The Humanities and Social Sciences strand has always been taken for granted. Whenever people ask me what strand I took for my senior high school education, I could see the disappointment on their faces as I utter the word “HUMSS”. They seem to think that I am a wasted potential because I chose to become a HUMSS student. My answer? No, Humanities and Social Sciences is not a strand for people who are undecided and looking for easier workloads. I, as a HUMSS student, want to change these negative, belittling notions. I chose to become a HUMSS student because I want to serve for the society. I want to serve for the country; and I would bet that I’m not the only HUMSS student that holds these sentiments.
HUMSS strand is not easy.
No strand is easy. The activities that we do may seem easy for other people but it takes us a lot of time before we accomplish the tasks. Almost every day, we do our writings in many subjects and there are times that we experience writers’ block or having no words to say.
Moreover, writing also comes with reading. Sometimes, our subject teachers give us reading materials and I tell you, they consist of many pages. However, because of these materials, we learn a lot and learn to appreciate the value of reading. Furthermore, there are so many terms and concepts to remember. Deep understanding and critical thinking are required for us to understand these difficult concepts.
HUMSS strand helps us become informed citizens.
We become aware of the current state of affairs and become opinionated about these issues. We become familiar with the happenings in the Philippine national government and its foreign affairs. The blood in our veins scream for change and our Filipino spirit awakens every time we hear outright unprofessional statements that our government leaders say; and worse, the sight of blatant misdeeds that they do.
HUMSS strand makes us understand things through different perspectives.
We become open-minded people. We become exposed to things that may not be acceptable for other people. We learn different cultures and at the same time, we learn to accept and appreciate them. We become capable of seeing things through different lenses.
Personally, the HUMSS shaped me and is still shaping me into a person who is ready for the future. I realized that the HUMSS strand may become the most interesting among all the strands, but we also have to remember that we have our own aspirations and passions. All strands require students to improve and excel as preparations for their future careers.
I hope with all the points that I have mentioned, it will make you realize that no strand is better than other strands.
“‘Di kami HUMSS lang!” because we are the future lawyers, journalists, teachers, diplomats, government leaders and many more. We are considered as the foundation of the society. We are the social scientists that will face and solve the future problems of the society.
“HUMSS lang naman yan madali lang dyan.”
“Sa amin, yung may mga mababang mark napunta sa HUMSS.”
Such statements imply a stereotype that the Humanities and Social Sciences Strand is for the people who chose the easy way to graduate. It is not seen as an in-demand academic path and is perceived to be mostly about reading and writing. Well, they are not entirely wrong about that. However, as a HUMSS student I can tell you this strand offers way more opportunities than some people thought of it.
Here are 3 reasons that can prove how the Humanities and Social Sciences Strand is as worthy to be respected as the other strands.
1. Advocates action backed by knowledge.
Being ignorant can hardly be tolerated in the HUMSS strand because we are always encouraged to voice out our own opinions and ideas. We are beckoned to be deeply involved to the happenings in the society to increase our knowledge to its inner workings. We are being trained and sharpened to be active and responsible young citizens. We are not just enclosed inside the four walls of our classroom. Instead, our mentors allow us to be exposed to the condition of our country. They encourage us to be part of its development by being informed, by creating projects valuable in helping the society, and most of all, by standing against injustices. We are being trained and sharpened to be active and responsible young Filipino citizens.
2. Promotes deep perspectives of matters.
HUMSS encourages students to not only look at the surface, but to reach a deeper understanding about the concepts and issues of the country. We are tasked to think beyond the already perceived comprehensions and share new knowledge that comes from our own understanding. It enhances critical thinking and one’s communication skills as these attributes are vital in this globally competitive generation.
3. Helps an individual to understand himself/herself more.
We are humans; this is where the Humanities and Social Sciences focuses on. It gives utmost importance on human behavior, their capabilities, and development; thus, enabling us to better understand ourselves.
We must remove the mindset that “this strand is better than this strand”. Academic strands are not a means to promote competition and judgment among students. Rather, they exist to expose students to the environment of their chosen field. Choosing a strand must be based on one’s interest and passion; not on pressure or rankings.
As a graduating senior high school student from the Humanities and Social Sciences strand, I know and feel that HUMSS will always have a very special place in my heart. It has been a place for my progress and development as a person and as a young Filipino student with big dreams for herself and especially for her fellow citizens.
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