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.

Scared?

Our future will be very much defined by technology. First, robots would be like the TV sets. Each household has at least a robot to do things for them: cleaning the house, cooking dishes, fixing things in the house, bringing the children to sleep, and a lot more. Abodes also speak of technology, entries and exits are either scanned or voice activated. Appliances are minimal yet very functional. Another is the way people travel in the future. Cars flying en route the air are a common sight. In addition, these cars are parked in standing positions and occupy little spaces. Yet another example is the reproduction process. Both men and women can choose the manner of having a child in the family. To preserve their lineage (especially those of superior qualities), families can choose to have their DNA’s injected to healthy women. In short, human cloning is common. On the other hand, human beings stop reproducing and thus, eliminate the problem of overpopulation. Finally, if people stop reproducing, once a person dies, he or she can just be put in a capsule and cryogenically frozen and be put to life again at a specific time as stated in the contract.

(tvv)

Are Filipino Customs Still "In"?

Are Filipino Customs Still “In”?

Filipinos are unique. They have their own traditions and customs that are very different from other countries. But as time goes by, some Filipinos forget to maintain these customs. They become open to other countries’ customs and adopt these more. But for me, I would rather keep some of our Filipino customs and pass them, somehow, to the next generation.

One good example of a Filipino custom is the use of “po” and “opo” in our language. It is so unique because, as far as I know, other languages do not have a specific word that refers to politeness when talking to other persons. It also symbolizes respect for the elders. Some Filipinos today, especially the youth, forget this, that is why their images become rebellious against adults or the elders.

Another example of these Filipino customs is the Filipino’s love for their family. Filipino families are always described as closely-knit families. They believe on the saying that “the more, the merrier.” Filipino families put great emphasis on being together, doing things together and helping each other especially during trying times. This is not so in other nations. Other countries train their children to be independent by living away from the parents when they reach the age of maturity. By this, parents do not bond so often with their children. But Filipino families would have their children for as long as these children are not married or not working in a far-away place. If they are no longer living together with their parents once an opportunity arises, they would always be at their family’s side.

But the custom which I think we must all keep is the so-called “bayanihan”—the manner of being helpful and concerned with our fellowmen. Nowadays, we all know the crises that our country faces. We are all suffering but if one helps another, I think, somehow, in that simple way, our country will improve. We can always think of others as we think of ourselves.

These are just few of the many Filipino customs that I am proud of. If we keep these and teach them to children, it will surely make an improved nation with good values.

(Bernadette Ann Pestaňas)

Death is Like a Thief in the Night

Understanding death is like understanding a thief in the night. A thief comes when you least expect him to come. He will not give any warning to the household that he will take their things or belongings. A thief will (try to) take everything he wants. Death is like a thief in the night. We do not know when death will knock at our doors. No one can make preparations for his/her death unless a doctor knows when his patient will die because of a severe illness (but even that can still proved to be unpredictable). Still, we really do not know the exact date and time of our death. God gave us this life and He alone knows and he alone takes it from us. So, as we are still living we should make the best out of it. We should enjoy life and do good things while we still can for we do not really know when our lives will be taken from us.

(mary june)

The Filipino Family

The Filipino Family

(tvvillaflores)

“Change is the only thing permanent in this world.” Change may be instant or it may sometimes be gradual. Gradual changes do not happen over night; at times, these seem too little to be noticed. However, I believe that in time, these changes will really be noticeable like the Filipino family. Through the years, the Filipino family has undergone some noticeable changes.

Yesterday’s Filipino family is known for being big. Some decades ago, most couples had six to ten children because parents believed that “the more, the merrier.” A big family was equivalent to a happy family. But nowadays, the Filipino family is no longer as big as it used to be. Most couples now have two to three kids only. Filipino parents still believe that children are a treasure from God; however, today’s parents also believe that they can only give their kids the best in life if there is only a limited number of kids in the family.

Another noticeable change in the Filipino family is its way of child-rearing. While yesterday’s Filipino family was known for being strict and conservative, today’s Filipino family is more lenient. In the past, children are not allowed to do things that today’s children can do. An example of this is the way children talk to their parents. Yesterday’s Filipino children talk to their parents in utmost respect to the extent of being afraid to talk to their parents. Today’s Filipino children, however, can always talk to their parents in a friendly manner because there is a more open communication between parents and children

And finally, the Filipino family has changed its outlook in terms of beliefs, customs and traditions, practices and views in life. Yesterday’s Filipino family was content on spending the time together going to church and spending the rest of the day in the house. Today’s Filipino family still goes to church together, but bonding happens in the forms of mall hopping and playing computer games. In addition, yesterday’s Filipino family had a very simple lifestyle. Today’s Filipino family is influenced by the conveniences of modern technology; thus, they put more value on the benefits of material things.

There are still other noticeable changes in the Filipino family. You may have your own observations, but whatever those changes are, let us all hope that these changes are more positive than negative.