Author: jvbalawen

BY: NIKKI GATCHALIAN, VINCENT LAGLIVA, AND GELINE ORTIZ

https://drive.google.com/file/d/198RNffjrWUbu_UQb9cERd4VfNH2hnxzY/view?usp=drivesdk

Isn’t it weird to think that it’s already the end of the semester? If you come to think of that, you have endured a lot in the process just within four months. But nevertheless, it was a journey that you were able to survive.

Even though the first semester has ended, you have about eight (0r so) more to go. For you to be motivated in your dream, always remember these ideas whenever a semester starts anew.

Focus on what you dreamed of. Ever remember that time at the middle of the night when you received an e-mail telling you that you were admitted to the University? Do you still remember that time when you only had three days to accomplish your needed papers for enrollment, find a suitable dorm, and pack your things up before you leave home? Do you still remember why you chose to study in UP? It is all because you were on focus. No matter what challenged was placed in you at the start, don’t ever stop. Just keep on working and focus in achieving that dream of yours.

Work together, not against each other. The University may be threatening at first glance; seeing people coming from different backgrounds especially with high and greatly recognized achievements. The people you meet may seem hard to socialize with, but try to do it anyways. In this battlefield of ours, it is not good to fight rather help each other. Everyone of us are fighting the dream so we should work hand-in-hand in achieving that dream. No man is an island.

Procrastinate, only if you can. Yes, some habits must be removed in order for you to become productive, but by modulating that habit, you may be able to work productively and have some ample time for your leisure. Procrastinating may sound bad but if you are able to work against the clock, then it would be okay. Just don’t make it a regular habit.

Explore beyond your horizons. The community in the University is very different compared to where you came from. Don’t be bothered by that but take that as an opportunity to explore. The people you meet in UP are the ones who can help you to grow. Make connections and explore out into the world of a supportive society.

Be happy and proud. No matter what the challenge comes to you in college, you will be able to surpass it. Always remember to be positive whatever thing may come and be proud that you are an Isko; a future public servant to the Nation.

You have a long way to go, but no matter what happens, you will be able to reach that dream and mark that goal.

It’s so great to think that I have stayed in the University for a whole semester now. Knowing myself how I endured those four months of doing constant reviews, tasks, and activities, there are things that have changed within me.

Specifically as a development communicator in training, I could say that I have really developed a part of me for such a small span of time. With working on papers and essays, it has build my skills to communicate and it has developed some of the qualities which a devcom practitioner should inherit.

In comparison to a past self-review, there are certain qualities and skills which I think has improved in me.

When working upon my delegated tasks, it has always come to a point in me to become more curious on the different things presented. My subjects have taught me to question topics not only in its surface but ask to it what lies beyond it.

Besides being curious, it is okay to become imaginative; seeing different perspectives upon a certain idea. Having a broad but vivid imagination helps to understand the problem and see to it how certain factors affect it. Being imaginative also helps to present thoughts into ways that people can be able to understand.

The last quality that has greatly improved within me is my interest to serve and love people. Being able to take the footsteps of those who are deprived of basic needs and rights, you are able to see how life is upon their lens. Becoming one of them has made me realize that in any action that I do, I must serve it with a purpose for the people.

When we talk about skills, I think that I have greatly improved in my ways to gather data as well as writing clearly and effectively. These skills which are the pre and post writing processes for me are the skills that really developed making me present information that are relatable and can be easily consumed by any person.

In summary, this semester has made me break certain barriers that hindered me once in reaching my full potential. Now that I have reached the end of my first-ever semester, I think that I am prepared much more for the coming days of my college life. I still have a lot of challenges to come, but I am not afraid to break those barriers.

Any student or professional can see that working upon the multiple loads for one’s plan or goal can really stress themselves out.

For students, this has always been a continuous feeling in their academic life. Assignments, activities, projects, and those personal goals are what gives them the feeling that one cannot completely work greatly again for the things they work upon. Add deadlines into the mix and you get an overly stressed out individual at hand.

Surely, the things you work upon are really stressful, but try to take time to squeeze yourself out of the chaos and take time to relax and chill out.

Relaxation is an activity which helps to release tension upon the body; whether it happens physically, emotionally, or mentally. By relaxing, you are able to calm yourself and rewiring the mind to become organized which in turn helps to become more productive in working upon your activities and tasks.

