NUS College Onboarding and Welcome - NOW!
Who are we among new faces, and what do we discover in new places? This year’s NUS College Onboarding and Welcome (NOW!) theme, “Wanderlust,” captures the exploratory essence of the NUSC journey where we break free from the ordinary, and set our sights with a profound desire to traverse uncharted territories and explore the multitudes of academia vastly different from our disciplines.
With five distinct components—spanning online and in-person engagements, academic and non-academic activities, social events, and games—NOW! 2024’s “Wanderlust” theme represents an unyielding thirst for new knowledge. It embodies our unwavering commitment to connect with a diverse community of students, staff, and professors, and a deep exploration of who we are becoming in this new stage of life.
Together NOW! – “Connect. Unite. Conquer. Dive into a summer of collaboration and prizes!”
Kicking off in July, our very first NOW! program is a Telegram-based event connecting you with peers across various disciplines, especially those in your major with similar academic aspirations. Unite with your team to conquer five rounds of games and snag enticing prizes!
SOCIAL NOW! – “Virtual Connections, Lasting Relations.”
Embrace fun-filled icebreakers and challenges in this three-day online extravaganza on Zoom where you will meet your HOUSE in NUS College—a crucial support network to connect with your College mates from diverse disciplines and forge friendships across the globe. Look out for exclusive tips from senior students, specially tailored for international students, and get ready to make lasting relations ahead of the upcoming semester.
O’WEEK NOW! – “Engage, Explore, Belong – Dive into the NUS College Experience!”
Our flagship event is a four-day in-person orientation held just before the semester begins. Navigate communal and residential life in Cinnamon Wing for the very first time with your peers. Explore the various interest groups through student-life fairs and gain deeper insights into the NUS College experience! Surprise merch items and a spectacular finale night await!
Community NOW! – “Act, Learn, Impact”
At NUS College, we’re committed to making a difference through community action. Community NOW! offers a platform to choose and develop volunteering interests while bonding with like-minded individuals. Learn about the importance of community engagement through talks with industry experts and academic leaders.
Explore NOW! – “Embracing Cultures, Celebrating Diversities”
As the final program of NOW! we encourage you to explore NUS College at your own pace. Join workshops led by staff and current students to delve into your hobbies. For international students, we offer insights into Singapore’s National Day Parade and delectable Singaporean cuisines. With the Start of the Semester Dinner and amazing performances by NUS College students, NOW! will officially come to an end.
TIMELINE
Frequently asked questions
Together and Social NOW!
The challenges are released every week, participants in each group could thus decide when and how much each challenge could be completed. These challenges are ultimately rather chill and can be played on the go!
The first 4 weeks of challenges released for Together NOW! can be completed online via telegram. However,challenges released in the fifth week, which coincides with O’ Week NOW!, would take place physically.
Challenges are released every week. Participants will complete these challenges as a group to earn points, which can be used to earn prizes. For the first four weeks, challenges can be completed online.concurrent with O’ Week NOW!, participants are required to meet physically.
Yes! Social NOW! will be held entirely on Zoom.
We offer two sessions to accommodate international students across various time zones. Our first session will be from 8.30am to 12.30pm (SGT) and our second session will be from 6.30pm to 10.30pm (SGT). These timings will be the same for all 3 days.
Don’t worry! Our friendly facilitators will be there to assist you should you face any technical difficulties. All of our games have clear instructions that will be relayed and are made to be easy to understand and participate in.
O’Week NOW!
Community NOW!
Yes, there will be 3 meals provided daily (excluding check-in day), as well as additional refreshments throughout the camp!
O’Week NOW! offers a wide range of activities designed to introduce you to the diverse communities within NUSC. Prepare to explore everything NUSC has to offer, from academic talks and engaging games to relaxed arts-and-crafts sessions and trials of our various Interest Groups.
If you have opted for accommodation during O’Week NOW!, the check-in will take place on 29th July. Detailed check-in instructions will be sent to your registered email address. Please keep an eye on your email for further information. If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
The camp runs daily from 8:30 AM to 10:00 PM. There will be some time throughout the day to allow you to rest if needed. If you need a break, just inform our friendly facilitators!
We still encourage you to attend O’week NOW! even if you can’t attend the entire duration! Just inform us in advance about your availability, and notify your facilitators on the day itself before you leave.
Yes, parents are welcome to observe the camp activities. We have a designated room for parents to observe the camp. However, refreshments will be provided for parents only during the first three days. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact us.
We have weekly programmes (volunteering with elderly and children) as well as ad hoc opportunities! All Community NOW! volunteering will end around October, before your end-of-semester exams.
Nope! Community NOW! seeks to provide opportunities for all NUSC students (including Year 2 and above) who are keen to serve. All we ask for is your time and passion! Volunteers are able to participate in programme planning, working in conjunction with peers to contribute their unique strengths in serving the community.
Explore NOW!
We will set off from NUS to walk around Haw Par Villa. We will also visit the Peranakan Museum. The guided tour will end in the Central Business District. Following that, there will be free and easy time for tour participants to explore Singapore as they wish.
We will have lunch at Old Airport Road Hawker Centre. The group will split for dinner, allowing participants to explore the city more freely.
We will be travelling between locations via Singapore’s extensive public transport network.
Yes, although the programme is aimed at international students, Singaporean students are welcome to join if they are on campus.
Please indicate any food allergies in the signup form, so we can advise you on which food items to try on the day itself.
Teams will be allocated. However, you may put forth your requests in the form we will send out in Week 0.
You can ask a Year 2-4 student who is also a resident of RC1 to open the Dining Hall door for you.
5 and 6 August are reserved for your House Committee to organise exciting bonding activities.
e leave the planning completely up to you! You can head home early from Cinnamon, sign up for the Singapore Tour, hang out with your floormates or housemates, or even plan your own mass outing.The possibilities are endless!
You should sign up for the workshops based on interest and availability. You can register for all if you wish, but note that we will be opening your place up to walk-ins after 15 mins.
Signups for Week 0 Workshops will start in the middle of O’Week.
The dress code will be finalised and released at the end of O’Week NOW! via the NOW! 2024 Telegram channel.
Members of 4 Houses will dine in the Chua Thian Poh Hall (CTPH). Members of the other 2 Houses will dine in the RC1 Dining Hall. The locations will be announced via the NOW! 2024 or House Telegram channel. Within these venues, it will be free seating.
ou can sign up to perform as a solo act or a band. Even if you cannot find bandmates, Explore NOW! will find like-minded individuals to join you. We just can’t wait to see your electrifying performances!
You may reach out to @tianweii or @haselsoh via Telegram.