Speakers: Joe Au-yong (Graduating Marketing Student, Management Consulting Analyst @ Accenture), Douglas Chew (Year 4 Business Analytics student), Foo Jun Jie (Year 4 Accountancy student)
The student scholars delivered an insightful presentation on their Academic Excellence Project, designed to share valuable academic experiences and strategies with SUSS students to foster academic success. As part of this initiative, the scholars conducted Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) to gather feedback on the challenges students face and the strategies they use to overcome them. The insights gathered were then distilled into actionable recommendations, which were shared with the SUSS community to empower students to achieve their academic goals.
The talk highlighted the importance of preparation, critical thinking, and effective writing skills in enhancing the learning experience. The speakers delved into strategies for tackling assignments, group projects, and examinations, as well as emphasised the importance of stress management, time management, maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and connecting with like-minded peers. The speakers stressed that thorough pre-class preparation builds a strong foundation of knowledge, leading to better understanding of course content, improved quiz performance, and more meaningful participation in class discussions.
Additionally, the scholars introduced a four-step approach to effective preparation: understanding each module, prioritising them based on importance and difficulty, developing tailored strategies, and implementing them through a structured weekly timetable. This approach aims to help students optimise their study routines and achieve academic excellence.
Joe emphasised the importance of distinguishing between lower-level and higher-level questions, noting that the former focuses on testing basic understanding, while the latter evaluates critical thinking and depth of knowledge. He also pointed out the significance of offering a unique perspective in academic work. Joe then explored the concept of critical thinking. He concluded by emphasising the need to link the "why," "how," and "so what" of an assignment to craft a cohesive and meaningful piece of work.
Joe emphasized the importance of effective writing skills in academic and professional settings. He discussed strategies for concise and impactful writing, including identifying key points, eliminating redundancy, using an active tone, and combining sentences. He also highlighted the need to differentiate oneself through higher level thinking and learning. Joe stressed that these skills require practice and dedication to master. Click here to view the video.
Joe shared practical strategies for managing assignments and group projects effectively. For group projects, he emphasised the importance of setting a clear direction, ensuring consistent formatting and writing style, and seamlessly integrating each section to produce a cohesive final output.
Joe also stressed the importance of aligning the motivations of team members to achieve successful project outcomes. He highlighted the need to understand and respect individual differences and to find ways to support team members in reaching their goals. Drawing from his personal experience, Joe noted that showing respect and understanding for team members' motivations can lead to better team dynamics and performance. He also offered strategies for handling challenging individuals in group projects, focusing on the importance of fostering a safe and respectful environment, understanding team members' priorities, and aligning expectations.
When preparing for examinations, Douglas encouraged students to consolidate information from various study materials (slides, textbooks, study guides). Douglas proposed a strategy for answering exam questions, suggesting that students should prioritize the questions based on their difficulty level and their understanding of the concepts. Click here to view the video.
The speakers also mentioned the process of deciding which modules to bid for each semester, with an emphasis on prioritizing compulsory modules and choosing electives based on personal interest and future career prospects. The team also discussed the value of extracurricular activities and internships in building resilience and skills.
The speakers encouraged students to practise effective time management to boost their efficiency in completing assignments and work tasks. They also emphasised the importance of setting SMART goals and adjusting them each semester based on their performance. Additionally, students were reminded to prioritise their physical and mental well-being alongside their academic pursuits to avoid burnout. The team emphasized the importance of stress management and work-life balance. They suggested that engaging in hobbies and interests can help alleviate stress and improve mental well-being.
The talk also underscored the importance of connecting with like-minded peers to achieve shared goals. Joe specifically stressed the need for genuine communication and building meaningful relationships. Attendees were encouraged to reflect on how these insights could be applied to their studies and academic journey. |