During July and August 2000, CDTL administrative staff members, under the leadership of Research Assistant Ms Chandrama Acharya, were a familiar sight at lecture theatres across NUS. With the kind cooperation of various lecturers, we were handing out survey forms to as many First Year students as possible at the end of lecture periods. Completed usually within 15 minutes, the survey consisted of 2 sections: (1) a Study Process Questionnaire to discover how students approach learning; and (2) a Survey of Needs for Achievement to assess what motivates students to achieve.

This CDTL study is not a one-off affair. Aimed at creating a comprehensive profile of the NUS student, it is a 3-year longitudinal study that is supported by a substantial research grant from NUS. The 2000/2001 cohort will be surveyed annually throughout their stay at NUS, the last review to be carried out in 2003. In this way, we hope to understand how students perceive learning at the beginning of their tertiary education as well as find out if the students’ experience in NUS will have an effect of his/her approach to learning. To complete this massive undertaking, we at CDTL look forward to the continued support and cooperation of all NUS teaching staff over the next few years.