So year 4 semester 1 started for me. (I know it’s Semester 2, but I was on medical leave..). And yes, it’s strange being in the odd semester. Everyone’s like in Sem 2. My batch mates are in their last semester, and my juniors (who seem so far away previously) are now only 1 semester away and are taking the same modules as me. And to make matters worst, I somehow completed most of my Year 4 modules but I’ll be taking my year 3 modules in year 4.
I actually had to fight star wars recently. It’s quite strange that I never really had to fight for electives given that I’m already in my fourth year. Many electives don’t interest me. Sometimes to the point I’d rather take extra technical electives from my own school. They really need more variety, and cooler/more interesting modules in the system. The selection now is meh. It’s not horrendous but it leaves a lot room for improvement.
The subscription disparity in electives is also at a disturbing point. I don’t know how come they have not realised this yet. Star wars is so stressful because no one wants to end up with a shit boring elective that is also hard to score in. While how interesting a module is is subjective, there are objective signs to show when things are not acceptable. Like when one module has a 200 student wait list and another has 80% vacancy slots. Something is wrong. No?
For starters they should really look at what electives are actually attracting people because people are interested in learning about whatever it offers. And have more similar electives to that. And then to those that are not, probably apply some incentives (like pass/fail). I also swear that that Impact of Chemistry module would not be so popular if not for pass fail. A little balance in the system would really help in making the star wars experience less shitty.
Diversity is also good. But a quick look at the Liberal studies requirement almost made me internal vomit. The first thing I thought is that “oh shit i have to take something from this category? NOOOO”. Okay, I exaggerate. It’s not that bad. It just could be a lot better. I mean Woman’s Lit and Understanding China? Who would take those? (not to be sexist or racist, but you get my point).
And what’s with course descriptions that are totally misleading. I registered for a module named “Creative Visual Design and experience” not knowing that I would be expected to do Art because the course description didn’t even imply I had to do art. I never bothered googling the professors name until a few days later (when I was happily set with my timetable for the semester) when I realised “Gosh it’s an art module and I’m gonna be competing against ADM majors? No way”. Some modules have really misleading description and/or lack of information. I swear that NTU really needs include crucial info such as grading criteria, course outline all BEFORE you register your course so that so many people won’t have to add it so that they can check it out on NTU Learn / Edventure. Of course, you can always try to find reviews on the net, but still, c’mon more info right off the bat won’t hurt right. I dropped that module eventually though.
At this point I don’t think any amount of mechanism tweaks would really solve the oversubscription problem. I still prefer the system where it was fastest finger first and you could give your friend your electives. (but that’s just me, and that system seems objectively worst). For now, the new stars makes it less stress but it’s equally agonising. (if not more!). You know how you can solve this problem? Balance your damn freaking electives! (and also, add more cool/interesting electives. The selection now is almost shit).
And it’s also disturbing how NTU has hardly any music electives? You have so many weird shit mods like ceramics or chinese calligraphy. How about something like “Fundamentals of Music Theory?”. NTU doesn’t give a shit about music. yeah, thought so.
Why so many wrong notes?? 