June 2016 - Temasek Polytechnic
Transcription
June 2016 - Temasek Polytechnic
STUDY GET PREPPED TIPS & FOR THE June 2016 DESTRESS EARLY ADMISSIONS TRICKS EXERCISE pg 13-20 pg 6-7 FREE Y S ’ O T A U R H W MOTIVATIONAL STICKERS INSIDE When passion bears fruit! xD Take the Quizzes : Which courses suit you? What’s your study type? LET THE MUSIC LEAD YOU PASSIO N ? Don't miss out on TPRAWKS! 21-23 NOV GONE GAGA OVER GRAFFI T I Discover what truly interests and excites you! “Become a microwave chef!” WHAT’S YOUR PASSION? 02 YOUR GIRAFFE GUIDE It’s a stressful time, but it doesn’t have to be! Take some time out and breathe… our resident giraffe is here to help! 03 DON’T SNEAK, JUST PEEK TP always seems to be a thriving hub of excitement. Wonder no more just what goes down behind our gates – see for yourself! pg. 06 06 EARLY BIRD SPECIAL The DPA makes way for the new, improved Early Admissions Exercise, but don’t worry, it’s still your most direct opportunity to apply to the TP course of your choice! Real students share real tips in this handy article. (Plus, check out The EAE Guide!) 08 YOU ARE WHAT YOU LIKE { QUIZ } It’s all about pursuing your passion, so it’s time to start understanding yourself better and what really rocks your boat! Take this easy quiz to get a better idea now, then get to know some TP courses that may best suit your personality and interests. 13 YOUR ULTIMATE STUDY BUDDY Your pull-out compendium of study strategies, de-stress tips, microwavable snack recipe, revision calendar and even a crest to colour in and fill with your very own motto! Also, take the quiz to find out how you can study better. pg. 21 21 NOT JUST DAYDREAMING We call them ‘dreamchasers’ because these are people who really chase their passions relentlessly – and they mean business. They literally are living up to the axiom, as we all hope to do: Live the dream. 24 FRESH LIKE ORANGE JUICE Everyone’s gotta start somewhere. TP gives all our new students a huge welcome in the way we know best – the ever-energetic Freshmen Orientation. Go big or go home. pg. 26 26 WHAT’S THAT SOUND? That, is the sound of people who love music coming together and making magic happen. If you’re someone that loves music, you’ll want to read about just what Music Vox is all about. 30 ARE YOU READY FOR IT? It’s the highly anticipated TPRAWKS 2016 and it’s happening this November. It’s definitely not something you want to miss, so make sure you sign up now! 32 THE LAST PAGE Cuz you’ve done enough reading to deserve a break. Copyright © Temasek Polytechnic. i s p u b l i s h e d a n d d i s t r i b u t e d b i - a n n u a l l y ( J UNE & DE C E M BER ) by Temasek Polytechnic’s Corporate Communications Department, 21 Tampines Avenue 1, Singapore 529757. Tel: 6 7 8 8 2 0 0 0 F a x : 6 7 8 9 8 1 8 5 . Em a i l : c o r p c o mm @ t p . e d u . s g . A l l rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited. P r i n t e d b y KHL P r i n t i n g C o P t e L t d P t e L t d . pg. 30 Temasek Polytechnic is now on: twitter Facebook www.twitter.com/temasekpoly www.facebook.com/temasekpoly INSTAGRAM flickr w w w . INSTAGRAM . c o m / t e m a s e k p o l y www.flickr.com/temasekpoly 2 Ed's Note T hat’s an easy question for some people to answer, but for most teens, I would think that’s one of the toughest ones you’re facing right now as you think about what you want to do after your O levels. Especially these days when there are SO MANY choices! TP alone has around 50 courses for you to choose from. You just need to know which one is right for you. So this issue of will try to help. For those who already know, how about clinching a place in that coveted course well before you even sit for the O levels? The Early Admissions Exercise (EAE) is just around the corner and we’ve packed a copy of The EAE Guide with this issue of to help you get through the application. Read what your senior “early birds” did to get their place at TP and how they figured out what they were really passionate about (p.6). As for the O-level exams, don’t fret. This year’s Study Buddy is chock full of tips to help you keep your momentum going, and how to relax in between. There’s even a calendar for you to keep track of where you’re at. On top of all of that – you’ve got to love our stickers. Paste them wherever you need to remind yourself that some things are worth the hard work. And don’t forget to sign up for TPRAWKS – your ultimate post-exams celebration! See what you’ll get from being part of the best get-together you can imagine on p.30. You know you don’t want to miss it! So all the best for the exams, rawk out at TPRAWKS in November and look out for our December issue where we’ll bring you lots more about what you can look forward to at TP. You’ll soon figure out just why Life Starts Here for so many TP students. reads as ‘tease’. Why the name? Teen life is full of : Teenagers, Teen Targets, Talents, Thoughts, Testimonies, Triumphs... also stands for Temasek Polytechnic and it is through that we would like to show you a whole new world at the polytechnic. promises to tease the imagination of every teenager. Whether it’s teen concerns, your future education or career, discover the Temasek experience with . Advisors Brendan Wong Chan Lai Pheng Editor Sharifah Aljunied Assistant Editor Michelle Jean Yeang Designers Azhar Talib Nur Wardah Photographers Watson Lau Cover Art Nur Wardah 3 4 5 6 HAVE YOU SECURED YOUR SEAT YET? If you already know what you want, there’s no better route to TP (or more direct, or faster, for that matter) than through the Early Admissions Exercise. Soon, you’ll want to prepare for that important application! (Check out the accompanying EAE Guide for useful details!) Here are more nuggets of wisdom from a few TP students who have gone through the process themselves (when it was previously called Direct Polytechnic Admission Exercise). Rayner Joy Wen Ting Eugene Early Admissions Exercise Special 7 LU WEN TING How did you discover your passion? I started sewing clothes for my plushies and making small keychains for my friends in primary school. In secondary school, my grandmother taught me how to use her old-school sewing machine but eventually I got my own electronic sewing machine and started making clothes. I loved watching Project Runway – it made me realise that this was not just a hobby but something I wanted to do in the future. