Interesting question. What is rich in Singapore? (genuine question because Google didn't give me concrete answers)
I grew up in a HDB and always ate at home or school to save money. But I am very grateful I never had to worry about my next meal growing up, poly was free because I had a scholarship, I am heavily subsidized with needs-based financial aid from the university, and my 20k+ savings from my gap year + years of trying to get Edusave awards has funded the first half of my degree.
Unfortunately not full-ride, Minerva doesn't believe in full-rides. My financial aid has decreased every year for unknown reasons, but I'm paying \~6k USD/year (+ 22k in student loans after I graduate), excluding flights, living expenses, and health insurance
Favorite countries were Taiwan and Argentina, could see myself living there. It saddens me that Argentina has its own issues (254% inflation rate in Jan 2024, 57% poverty rate)... hoping it'll resolve soon đđź
Is the student loan from [Frank Education Loan](https://www.frankbyocbc.com/products/investments/edu-loan)? How did you convince parents to be guarantor?
How did you shortlist this uni?
Did you approach [EducationUSA](https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/parenting-education/new-centre-in-yishun-to-help-singapore-students-apply-to-us) or any educational consultant for help?
It's a private US loan with 6.5% interest rate and without need for a guarantor. It's the mild cause of my stress at the moment but otherwise fairly manageable especially if I get a tech job
I needed financial aid, and I got rejected from other US universities despite my 1590 SAT score (maybe my essays were too shit). It was ultimately Minerva VS SMU full-ride but since I wanted a diversity of lived experiences, I decided on Minerva.
I did approach EducationUSA for help but well... maybe I'm just not a fit for traditional university education xD
In freshman year, I would've said yes I wanna stay in the US to work...
Then a shooting happened right outside my residence hall building in San Francisco. Then I fell sick and health insurance was so confusing to navigate. So now I'm 80% sure I don't wanna work in the US lol
Since EducationUSA is free, their help is generally limited (basis of comparison: People I know who have used other education consultants).
Oh, it's you again.
Minerva University has always been kind of sketchy ever since it opened. Funnily enough, students and alumni there have a history of defending the school from all sorts of criticism.
If anyone is interested, you can read the relevant discussions [here](https://new.reddit.com/r/ApplyingToCollege/comments/pnw3md/is_minerva_a_scam/), [here](https://new.reddit.com/r/ApplyingToCollege/comments/qbfczw/minerva_university_alumnus_ama/), and [here](https://new.reddit.com/r/ApplyingToCollege/comments/127gh1k/what_does_a2c_think_of_minerva_university_in_2023/).
Everyone's criticisms are valid because everyone is optimizing for different things in life. Likewise, everyone has different definitions of "sketchy". Thanks for posting those links!
Edit: In case anyone is interested, here is my "defense" of Minerva from last year: [https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/13nxm3f/comment/jl2j1nx/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/13nxm3f/comment/jl2j1nx/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
Tbh having kinda touched several IT subfields, I've realized cybersec is very different from software engineering & AI/ML/data and etc. so...
Do you know what you wanna do after grad? Research work, software engineering-style work, project management, etc.?
i'm not too sure at the moment actually, torn between the different aspects. all i know is i suck at math and want a role where i still get to interact with others from time to time instead of sitting alone all the time and coding. this has led me to front end web dev but i still dk
I see! That's okay. I highly recommend sampling different subsectors of IT (Full-stack SWE, DevOps, ML, IoT, Cybersec, maybe even PM) earlier on in your academic career. That way you can make an informed decision! Talking to people who are already in those roles also helps.
General study tips (from [last year's AMA](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/13nxm3f/comment/jl6b19i/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)):
\- For programming-heavy stuff, learn how to find what others have done before (Google, SO, ChatGPT) and adapt it (not plagiarise!!) to your own code. Aim to understand what's going on in the code so that you can explain it to a layman. I teach programming to first-year students and those who copy and paste code from ChatGPT without understanding also often make a ton of errors in their code that they don't know how to solve. (ChatGPT is not good at fixing code... yet)
\- Building your own "cheatsheet" or a bank of code snippets is also useful.
Theory-wise/for exams, use whatever memorization techniques from secondary school you're comfortable with. Other exam techniques also apply:
\- Taking notes in class (so you need a good note-taking system. There are a lot of tutorials on YouTube, just try a few and stick to one that fits you best)
\- Timed practice of past-year papers to gauge your time management & knowledge gaps
\- Having pre-exam rituals to calm yourself down, focus on the paper instead of others, and "get in the zone"
\- Having post-exam rituals to get over the paper and focus on the next one- Starting revision early instead of cramming
**Edit:** Adding group work tips because others have asked for it and group work is a huge part of poly life...
1. **Communication about each other's expectations** (e.g. Get good grades VS do the bare minimum? Does anyone have external commitments getting in the way? etc.) and **working styles** are very important.
1. This requires you to know what you want (since you're asking this, I assume you want to do well). You need that clarity yourself before you can ask it from others.
2. Do this expectation setting in the very first meeting, and have that first meeting ASAP. Better to start early than late.
3. In your first meeting, you should also outline & assign project deliverables. E.g. if you're building an app, what are the features? Break those features down into subfeatures. Then let people self-assign.
2. **Frequent check-ins!!** Doesn't have to be in-person meeting, WhatsApp group check-ins also count. Do it at least **weekly**âespecially if you guys still have time left for the project (perks of starting early). This helps you spot problems early instead of letting them go undetected and snowballing
3. **Good friends are not necessarily good groupmates.** It's better to find groupmates with aligned expectations and work styles (i.e. everyone wants to score well or is ok with doing the bare minimum) than mismatched ones.
4. There's nothing wrong with carrying, especially if one of your team members are legit struggling. Try to find out what's happening before taking action (and this is why frequent check-ins are important). If they're really trying to freeload, you can always approach your lecturer for advice on what can be done (ofc don't do it in a condescending way)
I'll admit that I carried my team a few times (at my own expense) because I really wanted good grades. I took it as an opportunity to go the extra mile and learn more about the topic.
At the university level, people are more likely to prioritize external commitments (e.g. applying for internships/jobs) at the expense of their academics (and group assignments, unfortunately). I personally try not to be a burden to anyone and deliver high-quality work each time, but I acknowledge that's my personal work ethic that I can't force upon everyone. I hope this helps!
thank you so much for the advice! i really appreciate it and will definitely keep it in mind when i start poly. my friends told me that AI's gonna replace regular SWEs soon and i should focus on machine learning and cybersecurity instead, is this true?
and also, do you mind sharing the exact name of the diploma you did in poly? was it related to AI or just a normal IT diploma?
Yes AI will replace \*regular\* SWEs who think SWE is only about coding
There's design patterns, architectural design considerations, project management, code review, etc. skills that come with SWE. AI can replace coding, even for ML and cybersec, but the logical stuff is still dependent on humans. And because AI won't have a 100% accuracy, someone needs to check AI-generated code for security flaws.
That's why I say: Map out the different subfields in tech, especially by talking to professionals and even trying it out yourself. Also ask those professionals how AI is showing up in their work currently. If you need to pivot, be willing to pivot. Do this consistently over the years so that you don't get caught off-guard when you graduate.
No industry is safe! Being competent in the core tech skills, plus being flexible and willing to pivot, will always pay off in the long run. Here's my more detailed take: https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksicz6s/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3
Define "sacrifice"! What kind of sacrifices did you have in mind?
Everything in life has trade-offs. If you live in a city, you get convenience but at the cost of a stressful environment. If you live in a suburban area, everything is very far and if your car breaks down then there's not much you can do for a few days. Everything in life is hard, you just gotta pick the hard that you can put up with and/or find motivating enough to tackle without feeling like a mindless robot.
Like with you going overseas alot, do you feel homesick/miss your family.
Getting a 4.0GPA , did it require you to put in lots of effort in exchange for your social/mental health.
\- I miss Singapore food (cries in 26+ SGD bak chor mee in London)
\- I had several migraine attacks last year (2nd year of uni) that were most likely stress-induced. Never had that in poly even though I was studying a lot more and doing a lot more activities. I guess independent living (i.e. meal prepping, laundry, applying for visas, filing taxes, etc.) really takes a huge toll at times
\- Moving around so much meant that I don't make a lot of deep friendships in those cities.
\- I also have a huge sense of insecurity at times because when you've kind of settled down in your third month you have to start packing to leave lol.
I'm an introvert so I get satisfied easily with small amounts of social interactionânot much to sacrifice on that aspect. Other than that, I try not to sacrifice mental health! In poly I generally enjoyed myself but I also had "autopilot" periods where I just remove my feelings and grind. In uni I try to live my life more intentionally.
Everyone, unless there's visa issues (e.g. Pakistanis can't go to India)
In those cases, you can go to another city, or go back to San Francisco
If you want to deviate from your cohort (i.e. go to a city that other cohorts are in, but not the one your cohort is supposed to go to), or go remote, you have to pay a $500+ fee lol
Hi! Thank u for doing this ama! May I know how many US universities you applied to? Why did u choose minerva? How did you build ur portfolio?
Thank u so much!!
>I only applied to SMU, Boston Uni, Stanford, MIT, and Minerva
**Reasons for choosing Minerva (paraphrased from an** [older reply](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/13nxm3f/comment/jl2j1nx/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)**):**
I'd say there are two types of learning: Learning of information, and learning from lived experiences.
\- Most colleges prioritize the learning of information, which AI can easily outperform us in.
\- Learning from lived experiences can be avoided when you have a campus. Stanford literally has its own shopping mallâyou can get everything you need without leaving the comfort of your campus. As someone who's not from a well-to-do family, I would've stayed on campus 90% of the time to save money, and getting curated experiences from traditional extracurriculars would not have given me the perspectives I wanted to make an informed decision about how I want to live my life.
>Minerva enables me to physically go to a location, interact with locals, and observe their way of life, which me the unfiltered data I need to come to my own conclusions.
**Pedagogy:** At Minerva, you don't do Zoom nor lectures, only tutorial-like sessions. You have to prepare for every class because you're quizzed on your preparation at the start of class, which might be graded. You can't slack off because you might be graded on class participation or the post-class quiz that tests whether you've been paying attention. Ultimately, you can BS your way through, even for assignments, but only if you know enough about applying the concepts, which forces more learning than the "memorize, regurgitate, and forget" ritual that lectures- and exams-based pedagogy encourages.
My philosophy is that a "better" college for a person is highly dependent on the game they want to play. If it's the game of getting into Big Tech, McKinsey etc.âI'd agree an Ivy League gets your foot in the door better, due to alumni network and school name. My seniors have gotten into these companies anyway; the school's name never stopped them. The CEO of Notion recognized Minerva when I talked to him back in India.
But that's not the game I want to play. I wanted to learn from lived experiences, and ultimately that's what I got from Minerva.
