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struggling-stem-student · 3 years

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[Essay] Be political if you advocate for change, because Taylor Swift said so.

It's not a matter of picking sides, colors, or people who are famous; because after all, the sad reality of politics in the Philippines is that it's a garden with political butterflies fluttering every election for their self-interest, with a bonus of genuine people who are morally bounded to serve. It is up to us, the citizens, to be politically involved at this time where every societal issue and problem is now being televised and streamed, so there's no excuse for us to be (un)willfully ignorant because we have the power to create change in this society for the better.

Like how Taylor Swift broke her political silence due to the worsening political landscape in the US, as a private citizen in this country, it is due to be politically "woke" and should be necessary to vote. Especially to us Gen-Zs and Millenials, we have the right and responsibility to be informed about who we could trust to steer this country to a better place worth living for.

"Only the Young" is a song featured in her documentary Miss Americana reflecting how she became woke and uses her massive platform to encourage her American fans to participate in their election. Since then, this song has been used for political campaigns and to empower young voter registration across the world.

youtube

“I didn’t want the defeat and hopelessness I felt for our country’s future to get the best of me. I didn’t want to weep. I wanted to have hope," she said. "Writing ‘Only the Young’ helped me push through that moment in my life and gave me the hope to keep fighting for what I believe is right. - Swift on an interview with Vanity Fair.

For me, it's a powerful move to realize that being empowered for something influential to our lives and in the society, despite being a regular private citizen. She's an example of an influential person using her platform for the better, and we should look up to people not just for their works but also for their views and influence on society.

It's up to us, the young, to reinforce our political beliefs, and uphold the values and interests that benefit society for the better. We should act better because we cannot risk it for the future generation.

"nOrMaLiz3 bEinG aP0liTiCaL"

It's 2021 and you still choose to be ignorant? That bubble of ignorance won't protect you from your inaction of not exercising your right to participate in political discussions and responsibilities.

[read: REGISTER AND VOTE FOR 2022 GENERAL ELECTIONS]

REFERENCES:

https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9526958/taylor-swift-only-the-young-oscar-chances/

https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/music/a30728596/taylor-swift-only-the-young-miss-americana-lyrics-explained/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Only_the_Young_(Taylor_Swift_song)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJU-S1t2r1M

https://genius.com/Taylor-swift-only-the-young-lyrics

#Youtube #taylor swift #taylornation #only the young #miss americana #this is my homework

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struggling-stem-student · 3 years

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[Explainer] What track would you, an incoming Senior High School student, choose for your SHS and why is it Academic?

TL;DR: If you're taking higher studies after you graduate high school, or your interests are aligned in the degree programs offered in ABM, HUMSS, PBM and STEM, the Academic Track, is the right track for you to take in SHS.

First of all, congratulations to you for finishing your Junior High School studies. I'm sure you've done your best in learning the fundamentals in the subjects of the curriculum. Maybe you've already decided on the kind of specialization you would like to partake in the next 2 years of high school or Senior High School (SHS), or not. Regardless, here are my two cents on what kind of specialization you should take in Senior High School, from someone who is about to graduate in SHS with Academic as his chosen track.

Let's lay down the basics first. What is Senior High School ?

Basically, it's an extension of the traditional High School, introduced in 2013 with the K-12 Curriculum. Fourth-year high school students are expected to take an additional 2 years of specialized education of their preference. There will be some form of basic subjects such as Languages, Literature, Mathematics, Communication, Philosophy, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences that you will take in SHS even though you chose a track or strand that is not aligned with the one that you want to take.

After two years of specialized study, you are now equipped with the knowledge to be ready for work, entrepreneurship, or higher education, which is a step-up from the previous 10-year curriculum which leads students for higher education to be prepared for work.

What is a Track?

A Track is the field of interest the student may prefer. There are 4 tracks that the Department of Education offers in the Philippines.

Academic Track

Technical-Vocational-Livelihood Track

Sports Track

Arts & Design Track

These tracks are designed to cater to the student's interests. This program is designed for students to be in-lined with their degree program to be taken in their higher education if they would choose to take higher studies.

Depending on the location of the students, some tracks may not be offered in some schools. Some schools specialize in a type of track and are known for it due to demand and the quality of education they offer, so that should also be taken into consideration for you applicants.

What is a Strand?

These are the specialization under the tracks offered that the students would like to take. These strands are designed depending on the track of the students chosen.

Academic Track

These strands are offered under the Academic Track:

Accountancy, Business, and Management (ABM)

General Academic Strand (GAS)

Humanities, and Social Sciences (HUMSS)

Pre-Baccalaureate Maritime (PBM)

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM )

These strands are more focused on the theory of the subjects and are the most preferred strands for students who want to take higher studies.