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to score well enough to get into the course I’m so passionate about. So I applied through the Direct Polytechnic Admission (DPA) Exercise. RAYNER TAN How did you discover your passion? I’ve always loved playing video games, and 10 year-old me realised that people actually can do this for a living! In Sec 3 I looked through all the polytechnic game development courses, examined the curriculum and past students’ works, and decided the TP course was best suited for me. I already knew I would put this as my first choice for JAE, so why leave things to chance? After all, what was there to lose? JOY SIM How did you discover your passion? When I was in secondary school I learnt that a good diet really helped control my grandmother’s diabetes. I also realised I could help poor people reduce their medical expenses through eating better food. I really aspire to be a food scientist, to create healthier food products to tackle diabetes. I was excited to hear about DPA because I would be able to reserve a spot in my course of interest and it would make preparing for O levels less stressful. I have absolutely no regrets coming here instead of JC because I loved what I was studying! Any tips for the application process? In the written application, answer to the question. You have a limited number of characters, don’t waste them. At the interview, have a physical portfolio instead of an online one – the internet could have a problem. Bring your works that you’re proud of, and talk about them with passion – the interviewers will see it in your eyes. Don’t be scared! The interview process is quite casual; they just want to understand how passionate you are for the course you’ve applied for. Any tips for the application process? Show your passion. For the application, write from your heart. Build your portfolio with personal projects that really show your interest in that industry or field of study. For the interview, be calm! I was a nervous wreck even though I came four hours earlier to calm down. But in the end, I realised I didn’t have to worry. I found myself enjoying the interview, as I happily shared what I had done and why I wanted this course. I am sure my passion showed through my nervousness! Just speak the truth and speak from your heart. The interview is like sharing your life’s passion with someone who shares that passion. So have fun! Any tips for the application process? As long as you show a genuine, keen interest in the course of your desire and your passion for the subject, I believe you will be successful. Show tangible examples of your passion, what you have done to pursue them. Only choose the course you’re really interested in, read widely on the topic, and impress the interviewers with your enthusiasm! EUGENE LOW How did you discover your passion? Growing up, my family travelled a lot, and the key highlights from those trips weren’t the attractions or food, but the hotels we stayed at. The service and warmth that the hotel employees provided us created a home away from home for us. I admired this about them, and was inspired to pursue hospitality. I would love for my actions to brighten others’ days, such as what I experienced in the community events I regularly participated in as part of Red Cross Youth in secondary school. I love travelling and exposing myself to various cultures, so this course was the best fit for me. Any tips for the application process? You should definitely read up on the background of the course, gain knowledge about the industry, and indicate in your portfolio any past CCAs or experience you had that are relevant. Most importantly I would say, just be yourself! After all, the interviewers aren’t only looking at your academic and CCA contributions; they’re looking at your personality. Show them your passion! What has your TP life been like? Filled with lots of great memories! It’s definitely opened up so many opportunities for me to grow and develop as a person. I also had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do my internship at the Four Seasons Safari Lodge in the beautiful plains of the Serengeti in Tanzania. Not only did it open my eyes to another world, but it also taught me many life skills and allowed me to forge friendships with people of all nationalities and walks of life. With graduation approaching soon, looking back now I’m happy to have chosen TP. Thank you, TP, for creating such memorable moments and opportunities for me through the three years with you! 8 List out your daily expenses to figure out where your money’s going Spend an afternoon doing a jigsaw puzzle Perform in a play or concert Check out what’s trending online Travel solo Take part in online surveys Plan up a study schedule and stick to it Volunteer at a fundraising event Write a fanfic script or story WHAT’S YOUR PASSION? Trying to find the answer to that question could be as simple as asking yourself, “What would I want to do or not do?” Chances are, if it’s something you enjoy, you’ll want to do it more, grow in knowledge about it, get better at it, and even share it with others. This is a good time to be asking yourself this question, because knowing where your strengths and passions lie is the first step to deciding what course you could be pursuing – and even what will get you waking up excited to do each day in the future. Set up a flea market or push cart stall Share with friends new findings from studies Fix up a new bookcase following the instructions [ I WOULD... 10 Only tick the statements that apply most to you! Learn more about other cultures Sell things online ] Show my friend stepby-step how to do something Film cool videos and share them Try out a new recipe Be a good listener to my best friend and try to help Watch videos that open up things to see how they work 9 Help my younger siblings with their homework Doodle or sketch Discuss with friends about current events and social affairs Come up with ideas for my future company Write a blog of my opinions and reviews Destress at an art café over a canvas and acrylic paints Build a model car or landmark building Make handmade things Do home experiments for fun Study in a group and motivate my friends YOUR RESULTS How many of each colour did you score? MOSTLY GREENS MOSTLY BLUES MOSTLY PURPLES MOSTLY ORANGES MOSTLY REDS = = = = = REALISTIC INVESTIGATIVE ARTISTIC SOCIAL ENTERPRISING Practical Analytical Creative Interacting Persuasive Planning Questioning Expressive Helpful A leader Step-by-step Curious Original Teaching/Nurturing Entrepreneurial Structured Researching Imaginative Teamwork Risk-taking Process work Logical Full of ideas Message-sharing Confident Problem-solving Experimental Conceptual Understanding Driven Mechanical Insightful Unconventional Inspiring Ambitious Check out some examples of TP courses that could be categorised under these traits on the next three pages. For the full list of TP courses, refer to the accompanying EAE Guide. *DISCLAIMER! This is just an informal quiz to help you get a better idea of the types of tasks you might prefer or types of courses you could possibly consider. For a better assessment of your occupational personality, check out the Personal Globe Inventory test that’s available on your ecareers.sg portal, with 115 questions and detailed results. Alternatively, simply pop in to see your school’s friendly ECG Counsellor for more helpful quizzes that can help you understand your interests better. 