Student Stories

Despite having to cope with your studies, you also took on an active role as a Student Leader. What motivated you and how did you manage your time?

The motivation behind being a student leader was that I wanted to look back on my university years and have memories of doing other things that weren’t solely academics. As the Administrative and Finance Manager of the Community Service Club (2020-2021) and Vice President of the Leadership Development Club (2021-2022), I have met new people and made new friends, as well as challenging myself to take on more responsibilities and develop social and interpersonal skills.

To manage my time, I like to plan ahead. I use a calendar to keep track of everything including classes, tutorials, assignments, exams, and meetings. This way, it makes it easier to visualise my tasks and prioritise my time accordingly so that I don’t neglect my responsibilities both as a student and a student leader.

Share with us 1 key takeaway you benefitted as a Student Leader?

As cliché as it sounds, being a student leader has taught me the importance of teamwork and communication. I was fortunate enough to work with a very competent Executive Committee (EXCO) team, where everyone took their job seriously. We weren’t afraid to ask one another for advice and to step up whenever help was needed. We listen to each other and communicate efficiently to avoid misunderstandings and conflicts. Through working with the team, I saw the different soft skills that the other EXCO members possess and were able to learn from them.

 
Community Service Club & Leadership Service Club at Awards & Appreciation Ceremony 2022

What is 1 unforgettable event you have organised as a Student Leader?

From January to May 2022, several student leaders and I organized TEDxPSBAcademy 2022. A lot of teams were involved in the planning process, and henceforth it took a lot of communication and delegation to get things moving and done. After five long months of weekly meetings, we executed the event under the theme ‘Catalyst for Change’, with 4 guest speakers.

What would your advice be for your juniors who are contemplating if they should step up as a Student Leader? What are some of the potential challenges they may face and how might they overcome it?

It’s always great to step up as a student leader but only do it if you are ready and willing to commit to it for the entire year. It is important to be realistic and to consider if you can manage other commitments such as your studies, personal life, time management, mental health, etc., before adding the role of a student leader to your plate.

A potential challenge that you may face is prioritisation. The key to overcoming this is communication. If you are struggle with schoolwork and student leader responsibilities, reach out to your EXCO members for help.

What my EXCO members and I did was that we share our exam schedules with one another. When one of us had exams, that person would take on smaller tasks as a student leader so he/she could focus on studying, while the other EXCO members would help shoulder the heavier tasks. We all took turns to give and receive help, allowing us to balance and overcome the weight of being a student and a student leader.

Was there any Staff or Lecturer who motivated you during your course of study?

For me, all the lecturers were very helpful. They went above and beyond their way to help us understand the materials; and also, to recommend other information sources outside of the syllabus that we could refer to. Often, they are willing to stay back to clarify our doubts and answer our emails.

Aside from lecturers, the PSB Academy staff from Student Success Office were also very friendly and helpful. During my 2021-2022 term as a student leader, my EXCO members and I had the pleasure of being mentored by Ms. Eleora Chin. She was always very helpful, giving us constructive feedback and providing guidance and support whenever we needed help.