It will be a bit scary to see a loooooong reply in English. Well.... try, and also write, later you will be pretty good in English -- This answer your first question: what should you do during the bridging course.
I am glad to hear from you and very happy that you have thought a lot. Good questions. keep this habit all the time. The university is welcome students who like ask questions.
Do a little ad here: The best place to get a looooot of help is at www.huasing.org, 新生专版is just for you to post questions, discuss various issue and interact with seniors. I have post your questions there. So in addition of my answers, you can get other seniors' answers as well. Check the website then. We also have your briefing and airpost photos upload.
My answers are below in your E-mail.
Cheers and Merry X'mas and Happy New Year in Singapore!
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Date: Fri, 21 Dec 2007 15:08:45 +0800
From: ***
Subject: 向学姐请教了
To: ***
Relax relax... don't need to be too stress up with study but never give up study. Borrow some interesting English story books, Harry Potter or your field of interest and read them. Tell yourself you must finish at least 10 books during your bridging course. And I am sure you will not have time to ENJOY reading after get into university. You need to read a lot in university study, but mainly text books. Get ready with your English.
* Maybe some good movies without subtitles? "Alvin and the Chipmunks" is great for X'mas!
* You can keep writing English diary from now on.
* For USP, go to their website and read. A lot of information. Don't just wait your seniors come to explain to you in Chinese. Read the original and first hand information yourself. http://www.usp.nus.edu.sg/
* USP has a lot of global programs. Some highlight here: http://www.usp.nus.edu.sg/curr_studn/joint_deg/intro.html
I agree you have a lot of freedom. BUt you must see yourself as an adult (although you are less than 21 at this time) An adult know what is wrong and what is right. The openness is the need of getting into an international environment. Adapt it and also keep your core value. Make some more foreign friends: Singaporeans, Indians, and all other people you will meet soon.
The best preparation is -- ENGLISH! That is all you need to do now! You have to know that the year one courses are usually quite simple in the content but difficult for Chinese students beause of the language. Why is it has to be simple? You got your fellow Singaporean friends who spend almost two years' time in army and almost foget everything in their JC! The introduction course in year 1 will help you to pick up all the stuff -- that you don't need to worry-- but the tool is ENGLISH!
For PRC friends, www.huasing.org. You are more than welcome to join our managment committee（华新工作组）instead just been a normal internet sufer. But never constrain yourself in the Chinese. Meet your befrienders more often and become good friends with them.
Later in the university, you will make a lot of friends from all over the world. Both universities have quite some international exchange students coming every year, and you also have chances to go oversea study for a semester or two -- the wonderful exchange program bring you to a new vision of life.
Another website I went to get some part time job: www.nineo.com You can find me there. (By the way, you might not have legal right to do part time job now because you are NOT university student.)
www.facebook.com a famous website. Find your friends and seniors there. Yon can also find me there. (We have a Huasing group there too!)
You do have a computer, don't you? That is the most important thing you need to have. You cannot live without a computer in the univesity. Printer might be useful only when you start your university life. But that is not the first priority to buy.
Sprots? Do whatever you like! You can find some facilities in Eton Hall, don't you? I like swimming and that is free for NUS students in the NUS swimming pool. YOu need to show the student card.
Geting a bike might be good idea so that you can bike all around Singapore! I am thinking of that for quite some time but never do. You can rent bikes in East coast park, and also roll skating boots. A good place to have BBQ parites and fun in East coast park.
Jogging is also popular. With an MP3 player, running at the garden city Singapore at a nice evening is really enjoyable.
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