Psychology
Why did you choose to come to SMU?
When deciding on a university, I knew I wanted to study overseas in a big city, somewhere academically challenging, with good career prospects, and a strong sense of community. SMU checked off all these boxes, and being awarded the MOE Tuition Grant further affirmed my decision to come here.
Tuition fees were definitely a major consideration for my family and me when deciding which university to commit to. While researching SMU’s financial aid schemes, I took note of the different options available such as scholarships, grants, and loans. I then narrowed the list down to those I was eligible for and applied. Beyond tuition fees, I also wanted a university that could provide strong employment prospects after graduation. Knowing that SMU has consistently maintained a high graduate employment rate, I felt confident in the quality of education I would be receiving.
Please share two key highlights of your academic experience in SMU.
a. One highlight of my academic experience in SMU was my Intro to Psychology class taught by Prof. Andre Hartanto. I found this module very insightful and enjoyable as it covered topics that I was genuinely interested in, such as memory and attention. It also prepared me for the psychology modules I would take in Year 2 onwards. Asides from the content learned, the environment of the class made it all the more memorable. My peers and prof were so supportive and encouraging throughout the entire semester. I felt very comfortable to raise any thoughts or questions as I was surrounded with peers driven to learn. Being in this class overall affirmed my decision to major in psychology which makes it an experience I continue to hold close to my heart.
b. Another highlight of my academic experience in SMU was the group project for my Understanding Societies module, which I took in the second semester of Year 1. For this project, I worked with four other girls to present an original argument based on sociological topics taught in class. Coming up with an original argument was challenging as I was unfamiliar with the structure and format of sociological papers. As a group, we were pushed to think outside the box and dedicate significant time and effort to curating a carefully thought-out argument and preparing for the presentation. Through these hours of preparation, we grew closer and became more comfortable with one another. I found that by breaking down the initial awkwardness, we were able to share our ideas and opinions more openly, which led to higher-quality work. Although I was not entirely confident about the content going into the presentation, I knew we had put our best foot forward and worked very hard. In the end, our group did incredibly well, which was both encouraging and uplifting for all of us! I find this academic experience especially meaningful because it taught me the importance of open communication and building rapport when collaborating with others.
What is your favourite food to get on campus?
Matcha Acai bowl from Braek! It’s super refreshing and the perfect amount of sweetness.
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