Summer Exam Prep: Never too early

Today’s a very hot day - a day wherein a good movie or book and an ice-cold drink while seating on a nice, comfy couch would certainly make everything perfect. It would be very nice to have such a day as if there’s nothing I need to worry about.

That’s my kind of a summer vacation.

Unfortunately…

What is the value of (3x +8y) – 2z if x = 12, y = 3 and z =6?

Like any normal student, I had looked forward to a two-month long vacation to just chill away for a while, from school, tedious home works, pop quizzes and all the academic stuff. Apparently, when you’re an incoming college freshman you feel like time is in your hands during the summer season. But for incoming high school seniors, summer season meant preparation for the series of entrance examinations plus the National Career Assessment Exams that will all be administered during the course of their senior year.

Of course, I’ve been there and done that. In turn, I want to help YOU (Yes, you) through the course of your preparation. This entry is not only for high school seniors but also for every high school student. International school students and those who are planning to study abroad have to prepare for their SAT Subject Exams and/or the International Baccalaureate exams. Even those graduates who are to take their licensure exams might also find this article useful.

Really, if you have money, just spend it on a quality review class package as they have the nearest idea on what might come up on the exams so no need for you to waste time on the hassle of what to study. But if you just want to self-study, I’m not stopping you.

The following article is first printed in the Sapientia et Virtus (Official Student Publication of SSA Upper School Department) Vol. 17, No. 2 , page 8 which was released last March 2008.

Hope it helps!
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Strength in Numbers
By Ia Marie Donna B. Cruz

Tick-tock. Tick-tock.

As the time swiftly flutters, only the rapid scratching and tapping of pencils can be heard amidst the silence during standardized testing sessions, may it be the emotional quotient examination or the National Career Assessment Exams.
Standardized test are used as a basis of measurement of an individual’s capability in a specific dimension of learning or skill. More often than not, students are very anxious towards standardized testing that such fear deprives them the capacity to perform their best during the said exams.
Enough of the sweaty palms and pencil-biting. Certainly, there are a number of ways to beat that test-taking panic and attain that 99+ percentile you are aiming!

Know thy enemy. To conquer a test, one should be prepared with what to expect in the exam. From the subject areas to the point-system employed, a well-informed test-taker should know the specifics of the said exam he is to take. This is a simple but a very effective step towards tests so that you won’t be surprised or sanctioned if, for example, you brought a calculator when it is not allowed during the testing administration.

Perfection cannot be rushed. It is NEVER too early to open your biology or algebra books and review the concepts you might have forgotten through the course of education. There are hundreds of thousands of possible questions which can be asked. If you “plan” to review your whole year equivalent of geometry lessons one week before your test day, there is a less chance that you retain what you have read. A month before your exam, take at least an hour daily to rehash your knowledge on the subject areas you are to deal with. Your brain absorbs information better when it is not stressed by the rush which is a key in avoiding information overload and mental block on the exam day.

Practice makes 99 plus. There are a lot of available written resources with practice tests patterned from the actual test. A pre-test experience gives you more of an insight of what to expect during the test day like how to pace your time, possible types of questions and the areas you need to improve.

The pencil is mightier than the sword. Most standardized tests only allow the use of pencil in coding of answers on the answer sheets. A day before the test, see to it that you have all the materials you are to need during your exam – sharpened pencils, working pencil sharpener, good eraser, test permit, calculator (if you are allowed to use it) and some snacks especially when the examination will take a number of hours.

An apple a day keeps panic away. Hours before your scheduled test, be sure to eat a filling meal. As much as possible, distractions are avoided to ensure that you are given the opportunity to perform your maximum. Testing with an empty stomach is equal to disruption. Worrying about the rumbles of your stomach while going through the tests will certainly affect your results negatively.

The early bird catches the worm. Arrive at the test center on time. There might be instructions to be given by the proctors regarding the exams before the start of the test administration. Being late does not only risk you to make mistakes in the course of the test but it also jeopardizes the outcome of your results. This principle also applies in submitting your test paper when the time is called.

It’s all in your head. Confidence (not overconfidence) is your best friend during testing. Being confident with what you have reviewed and practiced before the exam boosts your performance psychologically.

Don’t forget the “R”. Read. Before answering, read the directions, the restrictions and other pieces of information you may need to know in order to answer the questions. Students are often victims of their negligence of the instructions that costs them their scores.

Time is gold. While testing, remember to pace your self according to the time limit set. Though it seems impossible to finish a 25 item test in 10 minutes, it can be accomplished. Speed reading is a great skill to employ wherein you save time in understanding questions without losing accuracy. If such skill is not applicable to you, answer questions you are certain that you can answer correctly.

Aim then shoot. Guess intelligently. If you find your self stuck on a test item, read the answer choices. Eliminating half of the number of the choices increases your chance of getting the correct answer by 50 percent.

