Achieving a Goal is Like Flying a Kite

Achieving your goals is like flying a kite. Your goals may be as colorful as your kite yet so high and difficult to reach. You must follow the direction of the wind and keep your eyes on the kite so that it would not fall. You must hold on tight to the string that keeps you and your kite connected. This string is like your hope that even when you are far from your goals, you are just a string away to achieve it. In flying a kite, sometimes the wind blows too low which makes your kite fall. But even though it falls, just like your hopes, you still try to find the wind and let your kite fly high in the sky. (bernadette ann pestanas)

Life is Like a Song

Life is like a song, simple yet complicated. A song consists of a verse, a refrain, a chorus, and a bridge. In life, the verse is the part where you start to experience what the world is like. The refrain deals with the part of putting these experiences into action. You try to use what you’ve learned. The chorus is the peak of life that deals with where you find a job, try to support yourself, and survive the challenges life has to offer. And finally, the bridge is the point of contentment. It is where you are already settled. You have less worries. You just wait for your time—the time where your life ends. But despite these, it still depends on how you will deal with life. (jerome manabat)

Studying for a Test

Phase 1 of studying for a test, often called the “no problem” phase, runs from the day the test is announced to approximately forty-eight hours before the dreaded exam is passed out. During phase 1, the student is carefree, smiling, and kind to helpless animals and small children. When asked by classmates if he or she has studied for the test yet, the reply would be an assured “No Problem.” During phase 1, no actual studying takes place. Phase 2 is entered two days before the test. For example, if the test is scheduled for 9 A.M. Friday, phase 2 begins at 9 A.M. Wednesday. During phase 2, again, no actual studying takes place. Phase 3, the final phase, is entered 12 hours before “zero hour.” This is the cram phase, characterized by sweaty palms, nervous twitches, and confused mental patterns. For a test at nine o’clock on Friday morning, a student begins exhibiting these symptoms at approximately nine o’clock on Thursday night. Phase 3 is also termed the “shock” phase, since the student is shocked to discover the imminence of the exam and the amount of material to be studied. During this phase, the student will probably be unable to sleep and will mumble meaningless phrases like “a2 + b2.” This phase will not end until the exam is over. If the cram session has worked, the student will fall gratefully asleep that night. On waking up, he or she will be ready to go through the whole cycle again with the next test.

English Skills

John Langan.

Types of E-Mail

As more and more people take advantage of e-mailing, three categories of e-mail have emerged. One category of e-mail is junked mail. When most people sign on to their computers, they are greeted with a flood of get-rich quick schemes, invitations to pornographic websites, and ads for a variety of unwanted products. E-mail users quickly become good at hitting the “delete” button to get rid of this garbage. The second category that clogs most people’s electronic mailbox is forwarded mail, most of which are also deleted without being read. The third and best category of e-mail is genuine personal e-mail from genuine personal friends. Getting such real, thoughtful e-mail can almost make-up for the irritation of the other two categories.

English Skills,

John Langan

A Student's Plight

The first semester of college is difficult for many students because they must take on many responsibilities. For example, they must create their own schedules. New students get to select their courses. In addition, they have to decide when they will take them. Students must also purchase their own textbooks. Colleges do not distribute textbooks each term as high schools do. No bells ring to announce when classes begin and end, yet students are supposed to arrive on time. Furthermore, many professors do not call the roll, for they expect students to attend classes regularly and know the assignments. Above all, new students must be self-disciplined. No one stands over them telling them to do their homework or to visit the writing lab for the extra help. They must balance the temptation to have fun and the desire to build a successful future.