As we go about our daily lives at SMU, we often hear about individuals who are juggling a multitude of responsibilities – business owners; straight A's students; community helpers; environmental activists; presidents of five clubs; and members of several more.
As their list of achievements grows, so does the furrow of our brows. We can’t help but wonder: “How do they do it?”
In the sea of high achievers, expert multitaskers and exceptionally talented individuals at SMU; I’ve singled out four individuals – some whom I know personally, while others recommended by friends - to be featured in this article.
From a CBd (Constituent Body) Head, representative face of the school; to non-profit organisation and CSP (Community Service Project) Founder, these four will offer us a glimpse into life in the public eye, sharing what it’s really like to walk in their shoes and revealing what goes on behind the scenes.
Matthew Yuen – Year 4 LKCSB, Finance / Digital Business double major, Community Catalyst / Passion-driven Social Leader
My first interview was with Matthew at the light filled SOE Student Commons, affectionately known as the ‘Fish Tank’.
He shared his impressive journey at SMU so far – Co-founder of SMU Boxing Interest Group (B.I.G.); founder of Project GRID (SMU faction); KKH & Wilmar Scholar; Mentor within The Mentoring Circle; Ex-clan head for Bondue Business Camp; member of SMU Blockchain; and a Fintech Research Analyst.
I was thoroughly and completely impressed. He humorously described his experience as “almost checking every box for the SMU Bingo”.
To keep the ball rolling, I dived deeper to discover more about Matthew as a person. Once nicknamed ‘Skater Boy Matt’, he was known for carrying a skateboard around SMU campus a year or so ago.
Matthew also shared about how people often see him as the ‘confident guy’ who always knows what he wants.
But beneath the surface, he’s still on his journey of learning and self-discovery. Balancing everything hasn’t been easy; but driven by his passion and quest for meaning, Matthew ensures his energy is always invested in what truly matters to him, rather than simply grinding through the days.
When asked which popular fictional character he would describe himself as, Matthew chose the Narrator from Fight Club — a classic!
The Narrator’s story reflects a familiar struggle: the desire to conform to societal norms and follow a prescribed path, only to later rebel and pursue a more authentic life driven by inner passion.
This story mirrors that of Matthew’s: starting as an insecure schoolboy who didn’t fit in, leading to him overcompensating in his young adult years. Just like the Narrator, trapped in his IKEA-furnished apartment, Matthew saw his identity confined by a pre-programmed life he was expected to follow.
To break out of this, Matthew turned to martial arts, something he knew well. He used to train at Spartans Boxing Club, and in his first step towards following his ‘true destiny,’ Matthew signed up to work with the club.
Much like in Fight Club, the Spartans Boxing Club fostered a close-knit community where people pursued their passions and supported each other. These themes of defying societal norms and personal transformation have followed Matthew throughout his life.
One of Matthew’s most impactful memories was when he presented Project GRID (SMU)— a community service project helping at-risk youths through a three-month program of physical training and goal-setting — to a group of teenagers aged 13 to 18.
He invited the CEO of Spartans Boxing Club to share his insights, and when it was Matthew’s turn to speak, his journey captivated both the volunteers and the youths in attendance, where afterwards, many of the teenagers told him that they were inspired by him. For Matthew, this moment outweighed all his other achievements.
We ended the interview by sharing his life’s motto: “Create your own destiny”.
Inspired by one of the greats, Kobe Bryant, who once said “As children, we dream abundantly; but as we grow old, our dreams become constrained”, he urges all to protect their own dreams.
As he reflected on his SMU years, he knows he wouldn’t change a thing. Every time he veered off the expected path and chose the bumpy, less-travelled road, greater fulfilment, self-satisfaction, and growth was found. His advice? Have the courage to break free from a boxed-in life and seek—or even pave—your own path."
Chang Shayanne – Year 4 LKCSB, Marketing Major/ All-rounded Media Maven
The next interview I had was with the one and only Shayanne Chang, the star of countless SMU marketing videos, brochures and webpages. And if you’re an avid follower of her Instagram account, you’ll know her for her weekly updates of new song releases and recommendations from the tasteful music lover herself.