10 Communications & Media Management [What’s it about?] Getting the message out there, through print, broadcast and online channels. From behind the scenes of newspaper and television journalism, to the world of media relations, to hearing yourself live on radio, you’ll be talking the talk in no time. [Enterprising + Investigative] To be successful in the media industry, you really need a chockfull of confidence and personality. You can’t be shy because you’ll need to ask difficult questions, try out new ways of doing things, and you must be comfortable putting your best smile forward. [Perfect for you if…] You love media. You turn to print, radio and television for your daily dose of news and entertainment. Even when everything has gone online, you still find mainstream media captivating, and you find challenge in breathing new life into it. [Some course modules] Journalism, Radio Studio Production, Media Scriptwriting, Multi-Camera Studio Production, Marketing & Corporate Communications [Career opportunities] Work in media companies, advertising agencies, marketing communications departments, public relations consultancies, video production houses, corporate communication departments [Awesome factor] CMM students have their own little hideaways in the MediaBiz Studios (television and radio studios – where they broadcast through campus radio), Mac Lab and Editorial room (where they work on the campus newspaper). Hospitality & Tourism Management [What’s it about?] Everything related to hospitality and tourism! From the moment you book your trip, pack your bags, get on that plane, hop onto that tour bus to that iconic destination, check into your hotel, and sit down for your meal. [Social + Enterprising] No surprises that any job in this sector involves a whole lot of interaction with people – after all, you’re crucial to making their holiday an amazing one! Your enthusiasm and leadership qualities will also help you stand out. [Perfect for you if…] You are a big people person and providing service with a smile is in your DNA. Also, if you’re the type who enjoys organising vacation trips and having friends over for dinner. And you should love to travel (DUH!). [Some course modules] Destination Planning, Airlines Business Management, Operations & Management of Food & Beverage, Business Etiquette & Service Excellence [Career opportunities] Practically any service sector – hotels, resorts, airlines, tour operators, museums, national tourism organisations, tourist attractions, F&B services, events management and MICE companies [Awesome factor] Train at our very own full service restaurant, hotel lobby and clubhouse, all on the TP campus. Plus, it being a travel course, there’s a good chance of doing your internship in some faraway exotic country like Mauritius! Psychology Studies [What’s it about?] Understanding behaviour and mental processes is key to unravelling the mysteries of why people do the things they do, and applying it in life, whether in the community, workplace, or early childhood. [Investigative + Social] You have to be curious enough about what makes people tick, and want to dig deep to analyse it for yourself. You’d want to use what you learn about people to help them become the best versions of themselves. [Perfect for you if…] You love social experiments. You have your own theories and you’d love the chance to test them and see if you’re right – or completely wrong. You have an open mind and the ability to see things from different perspectives. [Some course modules] Developmental Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Physiological Psychology, Principles of Statistics, Research Methods [Career opportunities] Psychology-related roles in human resources, education, social and community services, consumer research, advertising, marketing [Awesome factor] The syllabus provides a strong foundation in the spectrum of psychology disciplines and applications, while the electives allow you to choose specialisations in early childhood, social services or human resources. Early Childhood Studies [What’s it about?] Educating young minds, the future generation! This course equips you with the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to become a competent early childhood educator, including good grounding in psychology and character education. [Social + Artistic] First and foremost, it’s about teaching and inspiring children! To do so, you’ll need to come up with pretty original and creative ways, so time to put that arty thinking cap on! [Perfect for you if…] You believe that children don’t HAVE to paint the sky blue, that all work and no play isn’t healthy, and you have no issues being covered in marker lines, dirt smudges and food remnants. [Some course modules] Child Psychology, Classroom Management, Creativity & the Arts, Child Safety, Health & Nutrition, Educational Psychology [Career opportunities] Pre-school teachers, play therapists, children’s events planners, book authors, curriculum specialists, child support and family services officers [Awesome factor] You’ll get a unique learning and research experience at the only Preschool Learning Academy in Singapore – PLAY@TP, right here on campus. The diploma course is also accredited by the Early Childhood Training Accreditation Committee (ECTAC). 11 Apparel Design & Merchandising [What’s it about?] The ins and outs of the fashion industry. It’s a lot of hard work behind the glamour, and this course takes you to where the action happens – from designing outfits to putting up runway shows, to managing the business of fashion. [ARTISTIC + ENTERPRISING] You’d have to be pretty artistic and bold to produce original creations with your own signature flair, or the eye to spot good fashion and market it so it flies off the racks. [Perfect for you if…] You are about what you wear; no baggy T-shirt and berms at school please! You’re arty, creative, able to update a classic with a fresh spin, and not afraid of (sewing) needles. [Some course modules] Figure Drawing, Fashion Merchandising, Textile Manipulation & Design, Apparel Manufacturing Process [Career opportunities] Become a designer, buyer, stylist, marketer or consultant for a fashion brand, or make your fashion dreams a reality with your own apparel business. [Awesome factor] You can choose to specialise in fashion design or retail merchandising. The only fashion-related polytechnic course in Singapore, you’ll enjoy excellent accreditation and international recognition among the best fashion schools abroad. Digital Film & Television [What’s it about?] It’s about having a vision and a story to share… and then figuring out the best way to bring that story to life on screen. Be prepared to get hands-on with every aspect of creating your own films, be it writing, directing, post-editing or pitching. [Artistic + Social] Film is the medium, but making a film is an art form. How do you say what you want to say in the most creative and original way? Does it increase awareness in a cause, inspire people to do something – what’s your message? [PERFECT FOR YOU IF…] You are a big fan of movies and TV shows, notice the little things that make them awesome, and want to create that kind of magic. [Some course modules] Cinematography, Creative Storytelling, Directing, Screenwriting, Film Language, Project Pitching, Documentaries [Career opportunities] Producers, directors, editors, camera crew, scriptwriters – all jobs in broadcast and film production are open to you; or you can even set up your own production company. [AWESOME FACTOR] You’ll work with industry standard high-definition equipment, have access to lecturers with years of experience in the field, make films, take part in international film festivals, and could possibly go on to study at Tisch or other world class film schools after graduation. 