Technical-Vocational-Livelihood Track

These strands are offered under the Technical-Vocation al-Livelihood Track:

Agri-Fishery Arts

Home Economics (HE)

Industrial Arts (IA)

Information and Communications Technology (ICT)

These strands are more focused on developing trade skills and are preferred by students who want to take trade jobs after graduating from Senior High Schools.

Sports Track

There are no specified strands that are offered in the Sports Track. This track equips students with sports-related, fitness, and health knowledge.

This track was designed for students who would like to pursue their goals in the athletic and fitness industries.

Arts & Design Track

There are no specified strands that are offered in the Arts & Design Track. Although this track has 5 avenues of fields that students may want to specialize in, such as:

Dance

Literary Arts

Media Arts and Visual Arts

Music

Theater

Each track and strands have its own pros and cons and are equal to one another. These are offered for the students to choose what they would want for their goals career-wise, and serve as a foundation for them to ease their career development.

You should take a track and strand that is based on your passion, so you will appreciate your Senior High School studies.

What are the expected subjects offered in SHS?

During your stay in Senior High School, there are subjects that you will encounter throughout your stay, such as:

Core Subjects

Where regardless of your chosen track and strand, you are required to take these subjects. Schools have the prerogative in letting their students take these subjects in either grade 11 or 12, but some are prerequisites in the specialized subjects of strands the students are taking in.

Oral Communication

Reading and Writing

Komunikasyon at Pananliksik sa Wika at Kulturang Pilipino

Pagbasa at Pagsusuri ng Iba’t Ibang Teksto Tungo sa Pananaliksik

21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Regions

Media and Information Literacy

General Mathematics

Statistics and Probability

Earth and Life Science

Physical Science

Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person

Physical Education and Health 14. Personal Development

Understanding Culture, Society and Politics

Earth Science (taken instead of Earth and Life Science for those taking STEM)

Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction (taken instead of Physical Science for those taking STEM)

Applied Subjects

These subjects are taken with modifications that depend on the track and strand, but regardless its objectives and target competencies are the same regardless of track and strand.

English for Academic and Professional Purposes

Practical Research 1

Practical Research 2

Filipino sa Piling Larang (Akademik/ Isports/ Sining/ Tech -Voc)

Empowerment Technologies (for the Strand)

Entrepreneurship

Inquiries, Investigations, and Immersions

Specialized Subjects

These subjects are strand specified and are exclusive for the students taking that specific strand. These subjects are also considered as introductory subjects for students to be exposed to the degree program they are interested in.

For example, in the Academic Track, each strand has a set of subjects that are taken exclusively for students who took that strand, such as:

Accountancy, Business, and Management (ABM) Strand

Applied Economics

Business Ethics and Social Responsibility

Fundamentals of Accountancy, Business, and Management 1

Fundamentals of Accountancy, Business, and Management 2

Business Mathematics

Business Finance

Organization and Management

Principles of Marketing

Business Enterprise Simulation

General Academic Strand (GAS)

Humanities 1

Humanities 2

Social Science 1

Applied Economics

Organization and Management

Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction

Elective 1 (from any Track/Strand)

Elective 2 (from any Track/Strand)

Work Immersion/ Research / Career Advocacy/ Culminating Activity

Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) Strand

Creative Writing / Malikhaing Pagsulat

Introduction to World Religions and Belief Systems

Creative Nonfiction

Trends, Networks, and Critical Thinking in the 21st Century Culture

Philippine Politics and Governance

Community Engagement, Solidarity, and Citizenship

Disciplines and Ideas in the Social Sciences

Disciplines and Ideas in the Applied Social Sciences

Work Immersion/ Research / Career Advocacy/ Culminating Activity

Pre-Baccalaureate Maritime (PBM) Strand

Pre-Calculus

Basic Calculus

General Physics 1

General Physics 2

General Chemistry 1

Introduction to Maritime Career

Introduction to Maritime Safety

Introduction to Maritime Transportation and Engineering

Work Immersion/ Research / Career Advocacy/ Culminating Activity

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Strand

Pre-Calculus

Basic Calculus

General Biology 1

General Biology 2

General Physics 1

General Physics 2

General Chemistry 1

General Chemistry 2

Research Capstone

Each subject is different in its topic and concepts, and shouldn’t be assumed that one is better or difficult than the other. These subjects can be advantageous to you when you pursue higher education because you already have the background knowledge in these specific topics.

Now that you know what Senior High School is, are you ready for Senior High School?

