Travelling to study, away from your home and family, for the first time is exciting, challenging and stressful, so it is essential to prepare as best you can to minimise the challenges and stress and maximise the excitement and enjoyment.
This article outlines some things you can do to prepare to move to Singapore to study at TMC Academy.
Many international students study at TMC Academy
While this may be your first time moving away from home to study, it is helpful to remember that TMC Academy has the systems and procedures to provide the advice and support you need to make the move as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Students from over twenty international countries come to TMC Academy to study. Because the Academy has many years of experience hosting international students, staff know what works best to assist you in settling in as quickly as possible to campus life.
If you are an international student, support and assistance begins before you arrive in Singapore. The Academy has approved agents in many countries who can answer questions and help with the application process. It is helpful to contact the approved agent in your region. A list of agents can be found here.
The Academy makes it as easy as possible for international students by providing a one-stop service for:
Application of student pass
Airport pickup and accommodation placement service
Arrangement for medical checkup
Conversion of student pass
Student Orientation
Preparing to travel to Singapore
TMC Academy has prepared a checklist and tips for students of all the essential things to do when travelling to Singapore. This checklist can be found here.
Important points to remember
Once you have received the TMC Offer Letter and Student Contract, it is important to begin applying for a Student Pass, which allows you to study in Singapore. The Student Pass depends on the medical examination required by the Immigration and Checkpoint Authority (ICA) and is outlined in the in-principal approval letter. See the medical examination dot point below.
There is the Student Pass Insurance fee and a Multiple-Entry visa fee for some nationalities. Ensuring your documentation is correct reduces anxiety when entering Singapore for the first time.
Organise your accommodation. Again, TMC Academy assists international students by offering accommodation placement in hostels or homestay facilities. Using this accommodation service takes the stress out of trying to find suitable accommodation near the Academy when you are not familiar with the city of Singapore.
Medical examination. All new international students must undergo a medical examination as required in the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority In-principal approval letter. This medical report must be submitted to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority before the student pass can be issued. TMC Academy will organise a pre-arranged medical appointment for students once they register with the staff at Student Admissions on arrival. The medical examination costs $50 - $80 (inclusive of 9% GST), paid directly to the medical centre conducting the examination.
Tips for students Settling into Singapore
Giving yourself time to settle into campus life and living in Singapore is crucial. To help you settle into college life, TMC has developed an orientation program tailored for local and international students.
In addition to the orientation program, joining the student club is another way to settle into campus life, develop friendships, and feel oriented to living in Singapore.
TMC has prepared a helpful list of things to do and don’t do for students coming to Singapore for the first time. This list can be found here.
Dealing with homesickness
As much as you may enjoy studying in Singapore, if it is your first time away from home, you may feel homesick at some point.
Homesickness is feeling some level of emotional distress because of the new and unfamiliar environment. Many factors contribute to feelings of homesickness. For example:
Being in a different culture and missing aspects of your culture that you enjoyed can contribute to feelings of homesickness.
Feelings of not belonging often aggravate feelings of homesickness, which is why joining student clubs and groups can be crucial. This can help develop a sense of belonging.
Difficulty adapting to new situations. Not everyone finds it easy to adjust to a new situation. When we have difficulty adapting to new conditions, we may be predisposed to feeling homesick.
It is important to remember that feelings of homesickness are normal and that you can do things to reduce the intensity and duration of these feelings.
We have mentioned that joining student clubs and groups allows you to develop new friendships, which helps you create a sense of belonging. Other things you can do are:
Stay connected with family and friends in your home country and share your experiences. Regular contact through video calls, text messages, or emails helps you feel connected and less isolated as you settle into Singapore.
Personalise your space. Decorate your room with photos, mementos, and items that remind you of home and are important to you. This can create a sense of familiarity and comfort.
Build a support network with fellow local and other international students. Friendships with local students can help you settle into life in Singapore. It is likely that other international students will also be feeling homesick, so developing friendships with them can help normalise the feeling of homesickness.
Discover a new favourite place. Having a new favourite place or a few favourite places can help build a sense of familiarity and connection.
Accessing the TMC Pastoral Counselling. The Pastoral service offers comprehensive, confidential counselling for students; speaking to someone about homesickness can be helpful. Further information about the pastoral counselling services can be found here.
Settling into study
Just as settling into Singapore can take preparation and giving yourself time, so with your studies.
Tips that can help you prepare for your studies
Create a balanced study schedule to manage your time effectively. A balanced study schedule includes time for relaxation, exercise, and self-care. Self-care may involve catching up with friends or engaging in hobbies and interests.
Creating a balanced study schedule and sticking to it will help you develop healthy habits that will assist you throughout your studies.
Find your study space. Choose a place where you feel comfortable, allowing you to be focused without distractions. Having a regular study space makes it easier to get into study mode and concentrate.
Stay organised. This means keeping track of assignments, deadlines, and exam dates. Using planners, diaries, or digital tools to stay on top of your tasks prevents last-minute panic or cramming because you have forgotten a deadline.
Use the resources available, such as the library and study groups. Study groups can be beneficial as they provide the opportunity to discuss what is being taught and reinforce the learning.
Ask for help when needed. The academic staff at TMC Academy are there to support and assist you in your learning. It is essential to ask for help from your lecturers if you are struggling with the material.
It is normal to feel excitement and anxiety when studying away from home for the first time. As you begin the adventure of studying in Singapore,
• Give yourself time to adjust to the new environment.
• Stay open-minded to new experiences.
• Practice self-care and maintain a healthy diet and a good sleep routine.
Above all, use the support that TMC Academy can provide. With their long history of supporting international students, they have the support to make your experience of studying away from home more enjoyable and help you settle into your course of study.
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