Sow Wan Jing, 20

Hello!

December has been great so far. This is a relief, considering that I usually do get holiday blues (I blame the media). I guess I’m really glad to be able to catch up with my loved ones amidst OUR tight schedule this year. Oh 2009, how I heart ya!

I’m sure December is another busy month for many of you too. For SIM-UOL students, things are also “heating up” in school, as the assignments continue to come in (oh joy) and we’re challenged to stay disciplined and to revise consistently. Press on.

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Someone asked about the UOL Orientation programme and about making friends in SIM, in other words, the social life over here. I thought it was quite a relevant question, so I shall try to go into more details by sharing my personal experience.

I can vaguely remember that on Orientation Day, there was some kind of motivational talk in the Grand Hall. Okay, to be honest, I’m not sure if it’s even a motivational talk. The point is that at one point during the talk, the speaker told us to get up, move around, introduce ourselves to one another, share something we are proud of, and then exchange numbers.

I remember particularly well meeting this girl called Crystal who spoke good English and had a beautiful aquamarine crystal stud on an eyebrow.

“Hi, I’m Wan Jing and a person of integrity.”

 “Oh, I like that. My name is Crystal and I’m just really proud to be here.”

“That’s cool. I love that crystal on your eyebrow. It suits you.”

“Thank you.”

There was also this tall lanky man who smiled at me even from quite a distance. I thought I was in luck when we exchanged numbers, but the next thing I knew, he (whose name is Jia Hao) was texting me to ask if we could shop together because he needed to get a present for his girlfriend.

 
During the first time we hung out together, my phone got stolen. I was really upset because it was quite new and I'd painstakingly personalised it with (loads and loads of) Swarovski crystals. Up till today I’m stuck with my current spare 3rd hand cell phone (Dad to brother, brother to me).

Oh, the memories. Sad part was that I lost all the new contacts I made during Orientation Day. I still have no idea where Crystal is. =(

Nevertheless, Jia Hao’s very fun to hang out with and we became pretty good friends, therefore all’s cool.

Yeah, so that’s all for “The Crystal Story.” =P 

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After the Orientation Day, there was a Freshman Orientation Camp organised by the SIM-University of London (UOL) Student Representative Council. I was still working during that period of time and thus gave it a miss.

However, when lessons officially began in school, I easily made friends by going to class 5 to 10 minutes earlier and taking initiative to talk to fellow early birds. Some of them had already formed their own cliques with people they'd met during Orientation Camp, but it’s okay, you can still talk to them, of course, haha.

Verdict: it’s good to go for Freshman Orientation Camp, but it’s okay even if you don’t. You just need to talk to strangers later on.

Yeah, this is how it looks like in the lecture theatre. Typical and all.

According to the lecturer, bald head= wisdom= asset. XD
This is one interesting module (Introduction to Business and Management- IBM). I assure you the girl in front of me was taking down notes, not falling asleep.

As you can see, everyone's seated quite closely together. It's a friendly environment. =)

Here is something which you’ll find useful, if you join us:

LIST OF STUDENT CLUBS

SIM - University of London (UOL) Student Representative Council
For more info, approach my fellow blogger, August, to find out more.

ARTS & CULTURAL
1) Animation Cosplay and Video Gaming Club (A=MC2)
2) Dance Club - Dream Werkz
3) Film and Performing Arts Society
4) Guitar Club
5) Indian Cultural Club
6) Malay Cultural and Muslim Society
7) Photography Club
8) Salsa Club

No infringement of rights intended.
To the photographer of the above picture: Thank you very much!

9) Singing Club - Esprimere

SPORTS & RECREATION
1) Angling Adventure Club
2) Badminton Club
Website: http://sim-badminton.blogspot.com/
3) Basketball Club
4) Bowling Club
5) Canoeing Club

6) Canoe Polo

For more info, approach my fellow blogger, Alvin (who is also the president)!

This picture is taken from Alvin's entry.
Apparently, it's taken by his friend, Ong Kheng Boon.
Credits go to them. Thank you!
No infringement of rights intended.

7) Cricket Club
8) Cuesports
9) Dive Club
10) Dragon Boat Club
11) Floorball Club
12) Judo Club
13) Muay Thai Club
14) Netball Club
15) Outdoor Activities Club (ODAC)
16) Rugby Club
17) Gym Club (Simergy)
18) Soccer Club
19) Squash Club
20) Swimming and Lifesaving Club

I can't differentiate Taekwondo and Judo just by looking at the uniform, which explains why I had no choice but to put in a meaningless caption.

Can someone please kindly enlighten me on how to differentiate them?

21) Taekwondo Club
22) Tennis Club
SIM Tennis forum: http://groups.msn.com/simtennis
23) Touch Football Club
24) Track and Field Club
25) Ultimate Frisbee Club
26) Volleyball Club
21) Wakeboarding Club
22) Windsurfing Club

SPECIAL INTERESTS
1) Buddhist Bhavana Club
2) Christian Fellowship
3) Competitions & Career Development Club
4) Economic Society
5) Green Living Club
6) iCare Club
7) International Student Club
Indonesia: For more info, you can approach my fellow blogger, Ivonne.
Vietnam: For more info, you can approach my fellow blogger, Van.
International Minority Mix Group- IMMIX: For more info, you can approach my fellow blogger, Keziah.

8) Investment Club (INC)
9) IT Club

As I was editing this picture, I stared very long at the cup because it looked weird to me.
Random, I know.

10) Student Toastmasters Club
11) Social Innovation Park (SIP) Student Chapter
12) Young Entrepreneur Network (YEN)

When you've become a student here, you will get a list of the contact details of the person-in-charge of each club in your SIM student portal account inbox.

In conclusion, SIM does provide a conducive environment for learning and personal growth. Cheers!

For Steve and everyone else, actually!
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EPILOGUE (because I'm bored of using P.S.)

 As I was typing the part about Judo/ Taekwondo, I asked my brother if he knew of any special names for Taekwondo uniforms and Judo uniforms.

"Judo outfit!" came the reply.

"How are you so sure?"

He told me to look at his TV.

"Judo Outfit"

My brother is already 22, but he was so bored, he decided to play the ancient "Final Fantasy Tactics" on our even more ancient Playstation 1 again. He needs a new game console.

After doing my own Googling I believe Judo uniforms are called judoji, but... never mind.