#Here&Now
Long last! The semester has finally wound down. With finals out of the way for all of us, we look back on the semester and wonder if we could have done anything better. For example: did we really need to spend so much time on Facebook looking at the lives of others, and did we really have to watch so many funny cat videos? One more common thought we hear occurring amongst students – I could have probably done better for that assignment if I had started earlier, and had enough time to consult my professors.
However, dwelling on “if only-s” doesn’t serve us well, it only leads us to conjuring up regrets, instead of looking forward to the future and doing better! In this post, we focus on the here and now, by consulting some seniors on the advice that they would give to their younger selves. The December break all but lasts a month, and it will fly by before you know it – never too early to start prepping for a better semester ahead.
We posed three key questions to our interviewees:
- What advice would you offer to your Year 1 self?
- What’s one thing you would have done differently if you could restart University?
- What’s the best decision you’ve made during your time in university?
Let’s hear it from the seniors!
“Consider balancing the easier and heavier modules out, and consult your seniors on module requirements if you know any. For the FASS students out there, you know how complicated the basket requirements can be! If I could do something differently, I would have joined a sports CCA in Year 1, plan to go for a student exchange programme (SEP) and any other overseas programs! In fact, my best decision in NUS was to sign up for summer school! Imagine if it had been SEP! Joining OWeek as a Year 1 student was also good, I made quite a few friends there. Taking modules with friends and doing modules at the honours level was fun too as I got to meet even more friends there” – Quek Li Jun, Year 4, CNM.
“I would tell my Year 1 self to be independent and try to new stuff such as staying on campus. If I could restart university, I would have stayed in a Hall. The best decision I’ve made in university is to join Crusades – CCAs are important!” – Abigail Lim, Year 4, Physics
“I would have applied to stay in a Hall definitely…. And tell myself not to take modules just because my friends are taking them. I would want to be more involved in even more school activities. Joining Arts OComm in 2015 would have been my best decision” – Tan Kai Qi, Year 4 CNM Student
“Making good use of your S/Us – that’s my advice! Learn how it works, so that you can use it well. I would have S/U-ed my B and B-. Studying harder would also be on the list. The best thing I’ve done in University would have been to learn how to play frisbee” – Madeleine Goh, Year 4, Business Analytics
“To my Year 1 self, please have fun and sleep more! If I could re-do university, I would learn a new language. The best decision I’ve made? Choosing not to do FYP!” – Qiao Jing, Year 4 Business Analytics
The common recurring theme we spotted here was that everyone would advise their younger selves to pick up a new skill – be it a new language or a new sport – and to get out more! Don’t get us wrong – while our studies are of paramount importance, life is so much more than your grades, and you are made up of much more of that. You are made of all your skills, your interests and your rich life experiences – which are most certainly not defined by your grades.
We can’t turn back time to right all our wrongs or regrets, but we can ensure that we get it right moving forward. To all those reading and who are in your first or second year of school – is there something you’ve always wanted to explore, but never got round to doing it? There’s still time as long as you are willing and there’s no time like the present; the here and now! Power up your laptop and start searching for a new activity to commit yourself to next semester!
