LSC001 - Ken T in Life Science, NUS

Let's start by getting to know you a little. Tell us a bit about yourself!

Hi! I’m Ken T, a second year Life Sciences Major (as of AY 2014/2015). I graduated from Meridian Junior College and I did ‘A’ Level Biology back in my JC days. I live in Tembusu College in UTown and I enjoy teaching and coaching others. I am a Teaching Scholarship holder (but lets not discuss stuff related to that. I’d be happy to do so privately, though) which means my future career path is already set for me.

Why did you choose to pursue further studies in Life Sciences?

I enjoyed biology in Secondary School and in JC as well (though the memorizing was quite a pain). It is also because I had already wanted to be a bio teacher from secondary school so everything sort of fell into place actually.

Also, a less legit reason would be because maths was a bummer for me in JC. I also didn’t take physics at A levels so these two factors sort of ruled out engineering courses. I loved sciences but Chemistry at University level involved a lot of Maths as well so I went for Life Sciences which had the least amount of math-related stuff.

Were there any particular moments in your life you would attribute to your eventual decision to study Life Sciences?

Hmmm, inspirational bio teacher in sec 3 and 4?

What were your favourite subjects back in school before you started university?

Obviously Biology and Chemistry hehe.

Describe what a day would be like in the life of a Life Science student.

Content, memorizing even the minutest details, lab reports are all part of the day’s work. Labs are 4 hours long though most end slightly earlier. Tutorials are usually conducted en masse in the LT. Each week, there would be 2 hours of lecture, 4 hours of lab, 1 hour of tutorial for modules with lab sessions. For those without, there would be 4-5 hours of lecture, 1 hour tutorial per week.

Looking back, what are some of the challenges you've experienced studying Life Sciences so far? Despite all that, what keeps you going?

The memorizing is insane as well as the competition. Everyone just seems so smart and hardworking that it puts unnecessary pressure on you. 

I do my very best to enjoy learning. It is more than just grades that determine the quality of your university life. It is pointless to push yourself for a first-class honours if you know that you’re only capable of a second upper-honours. There is more to life than just getting As. It is important to enjoy what you study because studying what you like gives you motivation. Furthermore, I try to imagine that I’m not studying for the sake of studying, but rather, because I want to study and I really enjoy and appreciate the beauty of the things that I study such that it is not merely life sciences, but live sciences. Make your studies come alive, it helps! 

Living in a residential college also helps in that I get opportunities to interact with students from other faculties and it is comforting to know that I am not alone in this mad rat race. 

Was this your first choice? What were your other courses? Why did you end up choosing Life Sciences as your first choice?

Life Sciences was my first choice as I already knew what I wanted to do for my future. I never considered medicine although many people said that I was the ‘medicine’ kind although I didn’t know what that meant. I did not choose medicine because I felt that it was something one must feel called to, not just because it is well respected or because it will lead to a well paying job. I was not called to do medicine so here I am in Life Sciences. 

The only other course I remembered putting was Arts-Geography because I liked geography back in school. I am glad that I did not enroll in FASS to do geography, I would probably have died under the tottering pile of readings and essays.

What are the career prospects for a Life Science graduate? What are your own plans?

Many people think that Life Science graduates have nowhere to go. It is partially true and you should believe people when they say graduates wash test tubes. On the other hand, if you wish to just get a degree and then work in a job that requires a general degree, then you have many career prospects such as banking etc. If you wish to become a researcher in Life Sciences, a Bachelor’s degree is insufficient. You will need to go for a PhD at least. 

Or you could always become a teacher (:P). That is if you have the passion and calling to teach and nurture.

Are there any words of advice or caution you may have for someone who is considering studying Life Science?

Live the science that you study and make it come alive. Live a well-balanced life that is not driven solely by grades. Grades are important but they are not everything. If you can, apply for residency in University Town and you would be amazed at how residential life changes you.

Be prepared to work your brains to memorise minute details, but again, try to find joy in what you study. Love your subject, love your life and you’ll go far.

Best wishes!

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