3D Interactive Media Technology [What’s it about?] In a word: 3D-animation. They’re widely popular in films, educational videos, websites, advertising, computer games… Well, someone’s gotta make them, right? That person would be you! [Realistic + Artistic] As you probably can tell, this course requires you to be able to visualise in 3D, but on the backend, the creation of this requires much structure and planning, like putting together a puzzle from scratch. [Perfect for you if…] You’re a patient person, because creating magic takes time! You’ve probably already seen all the “Making of” videos of your favourite animated films, and you want to be a part of those teams. You like building models too in your free time. [Some course modules] Modelling & Animation, Engineering Drawing, 3D Real-Time Visualisation, 3D Interactive Digital Media, Digital Animation & Special Effects [Career opportunities] You’ll be able to land jobs in interactive media and 3D application development, 3D content creation, 3D modelling and animation, across industries such as engineering, education, healthcare, and more. [Awesome factor] This is the only polytechnic diploma course that specialises in 3D content creation for interactive applications across industrial and commercial areas. Plus you’ll get to work in the Interactive Digital Centre Asia (IDC Asia) – one of Asia's top interactive digital media centres that’s fully equipped with high tech 3D equipment, simulators and animation software. Clean Energy [What’s it about?] Keeping the world alive by harnessing clean energy sources (such as solar, hydro and wind power) as a sustainable alternative to our depleting fossil fuels. In other words, trying to save the Earth. [Realistic + Investigative] This course is all about very practical problem-solving after all – but it also requires a whole lot of experimenting and analysing. How else will you know you’ve discovered something amazing? [Perfect for you if…] You care about the environment and you want to help realize a future for generations to come. You’re probably the one who reminds your family members and friends to reuse, reduce and recycle! [Some course modules] Circuit Analysis, Engineering Physics, Engineering Mathematics, Fuel Cell Design & Testing, Energy Conversion & Storage Systems [Career opportunities] Renewable or clean energy technologists or research associates, energy auditors, electronics/electrical assistant engineers, energy management executives [Awesome factor] You’ll get to work on TP’s very own Clean Energy Research Centre, which is at the forefront of clean energy research in Singapore. The course also has a speciality focus on fuel cells and is supported by the Singapore Fuel Cell Community of about 30 industry companies and institutions dedicated to fuel cell R&D. 12 Cyber & Digital Security [What’s it about?] Hacking. Or rather, developing counter measures against it as well as other digital viruses, Trojans and botnets designed to critically damage government and business operations. Can you protect important information systems from being compromised? [Investigative + Realistic] You’ll have to question the damage that can be done, perhaps even get into the mind of a cyber-criminal, in order to set up pre-emptive security measures to prevent that situation. This is the ultimate problem-solving before there’s even a problem [Perfect for you if…] You like challenging yourself to create puzzles and riddles that others hopefully might not be able to solve. You have the analytical mind to understand how it works, but also the ability to see out of the box. And you like the idea of fighting (cyber) crime. [Some course modules] Ethical Hacking & Intrusion Prevention, Forensics in Digital Security, Legal Aspects of IT, Enterprise System Security & Assurance [Career opportunities] Loads of job opportunities in the IT security field, be it in local and multinational businesses, government, financial and banking institutions, IT security consultancies and developers [Awesome factor] TP has its very own IT Security & Forensics Hub, with training by leading partner companies IBM and RSA that will expose you to the latest security technologies, provide opportunities to work on real industry projects, and obtain professional certifications that will give you an edge in the workforce. Game Design & Development [What’s it about?] Games, of course! Learn everything that makes up the game production pipeline – from digital storyboarding, to 3D animation, AI programming, to the business of marketing your new and exciting computer game. [Realistic + Artistic] Games may look fun but the planning and development required for each stage are serious business! You’ll need to be able to think systematically but also come up with concepts that look awesome. [Perfect for you if…] You don’t just like playing computer games, you like modifying them and researching all the ways you could improve on an existing game – and you’d love to put in the hard work to create your own game! [Some course modules] 3D Game Texturing, Lighting & Animation, Game AI, Game Math & Physics, Game Production & Publishing, Mobile Game Programming [Career opportunities] Testers, designers, modellers, developers and programmers for games, applications, graphics software, mobile games and more [Awesome factor] In a corner of TP lies the Serious Games Hub, where you get to work with industry standard game engines from Unity and game development tools from Autodesk Gameware, sometimes even before this technology is available to the rest of the world. Baking & Culinary Science [What’s it about?] Take the guesswork out of cooking and uncover the science behind recipes. Knowing all the how’s and the why’s about the ingredients you work with will allow you to combine scientific knowledge with culinary skills to create masterpieces, every time. [Realistic + Artistic] Cooking is a very structured task by nature, with some steps simply having to come first before others in the process. Of course, you’ll also need a good dose of creativity to create your own modern take on a traditional dish, for example. [Perfect for you if…] You love baking and cooking already at home, and your friends and family are always asking you to make old favourites for them – and each batch is just as good as the last one. Consistency is the name of the game. [Some course modules] Basic Nutrition & Food, Baking Science, Western & Asian Culinary Practicum, Food Chemistry, Applied Food Safety, Food Service Management [Career opportunities] Join the F&B industry as baking technologists or junior chefs, go into food R&D, set up your own bakery or café, or even work in food consultancy businesses. [Awesome factor] With professional kitchens for Asian and Western cuisines, as well as baking, plus award-winning chef instructors with international experience, you know you’re set to turn heads with good food! Veterinary Technology [What’s it about?] Caring for animals, in a nutshell. Beyond just learning about optimum pet health and nutrition, you’ll also be trained in aquaculture and bio