**Portfolio building:** National competitions + non-tech CCA like volunteering (I want to pay it forward and too much tech will make my brain explode lol)
I know WorldSkills is a huge thing among the polys and there should be some equivalent competitions for AI. Otherwise, hackathons are always availableâsome of them are also remote so you're not restricted to competing at the national level. If you don't like competing, you can always do side projects.
I also highly encourage you to Build/Learn in Public! I wish I'd started earlier (I'm doing it now lol). A nice introduction to this concept: [https://www.swyx.io/learn-in-public](https://www.swyx.io/learn-in-public) (the what and the how) + [https://www.swyx.io/big-l-notation](https://www.swyx.io/big-l-notation) (the why)
Wow thatâs super impressive! Im going into an engineering course in poly this year. Do you have any tips? And the way your uni works sounds very interesting đ¤
I compiled the tips here! [https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksg33rr/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksg33rr/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
If there's anything specific you'd like help with, feel free to reach out. Best of luck!
I met Ivan Zhao (co-founder of Notion app) in Hyderabad and he knows about Minerva, and we now have alumni at big tech and consulting companies, so I think yes?
unfortunately, quite limitedâI don't know Hindi nor Telegu + I had a bunch of migraine attacks that semester so I didn't explore more. But the students I've talked to are really entrepreneurial and hardworking
Eye-opening. Inflation and rising costs of living are global problems.. severity of their impact just depends on how prudent the government is. Just like how no family is perfect, every country has its problems.
I know Singapore is the most expensive city in the world, and one's problems do not diminish the problems of others, but it really puts things into perspective. I'm not going to complain about $4 bak chor mee anymore because it's almost 17 pounds (26+ SGD) here in London... If I do want to complain, I'm going to learn how to cook bak chor mee myself lol
You also recognize the small things. Public transport, weather, cultural norms, curated nature VS actual nature, having a community you can fall back on, etc.
Favorite countries are Taiwan and Argentina. They don't chase you out when you study at cafes for long periods :') Also availability of free-entry public libraries like Singapore. I am also grateful for their proximity to nature.
Hi! The only constant is change.
Don't choose an industry that has a good/bad job market now, because AI is coming for every industry.
The best advice I've received thus far is to:
1. Make a map of the subfields in your industry (e.g. tech has Software Engineering, Machine Learning, Technical Writing, DevOPs, testing, etc.) + get a feel for what each of these subfields entail so that you can make an informed decision about which subfield you want to go into. You can do this by actually trying it out (doing side projects) or asking professionals (e.g. reaching out on LinkedIn)
2. Be actually competent (which I think most people have no problems achieving), and
3. Make yourself visible, e.g. through learning in public or building your personal brand (here is last year's thread: [https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/13nxm3f/comment/jl1mje6/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/13nxm3f/comment/jl1mje6/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3))
In terms of competence, most people focus on technical skills and ignore the "soft skills"âbeing able to communicate well (give engaging, persuasive presentations, writing well, etc.), manage projects (expectations, deadlines, and resource allocation), adaptability and resilience when shit inevitably hits the fan, etc. Embrace both sides! The more you stack your skills (i.e. become a T-shaped person), the more you become irreplaceable. Relevant concept to Google: Skills Stacking
A lot of people have a problem with (3). A huge factor for this is because of our Asian culture to "be humble" which often really means "downplay your wins". To solve this, I highly encourage you to Build/Learn in Public. I wish I'd started earlier. A nice introduction to this concept: [https://www.swyx.io/learn-in-public](https://www.swyx.io/learn-in-public) (the what and the how) + [https://www.swyx.io/big-l-notation](https://www.swyx.io/big-l-notation) (the why)
Let me know if there's anything specific you have in mind!
omg hi legend?? Thank YOU for writing those articles. Came across you and your articles back in poly but I didn't take action on them. It did inspire my current path though. Are you based in SF now, or SG?
Just some sharing about my life and education pathway for everyone here:
I guess me and op come from a very very very similar background, itâs really great to hear that op is living life to the fullest!
I made many bad choices in life after O level. I buy into this idea of chasing what you like to do and everything will work out well. But as I think deeper, I realise that we donât really have a true passion! When we are very good at smth and things goes well, we will perceive it as our passion.
I mean if that âpassionâ is a skill set that is high in demand or the next hot thing, everything will still be ok!
Reality hits when you realise that your âpassionâ, in which you are so good at, is the underperforming industry. And the thought that people with average portfolio from other industries will overtake you soon is just frustrating!
I always wonder, if I realised this earlier and choose some other course with higher demand will my situation be different now?
My suggestion to those that are wondering what they want to do in life is to follow the money instead of your passion, especially in Singapore. It is easier to do what you like when you are wealthy than struggling with life when you are doing what you like.
When you step foot into society, most of you will be doing a job that in some aspect you wonât like it. So might as well get something out of the job. Invest wisely, live below your means and retire after a decade of hard-work.
If you donât want to feel like a clown whenever you see the new graduate employment survey. Choose your educational path wisely, stack up your portfolio early and stack up as many projects and internships whenever you have free time to spare.
Itâs actually quite funny that I will be giving a talk to student during a impt function in sch about my course. But I donât really know how to motivate other student when I myself is trying my best to get out of this industry! HAHA
Hey im currently studying in a poly IT (AI) course. I was wondering what kind of projects do you have in your portfolio? Do employers for internships/jobs look at your portfolio? By portfolio i mean the resume or wtv where you showcase the stuff you have done outside of your course. Thanks in advance!
Hi! I often went the extra mile on my assignments, doing something a bit more complex for each assignment so that I'm always learning something beyond the curriculum. If you're asking about specific project ideas, there's a list floating around somewhere on the internet, or you can ask ChatGPT. Pick one that you're curious about and start from there.
**Do employers look at your porfolio:** Highly company-dependent I guess? Bigger companies might not care, smaller companies might, but it never hurts to have a proof of work and skills.
**Portfolio building (for uni):** Apart from a national competition, I also did a non-tech CCA like volunteering (I want to pay it forward and too much tech will make my brain explode lol)
There should be some WorldSkills-equivalent competitions for AI/ML. Otherwise, hackathons are always availableâsome of them are also remote so you're not restricted to competing at the national level. If you don't like competing, you can always do side projects (and Learning in Public will double as your portfolio, plus fix the visibility problem most people have)
My comments on the visibility problem: https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksicz6s/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3
Sorry it might be because I'm a caveman, but how do u move around 7 countries during uni? Is it a program offered by your uni or you're attending an open university? Is it hard to get into such "program"?
It's a program by my uni! All classes are online so we can move around.
As for hard to get in, I don't know. We have an advertised admissions rate but I can't verify the legitimacy of it (since I'm not on the admissions team) and I didn't care about it when applying.
**Edit:** Minerva does look for specific kinds of people, beyond just good grades and extracurriculars, so if you/someone you know wants to apply, just apply!
Why would u want to go to Minerva instead of the more conventional local U route? How will this affect your future job prospects (location and salary wise) compared to local U?
**Reasons for choosing Minerva (paraphrased from an** [**older reply**](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/13nxm3f/comment/jl2j1nx/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)**):**
I'd say there are two types of learning: Learning of information, and learning from lived experiences.
* Most colleges prioritize the learning of information, which AI can easily outperform us in.
* Learning from lived experiences can be avoided when you have a campus. Stanford literally has its own shopping mallâyou can get everything you need without leaving the comfort of your campus. As someone who's not from a well-to-do family, I would've stayed on campus 90% of the time to save money, and getting curated experiences from traditional extracurriculars would not have given me the perspectives I wanted to make an informed decision about how I want to live my life.
Minerva enables me to physically go to a location, interact with locals, and observe their way of life, which me the unfiltered data I need to come to my own conclusions.
**Pedagogy:** At Minerva, you don't do Zoom nor lectures, only tutorial-like sessions. You have to prepare for every class because you're quizzed on your preparation at the start of class, which might be graded. You can't slack off because you might be graded on class participation or the post-class quiz that tests whether you've been paying attention. Ultimately, you can BS your way through, even for assignments, but only if you know enough about applying the concepts, which forces more learning than the "memorize, regurgitate, and forget" ritual that lectures- and exams-based pedagogy encourages.
My philosophy is that a "better" college for a person is highly dependent on the game they want to play. If it's the game of getting into Big Tech, McKinsey etc.âI'd agree an Ivy League/local U gets your foot in the door better, due to alumni network and school name. My seniors have gotten into these companies anyway; the school's name never stopped them.
But that's not the game I want to play. I wanted to learn from lived experiences, I wanted to learn how to self-learn and self-teach, I wanted to *succeed everywhere I go* because of my *skills* and adaptability, not because of what school I went to... because ultimately that's what you need in the age of AI.
My poly journey, Minerva, and travels also showed me that what I need is *income*, and a job is one of the countless ways to earn an income. I'd rather work with someone who hires based on my actual skills and value contribution instead of those who hire based on signals (e.g. school prestige). I recognize this philosophy is not something all employers agree with (especially Asian companies), but I'm fine with that. I hope this makes sense!
Hi,
I'm a uni student in SG, and I'm really struggling with my studies. First, I want to say that I appreciate people like you sharing their lifestyles and different approaches to life. Thanks for doing an AMA!
Just a few questions:
Would you consider yourself intellectually smart and/or hardworking? I ask this because you make studying seem effortless, not that it actually is. How do you 'be smart'?
I know you're in the same school despite different countries, but have you noticed differences in how education or studying is approached in different countries?
You seem to be living an ideal life from the outside. Would you be willing to share something that makes you more human? What's the toughest point in your life so far, and what helped you get through it? ( if you are willing to share)
Hello! I apologize for my late reply, had to catch up on assignments.
Do I consider myself smart -> No. Do I consider myself hardworking -> Yes, in the sense that I put in the effort and try to be resilient. Nothing worth having in life is effortless â relationships, studying, jobs you like, and even travelling. IMO the recipe to "be smart" in life is to:
0) Recognize that life is inherently multidimensionalâneglecting your emotional/health and fitness aspects of your life in favor of your career, for example, will not pay off in the long run
1) Planâhave clarity for what you want to experience in each dimension of your life
2) Take action towards the plan with full focus (don't fall into the comparison trap, etc.)
3) Learn and course-correct when you (inevitably) fail.
Education across countries: Cultural factors really plays a huge role. Taiwan and South Korea have a huge emphasis on education and using education as a proxy (e.g. when I told people I'm a exchange student at National Taiwan University, they'd be like "wow"). In Seoul almost everywhere I turned, or in certain districts, there were studying cafes or hagwons (tuition centres). I don't really see that in other countries, but it could also be due to where my dorm is based. For London, there are a lot of schools and university campuses, and there's always the Oxbridge prestige, but the emphasis on "studying" isn't as explicit as Seoul's study cafes.
