My weekly journal: 11 Aug - 17 Aug
Brief outline of what happened from 4 till 10 August
I spent the first 3 days in the library studying CFAB Law and reading manga as leisure. It was comparatively less productive for the subsequent days as I stayed in my room.
Notable events
- Participated in ICON Camp 2024
I joined ICON Camp 2024, a 3-day camp designed for international students to connect with local students and ease into the new campus and country. The group was larger than I had anticipated, likely due to my misjudgment of how many students would participate. Over half of my group was made up of students from Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, the Philippines, India, and China, with the rest being locals. The diversity within the group was incredible, and I loved learning about their lives in countries I’ve never visited. Despite the exhaustion that came with each day, I treasured every moment spent together.
- Attended Vivace 2024
Vivace, SMU's largest annual CCA fair, was a vibrant display of the diverse interests that students have, spanning sports, academics, and performances. The event was quite crowded, but I managed to visit all the booths I had in mind, such as SMU FACT (Financial Advisory and Compliance Team), Rock Climbing, and the Japanese Cultural Club. I also stumbled upon other CCAs after hearing pitches from the seniors, like the EYE Investment and Kendo Club. Overall, it was a productive session that gave me a better insight into the clubs at SMU 😁.
- Went for the DKHMCC Freshmen Briefing
The Dato' Kho Hui Meng Career Centre (DKHMCC), true to its name, is dedicated to guiding SMU students in their career paths. The freshmen briefing was highly informative, and I had the chance to meet my assigned coach, who happened to be the speaker. By the end of the session, I had gained valuable insights into key considerations before taking on internships. Talking to my coach also eased the pressure I felt about needing to secure an internship by the end of my first year.
- Preparing for the Start of the School Term
With the new term starting next week, the anxiety of staying on top of early announcements led me to explore the eLearn website and complete some pre-readings and asynchronous lectures. I also organized my schedule to accommodate regular commitments like lectures, community service, and upcoming CCAs. These few hours of preparation left me feeling more confident as I approach my first academic term at SMU.
- Engaged in the Inspirar Onboarding Sessions
I signed up for Inspirar, a student-led community service project focused on fostering intergenerational connections between youth and the elderly in Singapore. My motivation wasn't just about fulfilling CSP hours; it was also about returning to volunteering with seniors, something I did back in high school. The onboarding was split over two days and primarily served as an icebreaker with fellow volunteers while emphasizing the key Do's and Don'ts for interacting with seniors in the upcoming sessions. We were also assigned to expand on the learning objectives and reflective journals as pre-event activities.
Top 3 outcomes for the upcoming week
'If the week ahead is going to be a great week, what would be the top 3 things I'd accomplish?'
- Have clear understanding for my first week of lectures
- Start writing on a new book review
- Read more on the philosophy of 'Happiness & Suffering'
Top 3 outcomes from previous week
- ❌Complete Law studies for ICAEW CFAB
- Instead, I completed until Chapter 10
- ❌Start writing on a new book review
- ✅Learn Japanese from https://freejapanesebooks.com/ and my Anki decks
