BEING in school is a struggle. What with all the books to study, homework to do and projects to pass, it's a wonder how to keep up with the constant demands that school puts on students.
Luckily, some people who finished schooling with flying colors are here to share with you some advice to do better in school.
2015 Mutya ng Davao Kris Abegail Guanzon graduated from Ateneo de Davao University in 2013 with a degree in AB Mass Communication. She also graduated with the distinctions of Cum Laude and Humanities and Letters Division Awardee. Here are three tips from her to help oneself through school:
1. Set your priorities. Knowing your priorities as a student makes you more productive esp. when you are bombarded with deadlines.
2. Be active in school. This is somehow a breather from all the academic stuff. Also, this is an opportunity to be engaged in things you are passionate about.
3. Take a break! After all the busyness brought by your acads and non-acads, learn to reward yourself. It can be a quick stroll at the mall or whole-day Game of Thrones marathon!
Hijo Resources Corporation's Digital Marketing and Social Media Specialist, Reymond Pepito, who also graduated with a degree from Ateneo de Davao University in AB Mass Communication and was the Humanities Division Awardee in 2012, while juggling responsibilities with the school paper, Ateneo Debate Varsity and College Editors Guild of the Philippines also has some things to share:
1. Set a goal. Always begin with an end in mind. It is important for you to choose a specific and realistic goal. By putting value on something that you desire to achieve, it will make you even more motivated to do more in school in any given circumstances.
2. Make studying a habit. Confidence is a good thing but over-confidence is negligence. At some point, be paranoid. Make sure you've studied your lessons before taking the examinations. Do not enter the classroom without your accomplished assignments and reports. More than being a good student, studying is a form of discipline that will make you a responsible person.
3. Have fun. Participate in extra-curricular activities like joining the school paper, a sporting club, and the like. Not all learnings can be found in the four corners of your classroom.
Lastly, Kriza Faye Calumba, who studied BS Food Technology at UP Mindanao and graduated as Magna Cum Laude and Class Valedictorian in 2014, has some advice to share as well:
1. Learn to accept failure.
Failure is inevitable. Don't wallow in gloom when you fail an exam or when you don't get a perfect score in a very easy quiz. Instead of being disappointed with yourself, treat that failure as an opportunity to do better next time. As Confucius said, "Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising every time we fail."
2. Strive for excellence.
You can do more than what you think you can. Give your best shot in everything and always remember to compete with yourself. Strive for excellence not only within the four corners of the classroom, but also in your other endeavors.
3. Get involved. Practice the art of balancing.
Grades aren't everything. Be involved - join organizations which will best help you pursue your passion, meet new people. Make the most of various opportunities for you to be more socially aware, culturally sensitive, and understanding of the plight of others. Being active in school doesn't only mold you into a well-rounded individual, but also allows you to pursue what genuinely makes you happy.
Also, know your priorities and effectively manage your time. Learn when to work and when to play. Don't forget to have fun!