Having diskarte can get you far in life and enables you to get by even in the toughest times. There are different situations that you will eventually face but one must keep a clear mind to assess and come up with resourceful solutions.
Be yourself
It is easy to get lost in an unfamiliar place with a lot of people with different personalities. It is important that you stay true to yourself and to your purpose.
Be brave
Being out of your comfort zone is a daunting task. However, we must learn that being brave enough to explore new things can lead you to discovering a better version of yourself. Having courage—or even just faking it— is a huge step towards improvement.
Be productive
I have a lot of vacant hours in between my classes. These may seem short but that doesn’t mean that you cannot make use of it. You can use these to be productive and accomplish tasks or study required readings.
Be friendly
Being far away from home is not easy. However, having friends that you can lean on to makes it easier to adjust to your new environment. Eventually, it will not be so unfamiliar anymore and soon enough you can call it home.
In the past weeks, I built a set of learnings that I think is worth sharing with other people. It shaped me to who I need to be, to cope within the culture of UPLB.
Be Prepared. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to get through something most of the time. For example when there came a sudden change in the weather from sunny to rainy or vice versa and you did not bring an umbrella, you will suffer in getting wet. Or example in class, there will be some professors who will give surprise quizzes. If you are always well prepared, Then your life in UPLB will be just fine.
Avoid unnecessary activities. Most of the students like to postpone activities that they can do with their free time. For me, Avoiding unnecessary activities will help you in focusing with activities which are more important. You are allowed to party and celebrate sometimes but not every night. You will also be able to manage your time well with putting all the urgent priorities at the top portion of your to-do lists.
Rest is Gold. Today, it is not time alone to be the gold. Taking a break or resting can help you in balancing a busy day. As we all know, sleeping with enough hours can help us to set our mood and that we could be more lively than sleeping with lesser hours.
Learn to be independent. If in your province before have this circle of friends around you and now you don’t, learn to adjust with yourself. You may or may not build a new set of friends here in college but what is more important is that you learn to let go of the past and face the future. Actually, you will never be alone. God is with us always. We just need to pray for him.
Have fun in UPLB. If you think that the only thing in college is to study, you are wrong. There are many places around UPLB that can bring happiness to students. You can also participate in various activities from different offices and organization if you feel like joining them.
Going to college meant separation from my family for the first time. New environment, new sets of people to interact with, new school environment, everything was new thus, I had to adjust. I had to change some habits, practice time management and many more. It was hard, I always felt homesick. However, even though this one month has been stressful, it was also enjoyable. It was the start of new adventures. Studying here at UPLB also changed my perspectives and made me realize a few things.
Know your goals and priorities. Sticking to your goals will help you carry on since there will be times that we feel down/not good enough. You should also master self-motivation since you won’t always have someone by your side. Knowing what is more important will also help you in managing your time and avoid procrastination.
You need to make an effort to learn. “Bukas nalang, bahala na, tinatamad ako,” some of the usual phrases we say. In college, this kind of attitude won’t do. Lessons won’t be spoon-fed; thus, you have to work hard and grab every opportunity which will help you grow. You good at the subject? Good, but always remember that there will always be room for improvement. So, learn, learn learn!
It’s okay to ask for help. You were an “achiever” when you were in high school? That won’t matter once you enter college. You will encounter difficulties as days go by like being hard up at a particular subject. However, always remember that it’s okay to ask for help. Some organizations conduct tutor sessions; even the OSA offers tutorials; attend if you must. Some may say, “Nakakahiyang mag patutor.” But you know what’s more embarrassing? Knowing that you are lacking but denying the chance to improve just because of pride. You need help? Ask for help.
Take Care of your Health.We can’t avoid getting sleep deprived and not eating at the right time especially during heel weeks, which is kind of every week. However, never sacrifice your health for your Acads. Rest if you must. And besides, being healthy is linked to better academic performance.
Enjoy.We are all pressured to pass, sometimes forgetting to enjoy our university life. You should find time to relax, find time to unwind. Join extracurricular activities rather than devoting your time solely to your Acads.
