Since there are a lot of school works, please lessen your procrastination. This does not help and it only makes you stressed. Working under pressure is really hard. If you have the time to finish your requirements, do it immediately so that your works will not pile up. This will test your time management skills.
When it comes to going to school and attending classes, you should always be prepared especially with your lessons. Try to read beforehand so that you will have an idea of what you will tackle in class. Also, focus (lessen your use of phone) and always listen to your professor during discussion because they always add important information that’s not in the PowerPoint slides.
Take it easy. Don’t pressure yourself just because others are doing better than you. Just do your best and if the result is not that great, it is okay. You can do better next time. Failure doesn’t define you. It’s part of your college life and this will serve as a lesson and motivation to continue doing better and with improvement.
Do not forget to relax and have fun. It’s really a must when you’re so stressed with your acads. You can take a break and chill for a bit. This can help you gain more energy so that you can function properly. Spending time with family and friends can also help a lot. Having your own support group can really be a big help especially when you lack motivation to do things. They can push you to strive harder.
The University of the Philippines held an annual Christmas Lighting ceremony, Pasko sa Elbi: Isang Pasasalamat, on November 19, 2019.
The ceremony, hosted by the Office of Initiatives in Culture and the Arts and Office of the Chancellor, started at 5:30 PM. Different performances from Choral Ensemble, Dr. Antonio Quilloy, UPLB Street Jazz Dance Company, and UPLB Filipiniana Dance Troupe were presented during the program.
Here is a video of the UPLB’s Christmas Lighting Ceremony.
Municipality of Los Baños is a 1st class municipality in the province of Laguna, Philippines. Los Baños has been proclaimed by Presidential Proclamation No. 349 as the Special Science and Nature City of the Philippines. Los Baños is a well-known tourist destination, not only for its importance in academics, science and research. Due to the proximity of the town to Metro Manila, the hot spring resorts of Los Baños are frequent weekend or summer getaways for residents of the vast metropolis and tourists from other places in the Philippines and abroad.
After all the stress and pressure because of academics, it’s important to find time to relax, chill and have a break. All of us have different kinds of coping with stress and here are some of my ways on how to unwind or destress:
Sleeping.
Since I lack sleep because of studying, sleeping is really a must for me. I need to rest both my body and mind from all the stress and pressure I’ve experienced. Sleeping for me is somehow an escape from reality. When I’m asleep, my mind is at peace.
Spending time with loved ones.
Nothing beats when I get to hang around with my family and friends. Their love and presence makes me at ease. When there are times that I feel like giving up, they are my source of strength and happiness. I tend to forget my stress and worries by chatting and laughing with them. I get positive vibes and emotional support from them which are really a big help in improving the way I feel overall.
Eating.
Eating is also one of my ways to cope with stress and I know that most of the students can relate to this because food is life. Eating foods that would satisfy my cravings helps lessen my stress and makes me feel better. This also serves as a treat and reward to myself.
Watching Netflix.
I enjoy watching my favorite movies and series like 50 First Dates, The Time Traveler’s Wife, and Lucifer because they lighten up my mood and help relieve my stress. Once I started watching, it’s hard for me to stop especially when there are some cliffhangers because I become curious to what will happen next. I like watching movies or series with romance or action genre. I feel different kinds of emotions depending on the type of movie I watch. It also helps me in coping my stress because some of their shows are very lightweight and positive.
In the end, we have different ways in coping with stress. Taking a break from academics to destress and unwind is really a must. It can help us relax and regain energy for us to function better. Do no exhaust yourself too much. You’re the one who knows yourself best. When you feel tired or exhausted, rest. Remember that your physical and mental health are both important so always take care of yourself.
I interviewed a former UPLB student, Ms. Irene Marie L. Malabanan. She is a BS Human Ecology graduate of Batch 2005 and major in Social Technology. She shared some of her key lessons and experiences during her 4-year stay in the campus. She’s also currently taking up MS in Development Management and Governance in UPLB.
Ms. Irene said that during her college days, her professors always told them, “Hindi kami scholar ng bayan, we are scholar para sa bayan.” It has a different meaning. They became scholar because after that, they need to give back and serve the country. Since the government invested with the taxes of the people to support the students, it should not be put into waste. That’s what they were instilled back in college. She said that in her course, the focus is more development-oriented so they were exposed to different development issues experienced by the community.
During her second year in college, they had their community immersion with the Dumagats in Tanay, Rizal. They learned about the struggles of the indigenous people group, like not being able to read and write since they didn’t have the opportunity to study. She was already exposed to that kind of community issues at an early age. She said that it was a fun experience since they were exposed to such problems and at the same time, they can already apply the theories and principles that are being taught to them directly with the partners of the college. Even after graduation, that was still the career path that she wanted to pursue. She said that it was helpful since it also improves your thinking skills.
