by Leow Wen Xuan
1. CHASE THE GOLDEN HOUR
First thing off the list — sunsets. One of the best parts of studying in NTU is being treated to spectacular sunsets. So the next time you are studying on campus, why not take a break and go on a little walk to bask in the evening glow? Whether you are catching the golden hour alone or with friends, you are sure to be mesmerised by the beauty of the colours in the sky. Enjoy the sunset from the top floor of the NIE library, or soak up every last ray of its warmth at Yunnan Garden. The North Spine offers a great vantage point too, as these photos show.
Photos: Eileen Tan
2. SPICE UP YOUR LIFE WITH MALA
Fire off your taste buds by challenging yourself and your friends to da la, the highest spice level in mala xiang guo. (If da la has been your go-to spice level, hats off to you. You are a winner.) Aromatic, spicy and mouth-numbing, the mala spices will definitely jolt you awake from a sleepy afternoon of schoolwork. Highly-raved mala spots include A Hot Hideout, located at the North Hill halls, and the mala stall in Tamarind Hall’s canteen. Hot tip: Make your experience more bearable with a drink by your side. My go-to is either a nice cold Thai milk tea (Team Green Milk Tea!) or good ol’ water.
3. PICNIC UNDER THE STARS
The iconic School of Art, Design & Media (ADM) building has a sloping green roof that not only looks aesthetic, but also cools the surrounding air on hot days. At night, the open space becomes a great spot for stargazing. So grab a friend, some food and a picnic mat, and head down to ADM for some heart-to-heart conversations under the stars. This is definitely something worth ticking off your student bucket list.
4. SNAG A LIMITED-EDITION NTU TEE
You know you are a true-blue NTU student if you wear your NTU T-shirts to classes, to sleep and to hang out. Stand out from the crowd with exclusive NTU tees in limited-edition designs and colours, only up for grabs at HEY! roadshows where you can have fun with augmented reality.
Photo: Kwok Pei Fang
5. GRAB THOSE ’GRAM-WORTHY PHOTOS
NTU is one of the most beautiful universities in the world with no shortage of Instagrammable spots. Put on your influencer hat for the day and go on a fun photoshoot, or do a viral TikTok dance with your besties against iconic backdrops like the waterfall at Yunnan Garden and The Hive to enhance the aesthetic appeal of your footage. Those with a keen eye and lots of patience can even do some wildlife photography. What better way to preserve your university memories than through photos and videos?
6. CANTEEN-HOP
You have heard of cafe-hopping, but what about canteen-hopping? Make it your new goal to try out food from every one of NTU’s 11 hall-based canteens and come up with a list of your personal top picks before graduation. Discover unusual food like the “Chinese Hamburger” (minced meat sandwiched in flaky pastry) sold by the Wonderful La Mian Xiao Long Bao stall at Canteen 2, or the underrated bak chor mee in the NIE canteen, affordably priced under $4. The NIE Malay stall’s tasty traditional fare is also a winner.
7. DO THE GREAT NTU WORKOUT
Sweat it out by going on a run, jog or walk with friends around the expansive university grounds. Carry a mobile screenshot of the campus map with you and cross out a landmark each time you pass by one, whether it’s a building or an outdoor sculpture. The one with the most crosses marked gets bragging rights! As you set out on your mini-adventure, take in the lush surroundings and keep an eye out for furry friends like cats and otters.
8. PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER
The quintessential university experience is one of rushing through projects and assignments till the sun rises, with your friends in tow. The opening hours of enclosed study spaces like those at The Hive and The Arc are extended during exam season but not beyond midnight (look out for updates on the NTU Students’ Union’s Instagram page). So if you plan to pull an all-nighter with friends, look for open study spaces on campus, such as the benches at North Spine outside the Lee Wee Nam Library. Remember to catch up on sleep!
9. TAKE PART IN A RESEARCH STUDY… AND GET PAID
Chances are, you would have received emails inviting you to be rewarded for participating in research studies. If you have time to spare, why not sign up with your friends and find out what it is like? You get to contribute to science, and most studies are “chill” and straightforward. The best part? You get paid for your time.
10. BEFRIEND AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT
Get to know exchange students through classes or special interest groups and play tour guide by bringing them to your favourite hangout spots in Singapore. Your international friends will surely expand the way you see things. Try to pick up some handy words and phrases in their language for when you visit them next time. Learning the lingo of another country is always fascinating.
Helping my pal, exchange student Gaurika Vasan, get the requisite shots.
HEY! STUDENT WRITER
Wen Xuan loves long bus rides. On stressful days, daydreaming on a long, quiet bus ride is all she needs to unwind.
This story was published in the Jul-Aug 2023 issue of HEY!. To read it and other stories from this issue in print, click here.