The first four weeks of my stay here in UPLB as a Development Communication student, i felt as if I was lost. Not knowing what to do next or how to cope up. I constantly question myself if I do really deserve to be here. If I will survive being a student here. My highschool days, I was more of a ‘chill’ student, not really taking my classes that seriously, but that short span of four weeks made me realize the fact that I can not continue doing my old ways here in college. And to make my self a better person, here are some of the insights that I have learned.
Attendance is a must You should give utmost importance to your attendance in class, avoid being absent or late if it is not really necessary. Don’t sacrifice missing a class just to tend with your requirements for other classes, since you will also suffer in the end if you miss a lecture or an activity. Make sure to attend all of your classes, be physically and mentally present.
Don’t hesitate to sleep If you’re really tired and need some sleep, do so. Even if you have to review for a quiz or exam, or if you have to finish a long reading, or you have an assignment to finish, it will all mean nothing if you’re not in the right condition to do all those things since your mind can’t think clearly if its tired. Your body and mind needs rest too, you shouldn’t burn out yourself.
Manage your time effectively Avoid procrastinating, don’t wait for the deadline before you accomplish your tasks as it will just pile up. And also, in order to produce a quality work you should be able to invest your time in it. Procrastinating would only lead to stress and lack of sleep which is not good for any student.
It is okay to fail Even if you fail a quiz or even an exam, don’t thread on it too much. Just think that there will always be room for improvements. Know where you went wrong, and try to improve it so that next time you won’t be faced with the same problem.
Be confident I think this one is the most important. Growing up, my social anxiety had always been with me. The simple act of crossing the pedestrian lane would cause my social anxiety to act up, thinking that everyone was looking at me and was judging me, it made me feel small. In this course you will be needed to face and approach lots of people in terms of gathering data and conducting interviews. But if you’re not confident with yourself, how will you be able to accomplish those things? “There is nothing wrong with what your doing. You’re not embarrassing yourself. You can do this” I had to tell myself this everyday, but even then my anxiety would still sometimes get the best of me. So I’m telling you now that, be determined in facing your fears, and be confident with yourself.
“At sa dulo nitong daan, hindi man ikaw ang tahanang kinalak’han. Isa pa ring kandungang pananahanan.”
During those 4 months of vacation after Senior High School, I though I am ready. I thought I am very much prepared of the world I’ll face at college. I was wrong. I will never be prepared. This life shocked me with tons of surprises and knowing that it’s been only for a month, I cannot think that these surprises will end here, I can’t even think as to how many more wonders will I experience before truly saying that I know Elbi because I’ve experienced it firsthand.
The moment I stepped at the University of the Philippines, I felt encouraged. But the first month inside the university made me realize that this is not just any university, this is the ‘university’. The university that will make you think, react and act. This month is very unstable. One moment I thought I was okay, the next second I know there is something wrong. These scenarios brought me back to the sayings my seniors in High School who graduated in UPLB told me, “Madaling pumasok, mahirap na ang lumabas.” And so, while trying to retrieve pieces of me on where I misplaced them somewhere in my history, UPLB taught me different things along the way.
5. Major time management
When you have lots of things to do, and you are confused of which one to do first, what things to consider. You think and think but never act until time passes by and you are not able to finish anything. During this dilemma, time management is essential because it might save you from greater destruction. To each one of us, time is very important, therefore we must try and push harder in using these available seconds into something that are according to what we think is best suited for that moment. This will enhance our capability to do good, to have a better output and have no time wasted because we work efficiently. Time managing enables one person who does it the capability to have a full grasp of his/her schedule making it easier for them to move and be productive the entire day.
4. Respect is the key
Being a diverse community, UPLB offers me as a student the chance to have a glimpse of different cultures, traditions and beliefs through persons I got to meet every day. Nonetheless, communication barriers are always there so it must be viewed critically. Here is where the word respect takes place. In a society where you wander and walk to, you’ll surely encounter different types of people from different walks of life, this is a rule of nature, inevitable, and so one must know how to pay respect to one another. Through this misunderstanding is lessened, built relationship rises.
