Blog Post

Posted date: 02:08AM Jul 28, 2012.

At the entrance of the school where the iconic ‘STRICTLY NO SMOKING’ sign is positioned, congregated numerous pocket of people just like in the America sitcom, ‘Gossip Girls’, except they were standing. While rushing for my first ever lecture in SIM, I overheard very different conversations. ‘Where are we going for lunch?’ asked a finely dressed student with shades and a MacBook on her hand. ‘So you are going to send me your section tonight, right?’ another student asked, perhaps trying to reaffirm the earlier discussion. Immediately, I imagined myself swallowing some very vibrant butterflies and they concocted a mocktail of emotions inside me; fear, excitement, anxiety, apprehension and nervousness brewed within. Certainly, I was taken aback and overwhelmed by the scene, and wondered what is it exactly that is in store for me. I felt like a baby in my mother’s womb all over again.

A new friend which I made in RMIT once quoted Blair Waldorf, ‘Destiny is for losers. It’s just a stupid excuse to wait for things to happen instead of making them happen.’ So I strongly urge all students to be active individuals to the student body of whichever school they have chosen.

I have collated some tips that I would like to share it with all of you to make your life as easy as possible yet at the same time as interesting as it can be! 

ONE – MAKE NEW FRIENDS (VERY IMPORTANT)

Keeping distance and cold isn't actually very cool anymore. Girls just smile and charm everyone positively while guys, put away that swag and your daily hair wax and then smile. Honestly, I’ll be really intimidated by a guy who looks as though he has applied the entire jar of hair wax. If lecture is at 12pm, do they get up at 8am to keep their hair that high through the day? Don't forget about your classmates, have lunch together in between classes or breaks. You’ll be amazed by some stories they tell, because personally I’ve heard quite a few. Furthermore when it comes to project work you'll know who to look for!

TWO – LECTURES and LECTURERS

At some point of time, perhaps later in the month, lecturers will ultimately bore you to your bones so pack those candies in your bags and share with the person next to you. Take down notes though they may be in the given slides; just take it down anyway, it will help you to focus. And it’s NOT a cliché or some ancient legend when the lecturers tell you that attending lectures and listening attentively help you in your revision. 

THREE – TEXTBOOKS

BUY! My first question to my senior was ‘this module the textbook important or not ah?’ More often than not, textbooks are important especially when you’re weak at that particular module because it provides you with more rounded explanation for your own understanding. I can safely say that by attending lectures regularly and reading the textbook conscientiously would help you to score a more than decent grade. (Hint: the key word is ‘conscientiously’)

Some anonymous SIM student has started this Facebook group to help his fellow friends in SIM to get second-hand textbooks or have theirs traded, I found it extremely useful: http://www.facebook.com/groups/159511434096055/

FOUR – MEGAbitez

DO NOT grab ten nugget sticks in between lectures because you’ll definitely be dazzled by golden skews before you know it you would be floating in your own bubble. Bottled drinks are about $1.50 and Milo is $1.60. The DimSum place at the foodcourt sells pretty much the same thing as what MEGAbitez have, so if it’s too crowded, you know where to go!

FIVE – CROWDED BUSES

Before the lecturer can finish his last sentence, there will be students who are all packed and ready to rush out to beat the crazy traffic rush. Perhaps a better alternative is to hang around in school and get to know your new friends better or clarify your doubts with the lecturer or your friends because we all know what happens once you reach home.

These are the few skeletons in the closet that might help your day, and the list goes on. If you have other issues that irritate you to your bones, feel free to write in and tell me! I have plenty others, perhaps for another day but I sincerely would like to hear from my fellow schoolmates first.

Not just to freshies, but to everyone, you should never feel intimidated by anyone you see in school just because they have their 7 inches killer heels on, or their jar of wax on their hair simply because we are all different individuals with different goals and dreams and no one will hinder us from achieving what we have set ourselves for, no one. 

 It's gonna be amazing!