Author: gelaybrotonel

We’ve all heard this cliché line before: “Saka na ako mag-aaral. Kaya ko na yan.” But, does it really work? Do last-minute cramming help students to thrive in their tests? Well, not all. Luckily, here are some tips to help you prepare for and/or surviving DevCom exams.  

Review your lessons every day. 

This helps you retain and understand all the information without hassle knowing that it was just freshly discussed with your professor. Additionally, you’re doing yourself a favor because this will help you avoid the “cramming stage” of your studying.    

If something is not clear about the lesson, don’t be afraid to ask questions to your professor or to your classmates.  

Sometimes, students tend to be ashamed of consulting their professors whenever they didn’t understand something from the lesson. Thus, it makes it harder for them during the exam. Always remember that it is okay to not know everything. Learn how to ask for help.  

Attend free reviews that are organized by your college.  

Take advantage of the free tutorials and reviews that your organization/college is offering you. This does not just help you to prepare for your exam, but also gives you the chance to ask tips and strategies from your upperclassmen.  

If you happen to miss those kinds of reviews, try to make your own mock exams. 

This strategy was tried and tested by yours truly and it was helpful during the exam season. These sample exams were all based on the lessons of the professor. That way, you’re able to know the things that you still need to improve and study further.  

Have a rest day.  

Don’t push yourself too much. Make sure that you have enough sleep before taking the exam. This will help your mind to be relaxed and stress-free. 

Bonus: If all else fails, PRAY. It’s the most powerful tool you could ever have.   

As a writer, it is imperative that we are familiar with our community. And as development communicators it is our way of understanding the situation in the community in order for us to truly serve their needs.

In a group of three, only one hails from Laguna but honestly, even he was not familiar with the barangay assigned to them. It was a totally new experience for them to travel to a small barangay near the the beautiful lake of Laguna. Barangay Tadlac is a small barangay along the border of Calamba and Los Banos along with other small barangays.

In order to provide the following data, the group decided to use the method of a face-to-face interview. It was way easier to get the information in that exact manner. The assigned person of Brgy. Tadlac was also accommodating and welcoming. She even gave us a printed output of all the information that we need. Additionally, unlike the other groups, we were not required to provide a letter. That is why we didn’t have much difficulty gathering the data. Aside from the data required, we also found out about upcoming activities of the barangay for the community in which will be helpful for us to identify the needs of the community through those programs. This activity also served as an opportunity for us to observe the community and determine where it’s at in development.

Here are some tips to effectively and appropriately gather data from your local barangay:

• Research. Before going to the barangay, make sure you know how to get there and where to go in order to get the information you need.
• Documents. Provide the necessary papers, letters, or requirements if the office requires you to in order to provide you with the information you need.
• Tools. Bring the necessary tools for data gathering such as a pen, notebook, audio recorder, camera, and such.
• Manners. Be polite and have the confidence enough to ask questions or for clarifying information. Also, be patient and flexible enough to adjust to the office policies because sometimes they would ask you to schedule an appointment to maximize your visit and gather the needed data.

• 

As a development communicator in-training, finding a development-oriented topic is such a difficult task for me. Not only is it hard to find but also it is very confusing to differentiate it from other types of news. Fortunately, as I gathered information, I’ve come to realize the differences and characteristics that make a topic a development-oriented. Here’s what I got:  

Purposive. By this, it only means that a development-oriented topic isn’t just something that provides information to the readers. Instead, it seeks to achieve larger objectives, such as social justice, improving health, education and lastly, bringing people together. It also serves as the voice of those people who are in need of telling their own stories. (George, 2009) Additionally, it should also be aligned to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals and the 4 E’s of Development Communication: Empowerment, Environment, Entrepreneurship, and Equity.  

Promotive. Sharing and interpreting the facts to the readers shouldn’t be the only task a development journalist should accomplish in his news topic. He/she should also know how to promote it and bring them home to the readers. It must bring realization to them how serious the development problem is. With that, it would help them think about the problem, help them to be open about the possible solutions and lastly, could bring them together in putting action towards the problem. (Chalkley, 1968) 

Participative. In connection with the second characteristic, a development-oriented topic involves the people. It gives focuses on the totality of real-life situations. To put it more simply, it allows the people to talk. After all, the community is the most important thing when it comes to development.  

All things considered, a development-oriented topic highlights what the people are trying to do to transform and improve their lives. Obviously, with the help of communication.  

