Academic Matters

After you have been matriculated, you will receive by snail mail, an important username and password for the SIM Student Portal. As the student portal is your gateway to a wealth of knowledge on all academic matters, do not lose your account details.

You will find in your Student Portal a soft copy of a Student Handbook that SIM gives to every freshman. This useful book provides information on general administrative, disciplinary and international student matters. It also sheds light on the school's grievance resolution process and the student protection scheme/contract.

How to do well in University of London Programme?

The UOL degree requires consistent revision. Marcus To (President of UOL Student Council) said, "It will be best that after each lecture you can go back home to revise on the topic that you've been taught. Attempting tutorial questions may prove to be the key to success as most of them are prepared with reference to past year exam questions."

How to do well in RMIT Programme?

Daphne Lim thinks it is important to attend lectures faithfully and self-study. "Tutorials questions are not compulsory; hence if you somehow cannot make it to tutorial, make sure you do your own revision and practice the questions.", said Daphne Lim, President of the SIM Tennis Club.

How to do well in University at Buffalo Programme?

Sanjiv Govind, President of UB Student Council, thinks the key to excel is to remain consistent throughout the academic semester since the American system is not based on final examination grades, but is instead, a process of continuous assessment; taking into account the cumulative evaluations earned from assignments, presentations, tests and group projects.

Ann Thio, a top UB communications student said, "Pay attention in class and do your fair share of project work and self study. There's really no secret to getting As."

How to do well in University of Wollongong Programme?

Jason Ong, President of UOW Student Council, thinks it is critical to develop a good foundation from the start. "Read more journals and attempt to participate in projects like SourceForge.com for experience.", he said.

Textbooks - To buy or not?

Jason Ong, President of UOW Student Council thinks we should buy our textbooks only if we can't source our own additional notes. A text is always good for reference.
You can get 10% discounts off new textbooks at Popular Bookstore located on the 3rd level of Clementi Road campus. "But if you need something heavier," says Ong, "Kinokuniya in Takashimaya and computer bookstores in Funan and Sim Lim are great sources for specialised subjects."

However, if buying new textbooks gives you the groove, there is the option of getting them 2nd-hand from your seniors.

Friends and Networking

The easiest way to build that new friendship is to be friendly and pro-active.
Muhammad Mazni Bin Mohd Sidek, President of SIM Dragon Boat thinks a good icebreaker is as simple as saying hi to the person sitting next to you during lectures. "Assking him/her a question during break, it can lead to good friendships later on." he said.

"Friendship has got to be intentionally established to a certain extent. "The best way to make friends is by sitting with new people at different lectures. That way, it's easier to make small talk and eventually, they might end up being your project group-mates," notes Daphne, President of SIM Tennis Club.

If the person sitting next to you is giving you a cold shoulder, there is no reason to fret. "Just be yourself. Even if the person next to you doesn't seem to be friendly, don't worry because there are still many people around," says Muhammad Mazni Bin Mohd Sidek.

Both Marcus To, President of UOL Student Council and Justin Kan President of Film and Performing Arts Society think many SIM students make friends through the activities that they participate in. "There are many active cultural and sports clubs and their events are the best platform to meet like-minded people.", they advocated.
You can find information on the student clubs in your Student Portal. If you do know fancy any of those available, you can write a proposal to the Student Care and Services office to start one yourself.

Orientation Camps

Orientation Camps are the best way to meet new people and begin friendships - the nice dude or babe that you got to know at that camp can end up being your classmate, project mate, soul mate and even lover.

Orientation Camps take place before the academic year begins in late July or early August. The must-attend camps are probably the ones organised by your academic programme's student council.

In particular, the University of London's Student Council's freshman orientation camp is popular because it is well organised, attracts a variety of people and is power-packed with fun activities.

Marcus To, President of UOL Student Council, explains that the council always try their best to make the camp memorable through intra-group and inter-group activities with the intention to encourage people to bond.

"I can say that the friends made in this camp will last forever.", he said.

