Take a moment to think about this word: Today. What does it mean to you?

For me, today marks 8 weeks since I’ve completed my university education. It marks the end of 4 years of this journey that’s been bittersweet.

Today also marks another day amidst my ongoing transition. Now that my life doesn’t revolve around my formal education, what should I set as my next goal if there’s no set syllabus and no rubric to assess my progress?

Throughout my life, I’ve been chasing the ABCs and even then, I felt I was only allowed to chase the ‘A’ – the shining gold that can only be found on the apex, that would supposedly pave the way to a future of happiness. Only, this made happiness far more abstract and unpredictable, given that my concept of “excellence” is very delicately balanced on a sharp and pointy tip.

My today presents challenges that is built upon my ability to find a job fast, to save money fast, and to secure a home fast. The balance that I have struggled to maintain can collapse under the weight of emotional burdens and frustrations.

Thankfully, NTU-USP taught me a much healthier system – to live on through the letter ‘B’, the art of being, rather than doing and acing.

This community has taught me a new foundation to build my identity on, one of greater stability and gentle curves. It’s one that’s hard to drop off because it’s so wholly balanced upon a culture of laughter, forgiveness and strong relationships. It’s one of flow and freedom beyond the rigidity that ‘A’ offers.

No one is alone at the top of that lonely mountain, and everyone has room to explore all their emotions and experiences without needing to maintain that delicate balance of being a “perfect” person.

Throughout my 4 years, I was surrounded by members of this small community and the gentle warmth they buoyed me with. Whenever I’ve been lost in a sea of doubts and fears, I can look around and see so many hands reaching out to catch me and carry me through.

In this job-hunting season, many have offered help with their words of encouragement and advice, and, most importantly, their confidence in me and my potential. They weren’t necessarily my longest or closest friends in NTU-USP, and still they have touched me and carried me through.

Here, walls are brought down, and the air circulates with bright warmth and gentle kindness.

Here, I learnt the greatness of ‘B’ beyond that which ‘A’ can only hope to give me. I learnt that my today isn’t that lonely or frightening. NTU-USP has taught me to make my today one of bravery, belief and new beginnings.

What does your today look like?

Submission by:

Fan Ting Hui, Class of 2022, English