A huge congratulations on getting into university! You’ve worked so hard and you deserve to be there!
Now your journey as a freshman begins in this new life chapter. There are probably some things that you’d want to know as you kick start your first semester in uni.
Don’t fret! Let me share with you what are some things I learnt as a freshie.
1. Attend your classes
Actually turning up for your classes. Yeah. It is easier said than done.
There is no mandatory attendance taking. This means it is on you to wake yourself up and drag yourself to school. That is if you can convince yourself to do so in the morning. Although, there is class participation (at least in NBS) to encourage going to class.
BUTTTT…
It can be so tough to wake up early in the morning. Become tempted to continue sleeping instead of going for that marketing lecture – I mean class in general. Been there, done that.
Okay so maybe there are some lectures that you can skip but almost everyone goes to class. So I suggest, you shouldn’t skip either.
Physical classes are so helpful, especially if you need clarification. Let’s face it, a face to face interaction beats online lecture any time of the day. Besides, if you are not consistent in watch your online lectures, everything backlogs.
BOO. This brings me to my second point.
2. Time Management
Ah yes, the golden phrase. Life in school can be really hectic if you don’t manage yourself well enough.
Especially now that you have free rein over the planning of your timetables. So these are some tips which you can use as you plan your schedules.
- Schedule your classes earlier in the day (AKA THE MORNINGS). Yes, you have not read me wrong! THE MORNING. I promise you, you will thank yourself later. When classes are scheduled in the afternoons, it is easy to waste the day away by waking up at 12 pm. After classes, you will be too tired to do anything else. So schedule them wisely. Just go for those morning classes. 9 to 10 am is optimal.
- Look at the modules’ syllabus within the first two weeks of school! Take note of submissions, test dates. Note all of them down so you have a clearer view of how to schedule your time to complete them. The blog post “The Best 5 Back to School BUJO Ideas You Need” is an example of how I mapped mine out. Don’t wait till the last minute or you’ll need to mad rush!
- Learn to say NO. Allocate your time and learn to prioritize what is important. If you have submissions due that weekend, it’s probably not a good idea to visit your friend’s room.
- Get a planner. This was a huge lifesaver. Apart from studying, you would probably join many different activities in school. It is so easy to agree to something and forget about them. I would suggest writing it out (but that’s just the way I prefer). Alternatively, you can use a digital planner via your phone’s calendar, Google calendar or even Microsoft Outlook. Here is a simple time management method which you can use to keep track of your life. You will feel so organized after. Pinky promise.
3. Put on your “Going out Clothes” for class.
YES. Skip that camp shirt, FBT and slippers that you are wearing to class.
By wearing a fresh and clean outfit, I guarantee you that you’ll feel much better. As you sit in class, you’ll be more alert. You really don’t want to be that sloppy.
Besides, putting in effort in your wardrobe is common courtesy. It leaves a good impression to the profs and everyone else that meets you. At the same time, you can look good, feel good and get out of that sleepy stupor.
WIN – WIN.
4. Planning for exchange starts from Day 1
Start planning your modules right from your freshman year!
Plan out a rough schedule of modules to take for your 3 (4) years at school. See what modules you can take abroad and which are the ones you must take in locally. Here’s how I plan my 3 years at NTU.
This is important if you are planning to enter a specialization whereby their modules are only offered in SELECTED SEMESTERS.
You’ll be surprised how some seniors miscalculated and have to spend an additional semester in school. Think about that Tuition Fee wasted. Money fly.
At the same time, figure out how “STARWARS” works at NTU or in your respective universities. Know when the bidding dates are so you can take the modules you want.
5. Check your University Email
The school sends so many emails every single day. It was probably not a big deal not reading them in your previous schools.
But some of the emails are worthwhile to read. Especially if you are interested in participating in certain activities like an exchange, winter/ summer school.
The school is not going to call you up if you’re interested so read your emails!
While you’re at it, I would advice getting a proper email address (One that is not your school’s email). For example, YOURNAME@GMAIL.COM.
This is to look professional when you send resumes or meet any professionals to leave your contact.
A bad example will be sparklefairy123@hellokitty.com. (Yes. This means that your mail provider should also be a professional one too).
6. Start looking out for internships
I know that it is very scary and “kiasu” (Afraid to lose). School has barely just begun. It is something that I regretted not starting earlier.
Internships are great for your resumes to show off your experience. A huge plus if it is a renowned company.
You have to know that internships are very competitive here. So you’ll want a head start.
I do suggest applying as soon as your first semester’s results are out. So your first semester’s results are relatively important as it can help a lot as they know where you stand.
Don’t fret if you did not do well. In my first semester, I didn’t do that well either. There are tons of recruitment related emails sent to you! Read them (See point 5!).
There are also career guidance and career fairs which are held periodically. Even if you are not looking for an internship, it is good to expose yourself to what there is.
