This exam period has been very hectic. Glad to say that I survived it! Couldn’t have done it without some help though! Here are my lifelines

Supper helped me get through many rough and hungry patches of the night. Some nights when I need that extra boost or rather get too bored of studying and in search of anything else to do instead.

Disclaimer: The following consists of my favourite supper picks but they are so much more that I have not tried.

Extension’s Western Stall Pasta

I am not really a fan of cream pastas but I find this one quite decent! This plate of pasta is from the Western stall at one of the coffee shops near NTU where we commonly term “Extension”. You can choose to order the pasta by itself or with a piece of Mexican chicken (grilled chicken with nacho cheese). Both are equally tantalising and would make a good supper! However it would be advisable to purchase pasta from this stall only when there is no crowd. Somehow I find that the pasta tastes nicer when the Uncle is more dedicated to my one plate of pasta.

Better known as Ahlian beehoon

I love this burst of goodness tied up in a brown package. One of my favourite things I have to say. They are famous for their beehoon but I really like their fried Maggie mee as well. In the picture is the order known as ‘Standard’. When my friend tells me “I want one Standard Ah Lian”, they mean a packet of beehoon with a fried egg, a fried chicken wing and chilli. There is something about their fried egg that just makes all the other fried eggs pale in comparison. I am not even kidding. From the crispy brown parts to the white part to the yolk of the egg, somewhere, magic happens. And their chicken wing… where do I start? I think they did something to the chicken, because it is out of this world. I am not sure if I am hallucinating or whatever it just is THAT good; especially when it is fresh from the stove. Oh man simple pleasures in life.

You may be thinking: What is a big commotion over just a packet of noodles and some cheap sides? (mind my wallet, they are not exactly cheap..) during exam periods, believe me, supper is a big thing. It is probably the only thing you look forward to for the whole day; and it’s just the supper culture. Studying hard with friends and then going out to supper, enjoying that break together.

Ahlian Porridge

This one is one of my new personal favourites. This Lean Pork Porridge with Century Egg can be found at the Soup Stall. Not many know that the Soup Stall sells porridge so sadly, most of the time they get my order wrong L; but this porridge is really good! If you are looking for something piping hot on a cold night, this would be my suggestion. Sadly, it is usually not available past 1am as they may run out.

Many people will bring their jacket along if they are studying at chilly spots. The idea is to keep one warm so that we can better concentrate on studying instead. However I like to keep myself cold. I have a peculiar train of thought that if I keep myself uncomfortable; in this case cold, I will not fall asleep. May not work for the general masses but I must say that it has definitely kept me awake during the exam period

Support is very important while you are studying. With the right company and attitude, studying for finals can actually be quite an enjoyable affair. My finals have been quite an experience: late nights with my friends in the Athena study room next to the library, late nights in Hall 8 common areas with my hall friends, and basketball sessions after papers to relieve stress with my REP classmates. My REP classmates, we have come so far, but there is still quite a long way to go. Still, here’s cheers to finishing Year 1, freshmen no more, and HOLA to the summer holidays! J