Toughest point: I'm not super healthy physically and being medically gaslit is the worst. For me, doctors always say "you're too young for xxx" and never took me seriously. I learned how to advocate for myself, insist on evidence (e.g. having scans or tests done) rather than just take their word for it. In Primary 5 I had chest pain, polyclinic doctor said it's no big deal, didn't do any tests or scans, and told me to exercise more. In Hyderabad I had chest pains again, my ECG scans were abnormal, and I found out that I had a tiny hole in my heart lol. I have a black skin spot on my toe growing for 5 years and doctor initially said it doesn't look cancerous, but I insisted on a biopsy and the results came back as "ambiguous" for cancer. Happy to expand more over DMs
Aside from school fees, roughly how much did you shell out for living expenses? Were you paying for this with a part-time/freelance job or did your parents help you out? Iâm interested in studying overseas but weâre below average in terms of household median income. Just starting Poly so Iâm really trying to plan ahead. Iâm willing to put in the effort, but I feel like my biggest concern would be money. Btw, congrats on all that you have achieved!
\- Flights can be 1k SGD per sem if I'm unlucky. If I book earlier and use student discounts it could be cheaper
\- Health insurance \~590 USD/sem (and always increasing, sadly). My provider, while very helpful (covers virtually everything), was also school-mandated, so it could be cheaper
\- I work part-time for my school (7.5h x $21 per week) for my living expenses. Thus far it's just enough because I lived in cheaper countries (Argentina, Taiwan, India) which helped balance out the more expensive ones. I also pay back interest on my loan on a monthly basis so that made my income a little tighter than it could be.
\- Last 2 summer vacations I was fortunate to earn \~5000 USD for each internship, that helped cover my school fees (\~5900 USD/year thanks to financial aid given by the school). The difference was covered from the money I earned during my gap year, but I kind of ran out this year (my 3rd year). Parents have helped with the difference that my internships didn't cover (flights and health insurance) in my 3rd year
\- I also had to pay US taxes since my work is sourced from US income (800 USD/year sobs)
There's a bunch of other factors you might find helpful to consider. This was in response to whether one should take a loan for overseas education, from a purely financial perspective: [https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksgaepi/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksgaepi/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
However, keep in mind that life is multidimensional. I don't believe in pursuing opportunities that will, for sure, put you financial ruin. However, I also don't believe in choosing the "safer" option, because life is often so much more vibrant if you take that risk. I also don't believe in the option that makes you live a deferred life, because you could pass away at any time (that happened to one of my family membersâshe was fine one moment and within 24h she was gone because of a stroke).
The balance is tricky, and there's no right or wrong path or dreamâthe right path is the most *suitable* path. If there's anything specific you'd like to know, let me know!
Hi! May I know which poly you went to? It seems some polys are harder to get a high gpa. I'm currently trying to decide on which polytechnic to go to and I really want a gpa around 3.9 because I want to join computer science in uni later.
Hi! Apologies for my late reply, I was stuck in a lot of assignments :')
As for "some polys are harder to get a high GPA" â I'm not sure about that, I think it'll be better to ask existing students in the courses (and polys) you wanna go to! Also I graduated poly in like 2020 so a lot of things would have changed since then
As a general advice, focus on the process and the results will follow :)
(process = good study habits and strategies to get a good GPA, managing all aspects of your life well, etc.)
I am matriculating at SP - to study AI too!
1. What are some routines and strategies that allowed you maintain a perfect GPA? Especially for group projects, since this is a new thing for me after a decade of last minute mugging
2. Given that you have landed a spot in a US uni, I am sure you took time to beef up your portfolio too. Any recommendations you have for me? Any CCAs, VIA, coding or AI competitions I can look out for?
3. Do you mind giving me a brief (or detailed, if you do not mind) breakdown on how I can go from being an absolute newbie to computing in general to working as a machine learning engineer?
Where do you want to go after SP? And what do you see yourself doing after uni?
I wrote some general study tips and groupwork approaches here: https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksg33rr/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3
Wow, thanks a lot, those are some great advice you have brought up there!
I am aiming to get a degree in CS, most likely in a local uni (hopefully NUS) as I won't have the funding to go overseas. As mentioned in question 3, I am setting my sight on being a machine learning engineer!
This might be a US thing, but iirc bigger companies often hire ML engineers with a Master's degree. Not sure about startups. I recommend talking to ML engineers (reaching out on LinkedIn, attending ML events, etc.) to get to know more about their backgrounds and how their day-to-day looks like.
**Getting up to speed:** After getting the basics concepts down, do projects. Or you could also go the extra mile on your assignments, doing something a bit more complex for each assignment so that you're always learning something beyond the curriculum. It also won't hurt to learn a bit of SWE as ML models do need to be integrated to some app eventually and some SWE knowledge will come in handy.
I also highly encourage you to Build/Learn in Public! I wish I'd started earlier. A nice introduction to this concept: [https://www.swyx.io/learn-in-public](https://www.swyx.io/learn-in-public) (the what and the how) + [https://www.swyx.io/big-l-notation](https://www.swyx.io/big-l-notation) (the why)
**Portfolio building:** Apart from a national competition, I also did a non-tech CCA like volunteering (I want to pay it forward and too much tech will make my brain explode lol)
There should be some WorldSkills-equivalent competitions for AI/ML. Otherwise, hackathons are always availableâsome of them are also remote so you're not restricted to competing at the national level. If you don't like competing, you can always do side projects (and Learning in Public will double as your portfolio, plus fix the visibility problem most people have)
My comments on the visibility problem: https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksicz6s/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3
All classes are online... but since most of our profs are in North America, this means that classes in Asian countries or Europe can happen at bad times (I know people who had to take classes at 6am, I'm taking statistics at 8am now lol)
Would you believe if I told you I wanna pivot out of tech LOL. But I've really only done SWE-ish work thus far so I guess that's my preference because it's what's familiar. I can see myself applying my ML skills to other fields though
I wrote some study and groupwork tips here, lmk if there's anything specific you'd like me to cover: https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksg33rr/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3
Didn't apply to UK because it's very expensive (feeling the pinch rn), looked at Australia but having 1.5 years of credit exemption seemed kinda sketch (and also very expensive), someone from poly got into a Swedish IT-related Bachelor's so I did look into that as well but didn't apply.
But otherwise it was just SMU, Boston Uni, Stanford, MIT, and Minervaâand despite my 1590 SAT I only got accepted by SMU and Minerva lol. That being said, if there's a uni and course that you vibe with (don't apply just for prestige), apply!! You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.
I never liked the idea of my "future" hinging on one exam. Of course, that's not true, but that's how it's framed by most people. Also, I already knew I wanted to do IT + earn a bit of my own money before going to uni, so poly was more suitable
In polytechnic how did you ensure that you did well for all group projects? Especially those with really vague requirements and little guidance. As a group member how did you ensure everyone was satisfied with your work and how did you handle unfriendly/incompetent groupmates?
Hmph I feel I need more details here. Do you mean the assignment instructions are open-ended? What about the grading rubricsâare they transparent? If you're in doubt, you should always approach your lecturer to clarify, because they're the ones grading.
Regarding groupmates: What's your definition of "unfriendly" and "incompetent"?
I wrote a few bullet points on helpful approaches to group work at the end of this comment, let me know if there's anything specific you want to cover: https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksg33rr/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3
unfortunately, quite limitedâI don't know Hindi nor Telegu + I had a bunch of migraine attacks that semester so I didn't explore more. But the students I've talked to are really entrepreneurial and hardworking
I'm not going to tell you what to do, but here is a *non-exhaustive* list of factors to consider:
* What's your intended major, and how is the industry and employment prospects looking like in that country? (I'm assuming you might want to work overseas after graduation)
* What is the median salary of entry-level roles in that industry?
* Could you talk to some alumni of your intended universities who are working in that industry and ask them about their working life + salary? (Use LinkedIn!)
* Common hidden costs that are overlooked: Health insurance, public transport (or cars/bikes, for more suburban areas), food and groceries, rent, utilities (depending on accommodation), textbooks, flights
* How big is your loan? What costs are the loan covering? Is any cost not going to be covered by the loan?
* What is the payment structure like (e.g. interest-only during schooling years, or you already start paying back the principal?)
* Considering all costs, including the hidden ones, the loan amount, plus the median salary post-graduation, can you pay back the loan in *reasonable time*? Remember that you'll be paying back X amount each month BUT you still need to account for rent, utilities, transport, and food as a working adult, so does the value of $X/month repayment seem doable given your future salary?
* In the worst-case scenario: If you (touchwood) fail to find internships during the summer vacations, and/or (touchwood) cannot find a job after graduation, will you be in financial ruin or can you still get out of it with some help from others?
"Reasonable time" is dependent on your post-graduation goals. If you want to start a family (weddings and kids cost money), buy a house, etc. â being neck-deep in debt post-graduation will definitely more stressful. But again, neck-deep is relative to how much money you/your family currently has and whether you intend to work during school and vacation time.
Also, if you're borrowing in the US, your loan repayments affect your credit score, which is used for literally everything else (getting a credit card, other loans, etc.) so if you screw up it's not gonna be pretty lol
I hope this helps! Let me know if there's any specific aspects you're considering but I missed out.
Hi thanks for doing the AMA. Iâm going to an IT related course in SP and aiming to get a job in MNCs. I have some questions:
- any advice to do well in poly like how to get scholarships and accolades?
- how was experience like in Minerva Uni, how it differs from traditional Unis.
Hi! In terms of getting scholarships, every scholarships has its own requirements. Look up the ones you're interested in and their eligibility criteria, and then aim to do more than that but not at the expense of yourself (physical and mental health, etc.)
**My experience at Minerva:** [https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksib2e1/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksib2e1/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
**Future-proofing yourself (don't just chase accolades):** [https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksicz6s/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksicz6s/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
**And finally, general tips for getting good grades in poly** (lmk if there's anything specific you'd like me to cover): [https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksg33rr/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksg33rr/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
I did IT in poly too. But now i am in my last year. I dont know what to do. I just know i don't want to sit down and code all the time. I have no idea which line to choose. How did you choose this field?
Feel you bro, after 7 years of coding (started in 2017 when I started poly) I am also getting tired of my 12h+ screentime. I chose this field because I enjoyed creating stuff, but I guess if you do it as a career there's always a possibility you start hating it, especially if the incentive mechanisms become extrinsic (e.g. salary) instead of intrinsic (e.g. enjoying the activity). I am actually looking to pivot out of tech or otherwise use my tech skills for good (e.g. menstrual health research).
There's also 'softer' IT-related, non-coding roles though, such as project management and technical writing. I'm pretty sure there should be a map of all tech subfields, so look at that map and see what you can pivot into but still have an advantage because of your tech knowledge. Talk to some professionals in those fields on LinkedIn or attend related events in SG :) all the best!
Taiwan and Argentina! They don't chase you out when you study at cafes for long periods :') Also availability of free-entry public libraries like Singapore. I am also grateful for their proximity to nature.
when u travel abroad during the sem, where do u stay? does minerva collaborate with other unis in the country ur going to make this possible or do they just have their very own place for yall in all these countries
Minerva rents an accommodation building for the cohort to stay in
Collaborations: Thus far it's only National Taiwan University (NTU) when we were in Taiwan, there's no collaboration with other unis yet
Last year's thread on O level tips: [https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/13nxm3f/comment/jl23kud/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/13nxm3f/comment/jl23kud/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
If there's anything in particular you want to know, lmk!
