7 burning questions from freshmen, answered

by Siddiqua Ovais

1. Where can I work out?

Go for a cardio blast, hit the running track or smash some serves at the Sports & Recreation Centre (SRC).

SRC has courts and fields for tennis, squash, basketball, futsal and soccer. Badminton and table tennis facilities are located at the North Hill Function Hall. Booking is required to use the facilities, so be sure to secure your slot through the student intranet.

Prefer weight training and gym workouts? The North Hill cluster of halls is home to the largest free gym on campus. Many other halls also have gyms for their residents. For 24/7 workouts, there’s an Anytime Fitness outlet at The Wave for paying members.

If you’d rather be out in nature, jog the blue campus loop or squeeze in a stretch at the fitness corner in Yunnan Garden.

Swimmers can cool off with a dip in the refurbished SRC pool, reopening before the end of this semester.

Visual: Artist's impression of new pool 

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2. What's the quickest way to get from my home to NTU?

Getting to NTU is easier than you think – if you know the right shortcuts.

Every weekday morning, free heartland shuttle buses run at selected times directly to NTU from these MRT stations: Ang Mo Kio, Bukit Gombak, Pasir Ris, Punggol, Sengkang, Tampines and Yishun. Join the queue early to secure a seat. In the evenings, return shuttles are available from NTU to Ang Mo Kio, Tampines and Sengkang.

Check the student intranet for the heartland shuttle bus schedule to plan your rides.

Taking a different route? From the Boon Lay bus interchange (next to the MRT station), you can take public buses 179 or 199 to NTU. From Pioneer MRT station, you can hop on the free Campus Rider (Green) or get on public bus 179 to reach the campus.

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3. How many CCAs should I join?

There’s no hard and fast rule for this. With around 230 student organisations at NTU – from special interest groups to school-based clubs – there’s something for everyone.

Seniors suggest joining no more than two at a time, so you can strike a good balance between academics and student life.

Browse the full list of CCAs on the student intranet, or visit their booths during Freshmen Orientation to chat with members and see what clicks. Most also have social media pages to give you a sense of their vibe.

Photo: Eugene Goh (@eugenegoh.jpeg on Instagram)

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4. What apps should I have on my phone?

NTU’s campus is smart and cashless, so all you really need is your phone and a few handy apps. Here are some must-haves to help you navigate campus life like a pro. 

NTU Omnibus – Track campus shuttle buses (Red, Blue, Green, Brown and Grey) in real time and get walking directions from any bus stop to your classroom.

NTU Maps – Available at maps.ntu.edu.sg or within the NTU Omnibus app, this tool helps you find your way around NTU’s sprawling campus.

NTU Pass – This is your digital student ID for accessing campus facilities, borrowing library materials and even snagging food deals.

NTU HEY! AR – Scan bright bubbles in HEY! to unlock augmented reality (AR) content and take part in fun giveaways when you need a quick study break.

Unmanned stores like Cheers and Châteraisé run fully on cashless payments – just tap and go. Craving a sweet treat from Châteraisé? Be sure to download its app first, as it’s required to enter the shop. Need wheels? The GetGo car-sharing app lets you book a ride from eight locations across the campus.

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5. What perks can I enjoy as an NTU student?

If Singapore is a city-state, then NTU is a mini-city, complete with living spaces, recreational hubs and convenience stores.

You won’t need to leave the campus for medical or dental care. The clinic at the University Health Services Centre is open from Monday to Saturday. You can get a queue number online through the Fullerton Health website or simply walk in. (Dental services are by appointment only.)

There’s even a Traditional Chinese Medicine clinic at the School of Biological Sciences if you’d like to explore alternative treatments.

No one goes hungry at NTU as food is available around the clock. Refuel at any of the 16 food courts, trendy cafés or restaurants. With favourites like McDonald’s, A Hot Hideout, Popeyes, Geláre, Domino’s Pizza and CHICHA San Chen, there’s no need to head to the nearest mall when hunger strikes.

And if you’re feeling peckish at midnight, grab a sweet treat from Châteraisé’s 24-hour store. Or shop cash-free at Cheers or Octobox, both open 24/7.

Need snacks or hall essentials? Swing by Prime Supermarket, with outlets at the North Spine and Hall 2. There’s also a 7-Eleven at Hall 2 for late-night convenience.

Shopping online? Pick up your goodies at parcel lockers and collection points scattered around the campus.Photo: Châteraisé

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6. How should I address my professors at NTU?

You may hear your seniors refer to some professors or lecturers by name. At your first lesson, listen out for how they prefer to be addressed.

If you’re unsure, “Prof” is a safe and respectful choice.

Be consistent in your emails too. If you’re writing to both a professor and a lecturer in the same message, address each by their appropriate title (such as Prof, Ms or Mr).

Pro tip: Avoid using casual language such as “omg” and “idk” when writing to your profs.

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7. How do I keep up with what's happening in NTU?

From career fairs and hackathons to movie nights and concerts, the campus buzzes with activity all year round.

Check your NTU email for important updates from the University or your school, as well as invites to events. Read NTU Vibe and, of course, HEY! magazine for campus stories and highlights.

Follow @NTUsg on Instagram, TikTok and other platforms for quick news, fun reels and campus snapshots.

Need course info, exam schedules or learning resources? Just head to the student intranet, click on E-Services, and you’ll have most of your questions sorted in no time.

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This story was published in the Jul-Aug 2025 issue of HEY!. To read it and other stories from this issue in print, click here.