After completing my A-Levels, I was certain of my interest in mathematics but unsure about whether I should pursue it as a career. Therefore, the flexibility of taking courses outside the mathematics curriculum at NUS became the decisive factor in my choice. If I discovered I could thrive in mathematics, the program offered ample advanced courses to explore the discipline deeply. If not, I could still enhance my employability by taking industry-aligned courses such as those in Data Science and Analytics (DSA).

After one semester, I applied for the Special Programme in Mathematics (SPM) to challenge myself further. While S-courses were indeed more rigorous and demanding than standard courses, I found genuine enjoyment in stretching myself beyond my perceived capability. These courses also exposed me to advanced mathematical theories that are the research interests of the professors. As such, I realised that there is a huge gap between the undergraduate content and mathematics research, which motivated me to study content outside the courses.

One aspect I particularly cherish from my undergraduate experience is the abundant opportunities I had to engage with professors and researchers. I would particularly like to express my immense gratitude to Prof. An Xinliang, Prof. Wei Daren, Dr. Chen Haoyang, Dr. Su Wenze, and Mr. Dong Kai. From their mentorship and the many helpful discussions, I learnt not only mathematical knowledge but also many useful research practices. Their mentorship ignited my research passion, and my Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme in Science (UROPS) experiences would not have been so unforgettable and fruitful without their guidance. I also deeply valued mathematical discussions with peers in the department lounge, where spontaneous conversations about random mathematical concepts proved both enjoyable and intellectually rewarding.

To prospective mathematics students at NUS, I would encourage you to embrace opportunities to explore new interests. To me, the joy of learning something catered to my interests usually far surpasses the satisfaction of getting high grades. Also, it could be quite important to cultivate patience. While the time invested in mathematics may not yield immediate proportional results in grades, I do believe that consistent effort ultimately bears fruit.