3. Being independent makes you more familiar with yourself
I am very used to being always in the house where I can isolate myself from the world. Some may think that it was a very introverted type of thinking but no, I am not really an introverted person. I have friends back home and I choose to mingle with them every chance I get (which often took place during press conference preparation and newspaper publishing). My point here is that the university enables you to see who you truly are. By being independent you got to learn money budgeting and most especially how to take good care of yourself.
2. Doing your best = satisfaction
Whether you fail or not, by doing your best, exerting all the effort and hard work to your works, you will still be satisfied. Not satisfied with your grades, but satisfaction in your heart that it is not your fault because you’ve tried and done all the things you can. UPLB taught me that it is not possible to be great every time, that at some points ahead I will fall, stumble or stop but that does not mean I will not stand, and keep going again. UP is a place that does not care of your past, but of what can you give in the present to change the future, and I think that is beautiful.
1.You are building a family
At times when you
feel alone, the whole UPLB community is your family. You will always find a friend anywhere in the
campus, some are shy, some have the same traits as you, while some have the
opposite likes and dislikes in life compared to you. However, these persons who
got to experience the same struggle you are currently experiencing will be an
instrument of the Lord to cheer you up, teach you a lesson, make you realize
something or just make you feel emotions
you start to love. UPLB taught me that I am home away from home.
And now, now that I am transitioning to the second month of my college journey I am experiencing more surprises that enabled me to learn something and I am thankful that no matter how long I stay here (preferably four years Lord, please) I am happy that UP happened. Yes, I struggled, struggling right now and will struggle in the future but I will always put in my mind how these circumstances are present to hone and prepare me for the world.
Time always flies really fast for me. But upon entering UP, everything has changed. It feels like everything happens in a slow motion. Sometimes I thought I’ve already spent months in UP, but looking up at the calendar, I realize that I’ve just spent a month.
Before entering the university, I have spent 4 months doing things that I like; reading books that interest me, watching lots of movies and series, eating, sleeping, and cleaning. Doing all these things didn’t make me feel busy and stressed.
And now that I’ve entered the university, a month of reality has slapped me. A slap that has been forcing me to come out of my comfort zone.
Here are the 5 things that a month has taught me:
A college student has always loads of work. Complaining won’t make any of it finish itself. Well in fact, it will cause you nothing but distraction. Instead of wasting your time complaining, use it in accomplishing your works.
Everyone is different. I have learned that I shouldn’t be comparing myself to others. I shouldn’t feel small just because majority of students taking up development communication already have lots of experience in the field. I should just be myself and continue learning new things without having too much pressure.
You can’t survive college life without making friends.
For the first week of college, I’ve learned to be alone and do things on my own. I thought I can continue my college life doing that. But of course, I thought it wrong. I should be making friends for they make hard things look easy. They support you and understand you because sometimes, you just have the same problems.
Procrastination doesn’t do any good.
Sometimes, I think I still have more time to skip doing my school works early. But it just makes everything harder. It eats my time and leaves me stressed and tired.
Crying doesn’t make you weak.
One of my way in releasing pain, stress, tiredness, and sadness is crying. Every tear that my eyes release signifies those feelings. After crying, I feel okay again and ready to continue my journey.
Many never realize they always had the key in their pocket, so they die at the locked door, never reaching deep inside to pull it out.
Anthony Liccione
Coming from
an island far from Los Baños, Laguna, it was hard for me to
adjust into a much busier life. I came from a small high school in San Jacinto,
Masbate, which is far from what is UPLB. I am used to hang out only with my
friends whom I’ve known since the beginning. I am also used to cramming almost all
of my activities, assignments, and projects way back in high school. And most
of all, I am used to keeping things for myself and not asking anyone for help. That’s
why upon entering college, I was doomed. The first time I entered the gates of
UPLB as a college student, I was already captivated by the surroundings, the trees,
plants, huge buildings, and many cars. I thought the life here is much easier
that I expected it to be. But boy, I was wrong.
