Hello and welcome to NUS. As I was still clueless as a freshie despite having a senior who guided me, I decided to write this blog post. Somehow my blog got featured in nus Reddit and so I'm updating again in 2021. Ever since COVID-19 entered our lives, a lot has changed in school.
1. IVLE->LumiNUS->Canvas(latest) is a platform where you go for your lectures and tutorials.
*Luminus is transitioning to Canvas. Canvas is relatively new so I don't have information yet.
Link: LumiNUS
Most used features:
a. Files: Lectures and tutorials
b. Conferencing: Zoom meetings
c. Forum: if your prof wants to answer questions or wants students to discuss
d. Gradebook: shows your percentile, score
e. Multimedia: Recorded videos
f. Quiz: Quizzes can be graded/ungraded/timed/untimed/no backward navigation
g. My account: Reset password
h. Office 365: Click the icon on the top right of the Luminus, to download Microsoft office into your computer, click my account in the OneDrive and click install Office which allows up to 5 devices.
Link: LumiNUS
Most used features:
a. Files: Lectures and tutorials
b. Conferencing: Zoom meetings
c. Forum: if your prof wants to answer questions or wants students to discuss
d. Gradebook: shows your percentile, score
e. Multimedia: Recorded videos
f. Quiz: Quizzes can be graded/ungraded/timed/untimed/no backward navigation
g. My account: Reset password
h. Office 365: Click the icon on the top right of the Luminus, to download Microsoft office into your computer, click my account in the OneDrive and click install Office which allows up to 5 devices.
 |
| page views as of 6/8/23 |
2. Do reset your password before it expires so you can access your materials. (nus change password)
There will be a notification email sent to your school email when the password is about to expire. To change your password, press the reset password via Mobile if you have forgotten your password. The reset password would be your partial password + last 4 digits of your matriculation number. Or you can go to the LumiNUS my account to change your password.
3. EduRec (previously called ISIS) is a platform where you can access your QET, S/U declarations, seat number, register for modules, academic declaration and financial aid etc.
There will be a notification email sent to your school email when the password is about to expire. To change your password, press the reset password via Mobile if you have forgotten your password. The reset password would be your partial password + last 4 digits of your matriculation number. Or you can go to the LumiNUS my account to change your password.
3. EduRec (previously called ISIS) is a platform where you can access your QET, S/U declarations, seat number, register for modules, academic declaration and financial aid etc.
-There would be a timetable and email released which states the dates for round 0, 1, 2 and 3.
Link: EduRec
Now in 2021, you can check your academic results in the uNivUS app.
You have 8 S/U (32MC) to use for the entire 4 years. 5 S/U (20MC) is only available for 1st year and only 3 S/U would be carried forward to the next 3 years. Poly students have lesser S/U. You can use the S/U on level 1000 and 2000 modules. Do set a realistic CAP so you can S/U accordingly. As for me, I S/U anything below a B+ to maintain a >4.00 CAP. I had friends who S/U A- because they set very high expectations of themselves. I got a friend who got a D+ for the module and had to retake the module after S/U.
How to S/U?
For A+, A, A- keep
For B+, dependent but may drag you down if you want FCH.
For B, dependent but preferably S/U.
Anything below, S/U.
Now with the new one year S/U, you can choose to wait also.
CAP Grading
A+ 5.0
A 5.0
A- 4.5
B+ 4.0
B 3.5
You can google NUS CAP calculator to calculate your CAP.
Different terms
NUS: MC (module credits)
NTU: AU (academic unit)
Ngee Ann Poly: CU
Quite a number of people were asking about whether to S/U and its volatility.
When I SU one B- and one B in my first semester, my CAP jumped by +0.37 so S/U plays a bigger role in your first year first semester.
And also many people were asking whether to S/U B+.
When I SU one B+ in my second year, my CAP only jumped by 0.04 so if you S/U B+ or do not S/U B+ makes little difference. I got the additional 10MCs from the Covid-19 situation so I just used them.
A- 4.5
B+ 4.0
B 3.5
You can google NUS CAP calculator to calculate your CAP.
Different terms
NUS: MC (module credits)
NTU: AU (academic unit)
Ngee Ann Poly: CU
Quite a number of people were asking about whether to S/U and its volatility.
When I SU one B- and one B in my first semester, my CAP jumped by +0.37 so S/U plays a bigger role in your first year first semester.
And also many people were asking whether to S/U B+.
When I SU one B+ in my second year, my CAP only jumped by 0.04 so if you S/U B+ or do not S/U B+ makes little difference. I got the additional 10MCs from the Covid-19 situation so I just used them.
