How SUSS became my first choice

I was recommended to consider SUSS by my girlfriend, who has since completed her first year with the university. At that time, SUSS was the only local university offering Supply Chain Management as a major, a big draw for me. I was impressed by the variety of modules, including the integration of ethics and sustainability-related modules in the curriculum. For my minor, I selected analytics, as it can help me better identify bottlenecks in the supply chain.

Leadership opportunities abound

With the smaller cohort size in SUSS, there are plenty of opportunities for us to initiate new ideas, lead projects, and network. We have over 20 interest groups, including Cross-Cultural Immersion, Artificial Intelligence, Investment interest groups, and more as the number continues to grow. As the President of the Supply Chain interest group, my friends and I have since initiated and organised multiple events, from after-school dinner gatherings to exam welfare packs and freshmen orientation. There is never a dull moment. 
Amongst all my favourite memories with SUSS, I distinctly remember the delighted faces of students and their appreciation when they received the exam welfare packs prepared by us. The event was a success, and I found the experience fulfilling. 

Learning by doing

Experiential learning is an important part of my learning journey in SUSS. It has helped me acquire some fascinating, new life perspectives. As part of the five compulsory experiential modules, I volunteered with the Bone Marrow Donor Programme (BMDP), where I took on social media marketing responsibilities to drive awareness of the programme and increase registrations for the bone marrow donor registry. Every registered donor improves the chances of finding a match for patients with illnesses such as leukaemia and lymphoma. I had the opportunity to give back to our community and, upon reflection, learnt the precious lesson that there is no such thing as a small act of kindness, but that every act creates a ripple impact that could be huge.  

SUSS' unique experiential modules are part of every full-time student’s graduation requirements. They include overseas experience, team building, service-learning and community engagement, career mentoring, and developing an e-portfolio. These may seem like a lot, but they will enrich your university life through the opportunities to network and see the world from new perspectives.

Developing initiative, perseverance, and confidence through self-directed learning

We are encouraged to develop our self-directed learning skills as the benefits are immense. We are provided with the course materials to help us prepare before lessons and then use classroom contact time to reaffirm our understanding of the subject. Our professors are also kind and ready to answer questions through email or WhatsApp beyond classroom hours. While self-directed learning can be daunting to some, it is a new way of learning and living. It sparks collaboration and empowers us to gain confidence as we make decisions and take ownership of our choices and actions. 

What to expect of university life 

Transitions are never easy. Adapting to student life after two years of national service and keeping up with the faster pace in university life were my initial challenges. I cut back on other commitments, such as my part-time job, and managed to get into the rhythm after my first term. 

"It always seems impossible until it's done." I did not think I could ever achieve a respectable GPA, much less a scholarship, given my poor diploma grades. However, this quote by Nelson Mandela changed my attitude. By approaching university life with confidence and putting my best foot forward, I was able to achieve success in the first semester of my studies. Today, I do not fear failure as much, and I continue to try new experiences because I believe that the possibilities are limitless.

The higher education journey is all about embracing new experiences. From seeing new faces and making new friends to learning new knowledge, taking up new roles, and participating in new activities; we grow from these experiences, so don't stop pursuing them. 

Employability and career options

When I graduate, I plan to seek a role as a supply chain analyst or supply & demand planner. I am also working towards my dream startup, built on the vision of Logistics 4.0 and Smart Supply Chain.