

First Principles Education’s fresh perspective provides a hopeful alternative solution for many parents who have felt despair and are at their wit's end. By introducing a young and relatable Singaporean mentor to deliver these skills, thousands of students have shown to be more receptive and convinced of a fresh new start. Such an approach has been praised for its ability to transform students’ study habits, reigniting both the students' and parents' belief in the possibility of a transformation.