If you are an UOL freshman, you will be able to sign up for the freshman orientation camp on your freshman orientation day in school. The intake for SIM UOL Orientation camp this year is limited to 200 freshmen, so sign up fast to avoid disappointment!

The RMIT Student Council organises orientation camps twice a year, in June and in December, to cater to 2 different intakes.

According to Edward Chan, President of the RMIT Student Council, the most interesting activity for each orientation camp, which takes on a different theme each time it is organised, is the video making competition.

"Freshmen will be immersed into a fictional world and bond in the process." says Edward.

UB Student Council also organises 3 orientation camps annually in May, August and January to cater to 3 different intakes.

University of Wollongong Student Council, being newly established, is not organising any orientation camps yet.

You can email your academic programme's student council for more information.
University of London: uolsrc@clubs.sim.edu.sg
RMIT: rmitsc@clubs.sim.edu.sg
University at Buffalo: ubsc@clubs.sim.edu.sg
University of Wollongong: jase.libertas@gmail.com

Other campus events

Flybar Guitarist and President of SIM Guitar Club, Benjamin Tay thinks the SIM campus is a hive of activities all year round. He said, "Already in 2008, we have had the Guitar Club's annual performance in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebrations in February. There are also bazaars for all kinds of celebrations like Valentine's Day. Mediacorp TV also visits us regularly to film programmes that seek out the best looking students and best food on campus.

Soccer, captain's ball, Dodgeball and Basketball tourneys are taking place throughout the year. For example the Student Councils organise an Inter-SIM Soccer Challenge every August.

The RMIT Student Council organises the popular SIM-RMIT pageant and bash every year. The well attended event, which takes place in August features the best looking RMIT students in SIM. The organisers will be on the look-out for eye candy in classes to feature in the competition - that's another incentive for you to dress well for classes!

The council also organises the popular Final Chow-Down in early September, an eating competition.

What do I wear on campus?

Anything from slippers that don't flap too loud, berms that only got two holes for pockets and singlets that keep you warm is okay. Eugene Wong, President of Ultimate Frisbee Club, said, "Comfort is my utmost concern. Therefore I normally dress down when I go to school. "I'd advise bringing a sweater along to class. It gets pretty cold at times."

ATM Machines

POSB and UOB ATM machines are located near the Koi Pond on the 2nd level of SIM Headquarters along Clementi Road. The nearest bank is DBS at Bukit Timah Plaza.

Carparks

Car parking in SIM is free. But if you want a good lot, come early for class.
For those who drive and have classes at SIM Headquarters, Eujean Lee, President of Social Innovation Park (SIM Student Chapter) suggested parking at the basement to avoid the sun, bird stains and rain. However, open-air parking lots are usually more readily available.

Food and Snacks

At the Clementi Road campus, lunch is available at the food court or Mega Bites Restaurant located at the 3rd level. Expect long queues at the food court for $3 Tom Yam Ban Mien and $1.50 Bubble-Tea. At Mega Bites, the western food menu is popular for its value-for-money combo meals. A chicken and fish combo will set you back by only $6.50. Your student identity card entitles you to a 10% discount.

You can get titbits such as chocolates, chips, prawn crackers and even yoghurt at vending machines all around campus. Justin Kan, President of Film and Performing Arts Society suggested that a greater variety of snacks is available from Cold Storage at King Albert Park, a 5-minute bus ride away by SBS 154,151 and 74.

Gym

The school gym is located in the student lounge, 4th floor of the Clementi Road campus. Even though it is relatively small, it contains a wide variety of machines. Access to the gym is free and only SIM students can access it. Entry to the gym is dependent on its availability on a first-come-first-serve basis. Peak hours are during lunch time from 12pm to 2pm and evenings.

Showers

So, you have a hot date in the evening and you do not want to meet your date smelling of sweat and fumes from the canteen. Showers are located at 2nd and 4th levels of Clementi Road campus so you can get as fresh as a sunflower all over again anytime you want.