WHEN it comes time for the O levels, students make a beeline for Changi Airport.
No, they are not running away from exams, but rather, heading for the latest study haven for students - the airport's Terminal 3.
A check at Changi Airport last Tuesday afternoon found at least 42 groups - more than 100 students - studying at various nooks and crannies in the three different terminals, with the majority congregated in Terminal 3. Studying has intensified since the dreaded exams start on Oct 8.
Ms Linda Ming, senior communications manager, McDonald's Restaurants, confirmed that more students have been flocking to the airport outlets.
Amazingly, no one's complaining, unlike in the past, when students would hog seats in fast food restaurants and nurse a drink for hours.
McDonald's said it welcomed customers, including students, but appealed to them to be considerate about using tables for studying during peak hours.
With Changi Airport's plentiful options for food and drink, swotting students are no longer unwelcome because they spend money during each visit.
One of them, Hansel Tay, 17, revealed: "I spend on average $5 each time I study at McDonald's."
The Secondary 5 student from Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Road) was studying for his O-level examinations with two other friends at Terminal 3's McDonald's.
"I'm studying here because I want to eat at Popeyes after I'm done," said Lester Lee, 16, a Secondary 4 student from Tampines Secondary.
Fatin Syahirah, 16, who studies at T1's viewing mall says she "can focus better here as it's quiet".
T3, which started operations on Jan 9, is the latest hot spot for students to gather, with some 20 food and beverage outlets in its public area.
Some find it even more conducive than, say, going to the library.
Rachel Lee, 17, said: "The library is so crowded now I can't get even get a seat. And it takes me only 20 minutes to get here." The Secondary 4 student from a school in Bedok was also at T3's McDonald's.
Another factor that makes students head for Terminal 3 is its relative quiet. Just five airlines use T3 now.
Caleb Castro, 16, likes the comfortable Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf at T3. "There are sofas here," he said.
There's no reason why students should not study at some place like the airport, said Madam Violet Ng, an English and English Literature teacher at Holy Innocents' High School.
She said: "If a student comes from a noisy environment at home, studying at the airport with a few motivated friends might be a better option. Otherwise, studying alone at home or at the library can be just as effective."
Mugging nooks and crannies in the airport
FAST FOOD JOINTS
Fast food joints are popular with students because of the easy access to cheap food.
In one afternoon alone, there were more than 10 groups of students spotted in each McDonald's outlet at Terminal 2 and Terminal 3.
Hansel Tay mostly studies here because he can get lunch, though he admits that "spending $5 to $6 each time on meals is expensive".
He has been chased away only once and that was because there were other customers who needed the space, so he was asked to move to the outdoor dining tables. There were also one or two groups at Burger King.
CAFES
Slightly more expensive than the fast food joints, students nevertheless prefer them because the seats are more comfortable and they can get something other than a soft drink.
There is a wide variety of cafes to choose from, such as Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Starbucks and The Coffee Connoisseur in all three terminals.
They are a popular choice because they fill up less quickly than fast food restaurants, said Hansel.
VIEWING MALLS
You don't need to fear getting chased out of the viewing malls but it does mean you have to sit on the cold floor to study.
"My friends and I have never been chased away before," said Nur Syuhada Ismuni, 14, a Sec 2 student at Ping Yi Secondary. "And we tend to use a lot of space when we do our projects so the viewing mall is a good place for us."
This article was first published in IN DEPTH, The Straits Times on Sept 22, 2008.