It’s just
the first week but I already encounter things that I am not used to, especially
in socializing. I am not comfortable in making friends since I have social
anxieties. Since elementary I maintained my set of friends. Those who I played with
in elementary were also my companions ‘till high school. It is because I am
afraid of being judged by other people. I am afraid of embarrassing myself
towards people who doesn’t really know me. However, as the days passed by, it was
not really bad. I learned to step out of my comfort zone in terms of making
friends. I started talking and laughing with my classmates. I realized that it
is not bad to allow yourself free from the thoughts of being judged. As long as
you are yourself and you’re approachable to them, they will acknowledge your
presence and establish rapport with you.
On the
other hand, academically speaking, when I was in high school, I tend to cram my
assignments, projects, and activities. I was not responsible in prioritizing my
academic activities. That’s why in the first weeks of being in college, it was
a struggle for me to actually do my assignments on time. I procrastinate a lot
and spare a lot more time doing non-academic things and I barely pass on time assignments.
In the back of my mind, this must stop. And in doing so, I realized that I in
order for me to achieve my goals, I first must have a responsible mindset. I should
acknowledge first the important things rather than focusing on others. The first
month in college taught me that responsibility is always on my hand and I should
focus on it in order to achieve my goals.
When I was
in high school, it was hard for me to open up to someone and ask for their
help. I was used to keeping things to myself and endure the pain rather than on
asking for help. But when I entered college, I realized that no one could
really survive the harshness of college life without asking for help from others.
For example, when I was in high school and I find the assignment difficult, I exhaust
myself until I find the answer. Whereas in college, I learned to openly ask my
classmate about the subject I find difficult and together we discover the
answer collaboratively. In this, I learned that in order to survive and get out
of this university, one must have the courage to ask for help since s/he cannot
manage it by her/himself. As the saying goes, no one is an island, everyone
needs someone in order to live and as so to survive college.
Being part of the UP community is what I dreamt of. Its refreshing environment, its pumped-up crowd in UAAP events, its awesome merchandises, I love everything about UP. But loving this university is beyond that, and it is not easy.
One month has passed and UP has already caused me multiple
breakdowns. But these breakdowns won’t
stop me from loving it. It may be tough
but the dream of finishing my studies in this university is what keeps the fire
burning.
Here are some of the things I learned here in UP in my first month:
Time management is a must
Procrastination is a big no-no here in UP
for it increases your stress level (I know that because I do it a lot). Once the assignment is given, start doing it
as soon as possible so you will not have to worry about it anymore in the
future. Assignments were also given from
time to time from different classes so I suggest to finish it early.
Get enough sleep
Sleep deprivation is prevalent among the
college students here in UP. This is due
to the numerous deadlines and requirements from our dear professors. In relation to the paragraph above,
procratination is also a factor so as much as possible, finish your assignment
as soon as possible for you to sleep early.
Make friends
When you study in UP, expect that you will
experince a high level of stress. One
way to cope with it is to socialize with other people. Once you enter this university, learn to make
friends with different kinds of people, regardless of their identity. This gives you a higher chance of surviving
college for “no man is an island.”
Do not skip meals
When students are finishing their multiple
requirements and deadlines, they tend to skip meals. Always remember that eating enough food
produces enough energy needed by your body in order to work efficiently so don’t
skip meals.
Umbrella is a necessity
The weather here in UPLB is
unpredictable. A hot sunny day in the
morning and a rainy one in the afternoon.
Always keep it handy to protect yourselves from such weather
changes. Also remember to protect your
umbrellas from umbrella thieves, there are many of them here in UPLB.
Long ago, all of these four concepts were foreign to me. But then everything changed when college began. Only the ultimate DEVCOM student, master of these four concepts is sure to survive the first month. But with a very tight schedule, mastering these concepts is just but a dream. A month have passed, my bloc mates and I discovered something special… WE SURVIVED. And although we are far from mastering these concepts and still has a lot to learn before we can help anyone but I believe that we can change the world.
