NUS Tips and MORE!

The NUS Freshie Guidebook.
credits to GimSiong, Teng Yong, Kevin, Shaun, and whoever I missed.

This contains a treasure trove of information which has been lovingly compiled by your seniors of Suit Up! I've rearranged and formatted it so that it is more readable and added some info. Enjoy!

If you have any questions about any of these, feel free to email atqhteo (at) gmail (dot) com and I'll be glad to assist you.

For module reviews, check out my personal blog here.
For the direct link: http://alanzzzz.wordpress.com/category/nus/nus-module-reviews/

Contents:
Useful Websites
Explanation Of Different Module Types
Fulfilling FASS requirements
General Tips
FAQ

Useful Websites

For now we just have to worry about getting our modules first which is the current round of bidding. next will be the tutorial bidding which will occur during the 1st week of school. this will take 2 weeks. so technically, the 1st 2 weeks of school will be tutorial-free, yay!

okie docks. here are some websites that you might interest you.

1) CORS (bidding) website, self explanatory.
http://www.cors.nus.edu.sg/index.html

2) Modules offered.
https://ap3.fas.nus.edu.sg/appl/web9/mod_offered/sem1/ALL.htm (there should be a full listing one that comes out closer to the bidding dates, this is only Arts mods atm)

check out your desired modules and make sure their exams, locations and timings don't clash or are too far apart! Do note that all lectures and tutorials will end 25mins early for you to travel to your next location. for example, a 1000-1200 lecture will end at 1135.
Tutorials may not follow this rule - some 1h tutorials end on the hour or only 5 mins earlier. You may have to leave earlier if you're travelling a distance

3) Calender/ bidding schedule.
http://www.cors.nus.edu.sg/schedule.html

you guys will only be taking part in Round 1C onwards. so take note and don't go overseas on these dates! if you don't bid successfully in Round 1C, there's still Round 2A and so on.

4) Timetable builder.
https://webrb.nus.edu.sg/ctt/builder.aspx

A useful tool to see how your academic timetable will be this semester. just add in your module code, should be fairly simple to use.

Another more cool one which you can download:
http://cors.i-cro.net/

Looks more classy and easier to use, can just swap modules around on the scheduler.

5) CORS guide, an informative read!
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=1658616
treasure trove of information and advice about CORS.

http://realfass.blogspot.com/2011/01/cors-bidding-for-dummies.html
URL name says it all.

6) Module Review Website.
http://www.module-review.com

Now, this website contains reviews about NUS modules. this is a place where nus students bitch or rave about how the modules are. lecturers, tutors, learning experience etc. Also a place to unearth easy modules, just see their remarks! Navigate around, but take those reviews with a pinch of salt. ( some nus students have imba IQ or imba laziness, the comments may be just biased.

GEM? SS? EXPOSURE?? WHAT ARE ALL THESE?

Explanation of Different Module Types

1. Exposure mods
These are coded as -1101E. they are the most basic mods you can take of each major subject, and also the pre-requisite. Throughout our tenure in NUS, we're only allowed to take up to a maximum of 8 exposure mods.

2. General Education Modules (GEMs)
these are modules that are coded GEK-/GEM-. Throughout the 3/4/5 years, we'll be REQUIRED (compulsory) to take a minimum of 2 GEMs - it can be 1 GEM from Humanities (coded x0xx), 1 GEM from the Science and Tech category (coded x5xx; e.g. GEK1519), or 2 GEMs from the science faculty. (some GEMs are coded x9xx , these can be counted as either humanities or science/tech.)

However, if you find yourself loving GEMs so much, you may take up more than 2. they will be classified under Unrestricted Electives (UE) after you've fulfilled the minimum GEM requirement.

3. Singapore Studies 
This is NOT social studies. they're coded SSxxxx (e.g. SSA2102, SSB2216, etc). You're only required to fulfil the requirement of 1 SS mod throughout your years in NUS. similarly, if you like, you may take more than 1 to fulfil your UE.

4. Unrestricted Electives (UEs)
You may realise that I mentioned UE earlier. every other mod that doesn't come under your major, not classified as GEM / SS will be classified as UE. these mods can be from FASS or anywhere else, even mods that you take during your overseas exchange programme. Don't rush into making the choice of major, because you guys have 1 year to decide on that. Do pick wisely.


Fulfilling FASS module requirements

You are also required to fulfill your FASS requirements (which we call faculty requirements). Simply put, FASS has 3 divisions: Asian Studies, Humanities & Social Sciences. FASS states that you need to take an exposure module from each of these divisions.

