Imagine starting your first day of university at 52, only to arrive late and nearly walk into the wrong classroom. Embarrassing, right? Well, that’s exactly what happened to local actor and DJ Dennis Chew, who recently kicked off his academic journey at the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS). But here’s where it gets relatable—we’ve all been there, whether it’s our first day of school or a new job, that sinking feeling of being late is universal. And this is the part most people miss: even someone as accomplished as Dennis, juggling a full-time DJ career while pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Studies, isn’t immune to the chaos of time management.
On January 12, Dennis took to Instagram to share his mixed emotions about his first day at SUSS. At 52, he admitted to feeling both nervous and excited about this new chapter. But excitement quickly turned to embarrassment when he realized he’d be 15 minutes late for his 7 pm class. ‘So embarrassing,’ he confessed, adding that he’d just ‘see how things go’ when he finally arrived. Controversial question: Is it harder for adults to manage time when returning to education, or do we just put too much pressure on ourselves?
Dennis’s flustered journey didn’t end with his tardiness. Upon reaching the campus, he rushed to what he thought was his classroom, only to be stopped by his professor, who recognized him just in time. ‘Dennis, here!’ the professor called out, prompting laughter from both Dennis and the hallway. ‘I wasn’t even at the right door!’ Dennis chuckled, turning the moment into a lighthearted anecdote. At least now, he’s guaranteed to be remembered by his professor—though perhaps not for the reason he’d hoped.
As a part-time student, Dennis’s classes run from 7 pm to 10 pm every evening, allowing him to balance his studies with his full-time DJ role at Love 972. His decision to pursue higher education at this stage of life is inspiring, but it also raises a thought-provoking question: How do we redefine success when it comes to lifelong learning, and is it ever too late to start?
If you’re curious about Dennis’s other endeavors, catch him in Kungfu Chef on mewatch or check out the video below. And while you’re at it, let us know in the comments—have you ever had a first-day-of-school disaster? Or do you think Dennis’s experience is just part of the journey? Photos: Love 972/Instagram.