conservation, veterinary surgery and biomedical research. [Investigative + Social] Understanding the science behind animals requires a curious and analytical mind, but applying the things you learn to help or save animals requires heart. [Perfect for you if…] You wish you could adopt and nurture all the stray animals and turn your home into an animal shelter. You have pets and spend your time reading up on what’s best for their development. [Some course modules] Molecular Genetics, Animal Anatomy & Physiology, Surgical & Anaesthetic Principles, Pathology, Immunology, Animal Health & Diseases [Career opportunities] Work as a veterinary technologist in animal clinics and hospitals, in animal education, health or welfare organisations, AVA, animal quarantine, pet shops, or even as a fish biologist or aquarist. [Awesome factor] This is the only vet-related diploma course in Singapore that can boast its own licensed animal clinic on campus and its own marine aquaculture research lab at a marine fish farm. When you join, you’d be just in time for TP’s new veterinary and aquaculture centre too. Plan to become a vet? Graduates from this course get the privilege of direct second-year entry into the Bachelor course in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery at Murdoch University. 14 1) TAKE A NAP 2) TAKE A WARM SHOWER 3) Whiff away Seems obvious right? If you’re just way too exhausted, nothing’s gonna get into that mind of yours. When you need it, take a quick 30-minute power nap - any longer and you’ll get that groggy “Where-am-I?” feeling when you wake up. Physically, this relaxes those tense muscles in your body. Mentally, you’re allowing the stresses of the day to just wash away… Plus come on, it feels good! It’s a simple way to indulge! Research shows that lavender increases the deep slumber during which the heartbeat slows and muscles relax. So shower with lavender soap, or just sprinkle some lavender essential oil on a piece of tissue paper and tuck it under your pillow before sleepy time! SHAKE OFF DE STRESS This could well be the most stressful year of your life so far. But don’t let it get to you! Here are 8 ridiculously easy ways to chill out and de-stress! 5) Pen on paper 4) Nosh on chocolate Eating just one square of dark chocolate is said to help regulate levels of the stress hormone cortisol. One square, we said, not one whole bar! Sometimes there’s nothing quite as therapeutic as putting pen to paper. Doodling can help you relax and collect your thoughts. Maybe give yourself some time to doodle after revising each important section? Never mind if you can’t draw, typography is an art form too. 6) Colour your world Do a simple colouring exercise, like the one on page 19! Don’t laugh at it; an activity like this can help you let off steam, release tension and even help the brain focus, just as much as one session of yoga. 15 * Eyebrows – Using your fingers, apply some pressure to your eyebrows and its surrounding area. This little trick does wonders to ease tension in a snap! * Eyes – Rub your palms together quickly, then press them to your eyes for some warmth and comfort. * Ears – Holding them in the middle, pull your ears outwards and make a puffed up monkey face. This helps wake you up and stimulate the brain – no kidding! 7) Massage your face After studying for hours, you’re bound to get a little stiff, not to mention sleepy. Some self-massage will do it – here are some small spots that make a big difference! * Nose – Pinch the bridge of your nose (somewhere just below where the hard stuff begins). This not only brings you more clarity but also a little more oxygen intake – just what your oxygen-deprived sleepy self needs. * Hair – Gently tug on your hair. You’re not trying to pull your hair out! You’re just trying to get blood flowing to your head in a new and refreshing way. Stretching releases tension, calms your mind and renews energy. Here are 4 easy stretches you can do even in your chair: 8) Stretch it out * Hips – Place one leg across the other with the foot just over the other knee, then bend forward as far as you can and touch the floor with your fingers. You should feel the burn in your hips and thighs. Swop sides. * Waist – Holding on to the back of your chair, try to turn around as much as you can, see how far you can go. Do it on both sides a few times, each time challenging yourself to go just that little further. This works both your back as well as your waist. * Neck – Draw a circle with your head, clockwise then anti-clockwise. Then press your head to the left and to the right. Finally, look down diagonally, you know, like you’re staring at your armpit, left and then right. It works!! * Chest – Grab on to the base of your chair towards the back, sit up straight, roll your shoulders back, and stick your chest out. You should feel it especially in your shoulders and rib area. TRY THIS! Easy quiche to make at home! *Pronounced as keesh In the microwave, melt 1 teaspoon of butter in a mug. Crack two small eggs into the mug, add 2 tablespoons of milk, and a pinch of salt and pepper, and mix it all up. (Yes, watch that yolk break – heavenly!) two eggs Toss in whatever you want. Tear up bits of sliced cheese, chicken ham, a quarter of a slice of bread, dice up some tomatoes, cut up some spinach, and throw in some herbs. There’s no need to mix. The ingredients will magically settle in their places! cut up spinach parsley butter slice of bread Chicken ham Dice of to mato More cheese on the top please. MOAR CHEEEEEEESE! Pop it back into the microwave for 1-2 minutes, and your quick fancy meal is served! “DINGG !” CHEEEESE! 16 17 18 1. Stick to a Schedule Set aside a specific time every day to study. If you don’t have a strict “Study Time”, it’s super easy to get lazy and say “I don’t feel like it right now.” A schedule provides the necessary limits you otherwise won’t bear to impose on yourself! Yes, you can beat procrastination. You can do it! 3. Set Do-able Goals 2. Establish a Study Space Your very own private space to be in the zone. Make sure you have enough desk space for you to lay out your books and notes; it’s frustrating to jostle with things. Get a nice mug, toss all your highlighters and coloured pens in there. Easy-to-reach, easy-on-the-eye stationery can be very motivating! Put up inspirational posters or stickers around to remind you that “YOU GOT THIS.” Revising even one chapter is better than revising nothing. Set little achievable goals and notice just how satisfying it is when you accomplish them. Slowly give yourself harder goals as you achieve more and more. Woohoo, watch those ticks fly onto your study checklist! Don’t forget to reward yourself with each achievement unlocked. Rewards can be anything from snacks, newsfeed time, even a nap. EIGHT 4. Get Good Sleep Studies show that losing one night’s sleep can impair reasoning and memory for up to 4 days! :O So make sure you get your 6 to 8 hours of sleep nightly so you’re fresh to soak up the most from each day. Bonus, the brain actually stews over tough topics while you snooze, so hit the serious studying just before bedtime and let your brain do the rest. Maths SECRET 5. Focus!!! STUDY STRATEGIES Multitasking is just multidistracting. If you think you can study physics, while doing math problems AND reading out English phrases to yourself at the same time, JUST NO. It might feel like you’re getting a lot done, but research proves that if you’re not focused on studying, it actually reduces accurate recall and you end up with bits of information you can’t really string together. So focus focus focus! English Geography 6. Mix It Up 7. Check Yourself Don’t theme this week Geography Week and only study Geog every day and night. It seems variety actually leads to better retention, maybe simply because you’re not so bored learning the same type of thing all the time. You could be studying, studying, studying… but how much of it actually goes in? Examinations force you to retrieve information from your brain, so you want to make sure it’s in there. So do a practice paper or quiz yourself with flashcards after each study session – or even rattle out a summary of what you learnt to your cat! Just make sure your studying has been effective. 