The world did not end in 2012 after all, and life went on (the inconvenience is deeply regretted :P).

We are all back in NTU for a new semester that will take us further in our quest for knowledge. A new semester is always exciting – you see old faces sporting new hairstyles, new clothes, new memories, new accents, but with old, familiar smiles. You heave a sigh of relief at tiding over past exams, and you look forward to more adventures and experiences. You inevitably suffer from post-vacation blues, muttering “the holidays are over before I knew it!” But you also cheer yourself up by meeting your awesome course mates, sharing holiday adventures, exchanging souvenirs from exotic destinations and laughing away memories of the arduous semester that just went by.

With such mixed and heightened emotions, my fellow course mates and I started another year in the Renaissance Engineering Programme amid high hopes and expectations. And we aren’t going to be disappointed, for 2013 is set to be a landmark year in our educational journey as REP students.

Firstly, this is the year we go for exchange at the University of California, Berkeley, and the level of our elation cannot be overstated. It’s less than six months before our grand flight to the Western hemisphere, and we are eagerly awaiting the “Berkeley experience” – the education, culture, historical sites, travel destinations, traditions, festivities, landmarks, people, food… and of course, “Vegas, baby!”. However, combined with this elation is a little anxiety, especially for those who may be leaving home for the first time. Homesickness aside, we’re feeling a bit apprehensive about studying in one of the most competitive universities in the world and finding our place in an entirely different education system. Yet, everyone is sporting and prepared to take these challenges head on, to make the most of our year with Uncle Sam.

Secondly, this semester, we are taking modules related to our areas of specialisation and studying courses from the respective engineering schools. Some of us may be anxious about how we would fare outside the REP. But we’re also excited to meet other NTU undergrads, and get a strong grounding for our future careers. Personally, I am glad that it’s time to take another big step towards my dream of becoming a computer engineer who can make a difference in our small world.

Also, we have kickstarted our annual tradition of welcoming new members to the REP family, and this is in full swing, with everyone playing their part. As the REP faculty conduct interviews and tests, we have been going to recruitment talks, meeting freshmen, answering questions and sharing experiences. It is heartening to see the popularity of REP among our juniors, and the response this course has generated in just two years. The preparations for the freshmen camps are beginning soon, and we are definitely going to have bigger and better adventures this time. In the meantime, we look forward to hearing from any brave soul seeking to join the REP. Send your questions our way – we are more than willing to answer them!

So, let’s all jump on the 2013 wagon! It’s all about bringing in the new. Let’s write new resolutions (and break them by February), find new dreams, overcome fresh obstacles and achieve new things.

More on what 2013 has to offer in upcoming posts… until then, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Comments? Email us at hey@ntu.edu.sg