School’s starting in a week’s time! And it’s been more than 2 years since I have actually studied for anything. Culture-wise, it’s certainly going to be different from anything I’ve been through. No more fixed classes. Flexible timetables. Gone will be the days of spoon-feeding as the university culture emphasizes on a lot on independence and self-discipline. The school becomes the class as every course place students into different classes.

Meeting and interacting with people from all walks of life and around the globe will be an eye-opening experience as well as a challenge. Active class participation, projects and presentations become paramount while examinations move down the pecking order. Even though I’m not exactly a social butterfly, I look forward to relishing the challenge of getting acquainted with new people week in week out.

Then there’s work-life balance too. While all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, all play and no work makes me a useless boy. Therefore, after months of fun and games, there needs to be a focus shift to get the grey matter going again. But school’s not all about academic achievement too. While studies may take precedence in school, holistic development is equally important. I firmly believe in an all-rounded education.

Honestly, I’m not entirely ready to start school again, definitely not after such a long hiatus. But we all have to start somewhere, even if the first step is the toughest. Fortunately, freshmen camps did help to ease the anxiety a little as well as widen my social circle. Well, I guess this is the inevitable. It’s time to hit the books once again, four years and counting.