An alternative is actively networking. Even your peer can help you secure your first internship! (See point 11)
7. Responsibility
University is very different in the sense. There is no one to force you to study, submit your tutorials, even go for classes. You are responsible for your own education.
But I have to make it clear that help is there should you need it. All you need to do is ask.
It’s the same here!
I learnt a great deal of responsibility especially since I stayed in hall.
I learnt how to clean up after myself. Make sure that I do laundry so I don’t run out of clothes. Ensure that I feed myself. You will be surprised how quickly things pile up if you don’t do them.
These are things that most of us (myself included) take for granted at home.
8. Don’t be pressured to engage in social activities
Wanting to fit in is very common especially in a new environment. It can be so easy to succumb to peer pressure.
I understand.
But NO SHOULD MEAN NO. And your new friends should accept that. Otherwise, you’ll probably feel very left out either way.
You will find good friends who will accept you for who you are.
I have a bunch of hall friends who constantly takes care of everyone who isn’t a good drinker (aka me). Sometimes, I just sit out and have their mixer (usually a soft drink). NOT ONCE did they pressure me.
9. Being alone
Hold up! You may want to listen to this. This is not the same as loneliness although it may lead to it.
Let me explain.
In university, almost everyone has a different schedule. After all, there are so many classes ongoing at every hour of the day. You have the power to plan it however you want.
So it is very common to go to class ALONE. If you stay in a single room, even more of the day will be spent by yourself.
It can be frightening at first. This is unlike staying at home where there is always something happening. Your world is suddenly too quiet.
I HEAR YOU.
You need to know that this is okay and it is completely normal.
I remember heading back to my room (I stayed alone) after class in the first few weeks of school. I asked myself, what should I do now. It was very scary. But after a few weeks, I was more accustomed to it. I started understanding the benefits of it.
It is a good time for you to have time for yourself. To relax and even reflect. There is no one there to bother you.
However, I DO NOT encourage you staying by yourself 24/7 though. That is no good on one’s mental health and it will definitely lead to loneliness (See point 13)
Learn to enjoy being alone and the peace that comes with it.
10. Step out of your comfort zone
It is the university, there are so many interesting and new things to try. So try them all!
If you are interested, sign up for that module that teaches you another language. Or pottery. CCAs. Join your hall activities. Run for hall council. Join hall sports and join the IHG (Inter-hall games).
This is the time to venture and figure out what you want to try. You can do anything and almost everything (Nothing illegal please though).
Ask your seniors on what they recommend. Don’t just focus on your GPA. Your life is much more than that!
What’s more, you can meet new people. If you’re no longer interested then just quit. It’s that simple.
In my first year, I joined Squash in my hall and joined the orientation camps as a senior. I got to met so many wonderful people and built friendships which would last the rest of my life.
11. Start building your network
This is SO SO important. There is no harm in getting to know more people, especially in a professional capacity. Examples are going to career fairs.
Your prof is another great example. Yeah. Talk to your prof! You never know what kind of help they can provide you down the road!
But be genuine about it will you!!
Most importantly, don’t just stick to the same few people you know. AKA get to know people out of your faculty!
Let me share how I got my first internship. While flying back to Singapore, I spoke to my school’s senior who seated beside me. She was a total stranger. We spoke a grand total of half an hour (max) about her school life etc. I asked about advice on internship and she shared what she did. We exchanged Instagram accounts. A few days later, she posted on her instastory about how her previous intern place was hiring. The rest was history.
12. Actively participating in class and talking to your prof
Yes, I know that I just mentioned the latter point. The emphasis cannot be enough.
You need to learn to speak up! Let me tell you why this is a good tip.
First of all, both your prof and your grades will thank you for it. If you need any help in schoolwork, clarification etc. The profs are not as aloof as everyone thinks.
THEY ARE ALWAYS WILLING TO HELP!
Just be polite and email them to ask them to schedule some time for you. Don’t just pop by their office (except during office hours) randomly. Here’s a post on how to email your professors.
Alternatively, talk to them before or after class. They have so much experience to share. Since they are grading your work, they can provide that guidance. This could mean a difference between a B+ and an A on your submissions.
On the topic of speaking up, learn public speaking. Presentation in front of the class, an audience is very common. Therefore, an important skill to hone. It makes a lot of difference if a speaker presents confidently vs an uncertain one. Perhaps then you can’t blame your prof for being uncertain in giving you a good grade.
Hello, my dear introverts. Yes. Reading this sounds very scary. What if it is tough to talk and speak up?
Here are some tips.
- Instead of speaking up in class, talk to your prof during breaks or at the end of the lesson. Voice off your thoughts then. You don’t have to only speak up in class to achieve this effect. The point of active participation is to ensure that your prof knows that you are actively thinking about the things they taught. By talking and discussing with them about it, you are demonstrating the very reason for class participation!
