My Uncensored SMU Review

I’ve noticed a jump in blog traffic to my blog posts regarding SMU “Are You Sure You Want To Come To SMU? Think Carefully” and “At Least One Professor Thinks SMU Has Lost The Plot Too“. I suppose it’s because now’s the time when people are getting their acceptance to one or more universities and want to make an informed decision. In fact one person actually got into contact with me to get some information about the school, so I tried my best to help.

I stand by the earlier post that mugging-wise, the school has gone to the dogs. However, I think in terms of opportunities, training, education method and personal development, the school still shines. I mean come on, did you learn anything while sitting at the back of a 200-300 people lecture hall? I assure you I wasn’t paying attention half the time back in JC. Having all classes less than 50 people definitely helps facilitate discussion and learning much better.

The other key learning experience is teamwork and collaboration. When 50% of your grade or more is on your projects, you damn well learn how to work together regardless of whatever may crop up. And I don’t think that’s any different in the real world. Best to learn it now rather than spend your life thinking it’s all about that solo push for the 70% exam.

Ultimately, I think what you want to do should guide where you want to go. I know I had no bloody idea when I was 18, but if you do, it can really help. If you wanna do journalism like Audrey (the person who contacted me to find out more about SMU), then SMU isn’t going to help you much, even in corporate communications. So use that as an indication.

And…. well. We do have student life. Or we did. Here are some pictures back in year one:

Waikiki in 2006. Waikiki in 2008: nobody.

Late nights studying with booze. This was taken at 1:50 in the morning during study week.

Celebrating Mooncake festival

Impromptu Busking

Those were the good days. But now? You’ll probably see

Tags: singapore management university, SMU, smu collaboration, smu lectures, smu muggers, smu nus ntu, smu project work, smu student life, smu teaching style, smu teamwork