Eight Types of Students You Might Meet in NTU

By Ashley Tay

As we settle into new classes and form groups with people we’ve never met, one can’t deny that interacting with fellow students forms a large part of our college experience.

Through never-ending group meetings and lunch sessions, we learn more about different individuals and what makes them unique. And by the time we have grown accustomed to one another’s quirks and working styles, we find ourselves at the start of the new semester, starting over again.

This tongue-in-cheek compilation (to be taken with a huge pinch of salt) lists some commonly-seen types of students that can be spotted in school.

The Overachiever

PHOTO: JOLENE TAN

To no one’s surprise, they have topped the cohort in the latest mid-term papers. Again. Known for their academic prowess, the Overachievers make attaining the 5.0 GPA seem effortless. To put themselves further out of mortal reach, those who fall under this group excel in at least one non-academic aspect too — art, music, sports, entrepreneurship, student clubs, you name it.

How do they do it? Do they have the ability to read the professors’ minds on how to answer exam questions? Do they have 48 hours a day? Do they even sleep at all?

As the library reaches closing time, most students might pack up their things and call it a day. But not the Overachievers — they simply move elsewhere and carry on diligently.

It may initially seem daunting to study or work together with them due to their sheer focus and intensity. But soon you will realise that they are the ones pushing you beyond your limits to achieve as well.

They might seem to be blessed by the Bell Curve God but deep down, you know that they completely deserve the credit for all their hard work.

The Social Media Addict

PHOTO: JOLENE TAN

Distracted? Please, it’s called ‘multi-tasking’. Found predominantly in the drowsy wastelands of NTU’s lecture theatres, the Social Media Addict’s laptop screen is always fixated on something, from monitoring gossip on his Facebook timeline to watching videos on YouTube — everything except the lecture slides.

It seems as if nothing stands in the way of the Social Media Addict’s never-ending webventures, except maybe for the dreaded ‘low battery’ warning.

The Couple

PHOTO: JOLENE TAN

Getting attached in school is pretty common, especially in freshmen year with a whole bunch of camps to bond people together. Sometimes this bond might get a bit too sticky, like in the case of The Couple.

The Couple is always referred to as one entity and both parties are never seen without each other. If you do bump into one half of the happy couple, you are bound to subconsciously start the conversation by asking where their other half is and what they are doing.

Between public declarations of love on Facebook and identical profile pictures, The Couple’s honeymoon phase can either be incredibly sweet or wildly disturbing — there is no in-between.

The Happening Crowd

PHOTO: JOLENE TAN

Don’t even think of having a project discussion on Wednesday and Friday nights with anyone in the Happening Crowd because they would most probably be neck-deep in loud music and raving bodies in some of the trendiest clubs in town.

Surrounded by an entourage of friends and acquaintances, the highlight of their school life is the insane clubbing, drinking and nightlife that they indulge in. Sometimes they can even be caught grooving to last night’s tunes in class.

Interestingly, you’ll never ever see them hungover in school. They deserve to be applauded for their superhuman strength and tenacity to drag themselves out of bed and into class on Thursday mornings after a wild night out.

The Enthusiastic Hall Resident

PHOTO: JOLENE TAN

These people are not just the faces of their halls, they might as well be their halls’ arms and legs too. Representing their halls in sports and recreational games is clearly not enough, so they sign up for every main committee and sub-committee they can find. It’s incredible how they can be involved in everything, including Hall Production, Hall Dance, Hall Camp, Hall OCIP, Hall D&D… the list goes on.

Their commitment and willingness to help out is truly something to be admired. After all, not many have the capacity to strike a fine balance between heavy hall involvement and the stress of the academic semester.

Hall life would not be the same without these folks either — who else would be around to be your supper buddies over the weekends or during the semester break?

The Fashionista

PHOTO: JOLENE TAN

For them, every school day is a new opportunity to express their personality and fashion sense. With a huge wardrobe and infinite combinations in between, you will be hard-pressed to find them wearing the same outfit twice.

These trendy students are able to pull off knee high socks, jumpers and overalls with surprisingly good results.

And yes, they don’t think you should be coming to school dressed like you’re going to sleep.

The Sporty

PHOTO: JOLENE TAN

Never seen without some kind of sports equipment or shoe bag in hand, they are usually spotted at the Sports and Recreation Center after class. The Sporty types are incredibly fit, usually possessing the kind of body and discipline you wish you had.

Nobody judges them for wearing their marathon singlets and shorts to class, even the Fashionistas. You know what they say, if you’ve got it, flaunt it.

The Procrastinator

PHOTO: JOLENE TAN

With only a few hours to go before an assignment is due, The Procrastinator is no stranger to caffeine binges, sugar rushes and all-nighters.

The Procrastinators might not be able to start working on assignments early, but you can definitely count on them to get their work done regardless. They work well under intense pressure and embrace the adrenaline rush with open arms as they race to beat the clock.

Secretly, the Procrastinator wishes to have started earlier on assignments each time, but living on the edge has already become his or her way of life.