“I enjoy different outdoor activities, such as running, cycling and hiking. When I was younger, I used to hesitate to get into certain activities as my hobbies because I didn’t feel that I was as committed or good as others in those activities. But I have since accepted that hobbies are meant to be a place of freedom without the pressure of being perfect. So, feel free to experiment with different things and do anything that brings your joy in the process, even if that may be burying yourself in internet memes.”
– Tan Yun Qi Charyl, MND Edge Scholar
“Whenever I feel stressed or overwhelmed, I go for spinning classes, running, shopping, or just spend time with my loved ones to temporarily detach from the issues at hand and recharge myself. Once I feel better, I return to address the challenges with a refreshed perspective and renewed energy. I always remind myself that health is wealth.”
– Amelia Lim Sin Wei, Singapore-Industry Mid-Term Scholar
“Personally, I make a conscious effort to disconnect from work once I leave the office, ensuring that it does not dominate every aspect of my life. During the weekends, I try to engage in relaxing activities to recharge myself so that I can approach the upcoming work week with renewed vigour.
I am also fortunate to have supportive colleagues who I can share work-related issues with, which allows me to relieve some stress and gain fresh perspectives on my work. Their support and understanding play a crucial role in maintaining my overall well-being.”
– Soon Wei Jun, DSTA Scholar
“I remind myself of my limitations. It is easy to think about what you could do if you could work at 100% of your capabilities all the time. But you cannot be working at 100% all the time. In some sense, what your 100% consists of changes throughout your life. So, I remind myself that if my 100% is lower now than it was before, I have to work with it and I should not blame myself for it. Sometimes you need to push yourself to achieve more; sometimes you need to accept your limitations and be kind to yourself.”
– Aniq Ahsan, Nation Science Scholar
“Personally, I set very clear goals and rewards for myself. I make sure that every step I take can make me feel good about myself. However, that is not to say I will sway away from challenging tasks. Instead, I trick my mind to participate in difficult situations because I will gain something at the end which is the reward that I set for myself. That could be as small as an ice cream or as big as an overseas treat. When I have a bad day, I also like to remind myself of the good things that have happened to me and am surrounded by my loved ones. In school, especially during peak exam season, I would go for strolls or rollerblade around my neighbourhood just to clear my mind.”
– Katherine Chua Kai Ling, OCBC Local Undergraduate Scholar
“I make sure I make time to let go of stressful negativity. I find it is easier to change myself than my environment, so I try my best to change how I react and process negativity I set aside time for my prayers and meditation. Aside from these, I try to not keep my troubles to myself. Sometimes just saying what is troubling my mind to someone else, whether that’s my friends, my counsellor or even something more spiritual, already takes much of the weight away.”
– Tan Zi Hang, Singapore Geomatics (Overseas Full-Term) Scholar
“For me, I have found that setting aside some undisturbed personal time each week to be beneficial for my well-being. This time doesn’t have to be extensive – on busier weeks, I find that four hours can be sufficient. During this time, I enjoy activities that helps me relax and feel less uptight such as pottery, yoga and cycling. After feeling more centered through some activities, I find it helpful to spend some time planning my week ahead. By doing so, it helps me to mentally prepare and stay focused on the important tasks that needs to be prioritized in the upcoming week.”
– Wong Liang Ning, BCA Local Undergraduate Scholar
