u/BreadfruitQuirky2372

I recently completed my first attempt at the GRE and received an unofficial score of 163V 155Q. This post is a means for me to reflect while the testing experience is still fresh, and also as a form of accountability for my future self!

Reflections:

• To be extremely frank, I can't be disappointed by my results because my studying was lackadaisical. I did not put in the effort required for a higher score (especially in Quant).
• I prepared for the GRE during a rare window where I had a break between graduating from college and starting an intense job. Thus, my focus was on resting and travelling, which meant that I actively deprioritised prep.

Timeline and resource:

• Studied for a month - initially highly inconsistent + I didn’t put in the hours; I ramped up closer to the exam date

Practice test results:

• PP2 (no background on GRE): 155V/155Q
• Magoosh: 158V/158Q/5.5AWA
• PPP2: 161V/156Q/5AWA

Testing experience:

• Check the requirements for your local test center! The reporting time for the test center was different from what ETS states in the reminder email. Moreover, the test center only accepted one form of identification (while ETS stated that various forms of ID were accepted for my country).
• My program crashed midway through the second Quant section and it required a few minutes to restart... accidents happen

Moving forward/Other thoughts:

• I will definitely retake the GRE at some point! However, my future plans are quite nebulous: I have no idea if I'll still be interested in grad school a few years later, and my timeline for applying is up in the air. I expect to gain some clarity after spending time in the workforce.
• Similar to going to the gym, the GRE is something where you need to put in the reps. I didn't do that and it clearly shows in my Q score.
• Quant wise, I plan to relearn my fundamentals. My approach was super spotty in that I didn't systematically go through each topic; rather, I focused on the topics that I was weaker in and jumped across various concepts for other areas. I will definitely be more thorough in the future.

While this was a painful lesson, I don't regret the time that I took to leisure and travel. Personally, I felt that these extended periods of rest are going to be hard to come by, and I would rarely ever have the same level of flexibility. Regardless, I do have to take accountability for the trade-offs from my actions, and I will prepare for my next attempt with a more focused approach.

If grad school is still in my future plans a couple of years from now, I hope to provide an updated check-in with improved scores!

Late night question: I’m curious about where & how do people meet romantic matches outside of dating apps, especially if one is no longer in school/higher ed?

Off the top of my head, I’m thinking:

• work (personally not a fan of shitting where you eat)
• circles of association (mutual friends)
• hobbies
• sheer luck(?)

From my personal experience, most couples met each other via either/both of these methods, so I was wondering if other people have had different experiences - esp considering sg’s context and dating culture.

Edit 2: Thank you for all the replies - I will seize the chance to make more memories while I have this precious pocket of time :)

I have a month off before starting work and have been torn between two options on how to spend my time:

Travel

I’ve already had a grad trip, but it’d be fun to travel again! I do have sufficient savings but the price of last minute flights makes me hesitate. My family does not allow me to travel within SEA, so I am looking at ANZ or Europe, though ofc this is much more expensive than staying in the region. (I’ve tried convincing them and coming up all sorts of compromises but to no avail…) At the same time, I’m aware that it will be a long while before I can have this level of freedom again.

Stay and explore SG

Wander the city as a local - F&B, bars, try new fitness studios etc. My reservations are that a) the humidity is especially unbearable at the moment b) and it feels like everywhere has crowds. I’ve tried going to libraries but it’s almost always packed.

If anyone has recommendations for off-beaten/less crowded locations, please let me know! Thank you :)

Edit: 24F - I like art, literature, history, cafes, and have visited most spots in SG

Background: This was a grad trip to celebrate the end of college!

Highlights (Mel):

• Coffee: The density and quality of good coffee is unmatched in comparison to anywhere else I’ve been to. I’ve never drank so much coffee over many days, but I have zero regrets. Back at home, there are limits to dine-in timing, so I was pleasantly surprised that I could read/people watch/stare into space without being chased. 
• NGV: I signed up for a free tour on the whim, and my guide did an amazing job at providing a concise summary of art history while interweaving it with artworks in the gallery. I felt that the collection provided both breadth and depth without being overwhelming - which is much easier said than done! 
• State Library: I spent some time journalling in the iconic reading room just to soak up the atmosphere. Would totally go back 
• Day trip to the Great Ocean Road: I signed up for a day tour to visit the 12 Apostles and various stops along the way. Needless to say, the sights were amazing - and my tour guide was informational and great at fostering an open atmosphere, where I got to know the other tour attendees. We also spotted some wild kangaroos!

 

Highlights (Syd):

• Walking tour: I found it to be a fantastic way to start my travels. It provided great context for the many sights that I saw for the rest of my time in Sydney. 
• Blue Mountains and Wentworth Falls: Even though I’m not a huge nature person, can you really say that you’ve visited Australia if you didn’t check out some nature? I took the steep incline down to the bottom of Wentworth Falls and it was lovely to hear the sounds of the waterfall. 
• Koalas and Kangaroos: I have always had mixed feelings towards visiting zoos due to the ethics surrounding them, so I was more selective in my choice of location, and wanted to make sure that it was a place that contributed positively to animal welfare. It was really nice to get up close with some wildlife!! Koalas and kangaroos are such weird and wonderful animals hahaha. 
• Second-Hand Bookstores: No solo trip of mine is complete without visiting second hand bookstores! I loved Sappho Books - they have a great selection across several genres at good prices, and I would say that it’s one of the better second hand bookstores I’ve visited across my travels!

 

Finances: 

I spent around 3.9k USD or 5.4k AUD and self-financed it through my savings. This was less than I had budgeted for because I didn’t have the energy to stay out late, so I didn’t experience as much much nightlife. I was also not particularly drawn to the dining options, so I usually ate breakfast/brunch outside and cooked dinner. However, I struggled with balancing between saving versus spending more on food/experiences, and I leaned too much to the former this time, which makes me mildly regretful.

General Thoughts:

• I learnt more about the history of the Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders, and I walked away with a much greater awareness of the complex history of Australia. 
• It's been a while since I've done a solo trip, and this reminded me of why I fell in love with it in the first place. I felt the anticipation and excitement of being in an entirely new environment by myself and having complete autonomy. I even savoured everyday moments, like dragging my luggage in a square in Melbourne because I was new to the roads and couldn't figure out where the bus stop was. As the days went by, I observed how I began slowly adapting to the environment. While there was a sense of satisfaction in becoming familiar with the space and knowing what paths to walk, I also felt a sense of wistfulness. It was like watching time slip through my fingers.
• Joining day trips/walking tours are a great way to meet new people as a solo traveller! I was fortunate enough to meet folks from all over the world and hear about their journeys. 
• I was not used to how early Aussies started and ended the day. As a night owl, it was a shock to see cafes opening at 7am and closing at 3pm (in Melbourne). My sleep schedule was wrecked for the entire trip, which also meant that I didn’t have the energy and time to visit other parts of Sydney.
• Personally, I found the folks whom I spoke with to be immensely warm. Having worked in F&B, I understand that there is an expectation(?) for service staff to be friendly, but this extended even to my interactions with locals and tradies! For that, I will always be grateful for how welcoming the Aussies were.

Overall, I had a great time, and I will definitely return for another trip in the future!