“Understanding the why behind what you do is very important.”

Catching up with Chris in the surroundings of Senate House in London, it is inspiring to think of the journey that brought him here. Chris’ University of London story began when he enrolled on the BSc Data Science and Business Analytics with academic direction from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) at the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM).

Chris was attracted to the programme’s strong academic foundation developed by the LSE, “which I knew would provide rigorous training.” For him, a key benefit of the programme was that it encompassed a balance of both practical and theoretical knowledge.

Now having completed his undergraduate degree, Chris has received a prestigious SIM-UoL scholarship to continue his studies at the LSE in London, where he is pursuing the MSc Financial Statistics. Throughout his studies, Chris has worked part time as a data scientist for a Japanese investment bank, applying his learning to his day-to-day work. We took the opportunity to catch up with Chris and hear his advice for fellow students.

On academic success

So, how does Chris feel to have received this prestigious award? “I feel incredibly honoured…it is incredibly rewarding to have my academic journey recognised by the school, and I wouldn’t be here without the scholarship.” Chris acknowledges that the award is “both a privilege and a responsibility” which keeps him motivated to keep going; “I want to contribute meaningfully to my field in the future.”

This sense of purpose extends to the way Chris engages with his studies, taking time to reflect on learning rather than just memorising information: “Understanding the why behind what you do is very important and can make learning more meaningful.”

What advice does Chris have for students looking to achieve similar success? “Leverage the resources given by the school.” Whether it’s the Virtual Learning Environment, the Online Library, or the Careers Service, Chris encourages his fellow students to get involved as much as possible and make use of the resources available to them.

“One piece of advice that I wish I had received is don’t be afraid to ask for help, be it from your peers, your mentors or your lecturers. Asking for help from your peers and collaborating together can lead to deeper insights.”

Bringing learning to life

A key theme to Chris’ study success is finding the links between his learning and real-world application: “One thing that I really enjoyed was the coursework because you apply what you learn theoretically and use what you’ve learned to solve real-world problems,” he reflects.

Looking back on some of the highlights of his study experience, Chris particularly enjoyed the Hackathon he took part in at SIM, where students created software to help solve business problems. For Chris, these opportunities bring the learning to life, and “the fact that SIM provides all these opportunities is really lovely.”

By working alongside studying, Chris could also practically apply his new knowledge: “My day-to-day activities involve developing algorithms, implementing statistical models, interpreting data, which is really relevant to what I studied and what I’m studying now.”

Finding your rhythm

Chris acknowledges that it isn’t always easy to manage the competing demands of university life: “Balancing multiple commitments can be challenging, but good time management makes it achievable. I break my schedule into blocks dedicated to work, study and personal time, ensuring that I stay focused on each area. My advice is to find your own rhythm, create a schedule that works for you and don’t compare yourself to others. This is your own journey, make time for not only studies, but for your own wellbeing as well. Doing this will make you more resilient and focused in the long run.”

Chris enjoys exercising to relieve stress and can be found at the gym or going for runs to unwind. “I feel that exercising clears my mind and when I come back to study I come back with a fresh mind and I can actually focus more and maintain my energy levels.”

Life in London

Adapting to London life from Singapore certainly presents its challenges, especially with winter approaching in the UK! However, Chris is taking the transition in his stride: “London is really lovely, there are so many things to do. I’m really enjoying the experience so far because my classmates are from all over the world and you gain perspectives from people all around. All my classmates at LSE are so motivated and driven, it makes me want to work harder.

“I would love to work in London for at least a few years because there are so many opportunities here, especially within finance and data science roles.”

That said, Chris isn’t ruling out a return to Singapore, where there are also “excellent opportunities” in the future, or even pursuing a PhD!

Summing up his experience and looking to students embarking on the programme, what are Chris’ final thoughts? “Be prepared for a challenging but rewarding experience.” We hope Chris continues to see the rewards from his hard work and wish him every success in this next chapter of his study journey.

Want to hear more? Check out our podcast with Chris.