That is why here are some tips that you can adopt in your habit for you to be able to chill, as taught by the lovely “White Chicks”.

Eat your heart out.

Food has always been a great buddy when you feel alone or stressed out. It helps to give you energy after a tiring day; empowering you to work for the days ahead.

Just an example, chocolate and coffee helps to calm the system and stimulate the body to become productive again.

Play your favorite game.

Science has also proven this idea that playing games can relieve your stress and make you feel better. Games help by occupying your time and letting yourself de-stress by playing in another world. Just make sure you don’t let your games consume your time in making your assignments and activities.

Stretch and dance!

Who says dancing isn’t relaxing? By performing various movements while following the beats of the music, your body gets stretched which in turn relaxes those joints and muscles that have been immobile for some time.

For some, dancing has been a way for them to relax. Making random movements along the rhythm of the songs help you to release those physical tensions within your body.

By this way, you are able to get loose and make some moves!

Spend time with your friends and family.

It’s always a good moment to relax with the people you know. By talking with the people you love, you are able to release those stressful nerves and have them help you with positive messages of and conversations which you’ll surely enjoy.

It is even great to talk with people whom you know have the same thing you experience; at least in this way you are able to share those feelings and convert them into happy thoughts.

Treat yourself.

And most importantly, always treat yourself. After working for such a heavy week, it is important for you to treat yourself in anyway that you like, whether it is by shopping, organizing, or any of the tips mentioned above.

Giving yourself a reward helps you to become motivated to work for another week to come by.

So, what are you waiting for? Don’t just sit there and be like a Vandergald stressing herself out of the moment, be like a Wilson gal who never takes stress a part of her life!

Inspiration: White Chicks (2004)

Sources: Giphy and Tenor

Exams you take in college are really different compared to high school. Answering the questions doesn’t revolve upon the terms discussed but also applying it to hypothetical situations that are deemed common to the people’s experience.

As hard as it looks, the questions are actually simple and only needs simple and direct answers.

Basing from experience, these are ways on how you can prepare for the exam:

always listen in class

This comes as the most basic but the most critical in preparing for the exam. By listening in discussions, you are able to maximize the knowledge you gained which helps to lessen your time for reviewing in the future.

expect the unexpected

Even the smallest details become an answer to hard questions. Try to remember the terms especially when they are highlighted during discussions. Every word or phrase is important.

apply not memorize

The exam does not follow the typical questions of memorized terms; it is more on application. When you memorize, try to apply the idea or concept that you’ve learned. In that way, you’ll be able to understand the concepts discussed.

rest to de-stress

Don’t stress yourself. Take time to rest every time you recall the ideas discussed. A mind in a calm state can help you to remember further.

motivate yourself

Always think that you can pass it. By motivating yourself, you are driving your mind to recall more and it helps you to not worry about the exam.

Taking the exams can really be a stressful experience, but with a positive thinking and a clear sense of mind, you will surely ace your exams.

Gathering information is one of the most important skills a development communicator must possess. By doing this skill into action, development communicators are able to form the foundation of their works/outputs.

To develop this skill, we were tasked by our dear professor to gather certain details for creating a community directory. With my fellow groupmates Evangeline Ortiz and Desiree Mindanao, we were able to perform this task in our assigned barangay named Malinta.

At first, we had thought that it would be a daunting task; talking with government officials, gathering information about their barangay, and forming the barangay’s directory. But in the end, the fear of performing the task was actually simple and fast.

As students studying under development communication, this will be one of the tasks by which helps to develop the skill of gathering information.

Developing this skill needs SAYA in order to get the right and proper details.

Smile. This is a simple action which helps you to create a first impression; it helps to greet and engage the person you wish to get information. Also, by doing this move, it helps to make you feel good in making your move to gain knowledge and helps make other people interact with you.

Alert. In other similar actions, it means being professional. By being alert, you are acting as suppose to what a professional is; by helping to understand your reason as well satisfying the need of others to help you on your quest for information.

Yearn for information. It also means being inquisitive. Surely this is the most important ingredient for you to gather information as it becomes your motivation; the drive that quenches your thirst for information.

Attention to detail. It is simple but critical. Looking upon certain infos and triangulating the right data helps to clarify the information that you need to work upon. It helps to guide you in the path by which you must take.

Overall, creating conversations to start our quest to gather information was a definite challenge by which we had to perform but by applying SAYA into our actions, we clearly have been able to gain the right information needed for our field work.