References:  

https://www.theguardian.com/journalismcompetition/professional-what-is-development-journalism

http://filmsforliberation.com/Fillfullarticle.aspx?Article=240

• 

When I entered UP, I was slapped by the truth that I’m not that smart or bright. Harworking? Industrious? Well, I could be. But, smarter than anyone here? That’s a big NO for you, self. “UPCAT UPCAT ka pa dyan e.” Sounds funny but true. So, why am I even here? I’m literally lacking a lot of things compare to other students in my batch. However, it came to my mind that lacking things is okay. When you lack skills and capabilities, you become more open for new learnings, improvements and experiences; experiences that will mold you into a better person than you used to be. 

To give you a clearer image of what I perceive myself as, here is a self-assessment for my qualities and skills as a media writer with the use of the UP Grading System:  

Qualities of a Media Writer:  

1. Curious or inquisitive – 2  
2. Intelligent – 2  
3. Industrious – 2 
4. Resourceful – 2 
5. Persevering – 2 
6. Imaginative – 1 
7. Puts a premium on accuracy and truth – 2 
8. Loves to read – 1 
9. Interested in and loves people – 2 
10. Service-oriented – 2 

Skills of a Media Writer:  

1. Gathering data – 3 
2. Validating and clarifying information – 2 
3. Organizing information – 2 
4. Writing clearly and effectively – 2 
5. Proficiency in the operation of communication tools/devices – 2 

“I thought you don’t think highly of yourself. Why grade yourself a flat one?”, you might ask. Giving myself a flat one for being imaginative and my love for reading doesn’t mean I’m better than anyone else. It only means that I really give value to those qualities and that is where I’m confident at. These qualities serve as a good foundation when I start to write things; may it be about an event, a person or just random things. My love for reading is that thing that pushes me to continue what I started. It serves as my motivation and booster to create something that, I, myself will have fun reading in. But as you can see, there are still a lot of qualities and skills that need improvements for myself. One of those is my ability to gather data. As a communication student, gathering data is a must in developing an accurate and commendable paper. However, I easily get contented with the information that I have gathered. I stopped seeking information when I found something better. But what about the BEST? That is why, I would like to use my time here as development-communicator in-training to learn and improve more when it comes to my ability to gather data. 

I still have a long way to go. There’s no use to rush things. I just need to be more open to criticism and judgements that life may throw. And from there, I might pick something out that could help me build myself more and my identity as a media writer.

I am not at my best yet, but I’ll get there.  

• 

My top five insights/learnings from my first four weeks of stay here in UPLB:

I am here because I deserve to be here. From the first four weeks of my stay here in UPLB, I was confused; not ecstatic, not nervous, not proud but confused. Confused in a way that I was questioning myself. I was surrounded by a lot of students who aren’t like me: top achievers of their batch, members of their school paper, volunteers of an organization, participants in competitions. Then, there was me, standing stiffly, anxious and nervous. Let’s say, I felt out of place. What am even I doing here? Should I be here? I’m just a nobody. But I was wrong. I’m not JUST a nobody. Yes, I may not have those kinds of achievements, but I do have skills, passion, effort and perseverance. I deserve to be here.  

Don’t be afraid to experience failure. Want to be great? Stop being afraid to fail. There are times that people tend to avoid mistakes or rejections. They see failure as negative, something to be avoided. But, little did they know, failure is just a steppingstone for success. Thomas Eddison? Experienced failure. Steve Jobs? Experienced failure.  JK Rowling? Experienced failure. Even our favorite celebrities have gone through hardships and failures. But look at where they are right now. Failure is simply the chance to start again. As I’ve entered college, I’ve realized that for you to survive here, you should be brave enough to face every challenge given to you. It’s not enough if you have the wit and talent. You should also have perseverance in your heart for you to overcome everything. Failure is just part of life. It is an opportunity to improve.  

Come to class prepared. When I was in senior high school, studying my lessons only happen when examination days are vastly approaching. I’d pull an all nighter just to review every details of the topic in one subject. But two years later, as I’ve entered college, I was not only welcomed with a culture shocking environment, but also with the fact that every day is an examination day. “Bring out ¼ sheet of paper.” Okay, hello darkness, my old friend. But seriously speaking, after that incident of not knowing what to answer, I’ve started to review all the lessons that was taught that same day to prepare myself for the next meeting. That way, I won’t be left behind and would also help me remember the lessons easily.  