Shayanne has worn many hats: former Vice President and President of SMU Broadcast and Entertainment (BE); event host for BE; Campus Radio DJ; actress for SMU StageIt; freelance content creator; and graphic designer.
She’s done it all in the creative media sphere. When asked about her busiest days, she described them as 'hectic and painful', having to balance work, extracurriculars, and an active social life. Yet, among the chaos, her signature warm smile never fades.
We met at Braek for an energetic and laughter-filled 40-minute interview. As we delved into her passions and life behind the glitz, Shayanne revealed a surprising secret behind her bubbly, extroverted personality: she deeply values her alone time. She finds peace in solitude, a space for calm and introspection that she treasures.
When I asked which popular fictional character resonates most with her, Shayanne spoke about her connection to “Everything Everywhere All At Once” and the antagonist, Jobu (the alter ego of the protagonist). The film explores the idea of life collapsing in on itself, like everything being sucked into a black hole — or, in this case, a bagel. Shayanne found this metaphor both hilarious and profound.
And at the end of the movie, the antagonist turned out to be someone close to the protagonist (no spoilers!). Through this movie, she shared with me, she realized that we all go through crazy experiences, and in the process, we may antagonise the people we love or hold dear.
She believes that at one point or another she has both been the hero and the villain in someone else’s story; and that’s okay. “As long as you keep true to yourself and you know who you are, that’s all it matters.”
Moving on from that: one of the most interesting compliments Shayanne has ever gotten was about how she has a friend who religiously stalked her LinkedIn as some sort of ritual to gather good luck for her own studies and career. This was meant as a joke, but nevertheless, Shayanne was pleasantly caught by surprise as she had never thought about the impact she has on the people around her.
It was heart-warming because in Shayanne’s eyes, she only sees herself as a normal student just doing things she loves. But in the process of doing so, to have inspired even just one person — it was priceless to her.
As for the readers, Shayanne offered a thoughtful piece of advice: "Your dreams are worth it. Life is so much more than just the race against others."
In the end, she explained, things like LinkedIn entries will fade with time. 'Do what you feel drawn to and never regret it; because in that moment, it was exactly what you wanted.' Shayanne left me with plenty to reflect on, and I hope she’s given you something to think about too!
Brendan Tay Jing Xun – a recent Finance major graduate from LKCSB/ Formidable Sports Union Ex-Visionary
My interview with Brendan took place during a hectic and challenging time for all SMU students… week 13…
This is the final boss of classes, and everyone was running on negative 50% battery. The interview was done through zoom, where the formidable Sports Union Ex-Visionary Brendan nevertheless made time, and we had an insightful and eye-opening conversation.
If you were a part or kept informed of SMU Sports Union’s (SSU) ExCo two years before, you would have certainly heard of Brendan. Alternatively, if you are a member of SMU Dragon Boat, you are surely aware of this long-standing senior who has been in the club for four years (equivalent to 50 years old in SMU timeline).
He, along with his predecessor, founded SSUpport, the SSU-based CSP aiding with the holistic development of disadvantaged school students in collaboration with an MOE programme. Brendan had also performed with Soundfoundry and was on stage for the club’s first ever performance outside of SMU’s campus in an external venue!
Brendan shared a glimpse into his busiest day at SMU: waking up before the sunrise to train for Dragon Boat from 7-8am; shower and rush to office at 9am-12pm; tabao-ing lunch — no time to dilly dally with food!; having the call with C4SR about his CSP from 12:30-2pm; and then as he finishes work, get back to campus for the planning of Sports Camp and Waikiki, around 7-11pm. During these days, caffeine became his closest companion, and perhaps the only one that stuck with him through it all...
When asked about how he functioned during the busiest periods of his SMU life, Brendan explained that it all came down to a sense of duty and commitment to the responsibilities that he had taken on.
Operating like a machine on overdrive, Brendan simply put one foot in front of the other and kept going. Nevertheless, this was a profoundly lonely time for him. While his teammates, committee members, fellow interns, all knew some fragments of what he was doing, no one could see the whole picture and the great lengths he went to juggle these various aspects of his life.
As for his choice of popular fictional character to describe him, Brendan chose Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy!