- Practise, practise, practise. It is very uncomfortable to stand in front of everyone. Even more uncomfortable to deliver something you did. By practising, you will become even more familiar with your own work. That will eliminate some of those worries on your mind.
- During public speaking, focus on random points (usually above the heads of your audience) around the room. It will look like you are giving enough attention to the audience without looking into their eyes. This will be less intimidating.
- Show some confidence, my dear! Be proud of your own work after finishing that project or essay. You’ve done it. Now it’s time to show it off what you know! If you don’t know it, refer to point 2 above.
13. Importance of health
- PHYSICAL: It is so easy to deviate from the path of healthier eating when not at home. Having less home-cooked meals means takeout or canteen food all the time. So very convenient. Plus, suppers are the most common social events every night. In the midst of our hectic lifestyles, it is important to keep track of your diet. Enough with the cup noodles daily. My friends and I have taken turns to remind each other to eat proper food. Especially during hell weeks when we are all “mugging” for submissions/ tests/ exams. We would meet up to get dinner before going back to our rooms. So get something healthier. Exercising is also important for your health. I’ve also joined Squash weekly. It’s good to take some time off work and destress. Talking about stress, mental health is seriously important as well.
- MENTAL HEALTH IS IMPORTANT TOO. LONELINESS IS REAL. At the beginning of school, it feels like we are a bunch of lost sheep navigating our new lives. We join so many activities, meet so many new people. Chances are, it is hard to meet another person who knows you best and understand what you are experiencing. Your old friends may not understand nor relate to you. Your new friends don’t know you enough. “No one understands me” will echo in your head. You need to know that it’s okay. This very situation happens more often than you think. I find that taking a nice shower when frustrated can help so so much! If it does not work, journal down thoughts like these can also help sort them out. Journaling helps in mapping out what you have and assist in resolving them!
- TAKE SOME TIME OFF FOR YOURSELF. School can be so overwhelming on its own. To top it off, you will also have to manage your CCA, Hall activities, social life, even part-time work. The list never ends. It can be tough to manage them. Even becoming on the verge of collapsing (both mentally and physically). This is no good for your health. So I would advise, once in a while to have a “ME DAY”. A day that is dedicated to yourself. For your own relaxation and self-reflection. Learn to have a break once in a while. You are not a robot. Take the opportunity to head out of school and explore the area you live in. School is boring as it is. Bleh. Bleh, bleh.
- Tough Transition. This transition is the toughest one yet. It is completely normal to not understand what is going on in class. Chances are, your friends sitting beside you are having troubles too. If they are not, then good for you, you found someone who can help you! If not, take that step to approach your profs for help (Remember point 12?). They will be glad to help. Remember that these obstacles are temporary and you will come back stronger! Your future self will thank you when you finally don that mortarboard and hold that piece of paper in your hand (good-riddance). DON’T STRESS OUT TOO MUCH (Although a bit of stress can still go a long way). REMEMBER YOU WILL DO FINE!
14. Remember the ones who raised you.
Having new friends in a new environment is great!
But REMEMBER your FAMILY too! Don’t just stay back in your hall to catch on work, not going home on weekends.
I felt so homesick during the first few weeks of uni. It was such a weird feeling.
If your home is just a few hours away, go home over the weekends! Otherwise, call them every week! You will appreciate and remember how great it is to have people living in the same space as you.
Yes. I even missed my sister bursting into my room every now and then.
Also, STAY IN TOUCH WITH OLD FRIENDS.
We are at the stage where lots of changes happen. Everyone splits up to continue their life in different places. We all head off to different universities, work, NS.
Each of us is standing at a different stage in our lives. It can be hard to keep up with each other’s lives on top of our busy schedule. But it’s still important for up to catch up once in a while. After all, we were each other’s support at one point in time. That never stops.
15. How to save money and not buy textbooks
I’ve seen so many times when my friends bought the textbook, only to regret it because the prof did not use it at all!
If you must buy a textbook, remember that your seniors are your best helpline. You can get cheaper textbooks if they are selling, borrow their textbooks or getting the online version for free!
During my freshmen year, I wasn’t sure what textbooks I should get. So I ended up talking to my senior who offered to lend me all the textbooks for free.
Thank you senior!
Alternatively, you can look it up on Carousell or other websites on getting cheaper second-hand textbooks.
You can also head to the library to find a copy of the textbook. But be sure to reserve them earlier! They tend to be snapped up very quickly.
Disclaimer: This was what I learnt over my two years in university. What I experienced may not be what you will experience. What helped me may not help you. However, I hope it gave you a good understanding of what you may encounter while in uni and give you that push to try out new things, meet new people!
I wish you all the best in your first year!
Let me know down in the comments what are your best tips for incoming freshmen!
0 Comments