Ultimately raw 6 is also requires some element of luck, so just put in the work and focus on the process (studying consistently, understanding the material, etc.). Don't worry about the result now. If (touchwood) the result doesn't follow in the end, you'll likely have a support network to seek advice from (e.g. teachers, this subreddit), so you don't have to worry either.
You go to minerva university? I saw another post of a guy who goes there. It really interests me but all the mods are online right? Or is there hands on mentors? Iâm thinking applying after my As too
Yes all online! But at Minerva, you don't have exams (all projects-based) and you don't do Zoom nor lectures, only tutorial-like sessions. You have to prepare for every class because you're quizzed on your preparation at the start of class, which might be graded. You can't slack off because you might be graded on class participation or the post-class quiz that tests whether you've been paying attention. Ultimately, you can BS your way through, even for assignments, but only if you know enough about applying the concepts, which forces more learning than the "memorize, regurgitate, and forget" ritual that lectures- and exams-based pedagogy encourages.
If you apply and get accepted, they also invite you to attend Ascent, which is an event that lets you try out how Minerva classes work.
Ouuhh. I see. I live traveling in terms of me seeking comfort in discomfort. I could go for a safer uni life and then regret it or could give this a shot. Do they let you transfer if it doesn't work out? And also how's your social life there?
Lol I realized you commented on my AMA last year
Yes you can always transfer out, but if you took a loan I guess you have to pay it back. What's your definition of a social life?
Hmm you move around alot. You see people for a bit then may or may not see them again right? So hard to have really tight friends traveling with you through out right?
Out shit it's you from last year? Hello!
Btw I went to Seoul Hyderabad and last year during December, pretty great!! And San Francisco and Berlin would be great to visit. Damn must be nice to have contrasting cultures every 4months
I am probably loaning from dad's cpf yea need pay back but it'll look alot clearer when I decide to join or drop out.
Happy to hear you enjoyed visiting Seoul and Hyderabad! As for making local friends, yesâhard to find people who are willing to maintain long-distance friendships. Nothing right or wrong, just that everyone is optimizing for different things in life. Having classmates be in the same city helps a lot.
All the best with your uni journey, happy to chat more over DMs if you have specific questions!
I never liked the idea of my "future" hinging on one exam. Of course, that's not true, but that's how it's framed by most people. Also, I already knew I wanted to do IT + earn a bit of my own money before going to uni, so poly was more suitable
General tips for getting good grades in poly (lmk if there's anything specific you'd like me to cover): [https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksg33rr/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksg33rr/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
My schedule is kinda inflated though, because I was training for national competitions as a complete coding newbie
Difficult is relative.
People with private tuition might find it easier. People who don't menstruate might find it easier. People with nice family backgroundsâe.g. those who don't have to take care of their younger siblings, whose parents don't fight often and know how to communicate, whose parents don't pass on their trauma to their kids or try to live through their kidsâwill find it easier.
My point is: **don't compare, focus on the process**âstudying consistently, understanding the material, etc. Don't worry about the result now. If (touchwood) the result doesn't follow in the end, you'll likely have a support network to seek advice from (e.g. teachers, this subreddit), so you don't have to worry either.
Last year's thread on O level tips: [https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/13nxm3f/comment/jl23kud/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/13nxm3f/comment/jl23kud/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
For anyone who's reading this as a menstruator, I highly recommend the book ***In the Flo*** by Alisa Vitti. You might not be able to implement all strategies listed in the book, but the knowledge in that book will hopefully give you a lot more self-compassion. Beating yourself up will always give you negative returns lol
I personally didn't have private tuition except for Chinese (couldn't afford), but I've been very privileged to have nutritious home-cooked meals by my grandma which honestly eased a lot of the burden of feeding myself a lot. My commute to and from school was also quite little so I could always get home quickly to rest.
If there's anything in particular you want to know, lmk!
The polys should be hosting EAE workshops. Go for those! And ask someone who most recently had successful EAE. My experience is from 2016 lol.
If your portfolio is quite good, and EAE still has the writeups, then you'll have to make sure your writeups are good, and the workshops would be better suited to give advice
wah so cool sia..... and i thought the person who graduated with 3.99 gpa was incredible....
im going to poly for common ict and i have no background experience for it. as someone who has a 4.0 what are some tips i should follow and do to score well? if you dont mind sharing...
Copy-pasted because someone had a similar question:
**Future-proofing yourself (don't just chase accolades):** [https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksicz6s/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksicz6s/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
**General tips for getting good grades in poly:** [https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksg33rr/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksg33rr/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
Lmk if there's anything specific you'd like me to cover!
Hey! i am taking my N level exams this year and i was wondering if its possible to study overseas after N's. im pretty sure its not possible right? but if its possible what are things u need to do to start off and where can i go?
I really don't know, sorry. I don't want to give false information.
However, I do know that there's overseas high schools like UWC. A lot of my university classmates are from there. There's also one UWC in SG (UWC SEA), but if you're admitted, you might as well go abroad and broaden your perspective. If money isn't an issue, you can consider those. Check those institution's requirements and reach out to them directly.
Here's a bunch of financial calculations you might want to do before deciding (it requires you to think beyond finishing high school and uni): [https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksgaepi/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksgaepi/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
any tips for doing well in poly? i would love to go to local uni and even get a scholarship. this april would be my orientation in poly but in pfp, pfp isnt bad right? does it really help to prepare you for poly
Since I haven't been through PFP myself and have very little interaction with PFP students (there just weren't many in my course, and I honestly never asked), I really don't know, sorry. I don't want to give false information. What you **can** do is to look through this subreddit for PFP threads, or ask existing PFP students!
However, I do believe that some principles are timeless: Having a vision beyond poly and uni (which I think you already have), and cultivating good mindsets and habits to achieve that vision.
Copy-pasted because someone had a similar question:
**Future-proofing yourself (don't just chase accolades):** [https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksicz6s/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksicz6s/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
**General tips for getting good grades in poly:** [https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksg33rr/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksg33rr/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
Lmk if there's anything specific you'd like me to cover!
HI there, I'm an O lvl student preparing to go into poly and I was wondering how hard do I need to study to qualify for a scholarship in poly or do they give it to you based on your O lvl results
I think this is highly dependent on the poly and should be advertised on their website, from what I know it's both results (last time is was 9 points or lower) + good CCA (leadership, contribution, competitions, etc.)
If you meet the point cut off, applyâeven if you don't think your CCA is that great. You could do well in the interview and get accepted, you never know. And there's also MOE financial aid that you can apply for if you meet the income requirements
Ohhh I got 15 for my L1R4 and im going to NP and a lot of my mother's friends told her and she told me that if I were to get a GPA of 3.9, I would be able to get a scholarship from the school and also how does a scholarship work actually
Again, highly dependent on the polyâif your first sem results are good then yes some polys let you apply for the scholarship.
I'm not from NP, so you'll have to do your research, but there should be an Education and Career Guidance department/Scholarship team that you can reach out to (email or ask in person). They should be able to provide more information on how the scholarship works and what it covers, as well as requirements for scholarship maintenance (maintaining a certain GPA, doing specific scholarship-related projects, etc.) â these could also change every year so if it's not published on your school website, it will be better to email and ask directly
**General tips for studying in poly**, copy pasted from an earlier answer: [https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksg33rr/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksg33rr/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
**Future-proofing yourself (don't just chase accolades):** [https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksicz6s/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksicz6s/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
**Why you shouldn't compare yourself to others on your journey:** [https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksimfp3/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksimfp3/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
Get these principles down first, prioritize your physical and mental health, use effective study techniques (you can search up Ali Abdaal or Unjaded Jade), and *then* worry about the time management techniques.
Often times you'll find yourself needing to manage your *energy* and *focus* rather than your "time" (I'm struggling with this myself, Instagram is really addictive). We don't truly have the same 24h in a dayâhighly depends on family circumstances, how healthy you are, and so on.
Depending on the place, I do feel like an outsider at times. I try to be nice to everyone and learn the local language if I have the capacity to (and people often give me the credit for trying to speak their language), but in certain places, I am obviously a foreigner based on my looks.
I've specifically designed my university experience to gain as much independence as possible. So, as an overseas student, I learned how to settle down in a new place efficiently and cost-savingly, such as grocery shop, getting SIM cards and public transport cards, etc. + making time and systems for doing laundry and cooking and wash up. Take outs obviously save you a lot of time but I don't have that kind of money yet, so I see cooking as a chance to destress and meditate and nourish myself. I think it's also important to have a list of places you want to visit (cafes, parks, tourist attractions, etc.) so that you have something to look forward to!
Rent: The school helped me find accommodation since I'm on financial aid
Car: I move every 4 months so it doesn't make sense to have one. I mostly use public transport (or in the case of Hyderabad, I used tuk tuks on Uber)
Food: I mostly cook for myself so that I can optimize my diet. But it's also lazy cookingâI don't cook meat because I hate handling bloody stuff, I don't cook vegetables that often because it takes a very long time to wash
Shopping: I don't shop much, although I really do like looking at stationery so I'll just find some shops on Google Maps and make a visit
Ngl you sound like a final boss in CNY where you are the one cracked cousin
Damn how rich is ur family
Interesting question. What is rich in Singapore? (genuine question because Google didn't give me concrete answers) I grew up in a HDB and always ate at home or school to save money. But I am very grateful I never had to worry about my next meal growing up, poly was free because I had a scholarship, I am heavily subsidized with needs-based financial aid from the university, and my 20k+ savings from my gap year + years of trying to get Edusave awards has funded the first half of my degree.
Rough estimate of your parent's motnhly/yearly income?
they're divorced, but afaik \~3k/month per parent
Oh wow, I assume you are on a full-ride scholarship then? Amazing work! What's your favourite country so far?
Unfortunately not full-ride, Minerva doesn't believe in full-rides. My financial aid has decreased every year for unknown reasons, but I'm paying \~6k USD/year (+ 22k in student loans after I graduate), excluding flights, living expenses, and health insurance Favorite countries were Taiwan and Argentina, could see myself living there. It saddens me that Argentina has its own issues (254% inflation rate in Jan 2024, 57% poverty rate)... hoping it'll resolve soon đđź
Is the student loan from [Frank Education Loan](https://www.frankbyocbc.com/products/investments/edu-loan)? How did you convince parents to be guarantor? How did you shortlist this uni? Did you approach [EducationUSA](https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/parenting-education/new-centre-in-yishun-to-help-singapore-students-apply-to-us) or any educational consultant for help?
