HEDCen Blogs

[thesirshedcen]

New Year // New Me

The new years celebration is a tradition I guess, but it really hasn't grown on me. I do enjoy the grand feast that comes with the new year, but I immediately go to my room afterwards. I do appreciate the beautiful fireworks and the flashy displays as they burn out, but the deafening blasts of fireworks out weigh their beauty, for me at least. Then afterwards comes the smog that lingers and the eerie silence after such a celebration, this leaves me feeling glum. Starting a new year with a lively start to a dead silent aftermath is certainly off-putting.

I have never thought about new years resolutions as I thought that I would never push through with it since I consider myself one of the laziest creatures in the world. But now, I really want to change for the better and try to remove all the things that may have been hindering my potential.

My first resolution is to do better in school, especially in the requirements that have been gunning me down the whole year. The tasks that are provided are many and difficult yet doable, it's just that there are so many of them, for example, I have 4 theses to submit by the end of January alone. To attain this I need to change my outlook on my studies as I get stressed and tired throughout the day just by thinking of doing them, only to end up doing nothing.

Second, I'd like to improve my ultimate frisbee skills so that I am eligible, by my own standards at least, to join a team that will compete in tournaments. I have already taken the first steps to this, I have been training with a team called Stillwolves and have committed to their practices on the weekends. They're holding these training sessions in preparation for a tournament in February 1, which I am joining with them. I am proud to be able to play with them but I feel that I need to get better in order for me to at least keep up with them.

Lastly, I want to know myself more. Almost all the people I know already have plans for their futures as they have found what professions they like. As for me however, I still do not know what I want to be. I feel that the paths are all before me yet I do not know what to take. I mean I know things that I like to do and would like to take up for college perhaps, but I am torn between choosing a job for passion or for money. I want to find the truth to myself, I have profuse and gigantic ambitions, but I fear that I am too small for them and should try to go for easier things. I want to try out more things that might interest me and maybe even talk to adults or experts on "Life", if they exist, about my problems. As the time of college draws near i am ever fearful about the future filled with decisions that will sail my life to a certain direction.

These three are my what I want to focus on for this year, even if it risks my dignity, pride, or my physical or mental well-being, I'd gladly take a shot at things that may improve me or impart to me things that are vital for my growth. Whatever happens, I will try to hold my ground under the pressure of the world and keep true to these goals, and if I falter, then I'm clearly not doing my best.

[thesirshedcen]

Mental Health

Today, many are afflicted with psychological and emotional disorders. The number of patients with mental issues has grown significantly in the recent years. 

Despite the alarming number of cases of mental illnesses, many are unaware or refuse to believe this is a serious topic. The minds of young people are probably more prone to be affected by stress or other factors that can lead to poor mental health as they are still developing. In a comparative study, it was revealed that there was a 20% increase of children aged 6-17 that are diagnosed with anxiety (Nutt 2018). This may be due to the increase of stressors in the environment such as pollution or the increase in expectations in social systems such as schools. The pressure people experience from society might be higher now when compared to then as society has become more modern its standards will rise as well.

It has seemingly become a ‘trend’ in recent generations to be “depressed”. I see this as a way of coping by trying to reach out to other people or just to increase their self-esteem. I’ve seen this many times in social media in some people that keep posting pictures of themselves and would even ask you to like their profiles and whatnot. This can be misinterpreted as ‘looking for attention’, which can further complicate their relations with people if they start bashing. This may be because they see this as a way to express or release repressed thoughts. However other people are just not able to see the world as they do.

Though I have never understood why mental illnesses are rising as our society advances. It is not clear to me why this is not one of the priorities of society, to care for everyone’s mental state. I have had experiences with people that have anxiety issues, and I can say that it is horrifying to see someone break down just by thinking.