8. Feed Yourself Well A rumbling tummy will hinder your ability to focus and study. But don’t turn to those high-fat chips if you’re hungry; a study at University of Oxford revealed that students who snacked unhealthily scored lower on brain tests. Time crunched to cook an elaborate nutritional meal? No sweat, search up simple microwavable “In a Mug” recipes. Mac and cheese, quiche, banana bread – you’ll be amazed by what you can make in under 5 minutes! (See pg 15) KEEP CALM AND STUDY SMART write your own motto in the crest! ADD COLOUR TO YOUR WORLD 19 20 WHICH TYPE OF LEARNING IS BEST FOR YOU? They say the key to study success lies not in studying more, but studying smart. We’re all unique and as such, have different learning styles – meaning, we absorb and retain information in different ways. While you may not be completely a 100% certain type of learner, try out some of these methods of learning and see if they make studying easier for you! 1) In your spare time, which activity would you most likely be engaged in? 4) In a boring class, you’re more prone to end up... A) Watching videos B) Listening to music C) Sports or dancing A) Doodling in your textbook B) Talking to your friend C) Fidgeting in your chair 2) When someone doesn’t really understand what you’re saying, you try to explain better by: 5) A new Korean dance song is out, and you love it. Which would you most likely be doing? A) Drawing out what you mean B) Describing in detail C) Using your hands to gesture A) Watching the music video on loop B) Learning the lyrics and singing along C) Practicing the dance steps to the song 3) Which challenge would you rather undertake? A) Fixing up an Ikea shelf using their pictorial instructions B) Having to complete a task blindfolded, relying only on a friend’s spoken instructions C) Trying to find your way through a real-life garden maze 6) On social media, you’re most likely to post: 7) When you think back on a fun experience, what would you mostly recall? A) What the scene looked like and the faces of the people involved B) The awesome conversations you had with friends C) All the games and activities you participated in 8) When it’s time to sleep, you need this the most in order to be comfortable: A) The room needs to be dark B) It needs to be quiet C) The temperature needs to be just right A) Arty Instagram pictures B) YouTube videos of yourself playing an instrument or singing C) High game scores and unlocked achievements RESULTS Mostly A's – You’re mostly a visual learner. You learn best through seeing things, and memories appear as pictures in your head. Mostly B's – You’re mostly an auditory learner. You learn best through hearing, and your memory acts like a voice in your head. Mostly C's – You’re mostly a kinesthetic learner. You learn best through doing things, and you remember things better having done them. Try learning in these ways: • Draw mind maps and flowcharts • Watch videos related to the subject • Colour-code your notes • Use diagrams to help you understand better • Doodle effectively to trigger memory Try learning in these ways: • Get friends to quiz you • Explain concepts to others • Record audio of yourself summarizing what you’ve learnt • Play soothing music while revising • Always read things out loud and not in your head Try learning in these ways: • Use flash cards to quiz yourself • Make your own memory games • Do more practice papers • Write out concepts on a big chalkboard or white board • Use sticky notes around you SEAN LIM & JERRALDINE CHEN What it says on their namecards: Director, The Batter People Co. Pte Ltd What they’re known as: The duo behind the success of Sin Lee Foods Graduated from: TP’s Culinary & Catering Management course INTROD UCING INTROD UCING 21 CLOGTWO Alias: Eman Jeman Calls himself: Visual Anarchist / Graffiti Writer / Graphic and Video Designer Known to boring people as: Freelance illustrator Graduated from: TP’s Interactive Media Design course (now merged into Communication Design) These people had a dream. They might not have known what it was exactly. A fleeting thought, a shapeless idea, a fuzzy concept in their minds. But they embraced it, they honed it, they let it take them to places they never knew they would go. Because that’s what dream-chasing is all about; an exciting adventure and the fearless pursuit of passion. PAGES 22 - 23 22 SEAN LIM & JERRALDINE CHEN imchi Skillet Pork Chops with Asian Ratatouille, Salted Egg Sweet Potato Fries, Lobster and Truffle Cassoulet, Mentaiko Crab Okonomiyaki, Har Jiong Gai Chicken and Waffle. Never heard of such items on a menu? Head to Sin Lee Foods at Bukit Ho Swee, and you’ll find these strange and exotic concoctions and more just waiting to enthral your taste buds. K check. It really makes a difference when people have the same goals and work as a team.” Behind the magic and the mayhem, you’ll find Sean and Jerraldine. Their love for food goes beyond that of your everyday foodie, such that they took it upon themselves to create a whole new food group, almost. After pursuing their culinary passions working for Michelin-starred and New York restaurants, they came together and poured their creativity into creating an intriguing East-meets-West menu of their favourite tastes and comfort foods, which has since seen the café voted as Top 10 in Singapore. Sean: “I’m very glad to have been able to train at Michelin-starred restaurants under Marco Pedrelli and Guy Savoy. Some of it is like what you see on TV – it’s very intense and adrenalin pumping, shouting happens sometimes, but it’s never personal. It’s more like a beautiful dance from prep work to plates going out. The hours are long but when everyone has the same goal, it brings the restaurant to greater heights.” THEIR FOOD JOURNEY ALL BEGAN AT TP. Meanwhile, it was also at TP where Jerraldine discovered her true calling. Sean: “TP really was the starting point of everything. From really learning how to cook, to how to do accounting, to wine and beverage. To be honest, I used to laugh, ‘This is so lame,’ but when you start a business then you realise the skills we learnt in TP were so useful! I was also pretty