Extra component: Usually we take MCQ/essay exams with Examplify.
It can check for plagiarism (Turnitin can also check for plagiarism).
6. Use NUSMods to make a calendar and also find out more about your module description, lecture dates and timings and see if it can fit into your schedule.
Link: NUSMods
Please try to squeeze all the modules into 3-4 days so you can have 3-4 days of rest.
Link: https://utown.nus.edu.sg/contact/facilities-booking/
This applies largely to my CCA because we need rooms to dance. It was my first time booking and I had to learn it myself. Booking of the dance rooms are free and you need 3 days before you can book the room. You cannot book the room 1 day before the actual day. There are only a few rooms with mirrors.
CCAs did eat up some of my study time but I had a great time. I met many like-minded friends who were into Kpop and I made plenty of friends too.
9. Hall life? Halls at Utown are popular but do take note that hall life can be tiring.
9. Hall life? Halls at Utown are popular but do take note that hall life can be tiring.
I noticed that the ones who come to class late and tired were those who stay in halls. To maintain their stay in the hall, they have to participate in many hall activities. My friends jioed me to go see their rooms and eat meals at PGP and CAPT. It was a nice experience.
-Eusoff hall
-Temasek hall
-Kent ridge hall
-Sheares hall
-Raffles hall
-King Edward VII hall
-Ridge View Residential college
-Prince George Park Residences
Utown
-tembusu college (looks nice :D)
-cinnamon college
-college of alice and peter tan (looks nice :D)
-residental college 4
10. Reconsider your 8am lessons
Previously when classes were physical, I struggled with traffic jams. Now that classes are online, I struggle to stay awake and alert.
11. Getting around NUS with a map and bus can use univnus app to see bus timings
Link: NUS Campus Map
Previously when classes were physical, I struggled with traffic jams. Now that classes are online, I struggle to stay awake and alert.
11. Getting around NUS with a map and bus can use univnus app to see bus timings
Link: NUS Campus Map
Link: NUS Library Website
I got my E-textbooks from my seniors so I got to save a lot of money. The hard copy textbooks seem expensive and cost around >$50. I also went to NUS Library website to get my textbook. Free of charge!
13. You can apply for the NUS Concession Card.
Link: NUS Concession Card
You can use the card to buy concessions or to get student discounts. It cost $8.10 to get this card. I bought bus concessions (worth $55.50) during my clinical attachments so I can save up money.
You can overload in round 3, not round 1 or 2 of nusmodreg.
I did overload 31MCs this AY21/22 semester. I added this in because there were people discussing about overloading in nus reddit.
15. Although the financial aid application says that it is opened from Feb-April, you can still apply for financial aid.
Link: NUS Financial Aid
I applied in August and I got the money. Most households should be able to get the MOE Bursary.
16. Bookmark the NUS library proxy bookmark to unlock journal articles.
This would save you effort and time.
Link: proxybookmark
17. Use Endnote or Scribbr for APA 7th citation.
Some Redditors recommend using Mendeley but follow your prof. Do double-check your citations.
18. Use NUS VPN to access some NUS-restricted websites
Link: NUS VPN
19. Libraries require a matriculation card to enter.
-MedLibrary at MD6 Level 5
-Science Library S6 Building
-Central Library FASS
-Chinese Library FASS
-Hong Sui Sen Library Business
-Music Library
20. You can apply for a free Adobe License on NUS Sync.
That's all. These are 20 important tips to make your journey smooth sailing.
20. You can apply for a free Adobe License on NUS Sync.
That's all. These are 20 important tips to make your journey smooth sailing.
Thanks for sharing. These 20 tips are indeed important. Would you have specific tips for poly students who made it to uni?
ReplyDeleteHello thanks for reading. :) I'm from JC so I'm not in the best position to provide tips from the perspective of a poly student. I have read through the tips and I think that all these tips are applicable for poly students and for all students in general. If you are referring to the S/U part, I can refer you to this website http://www.nus.edu.sg/oam/apply-to-nus/polytechnic-diploma-from-singapore/module-exemptions
DeleteThank you so much for taking the time and effort to compile these tips. As module registration is literally tomorrow, I was wondering if you can share some advice on whether it would be wise for me to arrange classes conducted in different parts of the campus next to each other and what are the consequences like for being late in NUS?
ReplyDeleteyou need to check if your classes are online/offline to plan your classes, some modules do give marks for attendance/punctuality
Delete