Shawn Lew

Why did you choose to pursue your degree at SMU?

I really enjoy the autonomy and independence that the school builds in us. From forming our own timetables to learning to best manage our time by choosing when to take on internships or what type of CCA to join, the school gives us (nearly) free reign on what to do with our time. You can expect to work with even Year 4s in your first semester and learn from them, simply because there is no “fixed” schedule on what to do and when to do it.

How has your SMU scholarship benefitted you so far?

As a Global Impact Scholar, the privilege to take classes with fellow scholars and even live together for our first year at Prinsep Street Residences has made my university life so fulfilling and enjoyable. There, we could cook together, study through the night at each other’s apartments and really just enjoy the hall life experience.

The highlight of your student life at SMU so far.

I must sound like a nerd but the first thing that came to mind was the modules that I took under some amazing professors. One of which is Statistics-X under Prof Rosie Ching, that showed me just how different SMU-X modules are with every lesson featuring an experiment using statistics to prove – for example, does the bread always land butter side down? Our final presentation to the client company saw the entire batch of us (100 odd students) rehearsing for a theatrical display and even dancing to present our findings! There really is no other module like this and one for the books!

Name your favourite class/mod at SMU.

Big Questions by Prof Aidan Wong.