People often refer to him as the “big fella”, and like Groot, Brendan is introverted and often initially misunderstood. He relates to Groot’s journey of being recognized and understood over time, particularly admiring the scene where Groot wraps himself around the others to protect them during a crisis. This act of self-sacrifice struck a chord with Brendan, inspiring him to lead with humility and prioritize the success of others before his own.
Here's a quote that Brendan left behind that still resonates: “It all starts with trust.”
When I asked how he applies this principle in his life, his answer was simple: trust governs everything. This mindset was crucial for the very functioning of 18th SSU Management Committee. The challenges and stresses of being in a major committee become more manageable when there is trust at it’s the core.
He concluded with his trademark phrase: “Can one.” What a guy.
Rachel Han Sin Ying – Year 4 School of Social Sciences/ Impact-making Environmentalist / Content Creating Activist
My final interview was with Rachel Han, a good friend of mine from SMU StageIt, known for her remarkable ability to juggle numerous responsibilities.
Whether she's featured on the school's website promoting Package Pals, the non-profit packaging repurposing business she co-founded, or sending us Instagram ads from Yun Nam Hair Care SG (#notsponsored), Rachel is always at the centre of activity.
Just like the other interviewees, Rachel’s achievements are extensive: Package Pals co-founder; CIS executive committee member; StageIt ex-Vice President and member; Stereometa member/aspiring DJ; International Baccalaureate tutor; SMU Global Impact Scholar; freelance content creator and brands and business promoter.
You might have come across her viral TikTok videos, like the wedding proposal at a Coldplay concert in Singapore. Rachel is always on the move, making things happen and creating content that resonates with all of us.
Despite her seemingly boundless energy and productivity, Rachel admits to struggling with waking up in the morning and staying motivated on days with no specific plans. To combat this, she schedules activities with friends or devises detailed daily strategies.
A tip from Rachel: if you're facing a similar "bed-stricken" struggle, just get out of the house. Start with a coffee, as I’ve seen from her Instagram stories.
Rachel’s days are so packed that she struggles to recall a single "busiest" day. Her routine often includes attending classes, handling Package Pals work, studying, and ending with StageIt activities.
What gets her through the day comes down to the fact that knowing the work needs to be done, and the motivation behind this is seeing an impact and purpose in everything that she does. Be it making a difference for the environment with Package Pals, or learning highly transferable skills during StageIt sessions, she enjoys every moment of it.
Another important aspect of her life that allows her to continue to grind and show up for her commitments is her group of friends in school, which she met through her CCA.
Her friends understand that she’s busy and has a lot of things to do but they would never fault her for missing hangouts or not replying to the group chat. They are always there to hear her rant or update about her day, give amazing advice and be the pillars of support she needs.
Rachel sees herself reflected in two popular fictional characters: Claire from Modern Family and Monica from Friends. Like them, Rachel sets high standards for herself and her work, which can sometimes lead to stress and a sense of being overwhelmed. She aims to balance her achievements with moderation to avoid potential burnout.
A memorable moment for Rachel was during an engagement session for SMU’s College of Integrative Studies. During an anonymous Q&A, a prospective student praised Package Pals, which deeply resonated with Rachel. She values such recognition and the opportunity to spread awareness about the positive impact of her work.
As I ended my interview with her, Rachel shared a quote from her mother, who had said when Rachel was at her lowest during her secondary school years: “Just try your best in whatever you do”.
This goes for everything, academics, building up your CVs or even starting a business; don’t be afraid or second guess yourself, especially during your university years. This is the best time to try out and explore everything that you’ve ever wanted to do!
Concluding Thoughts
As I wrap up this journey, I’ve found myself reflecting on the experience. Entering university, especially at SMU, presents us with two distinct paths:
Get swept into the hustle and bustle of SMU and its fast-paced environment; or
Live in your own bubble and try to drown out the noise to find peace.
I chose the latter. While I had heard of or interacted with individuals like Matthew, Shayanne, Brendan, and Rachel, I had never delved as deeply into their stories as I did through these interviews. Understanding their drives, struggles, fears, and dreams has been incredibly enlightening.
I was extremely honoured to have had this opportunity and want to wish these four individuals, along with anyone out there that is finding it hard to keep up with the chaotic life of a university student: Keep pushing forward and know that you are not alone in your journey!
Goodbye and thank you for reading!
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