Asian Studies: Chinese Lang, Chinese Studies, South Asian, Southeast Asian, Jap Studies, Malay Studies and maybe a few others

Humanities: History, English, English Lit, Philosophy & Theatre Studies

Social Sciences: CNM, Econs, Geog, Psych, Soci etc.

Advice 1: "Your major's exposure CANNOT be used to fulfill the FASS requirement. For example, if you are an ECONS major, you need to take another Social Science exposure to fulfill the social science department requirement."

Advice 2:" EU1101E (European Exposure) can be used to fulfill either Humanities OR Social Science department requirements. It's primary for History majors like me lah actually..."

Advice 3: "EU1101E, I feel personally is a module that you MIGHT find VERY interesting... However, if you do not have JC History background, I will STRONGLY advise you not to take it simply because there are MANY MANY good history students that take it... so it's a bit of a suicide if you are fighting for good grades cause they are well drilled (2 years) in the information. HY1101E is a more leveled playing field if you really want to know more interesting stuff about History."

TIPS 101 - tips about everything

1) Always take note of modules exam dates, locations, timings and evaluation of the module.

Similarly, try to plan your timetable well. I believe it's quite manageable to plan a 4 day work week. A 3 day work week is doable in the sense that it can be planned, but your work days may be so hectic that its quite not worth it.

Also, do not plan your lectures such that you have 1 from 8 to 10am and another at 6-8pm. Imagine the gap time! Unless you have a hall to return to to sleep of course. Or you can go dating with that insane amount of time.

2) Don't cram all your 1101Es in Sem 1. 
Major mistake, because exposure modules (like they are known for), makes you study/read up on a whole wide range of stuff. This is because they are supposed to prepare you for your lvl 2000/3000 modules in the future. It's better to spread them out over your 3/4 years in NUS.

3) You can try to attempt lvl 2000 modules in Year 1 Sem 1. HOWEVER, make sure you research on it (aka ask seniors like us on the module's feedback OR google. Trust me, google is good for gathering NUS module feedback)

4) Having 2 exams on the same day. Opinions differ here.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Exam timings are: AM (9 - 11), PM (1 - 3) & EVENING (5 - 7). Don't be deceived into thinking PM and EVENING are the same thing!
If you really want to have 2 exams on the same day, at least make it AM and EVENING. Any other combination will be abit rushed and you'll have no time to revise after the paper (because you're both tired and you'll probably want to eat/snack/rest)
Many people will recommend you NOT to have 2 papers on the same day though, for obvious reasons.

5)  You can take 2 Science GEMs, it's no issue.
However, remember that you only have 3 S/U options. I myself feel that that is cause you are most likely supposed to use it on 1 Science GEM and 2 on the Breadths (Modules which you take OUTSIDE of FASS), so why suicide on taking 2 Science GEMs when you have the option of doing 1 ARTS GEM instead? IN FACT, if you research properly on GEMs, there are some ARTS GEMs that can be classified as Science GEM because they are from the special group of modules. Even better, but just that you can't S/U them if you do badly...

6) You will have 7 U/Es that you need to fulfill. ANYTHING outside of your Major are classified as U/Es. Typically, if you want to minor, you will use up 6 of these U/Es (24 MCs). However, minor just makes your transcript look nicer nia, no effect on your actual certificate that you will get. So unless you want to get tied down by 6 modules to the minor, I suggest you use these 6 modules to pull up your CAP by taking "easier to score" modules.

7) ALWAYS plan your modules way in advance. Take modules that you have an interest in so that you won't find the semester a drag.
Trust me on this, I didn't do planning for Sem 2, in the end, I took modules which I could fit in at the last minute and Sem 2 was a BORE!!! Needless to say... performance for Sem 2 was SHIT as compared to Sem 1...

8) ALWAYS ask when in doubt. 
Don't be shy... Please... How old liao... If in doubt, always consult seniors.... NUS everything is self initiated one, no more spoon feeding... We can't know what you know or dunno, but when you ask, we will know exactly what you need to know.

9) An SSA module that is not cross-listed with any FASS module codes, ie. (SSA2211, SSA1201 and the changing landscape one) can be S/U-ed even though they are technically "FASS" modules because they are used to fulfill university requirements.
Just something to keep in mind when selecting your modules.

FAQ
1) What is MPE?
Module Preference Exercise...
Freshmen can do them from Semester 2 onwards, after they have declared there Major.
Modules allocated will only be from the Major's department, ie. No EC modules pre-allocated for Sociology Majors.