Cloe Marie Aquino

Why did you choose to come to SMU?

I initially chose SMU because I was drawn to the interactive and discussion-based learning style. I liked the idea of smaller class sizes where students are encouraged to speak up and be actively involved, rather than just sitting through long lectures. In secondary school, I struggled with staying engaged during lectures, I’d often end up dozing off.

Later on, JC , we had a mix of e-learning and tutorials - possibly due to COVID - and I realised that this structure actually worked better for me. It gave me the flexibility to learn at my own pace, and I felt more in control of my learning. That’s why SMU appealed to me, it offers that same level of flexibility, while also promoting active, hands-on learning.

On top of that, I was also drawn to SMU’s strong emphasis on presentations, group work, and real-world application, which I felt would help me build valuable soft skills for the workplace. The city campus was just the cherry on top, it made everything feel so connected to the industry, and I loved how vibrant and happening the environment was.

Why did you choose your field of study / degree programme?

I chose to study Accountancy because I’ve always been interested in understanding how businesses work behind the scenes. Accounting felt like a solid foundation,it teaches you how to interpret financial information, spot patterns, and make sense of how companies are performing. I liked that it was practical and versatile, and that it opens doors to many different career paths. Plus, I felt that having a strong grasp of financial literacy would be useful no matter what industry I eventually end up in.

What is your favourite food to get on campus?

Definitely the Butter Chicken with Naan from Open Kitchen @ Connex, it’s comfort food at its best.