“Napaka holistic ng approach ng university. Hindi lang siya basta purely academic, but pinapakita na eto yung pwede mo maging career path, eto yung magiging impact kapag alam mo yung ganito pag may tama kang foundation. It’s not all in the head lang.”
It should be a humbling experience. They said that it’s easy to enter the university but it’s really hard to get out because with the training of your skills, the process is rigorous. It’s not only about intelligence but the passion and perseverance as well. The university really hone the skills of the students. In UP, when your professor discussed something, you shouldn’t be like a sponge that only absorbs what was given to you. You are being challenged to think critically and try to question things. It gives you the freedom to express yourself and give your own opinion about the topic.
Your interpersonal skills are also being enhanced because
you are exposed to different kinds of people. When it comes to the outside
world, you’ll be dealing with people younger and older than you. Your critical
thinking skills are also being tested.
“So parang utak at puso talaga siya kase you’re given a lot of information, knowledge but at the same time tinuturo din sayo yung heart to serve your country. To serve the people. That’s why you’re there, that’s why you’re chosen to be in the university kase ayun yung purpose mo. Ikaw yung hope na makakatulong sa iba. Use your skills wisely.”
When asked about what tips she can give to the current UP students now, she said, “Be humble. Yes, you have the intelligence but at the same time, marami ka pa ring matututunan. So, always seek for more knowledge, for more information. Be willing to learn more, to be trained kasi yun yung important when you go sa outside world. Hindi lang naman tinitingnan yung intelligence eh but the character. But if you have the good character, magta-thrive ka talaga kung san ka dalhin.”
Renee Jasmine D. Rey, a student from Laguna Science Integrated High School, is one of the aspirants from this year’s UPCAT 2020. She’s currently taking up STEM strand. She shared some of her experiences before and after taking the UPCAT examination.
She said that during her preparation for UPCAT, she didn’t really feel nervous but when she’s about to take the exam, that’s when the anxious feeling finally hit her. She suppressed her tense for her not to panic but she realized that it’s not right because she experienced extreme tense when she arrived at the testing center. She felt like crying because of the anxiety she had. “Tapos before din nakakita ako ng pusang itim so kinabahan ako mas lalo, pero after din naman nakakita ako ng pusang itim so baka double negative ganon like baka papasa na ‘ko.” Jasmine added. She said that she even bought a rosary bracelet that she wore during the exam.
After taking the exam, she felt happy and relieved because it will now somehow lessen her burden. She can now study and procrastinate her other school works without feeling the guilt. “Pero ano pa rin, kinakabahan pa rin kase mas matagal naman ngayon yung kaba like yung bago mag-UPCAT, siguro isang oras lang ako kinabahan bago mag-UPCAT pero ngayon anim na buwan akong kakabahan. Sooo, ayon.” she added.
From the start, she really wants to study in UP and become one of the Iskolars ng Bayan since she knows that this school will really help her grow. She also felt that UP has the tools to equip and shape her as a person and that its goals in life are directed towards the mass.
To the incoming Isko and Iska, we all know that waiting game is the hardest part of every entrance examination so focus, believe in yourself, and pray. If you passed the entrance examination make sure that you will not waste your opportunity and always remember the quotation “Para Sa Bayan.”
Since it’s just a start of a new life – new school, new environment, new and unfamiliar faces, we should just take it easy. No pressure. No rush. Keep it cool and just go with the flow but don’t let yourself be left behind.
try to socialize
Of course we’re all still freshmen, it’s normal to be shy at first but make sure to overcome it little by little so that you can interact with other people and make new friends. It’s important to have a group or at least someone you can go or hang out with because they can help you adjust and somehow feel comfortable.
trust yourself
When I entered the university, I didn’t really have much confidence because I feel that I’m not that good enough. Knowing UP, students are known to be excellent especially in academics. I felt small. I didn’t know if I can survive this journey. But I realized that God put me on this so maybe I can do it. He gave me this big opportunity to study in such a prestigious school so I need to make sure that I make the most out of it. I should study hard to earn that ‘sablay’ so that I can fulfill all my dreams and repay my parents for all the hard work they made and sacrificed for us.
time management
College is really not easy. It has a lot of deadlines and school requirements to finish. To accomplish all of it, you should know how to handle your time wisely. Yes, there will be lots of cramming and procrastination because we like enjoy ourselves first and tend to do things last minute. You can finish your works with that method but trust me, it will be a lot of stress and breakdowns because of the limited time. You push yourself too hard to finish all of the requirements in just one sitting. You may submit it on time but it will not be the ‘best’ output because of the pressure, making one prone to mistakes/errors.
take a break / rest
Since there are lost of tasks to do, you should learn to take a break or rest once in a while. Don’t yourself too hard. Make sure to rest your body and mind. This will you gain more energy and can help you function better. Make time for yourself, your family and friends. Hanging out with your loved ones can also help you de-stress.
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