If there is one thing that I want to say to my grade 10 self, it’s that don’t believe the hype. I remembered when I’m still clueless as to what strand I would choose. I just chose Academic Track, specifically in STEM Strand because most of my classmates chose it and partly because I want to study something that I’m already interested in (Sciences and Math). And also, our school offers Academic Track and Technical-Vocational-Livelihood Track so it’s less hassle for me to process my transfer to another school that offers Academic. But ideally, I would choose Arts and Design Track, since I always wanted to develop my passion for visual arts, but un fortunately, there are no schools in my area that offer this track .

Regardless, I still don’t regret that I chose Academic Track, I can still appreciate these tracks and their opportunities enough and utilized the circumstances presented to me. But again, it’s your prerogative if you want to choose your preferred track.

Besides, most of the core subjects I’ve taken are just the same if I took a different track and strand. Choosing a track and strand is one thing, but applying to a school that offers quality education is another. The school you want to apply to should fit your standards and capacity to enroll, as each school would specialize in some ways or another, and you should definitely weigh in your chances .

Lastly, don’t be afraid to put yourself in a different environment. Transferring schools, meeting new people, and learning different things. It’s all part of growth and learning that will not only help your intellect but also your self-development. Senior High School serves as your free trial in experiencing college, entrepreneurial, or professional life.

[OPINION] Why should you choose Academic Track?

1. Most schools offer Academic Track as part of their Senior High School Program Offerings

There are schools, regardless if it’s public or private, that offer the Academic track, with strands such as ABM, GAS, HUMSS, PBM, and STEM that caters to students’ interests. The ubiquity of the track offering helps the demand of students who want to pursue higher education that is aligned to their interest.

2. Graduates from the Academic Track may choose diverse degree programs to be pursued in higher education.

There are so many degree programs that are aligned with choosing the Academic Track. From pursuing hard sciences in STEM, business and economics in ABM, maritime studies in PBM, or humanities and social sciences in HUMSS; more colleges and universities offer degree programs that are aligned to students in Academic Track. The choices one can choose at the end of Senior High School is diverse for students who are still indecisive about their future career.

3. You are more prepared to pursue higher studies.

The subjects are taken in the academic track and its strands are theory-heavy that prepares students that will make college life easier and well-adjusted. Whether your desired degree program is related to hard and soft sciences, engineering, economics, philosophy, and such, the Academic Track is the pathway that is preferred if you want to take higher education offered by various colleges and universities across the country.

Final Thoughts

Each track offered in Senior High School have their own benefits, and the notion of one track being superior to another should be debunked because each track are different from one another and they cater to the interests of the students. Whether you want to practice trade jobs or pursue higher education, there is a strand that is perfect for your Senior High School study.

I’ve presented the information to you as an explainer in order to help you decide on what pathway you will choose in Senior High School. I hope in some ways I’ve been helpful in your decision.

If you want to pursue creative degree programs, the Arts & Design Track is the right track for you.

If you want to pursue sports and human kinesics-related degree programs, the Sports Track is the right track for you.

If you want to pursue trade-related jobs or degree programs, the Technical-Vocational-Livelihood Track is the right track for you.

The Academic Track is your perfect choice if you want to pursue higher education that is aligned to your interests, with a vast degree programs and career opportunities that await for you.

REFERENCES:

https://www.ahead.edu.ph/the-k-to-12-academic -track-what-you-need-to-know/

https://schoolsearch.ph/senior-high-school -strands-choosing-right-one/

https://www.edukasyon.ph/courses/senior-high-tracks/sports

https://schoolsearch.ph/senior-high-school -strands-choosing-right-one/

https://www.deped.gov.ph/k-to-12/about/k-to -12-basic-education-curriculum/

https://www.deped.gov.ph/k-to-12/about/k-to-12-basic-education -curriculum/senior-high-school-core-curriculum-subjects/

https://www.deped.gov.ph/k-to-12/about/k-to-12-basic-education -curriculum/senior-high-school-applied-track-subjects/

https://www .officialgazette.gov.ph/k-12/

https://www.deped.gov .ph/k-to-12/

https://www.deped .gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Disciplines-and-Ideas-in-the -Social-Sciences.pdf

https://www.deped.gov.ph/k-to -12/about/k-to-12-basic-education-curriculum/academic-track/

https://www.courses.com.ph/senior-high -school-in-the-philippines-an-overview/

https://online.ahead.edu.ph/he-k-to-12 -academic-track-what-you-need-to-know/

https://learninglinks.edu.ph /blog/how-senior-highschool-prepares-your-child-for-the-future/

Infographics are made by the author.

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