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"Many flowers open to the sun but only one follows it constantly. Heart be thou the sunflower, not only open to receive God's blessing, but constant in looking to Him." - Jean Paul Richter

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Determine my GC level

1. At the start of every semester, I create an Excel document and keep a record of my grades.

2. I create reviewers even before taking the subject.

3. Currently writing the 2nd chapter of the first topic on my thesis proposal list. 

4. Studying for a quizcon in October.

5. I can’t sleep due to the fact that I am going to uni again in June.

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This blog will be an agriblr concentrating mostly on soil science!

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My Philosophy for Studying

1. Strengthen your resolve. 

Always go back to your reason for entering UP. While attending my cousin's graduation back in 2013, I was fortunate enough to witness Erickah Dy's valedictory address. Her words made me perceive studying as a heroic deed for it is an expression of gratitude to people who make public education sustainable. As an incoming freshman, I adopted this perception on studying such that I attach the words "para sa bayan" to every requirement, quiz and exam. Screwing up would mean failing the Filipino people. (english para dramatic)

2. Create a powerful motto to live by. 

Yung tipong kaya kang pagalawin kahit tinatamad ka. Yung kahit ayaw mo sa subject, mapapaaral ka pa rin. Here's mine: Study not for the sake of getting high grades but for the pleasure derived from learning. Here's my friend's: Vision without execution is hallucination. Oo na, mas maganda yung kaniya.

3. Learning doesn't stop inside the classroom. Use all resources available (library, internet or people) to expand your knowledge.

In addition, laging gamitin ang mga natutunan para maretain sa brain. For example, habang nasa jeep pauwi, tumingin sa bintana at isa-isahin ang scientific name ng weeds/insects/diseases na nakikita sa daan. Tsaka pala kapag may exam, mas maganda kung ready ka na 1 week (depends on you) pa lang before the exam.

4. Discover which learning technique suits you best.

Kita naman natin sa mga status nila, mayroong mga tao na mas naiintindihan ang isang topic kapag nirerelate sa love or sa totoong buhay. In my case, noong overflowing ang kacornihan ko ginagawan ko ng joke or story para mas mabilis ang info retrieval tuwing exam. Kapag napapahugot or nagagawan mo ng joke ang isang subject, ibig sabihin naiintindihan mo na pero tingin ko mas malaking factor pa rin yung gusto mo ang subject.

The next 3 will be taken from Sam Berns' philosophy for a happy life.

5. Be okay with what you can't do because there are a lot of things that you can do.

Bago pumasok ng UP, sure ako maraming students ang kilala sa kani-kanilang fields be it mathematics, biology, editorial writing, sports etc. Pero dahil concentrated ang magagaling na tao dito, kadalasan naiinsecure tayo. 'Wag ganun. Accept your limitations. Isipin mo na lang na walang taong perpekto. Kung meron man, edi wow.

6. Surround yourself with people you want to be with. People of high quality.

Sabi nga dun sa nabasa kong tips, makipagfriends sa mga running for laude at makinig sa usapan nila over lunch. For sure, imbis na magchismisan ay magrereview ang mga yun. Okay rin naman kung tinuturuan mo yung kaibigan mo kasi parang narereview ka na din tuwing may tanong siya.

7. Keep moving forward.

Let go of the past and move on! Walang magandang maidudulot ang paghohold-on sa mga what ifs. Ok lang kahit 0 ka sa quiz, may susunod pa para makabawi. Learn to accept failures but don’t let your mistakes make you.

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Missing our batch of soil science majors.

A memory. Before our class, someone coincidentally noticed that our shirts were varying in color similar to Power Rangers. I figured maybe we should surprise our professor by welcoming her while holding the Power Rangers’ pose. Call us immature but that’s how we roll.

Where am I now? In a leave of absence reflecting if I should shift majors. Ah, time flies yet my immaturity stays the same.

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“Ang laki ng binangga ko eh, systema.”

I did some serious renovations in my life but I ended up being too lazy to stand up for those changes. Lessons learned: 

make the plan concrete and feasible

assure everyone’s cooperation

commit to the plan 100%

 never doubt yourself

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Actual good first-time college student advice:

Wear jeans/pants that “breathe” and bring a sweater, even if it’s scorching hot out, until you know which building blasts the AC to 60 degrees F and which feels like a sauna

Backpacks with thick straps are your friend!  Messenger bags are cool and all but if you’re commuting with a lot of stuff, symmetrically styled backpacks are better for your back

You are your own person and you can walk out whenever you need to or want to, so long as you’re not disrupting the class.  Meaning you can go to the bathroom without permission, take a breather if you’re anxious, answer an important phone call, etc.

If you don’t like the class on the first day, if you can- DROP THAT CLASS AND TAKE ANOTHER ONE!  It’ll only get worse from there!

If you can, take a class outside your major; it’s a good break from your expected studies.

You are in charge of your schedule.  Your adviser and guidance counselor is there to ‘advise and guide’ but if you don’t like certain classes and you can substitute for others, that’s your choice.

Consequently, if you are changing anything drastic in your plan, talk with your adviser and instructors.

Pay attention to your credit hours and grades.  Never leave this to the last week of school, you will be sorry and stressed beyond belief!

Unless it’s a lab book or otherwise specified, go to the class for a week or so before buying an expensive textbook.  Some classes, while having it on their required list, do not actually use the textbook a whole lot and you might find some of it scanned online.  Rent if you can or buy used online (schools actually don’t give discounts).  Use your best judgement on what you think you need.

Tell the people who go up to you selling or advertising things you are not interested in that you are in a rush to class and don’t have time to listen to them.  It’s less rude and they’ll leave you alone.

The smaller the class, the better it is to have some sort of acquaintanceship with a couple classmates.  They might save your ass if you are absent one day or need to study.  And talking with them makes the time go by faster without it being so insufferable.

You don’t need to join a club or sport, but internships are cool and useful!

If you can afford it, take a day off once or twice each semester if you’re too exhausted.  Just be aware of what you missed and if it was worth missing!

Your health is the most important, this goes for mental health too!!  Note: College-age/upper teens is when mental disorders like depression and anxiety are most commonly diagnosed.  Most schools have therapy services, especially during exam time.  Look into it if you need to!

Communicate with your professor if you are having trouble with something.  Anything.

Eat and stay hydrated.  Bring a water bottle and snack to class.

All-nighters will happen but never go over 36 hours without sleep.

It’s going to be hard and there will be times you might think about giving up.  This WILL happen.  You just have to make sure what you’re doing isn’t making you absolutely miserable and/or there is something rewarding and positive to look forward to at the end!

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Big math news! It’s been thirty years since mathematicians last found a convex pentagon that could “tile the plane.” The latest discovery (by Jennifer McLoud-Mann, Casey Mann, and David Von Derau) was published earlier this month. Full story.