Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Hello!!!
I just started school on Monday. It's quite exciting - especially since lessons seemed like a thing of the past. The excitement actually started last week. I
actually went for orientation. I went for USP O week. Arts' seems too happening for me. Also, because boring kx don't like to play those stupid games that are always played during orientation. Also, USP is a small group so it will be nice to know people in USP. (If you want info on fun activities, ask xx., she'll know more. There are other much more fun activities, like camps, dinner and dance,etc but unethusiastic, unsporty and boring me didn't want to take part.)
Oh, in case you are scratching your heads and wondering what on earth is USP, it stands for University Scholars Programme. It has nothing to do with scholarship. It is, you can say, quite a prestigious programme in NUS. the programme emphasises on multi-disciplinary. Also, being in the programme gives you many opportunities that other students do not have, like interact with prominent people in many industries, etc. The main aim is to equip NUS students with critical analysis skills, to challenge students, to train students to be articulate and confident, etc.
It is a really interesting programme. The modules you take in USP replaces the modules that you would otherwise take in your faculty. USP has a very good reputation, especially among potential employers. There is this senior who made use of the opportunities in USP to do research and filed for 2 patents even before he graduated!!
Anyway, back to O week, it was fun, there was plenty of good food, made quite a number of new friends. There were alot of ex-nanyang girls and ex-hwa chong students so it was like a reunion:) I also met my academic advisor, who is really funny and nice.
I think the most enjoyable event during o week was rag day. All the floats and performances were fantastic, especially the floats made by students of the various halls. There are replicas of a train, with doors that can really open, wheels that move exactly like those you see in movies. I was amazed by their craftmanship. If you haven't been to NUS rag day, go next year or sth. You will be entertained. It's a pity I didn't take any photos.
Bidding for modules was exciting. If I have heart problems, I would have had a heart attack during the process. Bidding for FASS modules was easy since I was preallocated 2 modules and I have 600 points to spare for 1 more exposure module:) Bidding for usp modules was harder because we had to compete with the seniors. I was outbidded for this module because the minimum bid was 501 when I only had 400 points in my account. Fortunately I eventually managed to get all my modules.
My timetable is quite slack - because arts tutorial hasn't started, I only have 14 hrs of lessons every week, and I have wednesdays free!! If I can manage it, I will take one extra module next sem. I had one lesson today, which ended at 12, finished my assignment and I don't have to go to school tml. Yay!!
Anyway, thanks kian - I'm feeling much better. I will feel even better after 3 Sept when I can start eating seafood like prawns!!:) Oh, and of course there are pretty girls in NUS. Alot of them actually. But honestly, what has this got to do with your choice of uni??????? Still, come to NUS. Better still, join USP. International students, exchange programmes, internships, foreign professors, friendly professors, flexibility, ability to take modules out of your faculty and major, everything you want, you can find in all Singapore uni. But to a larger extent, NUS:) The important thing is - follow your heart.
Everyone, take care!! Py - hope you are feeling much much better:)
kaixian
rmb to sign off! sang at 5:11 PM