lucky to be given opportunities to represent the school in competitions, and later represented Singapore.” Jerraldine: “I had the opportunity to intern at a very good restaurant group in Singapore under the Les Amis scholarship. TP showed me clearly where I want to go. I headed to the Culinary Institute of America to pursue my degree in Culinary Arts and gain more knowledge. I found that the skills and experience I had gained from my diploma course really set me ahead of my peers.” HE’S BEING MODEST, OF COURSE. SEAN WAS PART OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM AT THE FOOD HOTEL ASIA DREAM TEAM COMPETITION IN 2010 AND WAS CROWNED BEST YOUNG CHEF ASIA AT HANS BUESCHKENS IN 2011. The roads they took after graduation further opened their eyes to the culinary world. Jerraldine: “I spent half a year working in an upscale restaurant on Madison Avenue in NYC. It truly was an eye-opener. I feel that in Singapore, everyone works for themselves and they only focus on the pay Of course this exciting journey hasn’t been one without challenges. Sean: “I can’t say I haven’t failed. This is my, what, fifth startup? But each time I say to myself, ‘S***, I failed this time. What’s next?’ Then I set my mind on it and get things done. I discovered two important traits: determination and positivity. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and do it. Don’t give up halfway. Always remember, if you give up, someone else is going to realise your dream instead of you.” P.S. Watch the interview with Sean and Jerraldine here at bit.ly/sinlee! 23 Funny story, but design wasn’t even his top choice course. CLOGTWO his is an unassuming guy who has exhibited in New York, been featured on the cover of GQ magazine, presented a TED talk, been commissioned to paint the streets of London, to create larger-thanlife art for bars, cafés, even the Formula One Grand Prix, and did we mention, has a client list of brands from Adidas to Google and Microsoft?! T And let’s not even talk about the fact that you’d see his work plastered on walls if you were to visit Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, USA, Japan, Russia, Thailand, Indonesia, South Korea, Australia, UK, Taiwan… sorry the list is just too long, we’d run out of space. “Chemical Engineering had my interest. But I guess all paths are carved differently. I didn’t get into my desired course, but so I began my journey in design, an education that crafted me into a multidisciplinary creative.” Of course, no designer can achieve greatness without a little support along the way. “That immersive experience of realising your ideas with the state-of-the-art computers and machines – those were some of the best moments I had in TP. Also, working with peers who were always ready to offer motivation; it was like a movement where young creatives could share ideas and visions.” It’s not enough to believe in yourself and daydream about it though. There wasn’t a time Clogtwo wasn’t working on his art. “During the two years of NS I kept myself busy drawing and painting on walls. Then I worked on some freelance projects, and then got a job as a motion graphic designer for five years. During that time I was still practicing my craft as a graffiti writer, painting walls and doing digital illustrations on the side.” USA 2015 south korea 2014 Eman had been exploring graffiti as a side hobby since joining TP in 2004. He never got to finish his first graffiti piece due to a clogged spray can nozzle, and so that year, ‘Clogtwo’ was born, the ‘two’ in the name a self-reminder to always push for first. LONDON 2014 amsterdam 2015 His passion for drawing started as a child though. “I would draw endlessly in front of the TV, referencing superhero characters. This interest led me to drawing cartoon characters to drafting and live drawing. And it’s this interest that drove me to gain more knowledge and skills over the years. Along the way, my other passions would come to unlock inspirations that aid my work.” Today, HE'S TURNED HIS HOBBY INTO A LIVING AND his work literally speaks for itself. Just check out www.inkandclog.com. What advice does this successful dreamchaser have for students? “To pursue anything, you need passion and hard work. Don’t be afraid to experiment, and don’t be afraid to fail. Explore ideas, and be open to collaborations. Your passion may at times fail you, but never give up on it. Keep working on it until you perfect it.” 24 25 26 the collective Engineering, business, IT… It doesn’t matter what varied industries these folks will find themselves in after poly, right now it’s all about the one passion they share. Five TP Music Vox members tell us about the role music plays in their lives – a momentum, a drive, a uniting force. Brandon Russell Hidayah George Abigail Music Vox is no ordinary CCA. It’s where people who love music come together to make music. You don’t just audition and form a band and never see the rest of your CCA mates again. Nope, when you join Music Vox, you become a part of something bigger. You get to jam with different people, form different bands, work on gigs, rearrange music, expose yourself to new genres, challenge yourself to play better, learn about what goes on backstage, perform in big events… And at the end of the day, you always come home to people who love music as much as you do. 27 have a little fun. But I wanted to improve my drumming skill and play in a band – so I joined Music Vox. Music has to be played from the heart. People can feel it. George George B Varghese {Drums} Year 1, Mechatronics What’s your music journey been like? My dad loves the drums, so he sent me for drum lesson when I was in Sec 1. But the process of learning was dry, the progress was slow, and I wasn’t really enjoying myself. It took years of practice before I started to What are the best parts about Music Vox? Not only have I gotten much better at playing the drums, but my interest has grown. It’s not about playing alone anymore, it’s playing with people who share that passion for music, and are right there to help keep your momentum going and refuel your fire. I also used to be incredibly shy about playing in front of people, but we perform so much here, it really helps build my confidence and experience, so that now, I can play what I think feels right. What challenges have you had to overcome? Drums are the pulse of any band – if the drums screw up, everything else screws up. That’s a lot of pressure on me, especially when we had really big events with ministers and guests of honour. During one rehearsal practice, I actually just broke down because of the pressure, but my section leader helped me out, giving me breaks and a chance to refocus. Another time, I felt like quitting because I thought I just wasn’t good enough for the standard, but my Music Vox mates told me not to give up, and eventually we made it through together. Through all this I’ve learnt to go for what I really love, despite what anybody says. Music has to be played from the heart. People can feel it. Hidayah Nur Hidayah Bte Abdul Ghani {Bass} Year 1, 3D Interactive Media Technology and lots of YouTube videos. And then I joined Music Vox and I’ve learnt sooooooo