Enrolment at Singapore Polytechnic

T'was yesterday that I went for my enrolment at Singapore Polytechnic. Old as it was at 51 years and going strong, noticeable are the numerous construction/upgrading works in the gigantic campus. Not that it was bad. Anyway, most of my classmates who had gone to polytechnic were in the newer Temasek Polytechic. Leaving Jessica, Divya and me behind. (Who'd want to travel so far and torture themselves for THREE years anyway? Except us.)

Walking towards the Enrolment Centre which was oh-so-far away from Dover MRT Station (also because the campus's so BIG), I met Divya, who had just finished her enrolment. Heard her mentioning some stuff about "camps" when I spoke to her.

OK, so the verification of documents and all those financial fees went smoothly. Then a few stations later I sat down facing an automatic digital camera and got my picture taken for my admission card - my new "nametag"! (It's intentionally blurred for confidentiality - and I'm taking a Diploma in Music & Audio Technology by the way.)

Blech - that so doesn't look like me. Hmm... rushed out so didn't gel my hair or else would've got a more presentable picture. Anyway, shortly after the admission card popped out of a machine, the lanyard above was assigned to me.

Then I was on my way for a briefing on the 3 methods to save work done on the computer workstations in the polytechnic's labs: uploading to an e-mail account, flash drives and CD-RWs. Like most people didn't know. Hello... my generation's supposed to be trained in basic I.T. knowledge (thus the emphasis of I.T. in Singapore's education system).

What proceeded was a bombardment of briefings by the myriad clubs, societies and unions of Singapore Polytechnic. There was the Singapore Polytechnic Students' Union (SPSU), Community Service & Cultural Club, Current Affairs and Debating Club and Sports Club - just to name a few! Singapore Polytechnic has at least 70 student organisations in all! Naturally, the clubs were trying to get more freshmen to join in their "Freshman Orientation" (F.O.) activities. There was a host of camps, chalets, barbeques and many other orienteering activities to choose from. If one were to go for all of them, there would even be several events that clashed because the calendar was so jam-packed. At various points in time, I got entirely confused over the many student organisations. Endless questions lurked in the alleys of my already-disembowelled mind.

It was, fortunately, much relief as I collected my orientation package containing some nifty gadgets (water bottle, writing paper, towel, t-shirt, pen, daily organiser, hardcover file and pore-cleanser papers with a mirror - ?!?!; all with the tagline "Freshman Orientation 2005/2006" emblazed on it.

Looking forward to the activities I'm participating in before Term 1 starts. Just hope I don't get so tired I'm dead-beat by the time Term starts.