Finishing the marathon after 4 loonngggggg years

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven", - Ecclesiastes 3:1

It's that time of the year when the Government releases its revised forecast for the year's economic growth, more babies are born (yes, many more April and May babies out there), the stream of campus crowd whirls down to a trickle, it's harder to get flight tickets for that summer holiday, and yes, people graduate.

I never thought I will ever write this post four years ago. Fresh out of summer orientation camp, there was me, part of an army of blur, beady-eyed freshmen sighing about the prospects of intense class participation in our first day of class in 2006, and looking lost amidst the sea of equally-lost freshmen. Back then, graduation seemed like an eternity away.

Now, convocation seemed like yesterday.

4 years of group projects, term papers, presentations and examinations has now given way to: many, many more years of group projects, term papers, presentations and examinations, especially for folks like me joining the Civil Service.

Graduation is more akin to finishing a marathon than getting the top poles in a race. In a 21 or 42-km marathon, no one gives a damn about the winner, or remembers his\her name 1 year down the road. But everyone remembers the sweat, the breathlessness, the little triumphs we get when we edge a little closer towards the finish line, the sight of hundreds of runners running alongside you on the same journey, and sometimes the pain when your ankles give way.

Here are some 10 take-aways that I want to impart to you, my dear reader. If you have already graduated, kudos to you and I hope you relive a glimpse of your student life amidst these words. If you haven't graduated, I hope you will find some strength or inspiration from here.

1. Making $1 million & cooking Naples-style spaghetti
Not satisfied with what you're learning in class? Get out and choose from the countless seminars, workshops and conferences in school or beyond that caters to almost every whim and fancy. Every semester, there are entrepreneurs, academics, activists, journalists, bureaucrats and others speaking on topics ranging from making $1 million before the age of 28 to cooking Naples-style spaghetti. Be inspired, and inspire others.

2. The limits of a 5-year old online portal
Don't complain about the school not providing enough internship opportunities for you. I've come to realise how students have become so reliant on OnTrac. The last thing that you want to limit your future with is a 5-year old online portal manned by 4 blokes. There are literally hundreds of companies and organisations that you can apply directly with that is sure to be aligned with your interests. Take some initiative and do your own research. Write in YOURSELF.

3. A smile a day may bring a favour your way
Be nice to all the staff, even the security guards and cleaners. Put yourself in their shoes. They have a job to do, so don't get in their way by making unreasonable demands, or not cooperating with them. Be nasty to them and you make their job even worse. Be nice to them and you bring a cheer to their day, even a favour that will be paid back when you need their help again (and you will, trust me).

4. Some of the best friends I made...
Are the ones I met through joining student clubs. Yes, one of the best ways to make friends is to join a student club. Sink your roots in and commit to a few good years. You will be surprised with what you learn, the number of people you meet along the way, and even meet your future beau. Don't join a club just for your resume. People can tell if you're genuine or if you're there for selfish reasons.

5. For taking that solo stroll
If you ever need a quiet place to read (not the library), chill or just walk to get inspiration, try the Singapore Art Museum with its cafes and galleries, the Esplanade and its windy roof-top, the National Museum with its lovely Novus bar, the Fort Canning Park with its mini-maze of flora and fauna, or even our very own Wellness Centre with its massage chairs and dim lights. Plus there are about a hundred more places that you can go to (Buzz me if you need more information).

6. The world is a book & those who do not travel read only a page
To get something akin to changing your perspective of life, go overseas for an exchange, internship, or even a prolonged CIP. Regardless of where you go to, the key is get yourself away from the hustle and bustle of Singapore, immerse yourself in a foreign culture (no, playing beer pong with the Irish does NOT count), witness how their people live and work, and put yourself in their shoes. Limit yourself to Singapore and your mindset will always be limited at that.

7. Of bad emails & worse excuses
I'm always bemused by how many students clubs can be so unprofessional, given the string of horror incidents such as emails being addressed to the wrong CEOs (sometimes they get the gender wrong too), with multiple typos, and a whole lot of other stuff that can get you fired in the corporate world. There is no excuse for not getting your facts right when it's within your locus of control. Always think about how others will perceive your club's name. Treat others professionally and you will be given the due respect too.

8. It's not just about watching the time, dear
Effective time management is not just about cramming as many tasks and responsibilities into your 24 hours a day. It's also about keeping to your word, committing to your goals, and doing what you say you will do. If you find yourself apologising once too often for late work (or late replies..."Eh guys, sorry for the late reply \ sorry for sending this in late") and broken promises, perhaps it's time to stop apologising and do a revamp of your time management plan.

9. Quit the verbal diarrhea
Let's face it: we all like to complain about our long days, workload, lousy food, and other issues unfortunate to be the target of our verbal diarrhea. We take a certain pleasure to hitting back at "the system" (because it's so darn cool to be a rebel) and making ourselves the anti-hero or the victim in the story. But let's ask ourselves: when are we ever going to be satisfied with our lives? Being a responsible student is more than just putting in the hours in the library. It's about being a part of the school community, giving feedback to people who are in the position to make changes, or getting your peers together to make some REAL change. Don't just sit on your asses all day and complain (I call that "potshot sniping").

10. YOU can be the source of change
I've always found it more exciting to talk to people who are passionate about a cause: whether it's about improving student welfare, helping the less fortunate, or even pushing to set up a mahjong club despite repeated rejections from the administration. As Bill Gates said it at a Harvard Commencement, one of the greatest experiences one can ever have in life is to be an activist of sorts to take on the big inequities in our community and the world. Rather than just being mere robots without a soul or conviction about an issue, why not make a stand and see how you can be that source of change?