Rajavelu Sree Devi
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Perseverance in the face of adversity
Rajavelu Sree Devi is a 2nd Year undergraduate at the Singapore University of Technology and Design and a recipient of the Quantedge Foundation-SUTD Education Opportunity Grant since 2021. Having to take an unconventional educational journey and faced with the loss of a loved one – Sree Devi’s journey to university was far from smooth sailing. Yet, she pressed on. As a first-generation university student, she now hopes to improve technology and access to information, especially for the underprivileged who lack proper guidance, strong social networks, and resources to do well. |
Tell us more about your journey to SUTD.
Throughout my education journey, I have made many unconventional decisions that were not supported by many people around me. I repeated Secondary 3 before taking O Levels as I had to return to India due to family issues. I also decided to retake my A Levels when I was not accepted into the universities I had applied to. While it was frustrating not to have those closest to me support these decisions, I felt a different level of pressure to perform.
I retook my A Levels in 2020, the year in which the COVID-19 pandemic began. My father was facing high levels of stress as his industry (building construction) took a hard hit. It took a lot to persevere through that year.
In 2021, my father suffered a heart attack and passed away shortly before I received my A Level results. How I wish I could share my results with him, as I had managed to improve by a huge margin! My perseverance through the difficult period had paid off, as I managed to get offers from the same universities that had rejected me a year ago.
I retook my A Levels in 2020, the year in which the COVID-19 pandemic began. My father was facing high levels of stress as his industry (building construction) took a hard hit. It took a lot to persevere through that year.
In 2021, my father suffered a heart attack and passed away shortly before I received my A Level results. How I wish I could share my results with him, as I had managed to improve by a huge margin! My perseverance through the difficult period had paid off, as I managed to get offers from the same universities that had rejected me a year ago.
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"My perseverance through the difficult period had paid off, as I managed to get offers from the same universities that had rejected me a year ago."
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The passing of my father has been a great loss and an extremely challenging period for me and my family. More than a year has passed since then and I am now a Year 2 student at SUTD. No matter where my father may be, I hope to continue making him proud.
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How has your university experience been so far?
University life has been challenging and enriching at the same time. Staying in hostel for the first term has been an unforgettable part of my university life. I learnt to be more independent and how to navigate inter-personal relationships.
In SUTD, we have lots of opportunities to work in teams through project work. It has been an eye opener to meet people from diverse backgrounds, with different working styles.
In SUTD, we have lots of opportunities to work in teams through project work. It has been an eye opener to meet people from diverse backgrounds, with different working styles.
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SUTD also places a huge emphasis on self-learning. It is crucial to be very disciplined and to have a proper study plan to perform well. I am still refining my study plans to be more effective and to better pace myself throughout the term.
"University life has been challenging and enriching at the same time. Staying in hostel for the first term has been an unforgettable part of my university life. I learnt to be more independent and how to navigate inter-personal relationships"
Besides schoolwork, I have tried out a few fifth rows such as Climbing, Boxing and Rotaract Club, where we reached out to those who are homeless and mentored underprivileged students at Tampines West Community Centre. Volunteering has made me realise the importance of support for vulnerable groups, as well as the warmth that human-to-human interactions can bring.
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Competing in Climbnival 2022 with my teammates, as part of the SUTD Climber fifth row.
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How has the Quantedge Foundation-SUTD Education Opportunity Grant (QF-SEOG) empowered you?
I am able to pursue my tertiary education at SUTD due to the invaluable assistance from QF-SEOG. It has given me and my family the opportunity for social mobility as I am the first in my family to enter university. My family has also been struggling financially since the passing of my father, who had been the sole breadwinner.
Through QF-SEOG, I also had the opportunity to work with Rice Media to learn about content creation and filmmaking – something entirely new to me. We produced a long-form video to explore the experience of a youth who went through the foster care system. This experience gave me a better understanding of other vulnerable communities in Singapore.
Through QF-SEOG, I also had the opportunity to work with Rice Media to learn about content creation and filmmaking – something entirely new to me. We produced a long-form video to explore the experience of a youth who went through the foster care system. This experience gave me a better understanding of other vulnerable communities in Singapore.
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My teammates and I at the Rice Media Storytellers kick-off workshop, discussing our video idea with our mentor. (Photo credit: Helen and Stephanie Lee)
What are your aspirations/career goals?
Currently, I am interested in Computer Science and Design at SUTD. The Internet has served as a great point of reference whenever I needed guidance in my life or felt lost. It helped to fill the void left by my father when I was confronting important life decisions like my choice of university, course of study and career pathway. Through researching on the Internet, I was able to understand the career prospects of different courses of study and make a better-informed decision about my university education.
In future, I hope to play a role in developing systems and applications that would help to bridge the gap faced by those who lack strong social networks or access to resources.
In future, I hope to play a role in developing systems and applications that would help to bridge the gap faced by those who lack strong social networks or access to resources.
I envision being part of a community of computer scientists and engineers who develop and improve technology to make information and services more easily accessible to all. (Photo credit: Helen and Stephanie Lee)
What advice and tips do you have for a Year 1 SUTD student on how to navigate the first semester of school?
The first term in SUTD is a pass-fail term. While this means that your GPA is not counted towards your overall grade, it is important to get used to the pace and routine of school so that you will be better able to handle the increasing workload over time. The skills and knowledge that you learn in the first term will also form the foundation of the courses in subsequent terms.
Hostel life requires you to be independent. Plan your time wisely to ensure that you have sufficient time to study, play, join fifth rows and take breaks. Make use of the first term to explore new things outside of school or your comfort zone - it is the only pass-fail term and will be over sooner than you know it!
Hostel life requires you to be independent. Plan your time wisely to ensure that you have sufficient time to study, play, join fifth rows and take breaks. Make use of the first term to explore new things outside of school or your comfort zone - it is the only pass-fail term and will be over sooner than you know it!
"Make use of the first term to explore new things outside of school or your comfort zone - it is the only pass-fail term and will be over sooner than you know it!"