Things I Wish NUS Students Would Follow

Due to the mid terms, I did not have time to add entries to the blog. Final exams are about a month away so updates may not be as frequent.

1. Take Care of your Belongings!!

   To risk or not to risk

Every once and then, I see students leaving their laptops on the benches for a quick toilet break. Or to buy a meal at the canteen. Even at places with very few people. Don't. Shut the lid, put the laptop in your bag and bring it along with you. The value of that 5 minutes could be worth $2,500 if something bad happens.

2. Squeeze in EFFICIENTLY in Service Bus 95 (and perhaps other buses) during peak hours

   Most of the time, this is how a full bus looks like from the top (common in Service 95) The PPF of efficient bus squeezing:

   Part with your boyfriend / girlfriend / friend / mother / father / brother / sister / etc temporarily. Put your bags in front of you or carry it in front of you. Form two rows, that's two rows from the back to the front Now with this layout, more people can board the bus (the bags are placed between your legs or hand carried) This ONLY applies to SBS buses entering NUS. Commuters taking internal shuttle buses should NOT follow the two-row rule as it will not allow greater maneuverability within the bus. Of course, those alighting at NUH (with Service 95) will be having trouble especially if he/she is stuck in the end. My advise is to try to stand near the exits for those getting off at NUH. Or try alternative buses - there is a bus stop near the expressway outside NUH:

   Try Service 97, 197 or 963 to NUH instead of Service 95 to avoid the crowds

3. Don't eat or drink during Lectures

   The sign is there for decoration purpose? All lecture theatres prohibit eating or drinking. Plain water drinking is allowed. But when someone brings in a hamburger, a cup of ice milo and sits in front of me, I tend to get very distracted. The smell itself makes the stomach growl especially when you are hungry. Imagine those having the Ramadan fasting period...

4. Don't discuss or chat during Lectures

   Talk only when needed. There are benches outside for your convenience. Another distracting element. People behind you talking something else when the lecture is about Java Programming. If you need to talk, I am sure you can not do two things at once. Please go outside and talk or wait till the break.

5. Use deodorants

   Deodorants mask/prevent the bad smell when you sweat In a crowded area such as the bus and the distance between other commuters is very little, the last thing we want is the nasty smell from your arm pit.

6. Form holes in Queues for easier and faster exits

   Exiting from drinks stall and claypot stall means cutting at least 2 queues After buying a meal from a stall, I have to find a way to cut through the queues to get to my seat. Most of the time it goes okay, but sometimes people have to move back Now, with holes, people can exit faster.

7. Common Courtesy

   Don't step on the lecture chairs to get to a particular seat.

   Don't play games during lecture - its distracting - play it at the back of the lecture room. Don't put your feet on the seat in front of you to make yourself comfortable.