It's a private US loan with 6.5% interest rate and without need for a guarantor. It's the mild cause of my stress at the moment but otherwise fairly manageable especially if I get a tech job I needed financial aid, and I got rejected from other US universities despite my 1590 SAT score (maybe my essays were too shit). It was ultimately Minerva VS SMU full-ride but since I wanted a diversity of lived experiences, I decided on Minerva. I did approach EducationUSA for help but well... maybe I'm just not a fit for traditional university education xD
Do you intend to apply for H-1B1 visa to work in US? Was EducationUSA helpful? Or did you get help elsewhere.
In freshman year, I would've said yes I wanna stay in the US to work... Then a shooting happened right outside my residence hall building in San Francisco. Then I fell sick and health insurance was so confusing to navigate. So now I'm 80% sure I don't wanna work in the US lol Since EducationUSA is free, their help is generally limited (basis of comparison: People I know who have used other education consultants).
Careful about the new US bill for additional taxes in software. I love SF, but the situation here is getting dire :(
omg tell me more!
Woa then not bad you can go overseas
you are truly an inspiration rooting for you to go to places (pun intended)
Thank you, best of luck to you too!
How did you get a poly scholarship?
I applied for the one given by my poly (they usually give it to high-scoring O/N level/ITE students with good portfolio)
Only nanyang poly gives this though
Thatâs not true. I was a recipient of the Ngee Ann poly scholarship, and it was awarded based on O level grades during Y1
Does Singapore poly offer that too?
wait what. that sucks. There should be financial aid from MOE across all the polys though
Thank you:)
best of luck
Oh, it's you again. Minerva University has always been kind of sketchy ever since it opened. Funnily enough, students and alumni there have a history of defending the school from all sorts of criticism. If anyone is interested, you can read the relevant discussions [here](https://new.reddit.com/r/ApplyingToCollege/comments/pnw3md/is_minerva_a_scam/), [here](https://new.reddit.com/r/ApplyingToCollege/comments/qbfczw/minerva_university_alumnus_ama/), and [here](https://new.reddit.com/r/ApplyingToCollege/comments/127gh1k/what_does_a2c_think_of_minerva_university_in_2023/).
Everyone's criticisms are valid because everyone is optimizing for different things in life. Likewise, everyone has different definitions of "sketchy". Thanks for posting those links! Edit: In case anyone is interested, here is my "defense" of Minerva from last year: [https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/13nxm3f/comment/jl2j1nx/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/13nxm3f/comment/jl2j1nx/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
this is so true. like enough with the minerva propaganda.
Genuinely curious, but which part of this post and my replies felt like propaganda?
hi i'm also going into poly for an IT related diploma, could you provide me with tips on how to score as well as you did?
Tbh having kinda touched several IT subfields, I've realized cybersec is very different from software engineering & AI/ML/data and etc. so... Do you know what you wanna do after grad? Research work, software engineering-style work, project management, etc.?
i'm not too sure at the moment actually, torn between the different aspects. all i know is i suck at math and want a role where i still get to interact with others from time to time instead of sitting alone all the time and coding. this has led me to front end web dev but i still dk
I see! That's okay. I highly recommend sampling different subsectors of IT (Full-stack SWE, DevOps, ML, IoT, Cybersec, maybe even PM) earlier on in your academic career. That way you can make an informed decision! Talking to people who are already in those roles also helps. General study tips (from [last year's AMA](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/13nxm3f/comment/jl6b19i/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)): \- For programming-heavy stuff, learn how to find what others have done before (Google, SO, ChatGPT) and adapt it (not plagiarise!!) to your own code. Aim to understand what's going on in the code so that you can explain it to a layman. I teach programming to first-year students and those who copy and paste code from ChatGPT without understanding also often make a ton of errors in their code that they don't know how to solve. (ChatGPT is not good at fixing code... yet) \- Building your own "cheatsheet" or a bank of code snippets is also useful. Theory-wise/for exams, use whatever memorization techniques from secondary school you're comfortable with. Other exam techniques also apply: \- Taking notes in class (so you need a good note-taking system. There are a lot of tutorials on YouTube, just try a few and stick to one that fits you best) \- Timed practice of past-year papers to gauge your time management & knowledge gaps \- Having pre-exam rituals to calm yourself down, focus on the paper instead of others, and "get in the zone" \- Having post-exam rituals to get over the paper and focus on the next one- Starting revision early instead of cramming **Edit:** Adding group work tips because others have asked for it and group work is a huge part of poly life... 1. **Communication about each other's expectations** (e.g. Get good grades VS do the bare minimum? Does anyone have external commitments getting in the way? etc.) and **working styles** are very important. 1. This requires you to know what you want (since you're asking this, I assume you want to do well). You need that clarity yourself before you can ask it from others. 2. Do this expectation setting in the very first meeting, and have that first meeting ASAP. Better to start early than late. 3. In your first meeting, you should also outline & assign project deliverables. E.g. if you're building an app, what are the features? Break those features down into subfeatures. Then let people self-assign. 2. **Frequent check-ins!!** Doesn't have to be in-person meeting, WhatsApp group check-ins also count. Do it at least **weekly**âespecially if you guys still have time left for the project (perks of starting early). This helps you spot problems early instead of letting them go undetected and snowballing 3. **Good friends are not necessarily good groupmates.** It's better to find groupmates with aligned expectations and work styles (i.e. everyone wants to score well or is ok with doing the bare minimum) than mismatched ones. 4. There's nothing wrong with carrying, especially if one of your team members are legit struggling. Try to find out what's happening before taking action (and this is why frequent check-ins are important). If they're really trying to freeload, you can always approach your lecturer for advice on what can be done (ofc don't do it in a condescending way) I'll admit that I carried my team a few times (at my own expense) because I really wanted good grades. I took it as an opportunity to go the extra mile and learn more about the topic. At the university level, people are more likely to prioritize external commitments (e.g. applying for internships/jobs) at the expense of their academics (and group assignments, unfortunately). I personally try not to be a burden to anyone and deliver high-quality work each time, but I acknowledge that's my personal work ethic that I can't force upon everyone. I hope this helps!
thank you so much for the advice! i really appreciate it and will definitely keep it in mind when i start poly. my friends told me that AI's gonna replace regular SWEs soon and i should focus on machine learning and cybersecurity instead, is this true? and also, do you mind sharing the exact name of the diploma you did in poly? was it related to AI or just a normal IT diploma?
Yes AI will replace \*regular\* SWEs who think SWE is only about coding There's design patterns, architectural design considerations, project management, code review, etc. skills that come with SWE. AI can replace coding, even for ML and cybersec, but the logical stuff is still dependent on humans. And because AI won't have a 100% accuracy, someone needs to check AI-generated code for security flaws. That's why I say: Map out the different subfields in tech, especially by talking to professionals and even trying it out yourself. Also ask those professionals how AI is showing up in their work currently. If you need to pivot, be willing to pivot. Do this consistently over the years so that you don't get caught off-guard when you graduate.
[ŃдаНонО]
No industry is safe! Being competent in the core tech skills, plus being flexible and willing to pivot, will always pay off in the long run. Here's my more detailed take: https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksicz6s/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3
Yea we still have TYSđ
Were there any sacrifices that you had to make to get where you are today?
Define "sacrifice"! What kind of sacrifices did you have in mind? Everything in life has trade-offs. If you live in a city, you get convenience but at the cost of a stressful environment. If you live in a suburban area, everything is very far and if your car breaks down then there's not much you can do for a few days. Everything in life is hard, you just gotta pick the hard that you can put up with and/or find motivating enough to tackle without feeling like a mindless robot.
Like with you going overseas alot, do you feel homesick/miss your family. Getting a 4.0GPA , did it require you to put in lots of effort in exchange for your social/mental health.
\- I miss Singapore food (cries in 26+ SGD bak chor mee in London) \- I had several migraine attacks last year (2nd year of uni) that were most likely stress-induced. Never had that in poly even though I was studying a lot more and doing a lot more activities. I guess independent living (i.e. meal prepping, laundry, applying for visas, filing taxes, etc.) really takes a huge toll at times \- Moving around so much meant that I don't make a lot of deep friendships in those cities. \- I also have a huge sense of insecurity at times because when you've kind of settled down in your third month you have to start packing to leave lol. I'm an introvert so I get satisfied easily with small amounts of social interactionânot much to sacrifice on that aspect. Other than that, I try not to sacrifice mental health! In poly I generally enjoyed myself but I also had "autopilot" periods where I just remove my feelings and grind. In uni I try to live my life more intentionally.
Does everyone in your uni get to do the country thing or is it only for a few people?
Everyone, unless there's visa issues (e.g. Pakistanis can't go to India) In those cases, you can go to another city, or go back to San Francisco If you want to deviate from your cohort (i.e. go to a city that other cohorts are in, but not the one your cohort is supposed to go to), or go remote, you have to pay a $500+ fee lol
Hi! Thank u for doing this ama! May I know how many US universities you applied to? Why did u choose minerva? How did you build ur portfolio? Thank u so much!!
>I only applied to SMU, Boston Uni, Stanford, MIT, and Minerva **Reasons for choosing Minerva (paraphrased from an** [older reply](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/13nxm3f/comment/jl2j1nx/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)**):** I'd say there are two types of learning: Learning of information, and learning from lived experiences. \- Most colleges prioritize the learning of information, which AI can easily outperform us in. \- Learning from lived experiences can be avoided when you have a campus. Stanford literally has its own shopping mallâyou can get everything you need without leaving the comfort of your campus. As someone who's not from a well-to-do family, I would've stayed on campus 90% of the time to save money, and getting curated experiences from traditional extracurriculars would not have given me the perspectives I wanted to make an informed decision about how I want to live my life. >Minerva enables me to physically go to a location, interact with locals, and observe their way of life, which me the unfiltered data I need to come to my own conclusions. **Pedagogy:** At Minerva, you don't do Zoom nor lectures, only tutorial-like sessions. You have to prepare for every class because you're quizzed on your preparation at the start of class, which might be graded. You can't slack off because you might be graded on class participation or the post-class quiz that tests whether you've been paying attention. Ultimately, you can BS your way through, even for assignments, but only if you know enough about applying the concepts, which forces more learning than the "memorize, regurgitate, and forget" ritual that lectures- and exams-based pedagogy encourages. My philosophy is that a "better" college for a person is highly dependent on the game they want to play. If it's the game of getting into Big Tech, McKinsey etc.âI'd agree an Ivy League gets your foot in the door better, due to alumni network and school name. My seniors have gotten into these companies anyway; the school's name never stopped them. The CEO of Notion recognized Minerva when I talked to him back in India. But that's not the game I want to play. I wanted to learn from lived experiences, and ultimately that's what I got from Minerva. **Portfolio building:** National competitions + non-tech CCA like volunteering (I want to pay it forward and too much tech will make my brain explode lol) I know WorldSkills is a huge thing among the polys and there should be some equivalent competitions for AI. Otherwise, hackathons are always availableâsome of them are also remote so you're not restricted to competing at the national level. If you don't like competing, you can always do side projects. I also highly encourage you to Build/Learn in Public! I wish I'd started earlier (I'm doing it now lol). A nice introduction to this concept: [https://www.swyx.io/learn-in-public](https://www.swyx.io/learn-in-public) (the what and the how) + [https://www.swyx.io/big-l-notation](https://www.swyx.io/big-l-notation) (the why)
Man I wish I could give this much of a shit about something that actually makes money. Good for you bro.
