It is always exciting but also nerve-racking when embarking on the upcoming tertiary journey. The following 5 tips might help you get more well prepared before the new semester begins.

1. Check emails regularly

Administrative information from various departments in tertiary institutions, such as daily class schedules and important application procedures, is usually distributed via email. If you don’t have the habit of checking your email regularly, it is easy to miss out on important updates.

2. Take the initiative for yourself

Tertiary school life offers students with great freedom. The professors and lecturers would no longer monitor your study progress nor arrange everything for you. Whether it is choosing a major, applying for an internship, or choosing your career, you need to make your own decisions. That's why it is recommended to prepare early and learn how to manage your time more effectively. You can also starting researching to explore your desired subject or career in advance; and listen to insights shared by relevant individuals (such as graduates or senior personnel in the industry). All these will help you understand your academic and career direction better.

3. Make good use of your spare time to rest, exercise and enrich yourself

Studying is not an easy task. Apart from working hard, you should also set aside enough time to rest and do simple physical exercises, such as jogging and rope skipping. These exercises will help your body relax and release endorphins. Also, lectures usually would not occupy your for a whole day. You can make good use of your spare time to enrich yourself, develop your interests, and even take a part-time job, which could make your life more fulfilling and broaden your horizons.

4. Learn to manage interpersonal relationships

Tertiary institution is always the rehearsal stage before stepping into society. Your social circle will become wider and more diverse, and interpersonal relationships might become more complex than those in secondary school. Having a good balance of time spent between your new mates and secondary school friends is essential. More importantly, building a good relationship with your professors, lecturers and teaching assistants is essential!

5. Choose a computer you need

Classroom material is often available online only and most assignments need to be submitted electronically. Hence, it is important to choose a suitable electronic device to meet your needs. If you don’t need multimedia software, such as 3D modeling or video editing, a basic laptop with internet access and word processing capabilities should be sufficient. You might even consider using a tablet instead of a laptop. However, tablets generally offer less robust file management and document editing features when compared to laptops. All in all, everyone has different requirements for their computer, do spend your money wisely and invest where it truly matters!

Wish you the best of luck in your tertiary life! For more information, please visit the Student Health Service website and the YouthCan website of the Department of Health.