It’s not a competition. College is not a marathon. Having that kind of mindset is very unhealthy and draining. You don’t have to be better than your classmates. It is more important to give focus on the things that you still need to improve and not on the things that you lack. Comparing yourself to others won’t lead you anywhere. It will only plant doubts and insecurity in your heart. Remember, you’ll get there when you get there.  

Lastly,  

Family is everything. Before, entering college is one thing that I’ve been looking forward to when I was in high school. I have this image of fun and freedom in my mind; a breath of fresh air. However, it occurred to me that college also means, being away from my family. Every night, homesickness hugs me until I fell asleep. I can’t fathom the feeling of not having my sister with me beside my bed, or my mother who likes to nag me about household chores, or even hearing my father playing the piano. College may be exciting and all but it’s at the same time, a sad phase for me. That is why, I always grab the opportunity go home, when given the chance. All the stress and anxiety brought by college vanishes when I’m home.  

• 

What a student chooses to have in their bag can say a lot about their personality and their degree program. So, to prove this hypothesis, I decided to ask my friends as to what their must-haves are. I expected replies like a T-square for a Civil Eng. student, a highlighter and a notebook for a med student, computer for a ComSci student and a lab coat for a VetMed student. But I didn’t receive those kinds of answers. Instead, they just gave me playful answers such as “utak with large capacity”, “readings”, “bunganga”, “large attention span”, “sleep”, and “preparedness”. Oh, well. I guess I’ll just do the PROPER talking.

So, here is a peek inside the bag of a Development Communication Student.

My top 5 must-have items:

A pen and a paper. Others tend to have their smartphones as their top must-have, but not for me. Classically writing information is what I opt to do. There are times that ideas just flow out of my hand when I started holding a pen. Plus, there are no distractions from your phone, may it be a text, a call, or a simple notification. Jotting down notes also helps me remember all the information I’ve just gathered.

Smartphone. I’ll sound a hypocrite if I say that I don’t need smartphones. First of all, smartphones are called smartphones because they are one. You can use it in taking pictures and videos, record, contact someone, receive emails or maybe even knowing where to go. Want convenience during interviews? Smartphones are your go-to.

Earphones. Noises can’t be helped. Mostly, during interviews, noises tend to degrade the quality of your audio. With the use of earphones, it improves the sound quality without compromising anything from the interview that you are conducting. Earphones are also important when transcribing.

Laptop. This is a need when it comes to transferring your files from your phone. It is way easier to compile, transcribe, and edit information through a computer or a laptop because of its features and capacity containing various software such as Microsoft Word.

Camera. Yes, phones also have a built-in camera but, sometimes, the quality that it has isn’t enough. You won’t like a picture on Instagram if it isn’t in a high definition, right? Additionally, cameras tend to have larger sensors that ensure a good quality picture. You could also depend on them when shooting moving objects but still receive an amazing shot.

She loves to write, to scribble down notes in her notebook or just write letters out of everything. Give her some pen and she’ll do the magic. She has a deep relationship with words, I must say. But just like other relationships, she also experienced some spats, misunderstandings and changes all throughout however, giving up wasn’t in her vocabulary. So, did they live happily ever after? No, not yet.

Six years ago, Geraldine Lolong Brotonel, a young girl who lives in the province of Batangas, discovered that she could also be happy with other things. That’s when she learned how to appreciate the art of drawing. Geraldine did all she can do to get it. Following accounts that features buildings and designs also helped. She even took the STEM Strand in senior high school knowing that it would lead her closer to her dream. So, when it was time for her to submit her college application forms, Bachelor of Science in Architecture became her first choice. But, I guess things have to happen. You’re right. She didn’t make it through the cut in her desired university with that course. Still, Geraldine persisted. Hoping that destiny would be on her side, she tried with another university, the University of the Philippines. It was Monday back then when she heard the news that UPCAT results are now available. Buckets of tears flowed inside her room when she saw her name on the list of UPCAT passers. She passed. It’s good news, right? Unfortunately, she only got the DPWAS (Degree Program with Available Slot) status meaning she didn’t make it through the cut-offs, again.

As a young girl who only saw Architecture as her job in the future, Geraldine seemed to be lost. Confusion and doubt was all over her face. Just then, one call from the OUR of UPLB change her mind. She was offered a slot for the course of Development Communication. At first, she was hesitant to accept it. She forgot what it means to have a connection with words. Clueless of what outcome it could bring, Geraldine took Bachelor of Science in Development Communication and her heart had never been so happy.

She is home.