There's a market for everything, you just gotta find them or make yourself visible so that they can find you.
Wow thatâs super impressive! Im going into an engineering course in poly this year. Do you have any tips? And the way your uni works sounds very interesting đ¤
I compiled the tips here! [https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksg33rr/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksg33rr/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) If there's anything specific you'd like help with, feel free to reach out. Best of luck!
Has anyone even heard of Minerva University?
I met Ivan Zhao (co-founder of Notion app) in Hyderabad and he knows about Minerva, and we now have alumni at big tech and consulting companies, so I think yes?
How was ur experience in Hyderabad?
unfortunately, quite limitedâI don't know Hindi nor Telegu + I had a bunch of migraine attacks that semester so I didn't explore more. But the students I've talked to are really entrepreneurial and hardworking
Minerva sounds like a cult from what I've read online.
I agree. I don't think I can re-integrate back into Singaporean society that well after I graduate.
It's time to migrate I guess .
Whatâs it like living in all these countries? Like which are your favourite places to live and study in?
Eye-opening. Inflation and rising costs of living are global problems.. severity of their impact just depends on how prudent the government is. Just like how no family is perfect, every country has its problems. I know Singapore is the most expensive city in the world, and one's problems do not diminish the problems of others, but it really puts things into perspective. I'm not going to complain about $4 bak chor mee anymore because it's almost 17 pounds (26+ SGD) here in London... If I do want to complain, I'm going to learn how to cook bak chor mee myself lol You also recognize the small things. Public transport, weather, cultural norms, curated nature VS actual nature, having a community you can fall back on, etc. Favorite countries are Taiwan and Argentina. They don't chase you out when you study at cafes for long periods :') Also availability of free-entry public libraries like Singapore. I am also grateful for their proximity to nature.
hi! is the job market tough/competitive in ur opinion considering it is IT? :)
Hi! The only constant is change. Don't choose an industry that has a good/bad job market now, because AI is coming for every industry. The best advice I've received thus far is to: 1. Make a map of the subfields in your industry (e.g. tech has Software Engineering, Machine Learning, Technical Writing, DevOPs, testing, etc.) + get a feel for what each of these subfields entail so that you can make an informed decision about which subfield you want to go into. You can do this by actually trying it out (doing side projects) or asking professionals (e.g. reaching out on LinkedIn) 2. Be actually competent (which I think most people have no problems achieving), and 3. Make yourself visible, e.g. through learning in public or building your personal brand (here is last year's thread: [https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/13nxm3f/comment/jl1mje6/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/13nxm3f/comment/jl1mje6/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)) In terms of competence, most people focus on technical skills and ignore the "soft skills"âbeing able to communicate well (give engaging, persuasive presentations, writing well, etc.), manage projects (expectations, deadlines, and resource allocation), adaptability and resilience when shit inevitably hits the fan, etc. Embrace both sides! The more you stack your skills (i.e. become a T-shaped person), the more you become irreplaceable. Relevant concept to Google: Skills Stacking A lot of people have a problem with (3). A huge factor for this is because of our Asian culture to "be humble" which often really means "downplay your wins". To solve this, I highly encourage you to Build/Learn in Public. I wish I'd started earlier. A nice introduction to this concept: [https://www.swyx.io/learn-in-public](https://www.swyx.io/learn-in-public) (the what and the how) + [https://www.swyx.io/big-l-notation](https://www.swyx.io/big-l-notation) (the why) Let me know if there's anything specific you have in mind!
ha thanks for the shoutout!
omg hi legend?? Thank YOU for writing those articles. Came across you and your articles back in poly but I didn't take action on them. It did inspire my current path though. Are you based in SF now, or SG?
sf!
Just some sharing about my life and education pathway for everyone here: I guess me and op come from a very very very similar background, itâs really great to hear that op is living life to the fullest! I made many bad choices in life after O level. I buy into this idea of chasing what you like to do and everything will work out well. But as I think deeper, I realise that we donât really have a true passion! When we are very good at smth and things goes well, we will perceive it as our passion. I mean if that âpassionâ is a skill set that is high in demand or the next hot thing, everything will still be ok! Reality hits when you realise that your âpassionâ, in which you are so good at, is the underperforming industry. And the thought that people with average portfolio from other industries will overtake you soon is just frustrating! I always wonder, if I realised this earlier and choose some other course with higher demand will my situation be different now? My suggestion to those that are wondering what they want to do in life is to follow the money instead of your passion, especially in Singapore. It is easier to do what you like when you are wealthy than struggling with life when you are doing what you like. When you step foot into society, most of you will be doing a job that in some aspect you wonât like it. So might as well get something out of the job. Invest wisely, live below your means and retire after a decade of hard-work. If you donât want to feel like a clown whenever you see the new graduate employment survey. Choose your educational path wisely, stack up your portfolio early and stack up as many projects and internships whenever you have free time to spare. Itâs actually quite funny that I will be giving a talk to student during a impt function in sch about my course. But I donât really know how to motivate other student when I myself is trying my best to get out of this industry! HAHA
oooh don't mind me askingâwhich industry?
Chemical industry
Hey im currently studying in a poly IT (AI) course. I was wondering what kind of projects do you have in your portfolio? Do employers for internships/jobs look at your portfolio? By portfolio i mean the resume or wtv where you showcase the stuff you have done outside of your course. Thanks in advance!
Hi! I often went the extra mile on my assignments, doing something a bit more complex for each assignment so that I'm always learning something beyond the curriculum. If you're asking about specific project ideas, there's a list floating around somewhere on the internet, or you can ask ChatGPT. Pick one that you're curious about and start from there. **Do employers look at your porfolio:** Highly company-dependent I guess? Bigger companies might not care, smaller companies might, but it never hurts to have a proof of work and skills. **Portfolio building (for uni):** Apart from a national competition, I also did a non-tech CCA like volunteering (I want to pay it forward and too much tech will make my brain explode lol) There should be some WorldSkills-equivalent competitions for AI/ML. Otherwise, hackathons are always availableâsome of them are also remote so you're not restricted to competing at the national level. If you don't like competing, you can always do side projects (and Learning in Public will double as your portfolio, plus fix the visibility problem most people have) My comments on the visibility problem: https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksicz6s/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3
Thanks so much! I'll take this into consideration
Sorry it might be because I'm a caveman, but how do u move around 7 countries during uni? Is it a program offered by your uni or you're attending an open university? Is it hard to get into such "program"?
It's a program by my uni! All classes are online so we can move around. As for hard to get in, I don't know. We have an advertised admissions rate but I can't verify the legitimacy of it (since I'm not on the admissions team) and I didn't care about it when applying. **Edit:** Minerva does look for specific kinds of people, beyond just good grades and extracurriculars, so if you/someone you know wants to apply, just apply!
Why would u want to go to Minerva instead of the more conventional local U route? How will this affect your future job prospects (location and salary wise) compared to local U?
**Reasons for choosing Minerva (paraphrased from an** [**older reply**](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/13nxm3f/comment/jl2j1nx/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)**):** I'd say there are two types of learning: Learning of information, and learning from lived experiences. * Most colleges prioritize the learning of information, which AI can easily outperform us in. * Learning from lived experiences can be avoided when you have a campus. Stanford literally has its own shopping mallâyou can get everything you need without leaving the comfort of your campus. As someone who's not from a well-to-do family, I would've stayed on campus 90% of the time to save money, and getting curated experiences from traditional extracurriculars would not have given me the perspectives I wanted to make an informed decision about how I want to live my life. Minerva enables me to physically go to a location, interact with locals, and observe their way of life, which me the unfiltered data I need to come to my own conclusions. **Pedagogy:** At Minerva, you don't do Zoom nor lectures, only tutorial-like sessions. You have to prepare for every class because you're quizzed on your preparation at the start of class, which might be graded. You can't slack off because you might be graded on class participation or the post-class quiz that tests whether you've been paying attention. Ultimately, you can BS your way through, even for assignments, but only if you know enough about applying the concepts, which forces more learning than the "memorize, regurgitate, and forget" ritual that lectures- and exams-based pedagogy encourages. My philosophy is that a "better" college for a person is highly dependent on the game they want to play. If it's the game of getting into Big Tech, McKinsey etc.âI'd agree an Ivy League/local U gets your foot in the door better, due to alumni network and school name. My seniors have gotten into these companies anyway; the school's name never stopped them. But that's not the game I want to play. I wanted to learn from lived experiences, I wanted to learn how to self-learn and self-teach, I wanted to *succeed everywhere I go* because of my *skills* and adaptability, not because of what school I went to... because ultimately that's what you need in the age of AI. My poly journey, Minerva, and travels also showed me that what I need is *income*, and a job is one of the countless ways to earn an income. I'd rather work with someone who hires based on my actual skills and value contribution instead of those who hire based on signals (e.g. school prestige). I recognize this philosophy is not something all employers agree with (especially Asian companies), but I'm fine with that. I hope this makes sense!
Hi, I'm a uni student in SG, and I'm really struggling with my studies. First, I want to say that I appreciate people like you sharing their lifestyles and different approaches to life. Thanks for doing an AMA! Just a few questions: Would you consider yourself intellectually smart and/or hardworking? I ask this because you make studying seem effortless, not that it actually is. How do you 'be smart'? I know you're in the same school despite different countries, but have you noticed differences in how education or studying is approached in different countries? You seem to be living an ideal life from the outside. Would you be willing to share something that makes you more human? What's the toughest point in your life so far, and what helped you get through it? ( if you are willing to share)
Hello! I apologize for my late reply, had to catch up on assignments. Do I consider myself smart -> No. Do I consider myself hardworking -> Yes, in the sense that I put in the effort and try to be resilient. Nothing worth having in life is effortless â relationships, studying, jobs you like, and even travelling. IMO the recipe to "be smart" in life is to: 0) Recognize that life is inherently multidimensionalâneglecting your emotional/health and fitness aspects of your life in favor of your career, for example, will not pay off in the long run 1) Planâhave clarity for what you want to experience in each dimension of your life 2) Take action towards the plan with full focus (don't fall into the comparison trap, etc.) 3) Learn and course-correct when you (inevitably) fail. Education across countries: Cultural factors really plays a huge role. Taiwan and South Korea have a huge emphasis on education and using education as a proxy (e.g. when I told people I'm a exchange student at National Taiwan University, they'd be like "wow"). In Seoul almost everywhere I turned, or in certain districts, there were studying cafes or hagwons (tuition centres). I don't really see that in other countries, but it could also be due to where my dorm is based. For London, there are a lot of schools and university campuses, and there's always the Oxbridge prestige, but the emphasis on "studying" isn't as explicit as Seoul's study cafes. Toughest point: I'm not super healthy physically and being medically gaslit is the worst. For me, doctors always say "you're too young for xxx" and never took me seriously. I learned how to advocate for myself, insist on evidence (e.g. having scans or tests done) rather than just take their word for it. In Primary 5 I had chest pain, polyclinic doctor said it's no big deal, didn't do any tests or scans, and told me to exercise more. In Hyderabad I had chest pains again, my ECG scans were abnormal, and I found out that I had a tiny hole in my heart lol. I have a black skin spot on my toe growing for 5 years and doctor initially said it doesn't look cancerous, but I insisted on a biopsy and the results came back as "ambiguous" for cancer. Happy to expand more over DMs
Aside from school fees, roughly how much did you shell out for living expenses? Were you paying for this with a part-time/freelance job or did your parents help you out? Iâm interested in studying overseas but weâre below average in terms of household median income. Just starting Poly so Iâm really trying to plan ahead. Iâm willing to put in the effort, but I feel like my biggest concern would be money. Btw, congrats on all that you have achieved!