much. What’s your music journey been like? I was in the symphonic band in primary school, but when my brother started playing the guitar, I wanted to learn too. As I listened to more bands, I fell in love with the groovy, underrated sound of the bass guitar. But my parents said it wasn’t “for a girl”. My dad finally gave in and bought me a bass guitar in Sec 2. It was the best birthday present ever! I didn’t know any theory or how to play at all, so it was me in my room, with my bass guitar, What are the best parts about Music Vox? In Music Vox, I get to gig, play in live bands, take a pop song and turn it into alternative rock, and be a part of huge musicals and rock concerts. It’s made me more open minded, and taught me to appreciate other genres that I usually wouldn’t pick. But the best part of it has got to be finding this bunch of people who love music as much as you do. I’m always looking forward to jamming with them every week. The best part of it has got to be finding this bunch of people who love music as much as you do. 28 What I discovered in Music Vox was a true family of musicians. Abigail Abigail Yeo {Vocals} Year 3, Veterinary Technology What’s your music journey been like? I love singing; I always have. I was in my secondary school choir, I took singing lessons in music school and I’ve been taking part in singing competitions since I was 13. I knew I wanted to pursue music. But I also love animals. So it was either do a music course, or do Vet Tech and join a music CCA. I chose the latter, and I’m so glad I did because I’ve learnt more in one year in Music Vox than I ever did outside in the industry in five years. What are the best parts about Music Vox? I worked on my EP for some time after winning Project Superstar (Female). But it was a lonely journey in a rather hostile environment. Everyone is so competitive out there. But what I discovered in Music Vox was a true family of musicians. Here you get emotional support, encouragement, motivation. We’re always doing things together and helping each other out. There’s a lot of inter-band interaction, so it’s not just form your own band and that’s it – we’re always rotating members all the time, so it’s dynamic and you’re always jamming with different people, and there’s a great sense of unity that holds us together. And Music Vox enjoys really great mentorship under our Music Director Varian Lim, who always reminds us to “Bite off more than you can chew”. 29 My first thought was, “Oh no, how am I gonna play the guitar the way I did before?” Brandon Gan {Guitar} Year 2, Logistics & Operations Management Brandon What’s your music journey been like? I’ve been playing the guitar since I was 12; my dad was a big influence. I guess that’s why I’m such an oldies guy, give me 70’s or 80’s music anytime. In fact, I still jam every Saturday with my dad’s band of old guys haha. I was also in the Guitar Ensemble Club in secondary school, they called me a prodigy. But it was still just a side hobby. Then I broke my arm badly and ended up with a metal plate in it. My first thought was, “Oh no, how am I gonna play the guitar the way I did before?” After leaving the hospital, I knew I just had to try to play the guitar again. When a senior asked me to join Music Vox, I did, in a heartbeat. I just knew I had to. What’s your advice to students looking to pursue their passions too? I’ve never regretted joining Music Vox. I did 15 gigs last year, on top of being on the committee and being the student musical director for the TP25 musical. There were tough moments, lots of adjustments, but I’ve gained so much knowledge, not only in music but also life skills. Don’t be afraid. Take risks. Give it your all. Try anything. If you keep contemplating the decision, you’ll never do it. Know what you want, and work hard to do it. Russell Russell Chan {Keyboards} Year 1, Business Information Technology What’s your music journey been like? In primary school I played the yang qin in the Chinese Orchestra, and I’ve been learning classical piano since I was little. I figured I wanted to do something different – play in a live band, explore arranging music and songs. Not only have I achieved those being in Music Vox, but I’ve also learnt so much more. Being a part of the TP25 musical, the journey was interesting and intense. We had rehearsals almost every day. But it’s opened my eyes not only musically but also in working with the advisors, being organised, every little detail of putting a musical together, and working as one big family. Music Vox really is a place where we love each other, perform together, have fun together, and learn together. What’s your advice to students looking to pursue their passions too? Stay focused on what you really love. You may have to take sidetracks occasionally to do other things but ultimately, know what you want, and work hard to do it. 30 21-23 NOVEMBER 2016 31 It’s the most explosive and high-intensity camp ever! But it’s also where you’ll experience the most fun, friends and funny things that’ll make your day, and plenty of memories to come. Actually, the true poly experience doesn’t start next year when you join, it starts now. You haven’t been to TP if you haven’t been to TPRAWKS. GET UP CLOSE How often do your favourite TV celebrities come by to say hi and have loads of fun with you? Just another day at TPRAWKS, of course. GET HANDS-ON Experience a real taste of what goes on in class for some TP courses. It’ll help you discover your potential and decide what you love. GET WITH THE PROGRAMME Only for the initiated. Sign up for TPRAWKS, and you’ll receive this mysterious Rawker’s Kit in the mail. Everything you need to know will be in there – what to bring, what to wear, where to go, even where to hop onto the free shuttle bus (because, why pay if you can get a free ride, right?) GET OUT THERE The outdoors beckons. It’s time to get out of your comfort zone and into the adventure. Throw on that life vest, start working those arms. Because that’s how we row (geddit?). GET JIGGY WITH IT It’s not really about the dance moves. You could dance like a duck, that’s fine. It’s more about that awesome feeling of solidarity when EVERYBODY is doing it together. GET THE TEE! Essentially it’s proof you were there and you were a part of something amazing. Plus, there’s that unspoken moment of proud kaki-hood when you see someone else wearing that shirt in the street. Make sure you keep your eyes peeled to @temasekpoly on Instagram in the weeks before TPRAWKS, because you’ll actually get to pick YOUR favourite design. So what are you waiting for? Sign up for TPRAWKS (21-23 Nov) now! www.tp.edu.sg/events/tprawks 32 :: THE LAST PAGE :: KEE CHIU IF THIS IS YOU WE LOVE OUR UNIFORMS... BUT OUR OTHER CLOTHES ARE GETTING JEALOUS! EARLY ADMISSIONS EXERCISE Application dates: 22 TO 29 JUNE 2016* SECURE A PLACE AT TEMASEK POLYTECHNIC EVEN BEFORE SITTING FOR THE O LEVELS *These are tentative dates. Confirmed dates will be published at www.polytechnic.edu.sg Take the direct route to an excellent education now. Apply through Temasek Polytechnicʼs Early Admissions Exercise (EAE). WWW.TP.EDU.SG/EAE For more news and information, follow us on social media.