Source: My UM

Don’t you just hate those who seem to ace every exam without even breaking a sweat, when your grades just refuse to go up no matter how hard you study? Well, here’s the good news. Learn these students’ tips and you can become the next study guru.

Making a Study Plan

Mandy is a first-year student from the Faculty of Business Administration. She was admitted to UM on the coveted Golden Lotus Scholarship. Living up to her reputation as a ‘study guru’, Mandy achieved a GPA of 3.78 in her first semester. But don’t think she is just a nerdy bookworm. She is also a sports lover, a longtime practitioner of Chinese calligraphy, and an active member of the House Association and Student Association in the Lui Che Woo College.

Mandy’s secret to excelling in studies is her ability to stay relaxed no matter how heavy her workload. ‘I usually make a study plan for the next day ,’ she says. ‘I like to pace myself accordingly .’ This method has helped Mandy get through high school without pulling an all-nighter. She believes cramming overnight is not worth it because you would be too exhausted to go to class or take the exam the next day. Mandy also shares how she prepared for UM’s admission exam last year. ‘I knew English was one of my weak subjects, so I bought many English exercise books and did the exercises after finishing my homework,’ she says. As a result, Mandy got 765 points in English in the admission exam.


Excelling in Studies and Extracurricular Activities

Paul is a sophomore from the Department of Psychology. He was accepted by the Honours College (HC) last academic year with a high GPA of 3.83, and is now the president of the HC Student Association. Born in Hong Kong, Paul moved to Macao at the age of eight. When he was 13, he went to the United States and entered a traditional Catholic school. In 2014, he returned to Macao and got into UM with a high score of 2010 in the SA T. ‘I have decided to return to Macao because there are a lot of research resources and friends here,’ he says.

During his time in the US, Paul learned logical reasoning and critical thinking skills, which he now finds indispensable to his studies. Paul is an active participant in student activities, and a member of the Siu Pong College Choir. He thinks that one can learn a lot from student activities and through exchanging ideas with students from different disciplines. To Paul’s mind, a study guru is someone who not only excels in studies, but also has good interpersonal and social skills. ‘It is important to set goals, to effectively manage your time, and to prioritise your daily tasks,’ he says.


A Humble and Hard-working Guru

Miki is a hospitality and gaming management major. She got into UM through the Principals’ Recommended Admission Scheme, and was granted the Grant Lotus Scholarship for her outstanding academic performance. During the admission interview, Miki shared her experience in or ganising events, which she thinks has gained her a few bonus points. She suggests that students who are interested in applying to UM should research the relevant programmes beforehand. ‘Knowing something about the programme’s background, latest developments, and future development can help you make a good impression during the interview,’ she says.

Miki has always been a model student. She was class president throughout secondary school, an experience that cultivated her interest in or ganising events. She felt a great sense of achievement from organising the graduation dinner in secondary school, so she decided to pursue a career in event planning and management. She is currently a member of Choi Kai Yau College’s community service group and a participant in the PR Student Ambassador Programme organised by the Communications Office. She is also a volunteer of the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau (DSEJ) and a Macau Heritage Ambassador. In 2015, she received the Best Volunteer Award from the DSEJ for her outstanding performance. Miki gained a high GPA of 3.85 in her first semester, but she is modest about her achievements. ‘I don’ t believe anyone can be so talented that she can get good grades without going to classes or studying hard,’ she says. ‘All I did was give my best.’ To most people, a study guru refers to someone who always gets good grades. But in Miki’ s case, a study guru simply means a humble person diligent in her studies.


UM Encourages Well-rounded Development

UM admitted more than 300 students for the 2016/2017 academic year through the Principals’ Recommended Admission Scheme. 67 of them were ranked No 1 in their schools, which is a large increase from the previous year. According to UM Registrar Paul Pang, more and more outstanding students are considering UM as their first choice, which is testament to UM’s increased quality of education. Paul says that in addition to academic performance, applicants’ talent sand potential in various areas will be taken into consideration in the admission process. Paul suggests that students should consider their personal interests when choosing a college major. ‘Don’t simply follow the crowd,’ he says. ‘A programme that best matches your personal interests and ability will help you enjoy your college life and achieve better results.’

Tips for Acing the Admission Exam

Many graduating students are now preparing for UM’s admission exam for the 2016/2017 academic year, which will be held from 8 April to 10 April. From his years of observation, Paul has learned that students will usually do well in the exam if they relax and sleep well the night before. ‘Remember to allow sufficient time to get to the exam venue,’ he says. ‘Check out the campus in advance so you know the location of your classroom.’