The calendar was already flipped. It seemed like yesterday, I was riding my first solo flight to Manila, delayed and hungry. Who would’ve thought I would survive near the foothill of the legendary Mt. Makiling, hundreds of miles away from home?
Most of the time, the answer is just hidden in plain sight.
Zawadi
It was love and dreams that brought me to the steps of my college. However, love and dreams aren’t enough to keep your head on the game. As balance rests on the Yin and Yang, goodness isn’t the only thing you will expect. Pain and sacrifice are needed to bring out the best in you. A lot of problems and troubles will come your way, but you need not to worry, for all you need are simple tips from a pro-bending master. Most of the time, the answer is just hidden in plain sight. Here are 5 elemental teachings, I have learned from the Avatar.
BURN WITH PASSION
“Fire is the element of power.” -General Iroh
Let us start with the element of power, Fire. It cannot be denied that fire has a negative connotation in our society. It is often attributed to pain and destruction, but as fire destroys, it also brings life. This is our first tip to surviving your first month in college, and that is to NEVER LET YOUR FIRE GO DOWN. Each of us hold a very special flame deep inside. Our passion. Our drive. Our inspiration. There may be many barriers that block your way and clouds of doubt and uncertainty may fill your mind but the trick is to never forget how you came to be here in the first place. We shine with our own special light and we can achieve best results if we believe in ourselves. Let your love burn and share your light to those who are in need. By doing so, you don’t only help yourself but also gain and strengthen friendship.
FORTITUDE AND FACE YOUR PROBLEMS HEAD-ON
“Earth is the element of substance.” -General Iroh
Health is very important in college. Gone are the days of excuse letters and medical certificates. Though they are still credited, you are still marked as absent and will still work double-time to catch-up. That’s why it’s essential to not neglect a good sleep and a healthy-balanced diet. Fortify your body so you can muster the strength to face challenges head-on. That is the lesson from the element of substance, Earth. YOU CAN’T ALWAYS RUN FROM YOUR PROBLEMS and the best way to solve them is to take a direct hit. STAND YOUR GROUND and never quiver. It’s all about finding that inner strength, but do remember that being strong doesn’t mean being invincible. Vulnerability is essential to show that we are human. College will really wear you down but it doesn’t mean you will fall.
FREE OF SPIRIT
“Air is the element of freedom.” -General Iroh
Failures and unprecedented circumstances are inevitable. Human as we are, we are prone to disappointment and emotional challenges. Whether it be fueled by financial, family, cognitive/academic or psychological problems, we must never be slaves to the monsters we create. Accepting our flaws is one step in achieving freedom of spirit and freedom of self. The element of freedom, Air, teaches us to be OPTIMISTIC and HOPEFUL in desperate times. No problem cannot be solved by a good laugh with friends and loved ones. So don’t bear down the heavy burden, EXERCISE YOUR FREEDOM and work through your IMAGINATION.
RISE WITH THE TIDES
“Water is the element of change.” -General Iroh
Change is constant and that is something beyond our control. There is no use resisting it. Another tip in surviving college is to be susceptible and adaptive to change. You may notice that you are working in a whole new environment and that there are things that are quite new to you. ACCEPT THAT FACT. GO WITH THE FLOW of events. It may be a winding path but always have a clear vision of the SEA. Let go of your past and accept the new you. This is the lesson of Water, the element of change.
INNER PEACE
Lastly is the lesson from the Spirits. BE FOCUSED and DON’T OVERTHINK. Expect a lot of paperwork, a lot of projects and a lot to review. However, you can finish all of these if you are COMMITTED to your work. Try to LESSEN PROCRASTINATION and try to do them all one at a time. Cramming can help but relaxing before the deadline is much better. Don’t be so hard on yourself, sometimes the problem is not caused by the university but by you.
“Don’t be so hard on yourself, sometimes the problem is not caused by the university but by you. “
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