Written by Kaylene Lim & Rebecca Santa Maria
So… you have just entered Polytechnic.
You arrive on campus and take a look at your surroundings, and you wonder how you will spend the next three to four years of your life.
You think to yourself, “Wow, will I ever get used to this?”
The first few weeks of school can feel daunting. You are thrown into a novel environment, where you feel compelled to interact with strangers. Feelings of anxiety, stress, and confusion could be overwhelming.
Give yourself some time to adjust to all that has changed, and you will be back on track. Remember that you are not alone. There is always someone who can help you, be it your lecturer, care person, friend, or classmate.
Please do not fret about the little things: the way your outfit is not as coordinated as you would like it to be or perhaps that scary class you will be taking for the semester, about whether or not you will fit in quite right with everyone else.
Read on for some tips on how you can make this transition in life a smoother and easier one for yourself!
(PHOTO: Soufi Adelia)
Dealing with deadlines
If you were ever told that the workload in Polytechnic is ‘chill’, or somewhere along those lines, do take their words with a pinch of salt. Yes, the assignments are different from what you used to have in Secondary School, but the effort you need to pump into these assignments is just the same; maybe even a lot more than what you would usually do.
The most important thing is this: Time Management. With the many deadlines given to you by your tutors, you will feel as if you are buried under an avalanche of tasks if you wait until the last minute to complete them.
The first tip is to look into your assignments as soon as you receive them, or start with components you are comfortable with. Key them into your calendar on the phone and set reminders two to three weeks before the deadlines.
Then, try breaking the deadlines into smaller tasks. For instance, you may need to research a certain topic before writing the required report. Set deadlines for these smaller topics so that you won’t be rushing to complete your work towards the end.
Next, utilise digital Post-its applications on your computer, such as Sticky notes on Windows devices and Stickies on Apple devices, and key in your deadlines. By typing bolded and CAPITALISED deadlines on these applications on your desktop, you are constantly reminded of which assignments you need to tackle before the deadline is hit.
Hence, you will not have to worry about dealing with them greatly in the future since you have already completed most of it, and you do not have much to go.
(PHOTO: Soufi Adelia)
filling your stomachs
POV: It is lunchtime and you do not know what to eat.
Well, in Temasek Polytechnic (TP), you will find familiar franchises like McDonald’s and Subway. They can be found at the Garden Fiesta, along with Triplets, a cafe that is popular among students and staff for its freshly-made waffles..
Besides that, TP also offers over five canteens/eateries, and some of our own TP student favourites include the Japanese stall at The Designer Pad canteen and the Ban Mian & Fish Soup stall at BizPark canteen.
Additionally, you may even want to check out Bistro Lab! What makes it unique is that not only do they serve food, it is also a training venue for the students from the Diploma in Food, Nutrition and Culinary Science. They offer set lunch meals and grab-and-go dishes such as sandwiches and salads.
(PHOTO: Soufi Adelia)
#OOTP All day, everyday
Next up, dressing. Say goodbye to uniforms and hello to personal style! Being in polytechnic means you have the freedom to choose whatever you would like to wear. Express yourself with different coloured clothes and styles.
Another thing you would want to look into is formal wear. You may want to acquire some for presentations. This may include long-sleeved button-up shirts, formal straight-leg pants and formal dress shoes or pumps.
However, if you are not in the midst of presentations, feel free to have your nails painted and your hair dyed too!
(PHOTO: Soufi Adelia)
making lifelong friends
Last but not least, polytechnic life allows you to meet many new people from around the school; your class, course and CCAs! Say “Hello” to your classmates and get to know them as you will be working with them for group projects. Polytechnic is the best place to foster lifelong friendships, thanks to copious group projects. The camaraderie founded on mutual hardships is a tough bond to break.
Another great way to meet new friends is to join interest groups and CCAs. In Temasek Poly, there are over 80 for you to choose from. Among the CCAs, ranging from sports to interest groups, there will definitely be something for you, where you can also meet other like-minded students! Some of our unique CCAs include Fusion Percussion, TP Emcees, Inline Skating, Wakeboarding and our P10 Clubs (Students’ Union and 9 Constituent Clubs).
By building new, long-lasting friendships, you will gain more connections for your future, going out into the working world!
don't worry, you've got this
Things are quite different from what they used to be back in Secondary School, especially with the new change of environment and assignments. It is perfectly normal to be intimidated, and we will not judge; promise. Beyond everything mentioned in the article, Temasek Polytechnic is a place you can make amazing memories in, whether it is through activities or with your friends.
It is one thing to study and get your diploma, and it’s another to understand something more than just academics: Learning to Live, and Living to Learn.