Breathe. Breathe – it helps calm the mind to perform better.

Look up. God, Allah, Yahweh, Buddha, Energy – whatever you call Him, don’t forget to ask for His guidance. Trust me, it works.

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Sweetness,
Allyne

P.S. The answer for the equation above is 48. Check it. ;)

P.P.S.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 Philippines License.

March Moments

I know.

I haven’t written in a while and many things have been bothering me since late February. But before all the laughter and drama, I want to greet you all a HAPPY, HAPPY EASTER! Let’s thank Jesus for this day as it is because of His resurrection that we are alive.

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After months of scrutinizing Shakespeare, analyzing physics and equating equations, March marks the start of the countdown to bidding ‘sayonara high school!’. All the sleepless nights are forgotten along with the tiresome completion of requirements as every high school senior look forward to receiving their diplomas. Much as I do prefer reading novels compared to all-night hardcore partying, I can’t deny that I also anticipate free days when I can just rest and do nothing at all. I’m trying not to be nostalgic or anything but really, the idea of me graduating from high school already seems to be a bit too soon. I really had a hell of a great time in high school through all the ups and downs and experiences. Maybe I am sad because of the goodbyes I’m about to give and receive. I’ve formed different bonds with people and the thought of having to part with them even temporarily is really bringing my spirits down. I’m really going to miss a lot of people especially YOU GUYS OF BONIFACIO, SILANG, DE JESUS and QUEZON.

When things end, something is sure to start. College life is just around the corner but I am still standing in front of two fork roads. The institution I am to take my college education portrays a big role in my future career and I want to be certain for money is a big issue related to college education. As of this moment, I have less than one week to decide between Ateneo de Manila University and the University of the Philippines - Diliman. I have no academic problems with Ateneo because I find their BS Health Science competitive enough to get me into a good medical school after 4 years. On the other hand, I am unsure of studying in UP due to the fact that the degree program they have accepted me in is called AB Linguistics. Though I am überly interested in language scholarship, I am inclined towards the medical profession specifically pediatrics.

Linguistics.

Medicine.

See the connection?

No? Yeah, thought so too.

Well, I pray to God that He will always guide me in every decision I am to make.

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Pressing the ‘Rewind’ button, I want to share some happenings these past weeks before I finally let the curtains of high school fall. Might I forget all the details in the far future, I am at ease that I’ll always remember the highlights by writing them down.

Final examinations made its way into our lives. Seniors like me scratched our pens on test sheets one last time in high school before facing the new challenges of college life. Contrary to popular belief, the final exams are not-so-breezy. In my case, my nose bled (figuratively, of course) while taking the Drafting exams specifically the part of predicting feasible orthographic sketches and my brain did a back flip the moment I laid my eyes on the Physics test due to my naïveté (actually, it is due to my absence in class) regarding the principles of calculating the mechanical advantages of simple machines. In anyway, those mind boggles are stuffs of the past. With only the toga and diploma needed to complete the picture, the seniors of my batch including I, feel that the graduation season is fast approaching.

But before we don those gala ensembles, the Sapientia et Virtus staff needs to fulfill their last duty for school year 2007 – 2008 which is to publish the yearly SEV magazine. At this point, I admit that I am really nostalgic. I’ve been a part of this organization throughout my stay in high school and I’ll really miss all the moments I’ve shared with my co-staff especially the teachings I’ve learned from the two great advisers of this org – Teacher Rodel and THE Goddess. I can’t imagine school without this organization chiefly because sev/ap is my first family in high school and I have made most of my tight bonds within this org. Every issue we release means so much to me for we poured our hearts and efforts to it. Not to forget the fun trips we had to the different press conferences and seminars. Nothing can really make me forget all those experiences I had with the staff.

Aside from fulfilling my duties as a sev/ap staff, I am also in the quest of raising my voice with the other coro san antonio members as we are preparing for our last performances – Baccalaureate mass and the Seniors’ Graduation. But before that, coro san antonio actually got its biggest break since its organization. The Philippine Normal University Chorale invited us, along with 8 other chorales, to join them in the first Voices Concert held at the PhilAm Life Theater last March 7, 2008. Great experience – these words certainly describe the memory I had that night with all other great choirs! The training days were really exhausting but worth the efforts. You guys can watch our performance on YouTube.com by typing coro san Antonio on the search box. You’ve got to watch it!

Not to forget, cheers to the SSA Seagulls Pep Squad for a back-to-back Championship title in the National Cheering Competition. All your hard work has paid off! Woohoo!

Surely, time really flies fast when you are having fun. One day you’re just on your first day as a Freshman and the next day you find yourself practicing for the Senior year graduation. Even so, we can’t help the reality that we all have to leave but in one way or another, we do return. And that is the purpose of memories. We may be gone, but we can always go back.

Off to college!

Sweetness,

Allyne

P.S. I forgot to greet one of my besties, Kristine, a happy birthday last March 8 along side the celebration of Women’s Day.

