Poly to Uni // Changing majors

A more personal piece~

Context: chose a different degree after completing my diploma

1. Imposter syndrome is real

It’s without a doubt that everyone will face some sort of imposter syndrome when they enter uni. Personally, it hit a lot harder for me as a poly kid surrounded by jc kids (context: there are less than 10 poly kids in my degree). “Am I meant to be here?”, “Is this too difficult for me?”, “How can I ever compete with an A level kid?” – some of the thoughts which weighed heavily on my heart for the first few months (… and to be honest, till now too)

2. You will feel out of place and get lonely

Everyone kinda knows each other from their jcs so occasionally, I did feel kinda out of place and alone. This is especially when they start reminiscing about the good old days or spilling tea about their batchmates from jc who I have no idea about so I just stand in the circle like: 😬

I remember one of the times which I felt the most out of place was when it was our last dance practice for a performance and everyone pulled up in their jc uniforms and started going into their little groups. I did NOT have a uniform neither did I have any friends from poly who were in dance. At one point, someone even played their school song and everyone started singing it (?) I just left the hall and joined after they were done. 😭😞

Such things happening are inevitable and if you happen to be in the same position, I’m here to tell you that it’s okay, I feel the same way as you (dms are open!) Stepping into uni, everyone is bound to miss their tertiary days! Just know that more often than not, there’s no malign intention BUT that does not mean your feelings of feeling alone or out of place should be invalidated. 🤍

3. It’s normal to question if you’ve made the right choice

Switching majors is a really big step and before I yap more, I need to tell you that – regardless of whether you think you’ve made the right decision or not, you took a HUGEE step and good job for that, proud of you, pal ☺️🙆🏻‍♀️

It’s week 10 into the uni sem 1 and if I had a dollar every time I scroll through my photo gallery, looking back at my mass comm days or think to myself “I should be creating a marketing campaign now”, or “writing an article would be so much easier than this”, I WOULD BE RICH. I don’t really have much advice on this, the only thing that I can say is that if you’re questioning whether you’ve made the right decision, I’m in your shoes too 😭 But I would also like to say that, as cliche as it might sound, you are called to wherever you are now :) It is definitely difficult now, you are definitely gonna cry a little here and there, lose your temper, want to quit but hopefully, one day, you’ll look back and realise that it’s all worth it :”) On a more practical note, having a two different majors also widen your career aspects so POWER THROUGH i’m rooting for you ‼️

Here are some of the things I did which you can consider too:

1. Find your group of friends in school! Uni is a very big part of your life, don’t let your past weigh you down. Brave through it all and get to know people. You don’t need 100 friends honestly. Just that couple of close friends will do! (Trust me, you won’t have the time or energy to deal with 100 people and there’s honestly no need to either)

2. Don’t neglect your friends from the past. Yes, make new friends but don’t forget the ones who were with you on your journey till today as well. More often than not, I find comfort and solace in my friends from secondary school, church, and poly. They’ve been with you so far and they’ll continue walking this journey with you. 🙆🏻‍♀️

3. Mental health days. Take a break if you need to. (Something I’m constantly reminding myself as well) 💧🪴

Dms are always open 💌

Lots of love,

🤍

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