Managing Your Study

Good study habits begin as early as a child learns her ABCs and 123s. When a child enters a school, she should have the notion that both learning and going to school are fun.
It is the parents’ and the guardians’ role to develop study skills. This is done through regular reading, making learning an enjoyable experience, balancing play and study, and reviewing notes every day.  So when the periodical test days come, you won't need to cram.   Once she understands these things, it will not be difficult for her to manage her studies as she progresses in her schooling, especially when she will go to college. More so if she gets into either a scholarship grant or a foreign exchange study program. Below are guidelines that I made for you. It will direct you to study effectively and achieve success in your university life.
On Procrastination and Distractions Be responsible of your time. Use it well in the most productive way. Don’t create barriers thinking that your study is one obstacle you need to overcome. Take it as a challenge and find motivation. Set a daily study period and stick to it.
When you do this, you will have more time for other chores like paying your bills, going to the gym and making important calls. During your study period, turn off your phone and close your door. On Time Management Each subject you have entails at least 8 to 12 hours per week for you to study and review it. Create a realistic timetable or schedule that will include your study time and your work, and other activities like family and social commitments.
On the Lack of Study Space Aside from the library, look for a quiet place in your home or in your campus where you can be alone and study uninterruptedly.  Bring only the things you need. Keep your desk clear and free from things that may distract you.
On Disinterest All of us have that least favored subject. I never liked Math, yet I still tackled it.  Stay motivated and maintain a positive attitude towards your study. Finish first the least favored subject’s assignments. Treat each topic seriously and accept the uninteresting nature of the subject. Reward yourself if you have spent a productive hour on the subject.
	On Reading Reading is part of our lives. Every day we read manuals, magazines, newspapers, maps, books and others. When you study your lessons, identify your purpose and reasons why you read the text. Highlight words and phrases that are important.
Take notes. Skim by reading the text for main ideas. Review and get that habit of reading your notes and assignments right after your study periods. It is through these ways that you will have better grasp of the subject matter and retain the information. Always remember that there is not just one way to make the best result for each student. It is more about being determined, rather than being greatly intelligent.  Compared to intellectual ability, success has more to do with well developed skills. Strive for success! You can do it. Prepared by: Liezel Magno Castro

Sick and Far Away from Home

My  first time to be away from home was during my university days. For four years, I lived in a ladies’ dormitory within the university campus. I grew up in the lowlands and when I moved to the mountains, my system adapted the colder climate. As a student and an intern, I did all my chores. After school, among many other tasks, I did my laundry, I cooked my own food, grocery shopped, and others. I got tired and exhausted and sometimes, I got sick. Since there were twenty four of us  (interns) in one room, there was a great chance that I might pass my colds and flu to my roommates.
Here are a few tips to stay healthy and avoid getting sick with the changes in temperature:   Keep Yourself Hydrated Drink lots of water. Not soda, not even iced tea and definitely no alcoholic beverages. Alcoholic beverages are diuretic in nature that makes you pee, not a liquid laxative. This can drain your body of vital fluids.
Visit your University Physician Do this the moment you don't feel well. Have your university physician or medical assistant check on what you have and what medications are needed to get rid of it. Do not go after a couple of days, for you may have struck infections by then. And that means, you will miss your classes while you wait for the medicines to kick in.
	Email your Professor Should You Need to Miss your Class Secure for a medical certificate from your university physician, scan it and email it to your professors. Tell them that you will miss your classes. This will give your professors the impression that you care about being in their class.
Take Your Daily Cs and Other Supplements Aside from hydrating yourself by drinking water, it is also important that you take your daily vitamins and supplements. If you suspect or you feel you have a fever, take paracetamol.  If however, your system is too weak to battle the virus, visit your physician immediately. If he gives you some medicines to take, make sure that you complete the entire dose. It is possible that an infection could recur because you did not finish the dose. One thing worse than being sick is being sick AGAIN. Take the Needed Rest How well can you study for a test when you are sick? If you feel that you are under the weather, get some rest. People who take off when they are not feeling well live longer than those who don’t.
Eating Right Eating right is the key. But if you live in a dormitory like I used to, this is really difficult   to do. For the fact that we don’t have a full kitchen and a stove in our room, microwaving our food won’t give any healthy options. Even the foods served in the university’s cafeteria are not much better. The best thing you can do is get some fruits and stuff like that and store in your personal fridge. The minerals and vitamins will help you feel better.
A final tip to stay healthy is to practice prevention. Don't wait until you get sick and search for a cure. Do the things listed above. Practice prevention. Remember, an ounce of prevention is better than cure.

Prepared By: Liezel Magno Castro