How do you know that you have improved? After every task, we reflect on how well did we performed. We try to identify our mistakes and take note of the good things we have done. It is important to reflect on our performance to make room for improvements. As this semester finally comes to an end, I think about the things I’ve done to finish this semester successfully. I also take note of the bad habits I had on the past semester so that I won’t do it again on the next semester. Sometimes I think to myself, “Did I change for the better this year?”
Back when I was in high school, I wasn’t the ideal student. Although I am an honor student, my mother would always tell me that I could’ve done better only if I wasn’t that lazy. She was right because I only study when there’s an upcoming quiz or exam and sometimes I do my homework when in class the day of the deadline. As soon as I knew that I will be studying in UP, my dream school, I told myself that I wouldn’t mess up this chance. I promised myself that I will put more effort into studying because cramming and being lazy won’t work in the university.
At the beginning of the past semester, I admit that I don’t have a huge attention span when it comes to reading. As a development communicator in training or as a student in general, I must love reading because there’s a lot to learn for a student like me. I was beyond shocked when we were given readings that are too long for me. As expected, I don’t have that willingness to read. I told myself that I wouldn’t pass my subjects if I don’t wake up and start being industrious in reading all those readings. Being in UP inspired me to improve myself and I can say that my willingness to read for learning has become better even just a little bit. Back then, you won’t see me holding textbooks. I’d rather read novels, still with much difficulty, than textbooks and hand outs. Today, although I still won’t read during my free time if it’s not required, I started teaching myself to read a lot by starting with long novels.
Starting the past semester, I remember being confident with my skills in operating communication tools/devices. Being millennial really has its perks because we can easily learn how to operate gadgets that are new to us. I can say that I enjoyed learning about different communication tools/devices. I learned techniques on how to use camera in different kinds of audio visual media we wish to make. I also learned how to use Adobe Photoshop with the help of my sister and YouTube. I can say that I am more than willing to learn about different communication tools/devices because I really enjoy learning a lot about this kind of stuff.
We’ve written a lot of papers this semester. I cannot imagine how I managed to finish all those papers and how I still have words left to write. One thing I realized after writing a lot of papers is that validating and clarifying information is the most crucial part. Writing is easy, but writing effectively can be difficult. Effectively – meaning stating facts that are clear and validated and writing with these facts in a manner that anyone can easily understand. We don’t just write to finish an assignment, we always write with a purpose.
I did well this semester but I can do better. There’s always room for improvement and I believe that everyone should move forward. As an Iskolar ng Bayan, we should seize this privilege given to us by giving our best every day we spend in UP. Remember that the only permanent thing in this world is change. We should change but it must always be for the better.
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