I can not truly comment about mental health as I have not experienced it myself, but from what I know, it is real. I have met people that claim to be depressed or constantly anxious and they are not the stereotypical gloomy, dead, or dull person. Each of them still functions in society and usually finds different ways to cope and recover from their afflictions. The dangers of these mental illnesses were also made apparent to me when I met them. However, I believe the cases of mental health issues will keep rising and I hope that there will be more ways to treat those burdened with one in the future.

[thesirshedcen]

Social Media

Social media has proven to be one of the most prominent aspects of modern society as it has become integrated into our daily life. It is a connection to each persons life and it can serve as a source and outlet of different types of media.

Advantages

It has helped society progress through the means of allowing individuals to open up to the world. Especially in a century wherein privacy is what most individuals value, this can serve as an outlet for their thoughts and feelings as social media can be an extension of their comfort zones. The anonymity of social media has helped people voice out their opinions.

It has also become a source of news and entertainment for us. It keeps us updated about the current happenings around the world and it can be a platform for entertainers also to spread their content. Additionally, this can also be a place for businesses to advertise their products globally. 

Disadvantages

Despite all it provides for society, social media can become a weapon for those that abuse it. People can create fake news which can mislead people into wrongdoings such as posts that defame people with nonfactual claims. The “lawless’’ element of social media and the internet itself can cause social media crimes to appear. Instances of hacking, fraud, cyberbullying / online threats, child pornography, and gore have been seen in different social media sites. This types of posts can usually be taken down by administrators or artificial intelligence, however not all can be removed as it takes time to filter out all new posts.

Social media has become instilled into modern living, maybe because we are social animals and this has become an easier way for us to communicate. From the old ages of telegrams and letters, we have risen to instant messaging yet it is still somehow full of flaws. The abuse of something will always lead to unfavorable outcomes, thus social media can never be truly safe unless it evolves to do so (when artificial intelligence finally takes over the internet). Despite all of its flaws, it is now a necessity for our society to function, if it is suddenly lost, conflict will probably arise from the uneasy silence that we no longer know of.

[thesirshedcen]

Better People, Better Earth

The HEDCen Way

[thesirshedcen]

Chrysalis

I have not yet seen what this school will mold me into, as I am still in the process of change. But nevertheless, I have always reflected as to what it is shaping me into, but then I remember the motto of HEDCen. (next post) Alas, it shall metamorphose me into the path to greater glory.

[thesirshedcen]

Evolution

From a socially inept weirdo, I slowly climbed up the ladder and started to play sports which was an unexpected turn for me. I then joined the schools varsity team, it was tiring but fun, we did not win much, but we were still happy just to play. Then I played Ultimate Frisbee, and now, I joined theater. Suicide, is what it was for me, a socially nervous wreck joined theater, ironic. I was supposed to join as part of the chorus but I was chosen to be one of the main cast. I was devastated but also excited by the challenge.

[thesirshedcen]

This class, we have become close to each other in no time, this family that I got adopted into was caring, understanding, and for some reason, very approachable. I could say that they give off a feeling of safety when I am with them. 

[thesirshedcen]

One of the things that made me attached to this place was my love for nature. I was thought about the environment which is not usually a topic that most schools introduce to students. When I realized it I felt that the world was doomed to pollution due to unawareness of people to most crises happening in our environment. The trips to the Tungtong River was also one of the things that I enjoyed here, the freedom of going into nature was breath taking. It made me free, the school itself as well, I did not feel as constrained as I was in my past schools, it made me feel free to explore what I can and what I want to be.

Photo by : Ulrich Torres :)

[thesirshedcen]

Transferee

I first entered this school when I was in grade 7. At first I was nervous and unsure of this school, yet my first impressions of its surroundings was that it was peaceful. Nature was all around me, unlike my past school. I slowly became social unlike what I was before and I enjoyed the schools curriculum. The people here are friendly and accepting towards everyone. Slowly as I opened up because of the warm environment, I began to change, I forced myself to go out of my comfort zones and have done incredible (and incredibly stupid) things in my time here.