Learning How To Walk: A College Preparation Manual
The joyful (and sometimes boring) days for the students are almost over. Summer is about to end in a snap which means that the doors of our beloved schools are opening in a few. I`m sure that students like me are currently experiencing mixed emotions there goes "I`m so excited for school! I`m finally going to see my crush again!!!" or the dark side of "Jeez... I`m going to see that (insert name of student or teacher that you hate here) again! I don`t wanna see him/her!". We`ll be having our enrollment on May 19 and we`ll have our first class on May 26 (because we`re on a trimestral calendar). Just a few days remaining before the opening of the 1st trimester S.Y. 2014-2015 and so I decided to give some tips to my fellow students who are taking their big leap in education which is the entry in college :).
1. Pick your path! Choose a course that fits you!
Students nowadays are taking the courses that their parents/relatives wanted them to take. Please! Never ever listen to such! You`re the one who`s going to study... Not them! Choose the course that matches you so that you`ll enjoy your college journey.
But how will I know what course is for me? It`s simple, base your decision in your NCAE (National Career Assessment Examination) result or on your HOBBY/INTEREST. If you`re good in computer related stuff and enjoys innovation go for a Computer Science or Computer Engineering degree, if you are artistic or you have this sense of style go for Architecture, Fine Arts or (related courses) , if you enjoy playing with numbers go with Mathematics and etc... There are a lot of fields to choose from and they are just waiting for you to pick them up.
NOTE: Choosing a course in college is just like starting a pokemon journey. You need to choose a starter pokemon monster, you need to choose someone who you`ll be spending the rest of your life and where you know you can handle better than the others.
2. Pick a University/College!
Picking the right university for your chosen field is the next step. But how will I know if it`s the right university for me?
It`s the right university if...
-the course you`ve picked is their forte or COE (Center of Excellence) accredited.
-you think that the environment (people and the area) is good.
-you live near to it.
I`d like to highlight the last one; having a university right beside your house is probably the best thing that you`ll ever have in college! You`re considered lucky! In college you`ll be facing loads of projects, homeworks, exercises and deadlines where you need to catch up, that`s where those people living near the school gains their advantage. Imagine having an extended relaxing sleep because you`re just near the school instead of taking a trip for a couple hours. A big difference between stress and relaxation right?
3. Conditioning and Friends
When you`re done picking your course and school, it`s now time to condition yourself mentally and physically. Weeks before the start of the class you need to experience how it feels like to be a college student, you need to experience traveling to school and of course you need to be familiar with your new environment. College life opens a new section in our lives and this is the part where our "being independent" is tested and enhanced. I`m telling you that you should learn how to stand up by yourself and never ever depend on other people. If possible, I advise you to have a small but TRUE circle of friends in college because more friends = more distractions , smaller group= less headache. You don`t need a lot of them in your journey, most of the people that you`ll meet in college are users and leechers (and you wont benefit from them), they`ll just take away all the good from you and have it credited under their names. :)
4. Get a Laptop, a Printer(with Scanner is highly recommended) and an Internet Connection!
Unlike before where college students write in a leaf (just kidding!)... :))
In college, expect loads of research where you`ll be needing your friends Google and wikipedia, works that requires printing services, lectures that will be sent in your e-mail address (or student portal account) or class reporting that requires you to make a (powerpoint) presentation.
Having the 3 with you will be a big help in your college journey especially if you`re pursuing a Computer Related course.
PS: I`m encouraging everyone to go for BS Computer Science :)!
-Allen
1. Pick your path! Choose a course that fits you!
Students nowadays are taking the courses that their parents/relatives wanted them to take. Please! Never ever listen to such! You`re the one who`s going to study... Not them! Choose the course that matches you so that you`ll enjoy your college journey.
But how will I know what course is for me? It`s simple, base your decision in your NCAE (National Career Assessment Examination) result or on your HOBBY/INTEREST. If you`re good in computer related stuff and enjoys innovation go for a Computer Science or Computer Engineering degree, if you are artistic or you have this sense of style go for Architecture, Fine Arts or (related courses) , if you enjoy playing with numbers go with Mathematics and etc... There are a lot of fields to choose from and they are just waiting for you to pick them up.
NOTE: Choosing a course in college is just like starting a pokemon journey. You need to choose a starter pokemon monster, you need to choose someone who you`ll be spending the rest of your life and where you know you can handle better than the others.
2. Pick a University/College!
Picking the right university for your chosen field is the next step. But how will I know if it`s the right university for me?
It`s the right university if...
-the course you`ve picked is their forte or COE (Center of Excellence) accredited.
-you think that the environment (people and the area) is good.
-you live near to it.
I`d like to highlight the last one; having a university right beside your house is probably the best thing that you`ll ever have in college! You`re considered lucky! In college you`ll be facing loads of projects, homeworks, exercises and deadlines where you need to catch up, that`s where those people living near the school gains their advantage. Imagine having an extended relaxing sleep because you`re just near the school instead of taking a trip for a couple hours. A big difference between stress and relaxation right?
3. Conditioning and Friends
When you`re done picking your course and school, it`s now time to condition yourself mentally and physically. Weeks before the start of the class you need to experience how it feels like to be a college student, you need to experience traveling to school and of course you need to be familiar with your new environment. College life opens a new section in our lives and this is the part where our "being independent" is tested and enhanced. I`m telling you that you should learn how to stand up by yourself and never ever depend on other people. If possible, I advise you to have a small but TRUE circle of friends in college because more friends = more distractions , smaller group= less headache. You don`t need a lot of them in your journey, most of the people that you`ll meet in college are users and leechers (and you wont benefit from them), they`ll just take away all the good from you and have it credited under their names. :)
4. Get a Laptop, a Printer(with Scanner is highly recommended) and an Internet Connection!
Unlike before where college students write in a leaf (just kidding!)... :))
In college, expect loads of research where you`ll be needing your friends Google and wikipedia, works that requires printing services, lectures that will be sent in your e-mail address (or student portal account) or class reporting that requires you to make a (powerpoint) presentation.
Having the 3 with you will be a big help in your college journey especially if you`re pursuing a Computer Related course.
PS: I`m encouraging everyone to go for BS Computer Science :)!
-Allen
Kahit naman ako, when I was still a highschool student, I don't know what to take. Wala kasing proper career guidance given to high school students. I hope that for us girls, finding real friend in college is that easy. But for you guys, it’s simpler.. :)
ReplyDeleteVery interesting blog. A lot of blogs I see these days don't really provide anything that attract others, but I'm most definitely interested in this one. Just thought that I would post and let you know.
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