“Fruit Fiesta” In Prince George Park’s Residence

 

　

　

SEASONAL CARE

　

By Victor SHEN (Overseas Correspondent at the National University of Singapore)

The exchange study period at the National University of Singapore (NUS) is approaching its end and our examinations are drawing near. Like most people, I am feeling a little anxious. Students at NUS are always much more hard-working than I think, which has increasingly put pressure on me. Frankly speaking, a certain amount of anxiety can help to motivate us but too much worrying can cause problems.

Although it is not possible to avoid anxiety before examinations, we students are able to change the way in which we face and deal with difficult situations and circumstances. The good news in our residence is that Residence Advisors and Assistants in Prince George Park’s Residences have been making efforts to relieve the pressure for residents, and this semester, our residence held a "Fruit Fiesta" on April 20 and 21.

A lot of exchange students were invited for "Fruit Fiesta" and for us, it was the last activity held by the residence. It seemed that Residence Advisors and Assistants knew quite well exchange students’ tastes, with plenty of tropical fruit provided, such as papaya, jackfruit, pineapple and so on. Groups of students played Chinese chess, Monopoly and other video games on the sofa. Everyone enjoyed themselves, hoping to alleviate pressure and relax with their friends after their fruitful revision.

Don’t think that the students came only for the fruit. Most important of all, sophisticated counsellors had been invited by Residence Advisors to guide students in ways to reduce the pressure of examinations with professional methods. We formed several focus groups, talked about what we were worried most about during the revision period, and obtained support and inspiration from every group member.“Delicious fruit with heart-to-heart talk and professional counselling. Quite an innovative method to relieve pressure for students”, said Aklesh Jain, an exchange student from India.

To most Singaporean local students, what surprised them most was that two Resident Advisors, who were academic professors, were willing to join them and share their experience of being students.
”I never imagined the Resident Advisors were going to join us.
A total surprise for all of us. Professors too can be humorous.
What a night!” said Emily Yan, a Singaporean local resident.