Sunshine After the Storm

*Sheepishly peeks*

It’s almost the end of November and I haven’t written a single entry. Maybe it’s because I was/am enslaved by academics and extra curricular activities that I can only comb my hair twice a day. Not that I don’t really care about my packaging but honestly, I don’t really need to impress anyone at the moment and spend my time combing my untamable mane.

Concerning the past three weeks, nothing major really happened in my life. Mid term test did occur and other academic stuff like quizzes and home works occupied most of my time but exciting isn’t the right word to describe such activities (though they say that I seem to enjoy nerd stuff).

Ah, I almost forgot! Well, I also participated in laying-out the Ang Paglalayag which is quite thrilling activity though my favorite part is staying late at the publication office with some peers and just do stuff. It has been quite a while since I seriously attended to my job as the managing ed. of the Ang Paglalayag. I really miss writing away my thoughts like this. But…I do miss singing too.

Of course, I can’t cut my self into two and attend both the Coro San Antonio and the Sapientia et Virtus/Ang Paglalayag training and meeting sessions. If I could, then I should have done it a long time ago. I just hate it when people ask me why I am not somewhere I was “supposed” to be. For now, I’m happy with both organizations because I am able to channel my talents not because I want to please someone. My shortcomings do not justify my entire being.

Enough of the drama and stuff, it’s time to have fun!

Heart-warming it is to help other people especially when you can feel and see that they appreciate what you are doing for them.

I felt this simple fulfillment when I joined the GABAY Immersion program today which was sponsored by my school. My classmates and I were able to interact with 35 children in need of education and care. Though I’m not that good with children, I got along fine with my tutees for the day. I just feel so sad for them because as children, it was not really their choice to be slumped into such difficult state. On the other hand, I appreciate how blessed I am for being able to live in a more comfortable manner. I hope that more able people will be aware of what is happening outside their selfish shells.

I guess I got carried away for this entry to get this long. Making up for the lost opportunity I suppose.

May God bless us all!

Tales Longed to be Told

Time flies fast when you are having fun.

I did not realize how long it has been since I last dropped by. See, I finally formulated an alternate for ‘since I last updated’. Kudos for me!

Apparently, September became an über eventful month. Experiences ranging the transformation from a regular student taking his final tests to a chorale singer to a campus journalist and back to being a regular student once more occurred in 30 days. It’s like being a caterpillar undergoing a metamorphosis in order to fly and become a beautiful butterfly. LOL! If only…

Of course, I want to congratulate the CORO SAN ANTONIO! After all the drama of everyday practices, it is indeed a fulfillment, being able to pull off the best we can for the MUSIKAPELLA 2007 and thankfully, with God’s intervention, we even managed to become the 1st Runner Up of the said event. Some of you might think ‘Duh, it’s only 1st runner up…why are you so happy about it?’ and I respect that perspective. Though I must say, the practices were quite rough and we even encountered conflicts that really tested the strength of our team spirit. Enough of the reminiscent of the difficulties…at least everything ended well, right? Before mentioning other stuff, I would like to express my thanks to all those who supported our group from the beginning ‘til the end. Big or small, material or not, you help really boosted our spirits to lift up our voices and sing! Arigato Gozaimasu, minna-san!

How can I forget my first love? After singing the OPM love songs Minsan Lang Kitang Iibigin and Kahit Ika’y Panaginip Lang for Musikapella, I changed my costume once more and don my Sapientia et Virtus/Ang Paglalayag (SEV/AP) character along with my trusty pen and paper.

It has been, like, a tradition, for the members of the SEV/AP to participate in the yearly Liyab Journalism Fellowship sponsored by The Torch Publication of the Philippine Normal University. And this year, I was like given no choice if I were to go or not to the said event because for one, I consider the expense of the said two-day affair since I still have and want to participate in the upcoming Secondary Schools’ Division Press Conference to be held at the Quezon City Science High School which will also cost me some kachings. Earlier, I mentioned about the Musikapella and the preparation for the said event cost me a week’s absence from class. I worry that I might not be able to fulfill my responsibilities as a student if I acquire a week more of absence from my classes. Anyway, I still jumped into the unknown waters and found myself in the said event. I’m just happy that even though things in that said event didn’t really go according to the wants of the others, I am sure that God has a better plan for all of us. I’m so thankful that during the time of hopelessness, He is always there to come and save the day. He’s a real hero!

Oh, I forgot to mention that last September 23, 2007, I took the University of Santo Tomas Entrance Test. But thankfully, it was not as difficult compared to UPCAT and ACET. Thank God!

As for the teacher who really likes to make a hell out of my life, I figured that there's nothing I can do about his power trips. I just have to get used to it and go with his whims. Anyway, I won't benefit from crying over spilled milk.

Enough whining! Start Smiling!

‘til my next sensible entry!

Love you!