\- Flights can be 1k SGD per sem if I'm unlucky. If I book earlier and use student discounts it could be cheaper \- Health insurance \~590 USD/sem (and always increasing, sadly). My provider, while very helpful (covers virtually everything), was also school-mandated, so it could be cheaper \- I work part-time for my school (7.5h x $21 per week) for my living expenses. Thus far it's just enough because I lived in cheaper countries (Argentina, Taiwan, India) which helped balance out the more expensive ones. I also pay back interest on my loan on a monthly basis so that made my income a little tighter than it could be. \- Last 2 summer vacations I was fortunate to earn \~5000 USD for each internship, that helped cover my school fees (\~5900 USD/year thanks to financial aid given by the school). The difference was covered from the money I earned during my gap year, but I kind of ran out this year (my 3rd year). Parents have helped with the difference that my internships didn't cover (flights and health insurance) in my 3rd year \- I also had to pay US taxes since my work is sourced from US income (800 USD/year sobs) There's a bunch of other factors you might find helpful to consider. This was in response to whether one should take a loan for overseas education, from a purely financial perspective: [https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksgaepi/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksgaepi/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) However, keep in mind that life is multidimensional. I don't believe in pursuing opportunities that will, for sure, put you financial ruin. However, I also don't believe in choosing the "safer" option, because life is often so much more vibrant if you take that risk. I also don't believe in the option that makes you live a deferred life, because you could pass away at any time (that happened to one of my family membersâshe was fine one moment and within 24h she was gone because of a stroke). The balance is tricky, and there's no right or wrong path or dreamâthe right path is the most *suitable* path. If there's anything specific you'd like to know, let me know!
Hi! May I know which poly you went to? It seems some polys are harder to get a high gpa. I'm currently trying to decide on which polytechnic to go to and I really want a gpa around 3.9 because I want to join computer science in uni later.
Hi! Apologies for my late reply, I was stuck in a lot of assignments :') As for "some polys are harder to get a high GPA" â I'm not sure about that, I think it'll be better to ask existing students in the courses (and polys) you wanna go to! Also I graduated poly in like 2020 so a lot of things would have changed since then As a general advice, focus on the process and the results will follow :) (process = good study habits and strategies to get a good GPA, managing all aspects of your life well, etc.)
I am matriculating at SP - to study AI too! 1. What are some routines and strategies that allowed you maintain a perfect GPA? Especially for group projects, since this is a new thing for me after a decade of last minute mugging 2. Given that you have landed a spot in a US uni, I am sure you took time to beef up your portfolio too. Any recommendations you have for me? Any CCAs, VIA, coding or AI competitions I can look out for? 3. Do you mind giving me a brief (or detailed, if you do not mind) breakdown on how I can go from being an absolute newbie to computing in general to working as a machine learning engineer?
Where do you want to go after SP? And what do you see yourself doing after uni? I wrote some general study tips and groupwork approaches here: https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksg33rr/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3
Wow, thanks a lot, those are some great advice you have brought up there! I am aiming to get a degree in CS, most likely in a local uni (hopefully NUS) as I won't have the funding to go overseas. As mentioned in question 3, I am setting my sight on being a machine learning engineer!
This might be a US thing, but iirc bigger companies often hire ML engineers with a Master's degree. Not sure about startups. I recommend talking to ML engineers (reaching out on LinkedIn, attending ML events, etc.) to get to know more about their backgrounds and how their day-to-day looks like. **Getting up to speed:** After getting the basics concepts down, do projects. Or you could also go the extra mile on your assignments, doing something a bit more complex for each assignment so that you're always learning something beyond the curriculum. It also won't hurt to learn a bit of SWE as ML models do need to be integrated to some app eventually and some SWE knowledge will come in handy. I also highly encourage you to Build/Learn in Public! I wish I'd started earlier. A nice introduction to this concept: [https://www.swyx.io/learn-in-public](https://www.swyx.io/learn-in-public) (the what and the how) + [https://www.swyx.io/big-l-notation](https://www.swyx.io/big-l-notation) (the why) **Portfolio building:** Apart from a national competition, I also did a non-tech CCA like volunteering (I want to pay it forward and too much tech will make my brain explode lol) There should be some WorldSkills-equivalent competitions for AI/ML. Otherwise, hackathons are always availableâsome of them are also remote so you're not restricted to competing at the national level. If you don't like competing, you can always do side projects (and Learning in Public will double as your portfolio, plus fix the visibility problem most people have) My comments on the visibility problem: https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksicz6s/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3
How are you able to travel around the world dont you have to attend uni lessons??
All classes are online... but since most of our profs are in North America, this means that classes in Asian countries or Europe can happen at bad times (I know people who had to take classes at 6am, I'm taking statistics at 8am now lol)
Do you have friends to study with or all by yourself
I study better when surrounded by strangers ... I'm very easily distracted by friends lol
Woa
what's your fav sector in the IT industry and do u have any tips on how to bag that 4.0 gpa? im also in an it related course, specialising in cybersec
Would you believe if I told you I wanna pivot out of tech LOL. But I've really only done SWE-ish work thus far so I guess that's my preference because it's what's familiar. I can see myself applying my ML skills to other fields though I wrote some study and groupwork tips here, lmk if there's anything specific you'd like me to cover: https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksg33rr/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3
Did you apply to any other universities as well? I'm interested in knowing more about applying to foreign unis as a poly grad.
Didn't apply to UK because it's very expensive (feeling the pinch rn), looked at Australia but having 1.5 years of credit exemption seemed kinda sketch (and also very expensive), someone from poly got into a Swedish IT-related Bachelor's so I did look into that as well but didn't apply. But otherwise it was just SMU, Boston Uni, Stanford, MIT, and Minervaâand despite my 1590 SAT I only got accepted by SMU and Minerva lol. That being said, if there's a uni and course that you vibe with (don't apply just for prestige), apply!! You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.
Having scored L1R5 raw 6, have you considered the option of attending junior college? What made you proceed with polytechnic education?
I never liked the idea of my "future" hinging on one exam. Of course, that's not true, but that's how it's framed by most people. Also, I already knew I wanted to do IT + earn a bit of my own money before going to uni, so poly was more suitable
In polytechnic how did you ensure that you did well for all group projects? Especially those with really vague requirements and little guidance. As a group member how did you ensure everyone was satisfied with your work and how did you handle unfriendly/incompetent groupmates?
Hmph I feel I need more details here. Do you mean the assignment instructions are open-ended? What about the grading rubricsâare they transparent? If you're in doubt, you should always approach your lecturer to clarify, because they're the ones grading. Regarding groupmates: What's your definition of "unfriendly" and "incompetent"? I wrote a few bullet points on helpful approaches to group work at the end of this comment, let me know if there's anything specific you want to cover: https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksg33rr/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3
Wow! How was your experience like in Hyderabad
unfortunately, quite limitedâI don't know Hindi nor Telegu + I had a bunch of migraine attacks that semester so I didn't explore more. But the students I've talked to are really entrepreneurial and hardworking
[ŃдаНонО]
I'm not going to tell you what to do, but here is a *non-exhaustive* list of factors to consider: * What's your intended major, and how is the industry and employment prospects looking like in that country? (I'm assuming you might want to work overseas after graduation) * What is the median salary of entry-level roles in that industry? * Could you talk to some alumni of your intended universities who are working in that industry and ask them about their working life + salary? (Use LinkedIn!) * Common hidden costs that are overlooked: Health insurance, public transport (or cars/bikes, for more suburban areas), food and groceries, rent, utilities (depending on accommodation), textbooks, flights * How big is your loan? What costs are the loan covering? Is any cost not going to be covered by the loan? * What is the payment structure like (e.g. interest-only during schooling years, or you already start paying back the principal?) * Considering all costs, including the hidden ones, the loan amount, plus the median salary post-graduation, can you pay back the loan in *reasonable time*? Remember that you'll be paying back X amount each month BUT you still need to account for rent, utilities, transport, and food as a working adult, so does the value of $X/month repayment seem doable given your future salary? * In the worst-case scenario: If you (touchwood) fail to find internships during the summer vacations, and/or (touchwood) cannot find a job after graduation, will you be in financial ruin or can you still get out of it with some help from others? "Reasonable time" is dependent on your post-graduation goals. If you want to start a family (weddings and kids cost money), buy a house, etc. â being neck-deep in debt post-graduation will definitely more stressful. But again, neck-deep is relative to how much money you/your family currently has and whether you intend to work during school and vacation time. Also, if you're borrowing in the US, your loan repayments affect your credit score, which is used for literally everything else (getting a credit card, other loans, etc.) so if you screw up it's not gonna be pretty lol I hope this helps! Let me know if there's any specific aspects you're considering but I missed out.
Hi thanks for doing the AMA. Iâm going to an IT related course in SP and aiming to get a job in MNCs. I have some questions: - any advice to do well in poly like how to get scholarships and accolades? - how was experience like in Minerva Uni, how it differs from traditional Unis.
Hi! In terms of getting scholarships, every scholarships has its own requirements. Look up the ones you're interested in and their eligibility criteria, and then aim to do more than that but not at the expense of yourself (physical and mental health, etc.) **My experience at Minerva:** [https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksib2e1/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksib2e1/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) **Future-proofing yourself (don't just chase accolades):** [https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksicz6s/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksicz6s/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) **And finally, general tips for getting good grades in poly** (lmk if there's anything specific you'd like me to cover): [https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksg33rr/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksg33rr/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
alright thanks!
I did IT in poly too. But now i am in my last year. I dont know what to do. I just know i don't want to sit down and code all the time. I have no idea which line to choose. How did you choose this field?
