Perseverance in the face of adversity
Rajavelu Sree Devi
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Rajavelu Sree Devi is an 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 unconventional decisions not supported by those around me, but I persevered. I repeated Secondary 3 and decided to retake my A Levels when I was not accepted into the universities I applied to. I retook my A Levels in 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and my father’s struggles with work as his industry (building construction) took a hard hit. In 2021, he passed away from a heart attack shortly before I received my A Level results, which showed a significant improvement and led to offers from universities that had previously rejected me. It has been a challenging time, but I am now a Year 2 student at SUTD and hope to continue making my father proud. |
How has your university experience been so far?University life has been both challenging and immensely rewarding. Staying in a hostel for the first term has been an unforgettable experience. I learnt to be more independent and how to navigate interpersonal relationships. The many opportunities to work in teams at SUTD have also been an eye-opener as I got to meet people from diverse backgrounds and with different working styles.
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How has the Quantedge Foundation-SUTD Education Opportunity Grant (QF-SEOG) empowered you?Thanks to QF-SEOG’s invaluable support, I’m breaking new ground as the first in my family to attend university. Since my father’s passing, my family has been struggling financially as he was 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. Our long-form video explores the experience of a youth in the foster care system, broadening my understanding of vulnerable communities in Singapore.
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)
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)
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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, meaning that your GPA is not counted. Make use of this first term to explore new activities outside of your comfort zone – it will be over sooner than you know it! However, it is also important to adapt to the pace of school and establish a routine of school to handle the increasing workload. The skills and knowledge gained in the first term will form the foundation of subsequent courses.
"Make use of the first term to explore new things outside of school or your comfort zone - it will be over sooner than you know it!"
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* This interview has been edited for length and clarity.