The GEP Programme in Singapore

I chanced upon this documentary and decided to watch it. It's quite an eye-opener. Refreshing, yes, to know about the GEP programme.

I never knew what the GEP programme was about until I finished watching this video. I'm surprised that GEP-pers are given some sort of special treatment, and view themselves in a different light, whether good or bad.

It made me ponder about the people that I meet in NUS. I've met some incredibly brilliant and different people. Different in that they seem to know where they're going. Different in that they dare to act in whatever way they want, and do not conform as much regarding ideas that they have.

I've led a YEP project with an ex-R.I. GEP student. He's not loud, but it requires him little effort to do well in NUS. He's slightly socially awkward, but a brilliant planner. He leads as a mastermind, and I lead as his mouthpiece. He has a heart for the NGO (what a waste, I thought, but it's amusing that he doesn't want the riches of the world).

I've another friend, an ex-GEP student. He dropped out of GEP because he was frustrated with the system. He didn't study hard enough for the GEP exam. He went on to Polytechnic, did extremely well, came to NUS to do the only thing he was passionate about in his life - Computing. The lecturer, according to him, was not smart enough to impart him more than what textbooks could offer, and even faulted him when he kindly reminded his lecturer that there was an honest mistake made. He changed course to Economics, made sure he did well enough ONLY to pass the exam (told his lecturer that he won't be submitting 2 out of 3 of his assignments), and graduated with merit.

There is another person whom I know who is a bird-watcher. He's interested in everything - History, Literature, Nature... He found life too boring and took a Year 4 course in Year 1. Obviously he didn't do well because NUS marks papers against standard answers. It was interesting to note that he could distinguish the species of birds just by its call, and he's too absorbed to everything and anything, he didn't have time for his studies (and neither did he care, really).


There are people whom I know who are extremely brilliant who didn't appear so brilliant at age 9, and hence didn't make it to GEP. Perhaps these are people who secretly admire non-conformity, people who constantly have ideas but were told to hush... *ponders*

rants: campus accommodation

I'm feeling really frustrated with the NUS accommodation, and whom can I blame? I was offered accommodation previously at UTown, Single Corridor Room. I've gotten the last of the last choices - UTown, suite. Over here, 5 girls who starts off as strangers will live together. I wonder what future holds.

I like my own space, a space away from needing to talk to people. I'm afraid that I would have to face people whom I'm not used to. I'm scared of the uncertainty ahead.

I'm also paying slightly more for (hopefully cleaner) en-suite toilets.

I've stayed in a suite before and besides the very beautiful models constructed by the two architects-to-be and the 2 cleaning aunties whom became my good friends, staying in a suite is really not my thing : /

The long process of trying and trying is really tiring. I hope that this is the last call. So here's my long story.

Applied to stay in C. College, Single Corridor; application accepted
Withdrew application due to some very emotionally-distressing experiences
Told to wait 1.5 months before I can apply for other residences
Waited
The day finally came. I could not apply because the system did not allow me to stay anywhere else other than C. College. Wrote in. Solved, after a few days.
Finally applied
Waited some more
Results came: unsuccessful; long waiting list
Emailed Prof X, asked if there is another place I could stay
Prof X replied, saying I could choose A. College or RVR
Thought a long time. Didn't like the expensive and mundane meal plan in UTown. Decided to choose A. College over RVR.
Prof X asked Master of A. College if I could stay. Master said I have to write in personally.
After labouriously thinking of what I can offer, I stayed up half a night to write the first initiative of my life - a pilot project, to help needy students in NUS, by ... (I can't tell you yet!). Continued revamping my resume, squeezed every single drop of my brain juice to write a cover letter (that I'm extremely proud of, even till today), a cover letter that communicates me (not my competency, but me, as a person, as a student, as an aspiring teacher).
Finally sent the application (after drafting the email many times)
Got a response days later; I've been accepted!!!

THEN...
Admin wrote to me saying that the system is opened for me to sign up
I signed in. Nope, doesn't work. I'm listed as "Unsuccessful" in application for residences.
Wrote back to tell them to put me in A. College. Admin wrote back saying I need to apply through A.College (but hey, I've already been accepted!)
Wrote to admin of my problem.
They wrote back, asking for my matric number. Finally! :)
I gave my matric number.
Waited.
They told me I can apply now.
I logged in. "C. College - Application Rejected"
No, that's not what I applied for.
Wrote back to get them to change.
Waited.
They wrote back saying they've changed.
I logged in. Nope, they haven't.
I wrote back saying they haven't updated it.
They told me to try again.
Ah. Finally. I see it! :)
Applied. Paid application fee.
Waited.
Accepted!! :D "Please log in to accept."
Logged in. No "Accept Offer" button! : X
Desperate. Log in again from another computer. Can't work. Wrote to admin.
Waited.
Admin wrote back, asking me to check again.
It's done!!! :D I can accept offer now!
BUT
Oh my...
I'm staying in a suite! (I want a corridor room.)

- Heaves a long sigh... -

The moral of the story: The system is never at fault. It's all our fault. Ok, my fault... *chuckles!*