Joyce In Learning

10 TIPS

1. If given the privilege, choose the course that you want. Do not choose a course just cause it’s your friend’s/jowa’s choice.

2. Do your best. Start strong. Start with an end in mind.

3. Good friends are hard to find. Be selective.

4. Join organizations. This would make your college life fun and enjoyable.

5. Hustle hard but PRAY HARDER.

6. Do not hesitate to ask your professors/teachers for clarifications when in doubt.

7. Treat your minor like how you’d treat your major. No subject is better or above the other.

8. READ THE CONTENT OF EVERY RUBRIC. You will never get a perfect score if you will not read the rubric carefully. Know what is expected of you. Exceed the expectations.Be mindful of deadlines.

9. Save if you can.

10. Do not compete with your peers, it will only make you feel insecure. Compete with yourself. Beat your own “records.”

😊

BEING RESPONSIBLE.

It’s always easier to blame others and one’s unfortunate circumstances. Oftentimes, it’s difficult to admit that after all, it was YOU who made the choice. Unfortunately, life isn’t sweet. Whenever we make wrong choices, it always has consequences. Imagine building a domino circle field with 300 pieces of dominos and a piece accidentally falls over the other? The 299 pieces would all fall UNLESS the builder decides to stop the ripple effect as soon as possible.

That’s how I deal with my wrong choices in life. I won’t deny it. I used to blame other people for my unfortunate experiences. However, after reflecting on these events, I realized how easier it is to heal when I take accountability and responsibility for my wrong choices. Everything happened because “I allowed”; so I have to take responsibility. Before everything goes south, I try to patch things up and prevent the rest of the pieces to fall apart. With this, I can stop the ripple effect, learn from the experience, and gain self-awareness.

For example, I observed how my wrong choices in the past were made. They were made out of my inability to express my true feelings. They were made out of my sensitivity towards other people’s feelings that I forgot how long it would take for me to carry the consequences of that one wrong decision. In short, I was always thinking about what other people would think when l should always make my happiness a priority. After realizing this, I taught myself to say no and to have boundaries. I taught myself to be honest about my feelings. Again, I knew. At the end of the day, it was nobody else’s fault. It was my fault because I allowed it.

In addition to this, whenever I learn things, I never unlearn them. I always try my best not to make the same mistakes ever again. In short, I’m the type of person who’s usually known as “dali gyud matagam.” I never ask other people to fix my mess so I should ensure I don’t make my life a mess.

To conclude, let me enumerate the questions I ask myself before I make decisions:
1. Is this what I really want?
2. Is my heart at peace?
3. If I make this decision, am I willing to take responsibility for its consequences?
4. Will this choice help me grow?

But if I’ve already made the wrong choice, then I ask myself:
1. What made me choose this option?
2. How long will I be carrying the consequences of this choice?
3. How will I change my circumstances?
4. What lesson can I take from this experience? What did I learn about myself?

My nanay always told me to choose my friends wisely.

I believe there are no right or wrong friends. We all grew up in different environments and family backgrounds. Thus, it is normal to have contrasting thoughts, opinions, beliefs, and principles.

With this,
be with people who share the same values and principles;
who share the same hobbies;
who wish you nothing but success;
who pray for you;
who would grow with you; and
who would be willing to slap you with life's ugly truth.

An additional tip, be sure to have the following in your circle of friends:
1. a senior who has the same career or life path to guide you;
2. a friend who is going through the same struggles you are facing; and
3. a younger friend who will be learning from you.

In this short life, we only need a few but real ones. We need friends who can make this rollercoaster ride worthwhile. Besides, life is always better when we are with people who always wish us the best. 🤩