Quarter One: The End of the Beginning

 

    Throughout my voyage as a 10th grader in this 1st quarter, I’ve learned and discovered plenty of new information, knowledge as well as experiences. From Science, our first subject period talking about Earth Science including Plate Tectonics and Continental Drift Theory, to our last subject period, English, teaching us various lessons such as Analytical Listening, Author’s Purpose and Evaluating Spoken Text. As my teachers educate us in classroom discussions, they go beyond simply giving information as they also instill important morals and values. They create an engaging and enjoyable learning experience by incorporating humorous jokes that lighten the atmosphere and spark our interest. Through these moments, they teach us the significance of finding joy in learning and encourage us to approach education with enthusiasm. But most especially, they have empowered us to think critically and engage in meaningful discussions. This has allowed me to not only absorb information but also develop important skills such as reflective thinking and effective communication. Beyond academic growth, these experiences have contributed to my personal growth, broadening my perspective and fostering respect for diverse viewpoints. As I reflect on this first quarter, I am grateful for the valuable learning and discoveries instilled in me, and I eagerly anticipate further growth in the upcoming quarters.

    However, wonderful learning and discoveries come with inevitable challenges and obstacles. One of the struggles I’ve encountered during the first quarter was managing my time effectively, especially as an SSC student with ten subjects. Although I am aware that we also had ten subjects back when I was in 9th grade, but things changed, and this time, I transitioned to a higher grade level. It became so overwhelming when I had multiple assignments or quizzes scheduled simultaneously, particularly when the subjects are consecutive. This made it difficult to find sufficient time and attention to each subject, resulting to being stressed. Additionally, the fact that school begins at 7:30 in the morning and ends at 5:00 p.m., leaving limited time in the evenings for personal matters. Therefore, I have noticed that my brain is weak and drained at night due to being tired from school lectures and activities. Moreover, with the short period of time that I have at night, it is sometimes hard to choose a subject to put focus on. This led me to switch subjects from time to time without completing the first one and I ended up not being productive.

    But of course, I firmly believe that every problem has a solution. No matter how tough the challenges may seem, I always see the bright side in addressing these trials. In my opinion, crying and complaining about schoolwork only serves as a waste of time and energy. Instead, I choose to stay resilient and having a positive mindset as my weapon in fighting these difficulties. To enhance my study skills, I have developed various techniques and strategies that have proven effective for me. This includes setting up a timetable or a schedule with everything I need to do and finish. I plan to begin with the subject that either takes the most time or holds the highest priority to the most straightforward subject to carry out. In addition, studying with full attention and concentration is really useful and powerful as it helped me complete the task better and faster. Also, I discovered another technique which is avoiding memorization but to understand the concept of the particular lesson. This happened to me in my Science subject, I only memorized the key terms rather than the ideas and theories. Thereby, I got a low mark on my Summative tests, but as I reviewed the lesson, I got a good score in my Periodical examination. Correspondingly, multitasking and procrastinating both results to poor quality and accuracy of work. Therefore, I actively avoid such practices to ensure that I can produce my best work consistently.

    Moving on I will build upon my experiences and accomplishments from the first quarter. I will continue to prioritize effective time management and organization to maintain a balanced workload. By implementing the strategies I have learned, such as breaking down tasks and setting priorities, I will make sure that I find sufficient time and attention to each subject because all of them are equally important. Likewise, I will strive to further boost up my understanding of challenging subjects by enthusiastically engaging in class, asking questions, and seeking additional resources when needed. This approach will enable me to grasp complex concepts and deepen my knowledge and understanding. On top of that, I will focus on developing my problem-solving skills and critical thinking abilities, as these are essential for success not only in academics but also in real life situations. By sharpening these skills, I will be more prepared to face problems and approach work strategically with perseverance and an optimistic outlook, I am confident that I will continue to grow and seize the opportunities that lie ahead in this school year.