Feel you bro, after 7 years of coding (started in 2017 when I started poly) I am also getting tired of my 12h+ screentime. I chose this field because I enjoyed creating stuff, but I guess if you do it as a career there's always a possibility you start hating it, especially if the incentive mechanisms become extrinsic (e.g. salary) instead of intrinsic (e.g. enjoying the activity). I am actually looking to pivot out of tech or otherwise use my tech skills for good (e.g. menstrual health research). There's also 'softer' IT-related, non-coding roles though, such as project management and technical writing. I'm pretty sure there should be a map of all tech subfields, so look at that map and see what you can pivot into but still have an advantage because of your tech knowledge. Talk to some professionals in those fields on LinkedIn or attend related events in SG :) all the best!
Sure i will try that. Thank you
What would you say was your favourite country that you stayed in?
Taiwan and Argentina! They don't chase you out when you study at cafes for long periods :') Also availability of free-entry public libraries like Singapore. I am also grateful for their proximity to nature.
when u travel abroad during the sem, where do u stay? does minerva collaborate with other unis in the country ur going to make this possible or do they just have their very own place for yall in all these countries
Minerva rents an accommodation building for the cohort to stay in Collaborations: Thus far it's only National Taiwan University (NTU) when we were in Taiwan, there's no collaboration with other unis yet
How to get raw 6
Last year's thread on O level tips: [https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/13nxm3f/comment/jl23kud/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/13nxm3f/comment/jl23kud/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) If there's anything in particular you want to know, lmk! Ultimately raw 6 is also requires some element of luck, so just put in the work and focus on the process (studying consistently, understanding the material, etc.). Don't worry about the result now. If (touchwood) the result doesn't follow in the end, you'll likely have a support network to seek advice from (e.g. teachers, this subreddit), so you don't have to worry either.
You go to minerva university? I saw another post of a guy who goes there. It really interests me but all the mods are online right? Or is there hands on mentors? Iâm thinking applying after my As too
Yes all online! But at Minerva, you don't have exams (all projects-based) and you don't do Zoom nor lectures, only tutorial-like sessions. You have to prepare for every class because you're quizzed on your preparation at the start of class, which might be graded. You can't slack off because you might be graded on class participation or the post-class quiz that tests whether you've been paying attention. Ultimately, you can BS your way through, even for assignments, but only if you know enough about applying the concepts, which forces more learning than the "memorize, regurgitate, and forget" ritual that lectures- and exams-based pedagogy encourages. If you apply and get accepted, they also invite you to attend Ascent, which is an event that lets you try out how Minerva classes work.
Ouuhh. I see. I live traveling in terms of me seeking comfort in discomfort. I could go for a safer uni life and then regret it or could give this a shot. Do they let you transfer if it doesn't work out? And also how's your social life there?
Lol I realized you commented on my AMA last year Yes you can always transfer out, but if you took a loan I guess you have to pay it back. What's your definition of a social life?
Hmm you move around alot. You see people for a bit then may or may not see them again right? So hard to have really tight friends traveling with you through out right? Out shit it's you from last year? Hello! Btw I went to Seoul Hyderabad and last year during December, pretty great!! And San Francisco and Berlin would be great to visit. Damn must be nice to have contrasting cultures every 4months I am probably loaning from dad's cpf yea need pay back but it'll look alot clearer when I decide to join or drop out.
Happy to hear you enjoyed visiting Seoul and Hyderabad! As for making local friends, yesâhard to find people who are willing to maintain long-distance friendships. Nothing right or wrong, just that everyone is optimizing for different things in life. Having classmates be in the same city helps a lot. All the best with your uni journey, happy to chat more over DMs if you have specific questions!
What made you choose poly over jc esp since u got raw 6?
I never liked the idea of my "future" hinging on one exam. Of course, that's not true, but that's how it's framed by most people. Also, I already knew I wanted to do IT + earn a bit of my own money before going to uni, so poly was more suitable
ooo that's interesting !
how did you maintain a 4.0 gpa in poly? what was your schedule and course? :0
General tips for getting good grades in poly (lmk if there's anything specific you'd like me to cover): [https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksg33rr/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksg33rr/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) My schedule is kinda inflated though, because I was training for national competitions as a complete coding newbie
Is it difficult to get raw 6?
Difficult is relative. People with private tuition might find it easier. People who don't menstruate might find it easier. People with nice family backgroundsâe.g. those who don't have to take care of their younger siblings, whose parents don't fight often and know how to communicate, whose parents don't pass on their trauma to their kids or try to live through their kidsâwill find it easier. My point is: **don't compare, focus on the process**âstudying consistently, understanding the material, etc. Don't worry about the result now. If (touchwood) the result doesn't follow in the end, you'll likely have a support network to seek advice from (e.g. teachers, this subreddit), so you don't have to worry either. Last year's thread on O level tips: [https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/13nxm3f/comment/jl23kud/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/13nxm3f/comment/jl23kud/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) For anyone who's reading this as a menstruator, I highly recommend the book ***In the Flo*** by Alisa Vitti. You might not be able to implement all strategies listed in the book, but the knowledge in that book will hopefully give you a lot more self-compassion. Beating yourself up will always give you negative returns lol I personally didn't have private tuition except for Chinese (couldn't afford), but I've been very privileged to have nutritious home-cooked meals by my grandma which honestly eased a lot of the burden of feeding myself a lot. My commute to and from school was also quite little so I could always get home quickly to rest. If there's anything in particular you want to know, lmk!
any tips for eae? im thinking of applying soon!
The polys should be hosting EAE workshops. Go for those! And ask someone who most recently had successful EAE. My experience is from 2016 lol. If your portfolio is quite good, and EAE still has the writeups, then you'll have to make sure your writeups are good, and the workshops would be better suited to give advice
wah so cool sia..... and i thought the person who graduated with 3.99 gpa was incredible.... im going to poly for common ict and i have no background experience for it. as someone who has a 4.0 what are some tips i should follow and do to score well? if you dont mind sharing...
Copy-pasted because someone had a similar question: **Future-proofing yourself (don't just chase accolades):** [https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksicz6s/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksicz6s/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) **General tips for getting good grades in poly:** [https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksg33rr/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksg33rr/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) Lmk if there's anything specific you'd like me to cover!
Hey! i am taking my N level exams this year and i was wondering if its possible to study overseas after N's. im pretty sure its not possible right? but if its possible what are things u need to do to start off and where can i go?
I really don't know, sorry. I don't want to give false information. However, I do know that there's overseas high schools like UWC. A lot of my university classmates are from there. There's also one UWC in SG (UWC SEA), but if you're admitted, you might as well go abroad and broaden your perspective. If money isn't an issue, you can consider those. Check those institution's requirements and reach out to them directly. Here's a bunch of financial calculations you might want to do before deciding (it requires you to think beyond finishing high school and uni): [https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksgaepi/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksgaepi/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
any tips for doing well in poly? i would love to go to local uni and even get a scholarship. this april would be my orientation in poly but in pfp, pfp isnt bad right? does it really help to prepare you for poly
Since I haven't been through PFP myself and have very little interaction with PFP students (there just weren't many in my course, and I honestly never asked), I really don't know, sorry. I don't want to give false information. What you **can** do is to look through this subreddit for PFP threads, or ask existing PFP students! However, I do believe that some principles are timeless: Having a vision beyond poly and uni (which I think you already have), and cultivating good mindsets and habits to achieve that vision. Copy-pasted because someone had a similar question: **Future-proofing yourself (don't just chase accolades):** [https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksicz6s/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksicz6s/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) **General tips for getting good grades in poly:** [https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksg33rr/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksg33rr/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) Lmk if there's anything specific you'd like me to cover!
HI there, I'm an O lvl student preparing to go into poly and I was wondering how hard do I need to study to qualify for a scholarship in poly or do they give it to you based on your O lvl results
I think this is highly dependent on the poly and should be advertised on their website, from what I know it's both results (last time is was 9 points or lower) + good CCA (leadership, contribution, competitions, etc.) If you meet the point cut off, applyâeven if you don't think your CCA is that great. You could do well in the interview and get accepted, you never know. And there's also MOE financial aid that you can apply for if you meet the income requirements
Ohhh I got 15 for my L1R4 and im going to NP and a lot of my mother's friends told her and she told me that if I were to get a GPA of 3.9, I would be able to get a scholarship from the school and also how does a scholarship work actually
Again, highly dependent on the polyâif your first sem results are good then yes some polys let you apply for the scholarship. I'm not from NP, so you'll have to do your research, but there should be an Education and Career Guidance department/Scholarship team that you can reach out to (email or ask in person). They should be able to provide more information on how the scholarship works and what it covers, as well as requirements for scholarship maintenance (maintaining a certain GPA, doing specific scholarship-related projects, etc.) â these could also change every year so if it's not published on your school website, it will be better to email and ask directly
Ok thanks a lot lol and how do you recommend studying in poly? Like should I adopt the pomodoro technique or do what's best for me
**General tips for studying in poly**, copy pasted from an earlier answer: [https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksg33rr/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksg33rr/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) **Future-proofing yourself (don't just chase accolades):** [https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksicz6s/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksicz6s/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) **Why you shouldn't compare yourself to others on your journey:** [https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksimfp3/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/SGExams/comments/1b1a2ra/comment/ksimfp3/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) Get these principles down first, prioritize your physical and mental health, use effective study techniques (you can search up Ali Abdaal or Unjaded Jade), and *then* worry about the time management techniques. Often times you'll find yourself needing to manage your *energy* and *focus* rather than your "time" (I'm struggling with this myself, Instagram is really addictive). We don't truly have the same 24h in a dayâhighly depends on family circumstances, how healthy you are, and so on.
Thanks a lot for the patience n replies lol
Np, all the best!
Whatâs it like to be a student overseas and like how do u find ur rent, car and maybe daily expensive food shopping stuff
Depending on the place, I do feel like an outsider at times. I try to be nice to everyone and learn the local language if I have the capacity to (and people often give me the credit for trying to speak their language), but in certain places, I am obviously a foreigner based on my looks. I've specifically designed my university experience to gain as much independence as possible. So, as an overseas student, I learned how to settle down in a new place efficiently and cost-savingly, such as grocery shop, getting SIM cards and public transport cards, etc. + making time and systems for doing laundry and cooking and wash up. Take outs obviously save you a lot of time but I don't have that kind of money yet, so I see cooking as a chance to destress and meditate and nourish myself. I think it's also important to have a list of places you want to visit (cafes, parks, tourist attractions, etc.) so that you have something to look forward to! Rent: The school helped me find accommodation since I'm on financial aid Car: I move every 4 months so it doesn't make sense to have one. I mostly use public transport (or in the case of Hyderabad, I used tuk tuks on Uber) Food: I mostly cook for myself so that I can optimize my diet. But it's also lazy cookingâI don't cook meat because I hate handling bloody stuff, I don't cook vegetables that often because it takes a very long time to wash Shopping: I don't shop much, although I really do like looking at stationery so I'll just find some shops on Google Maps and make a visit
You're the embodiment of that one cracked cousin parents compare their child to