[As per posted in The Start of a New Chapter.]


Having the opportunity to study locally and overseas, I’ve came across with tertiary students with different attitudes and mindsets.

Getting into university means moving to a new city (for most of us), making new friends, starting your study, and maybe taking on a part-time job… It’s an adventure, another phase of life, a giant step towards an exciting future.

Have you ever pondered how campus life will be, or should be? Is it only about getting all As like no others? Is that all that matters?

It’s an irony that we were brought up in a spoon-fed society where one should..

• Get all As in school.
• Get a scholarship into university.
• Get all As in university.
• Secure a job.
• Get married.
• Have children.
• All and all...

So that we can lead a good life.

Is that what you have always wanted? Is that all life about?

I doubt it.

For me, university is not only about striving for academic excellence. It’s more than that. It’s about learning. It’s a journey to find who you are, develop your potential, take on leadership role, be more socially aware, the list goes on… All and all, develop you as a whole.

University is a bridge, to prepare you before stepping into the “real world”. It is a soft-ground where you can stumble and fall. You don’t get fired by your lecturer if you don’t know how to solve the Maths equation. You don’t lose your job as goalkeeper if you fail to stop the ball from entering the goal. Instead, you learn from your mistake and improve for the better. Therefore, it’s about having the openness to learn, courage to stand up, and embrace challenges with open arms.

We are the future leaders of the world. Hence, it’s time for you to brush up your skills and develop your competencies. These include time management, communication, leadership, organizational skills, resourcefulness, problem-solving, confidence, innovation, networking…… Multinational companies these days are looking for graduate who posses competencies, and able to compete globally!

One of the ways to develop your skills is to take up leadership role in student organization. This can be CMSA, PETSOC, or any society/club that you’re passionate about (find out more from UCSA). Juggling between study and activities is not an easy task. There are times when assignment is due, meeting to attend, event to organize… and you get stress out. There are times when you have to sacrifice dramas watching, internet procrastination, gossiping… That is when you learn to manage your time, priority, and emotion the best. Those who prevail will excel in life.

No man is an island. Build up your network and meet new people. Friends are the best gift while you’re away from home. They are the ears listening to your joy or sorrow, the shoulders for you to lean on… supporting and helping you in need. Spend time with your friends and cherish them. Don’t ever forget your friends when you found your special someone!

Take the opportunity to visit the country while you’re abroad. You will see amazing other ways of life, experience the culture, value, lifestyle, learn to interact with them... as well as strengthen bond among friends. These adventures broaden your knowledge of people, places, and culture. You might also be more appreciative of what you have.

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but the moments that take our breath away. How true is that! Enjoy, colour, and live your campus life to the fullest. Go beyond your wildest dreams, and make the most out of your experience. So that when you look back, you have no regret. The chapter of your campus life is the journey that you will remember forever.