Kristina is a Licensed Engineer who expresses
her heart's content through writing.
On this blog she shares her love for learning,
her passions and reflections,
and her life as a dream chaser!
Know more.
I've been wanting to share my current skin care products for a long time, and now it is finally here!
But before we start, just a little disclaimer: I am not a skin expert. What I am about to share is my knowledge I obtained from my own experiences and from researching. What works for me, may not work for you. Individual results may vary depending on skin type, sensitivity, age, and skin care history, as well as how the product is applied. If you have sensitive skin, consult your dermatologist first or do a patch test before use.
To start with, I have a sensitive, oily and acne-prone skin. I have acne since I was 14 years old and it got worst during college. I took accutane for 4 months and I was acne-free for 7 months. When I started breaking out again after being acne-free, I decided to take skin care seriously.
I've been using the products below for months now, and so far my skin is loving them! My skin gets easily irritated and my redness have been a problem for so long. Before, I was using acne products for my whole face, but I found out from researching that these products contain strong ingredients that may damage your skin. I stopped using these products and made sure to use either organic or mild products only!
1. Facial Cleanser: Mumuso Natural Plant Cleanser
Claims: A facial cleanser that is not harsh on the skin and sufficiently removes dirt and oil accumulated over the day.
Price: 149 PHP (2.95 USD)
My Thoughts: I started using this during my review for board examination, and it helped me with my redness! It is a mild cleanser that removes impurities and oil on your skin without making your skin dry. Â I use this day and night and it really does the job cleaning your skin.
Skin Care Tip: I sometimes skip facial cleanser when I wake up in the morning, especially if the weather is good and my skin didn't produce much oil overnight. This is to avoid stripping out the natural oil on my skin!
2. Make Up Remover: Biore Cleansing Oil
Claims: Thoroughly yet gently dissolves stubborn makeup, including waterproof mascara; removes dirt and excess sebum.
Price: 320 PHP (6.35 USD)
My Thoughts: I like this cleansing oil so much! I used to use micellar water as my make up remover but I don't think it completely removes my make up and I feel dry after using it. But this cleansing oil is very gentle on the skin and a small amount can already dissolves your full make up! I also love the fact that it removes waterproof mascara without stinging your eyes. This is good to use if you are a fan of double cleansing because it won't dry out your skin.
3. Toner: Skin Genie Apple Cider Vinegar Toner
Claims: Purifies and hydrates with anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal properties; helps regenerate healthy tissue with minerals and potassium; regulates the skinâs pH balance; removes dead cells and excess oil; promotes clarity of complexion and helps prevent pimples; diminishes discoloration and age spots.
Price: 250 PHP (4.96 USD)
My Thoughts:Â This one is a favorite! It is so refreshing and doesn't leave me a tingling sensation. The smell is addicting too! I use this day and night and I notice that it even out my skin tone and it helps in hydrating my skin. I also love the fact that this is a local brand!
Claims: Long-wearing formula shields against harmful UV rays; repels insects such as mosquitoes and ticks; moisturizes with cocoa butter and avocado oil.
Price: 200 PHP (3.97 USD)
My Thoughts: This is a sunscreen and a moisturizer in one! This is for my daytime use and it doesn't feel heavy. I don't have to apply a moisturizer when using this because it really moisturizes my skin! I have an oily skin so I prefer using gel-type moisturizer, but this one doesn't clog my pores! The only thing I don't like about it is its smell, but if you are a fan of citronella then it won't be an issue for you.
5. Serum: It's Skin Power 10 Formula CO Effector
Claims: High potency serum quenches skin; phyto collagen reverses and prevents the effects of premature aging; superbly hydrating to relieve dryness and avert dullness; creates a soft veil for long-lasting hydration and vibrancy; penetrates deeply for a healthy glow.
Price: 599 PHP (11.88 USD)
My Thoughts: This is my holy grail!!! I use this at night and I wake up glowing in the morning. I also noticed that it helps eliminate my tiny bumps on my forehead area. I also apply this on the areas that I feel a pimple will pop. I love that it also lessened my redness! It also moisturizes my skin, so I don't have to worry about applying moisturizer after using this!
Extra: Before applying this, I like to use my Vitamin C+E serum which I got from my dermatologist. Vitamin C+E helps me with my blemishes and dark spots. I am almost finish with my bottle, so anytime soon I'll be on hunt for a good Vitamin C serum to try out! Â
6. Eye Cream: Skin Genie Anti EYEging
Claims: Helps reduce lines and crowâs feet; handy ball tip stimulates circulation and combats puffiness; minimizes the appearance of dark circles; smoothens skin and restores a soft, youthful tone to the delicate eye area.
Price: 150 PHP (2.97 USD)
My Thoughts: I don't think this product is for dark circles, but I noticed it reduces the lines under my eyes as well as the puffiness! I also love that it is travel-friendly because it comes with a roller tip.
Claims: Soothes blemishes and reduces redness; infused with hydrocolloid to coax out deep-rooted pimples, speeding up their life cycle; protects skin against further infection; leaves the complexion clear and spotless.
Price: 180 PHP (3.57 USD)
My Thoughts: Like what I have said, I stopped using all my acne products. Instead, I use spot treatments and just concentrate on my problem areas. This acne patch is my holy grail when it comes to spot treating! I put this on my pustule (pimple with white fluid head) at night and when I remove it the next morning, the patch already absorbed all the bacteria hidden inside my pimple. I also love that this product comes with 24 patches of different sizes!
Extra: After using my Cosrx Acne Patch, I like to use Purederm Spot Reducer Gel Patch. It helps reduce redness and is not irritating!
That's it for my skin care products! I hope this post gave you an idea on what products to try next for your skin care. Just remember that the best beauty secrets you can give to yourself is not beauty products, but understanding and acceptance. Understand yourself and accept your own beauty.
Let me know what you think about the products above! And if you want to share your holy grails with me, don't hesitate to hit the comment box below!
This year had been a memorable one for me. Both good and bad things happened, but overall I think 2017 became my year of transformation, discovery and achievements. Here are my top five highlights for this year:
I finished my degree (Electrical Engineering) this year. After five years of my academic battle, I have successfully overcome my phase as a student.Â
I passed the board examination and I am finally a licensed Electrical Engineer. Until now it feels surreal! Well, I am still not used to people calling me Engineer! But hey, I am a real Engineer now hehe.
I finally committed (for real) myself to someone now. And I m happy, you know, the happiness you get when you know someone loves and supports you.
My skin started to heal and clear. Iâve been suffering from acne for years and this year my skin did great! And also, lately Iâve been fangirling over skin care products especially korean products, so Iâll probably make a separate post about my holy grail products or probably my skin care routine anytime soon!Â
Finally decided to accept and embrace myself. I have lots of insecurities and I overthink most of the time, but this year was a milestone for me. I finally learned to accept majority of my flaws, stop overthinking and focus more on the process.Â
Three hours from now, 2017 is coming to an end. And I want to end this year with positivity! I hope you too.Â
Whenever I come across a trainee in customer service (like a cashier, or a sales rep), there is usually a senior/experienced employee with them doing the training and they always apologise for the trainee. âSorry, theyâre learning.â And I always respond with, âThatâs good! We all have to learn.â
Even when I got a new phone and had to wait five hours for them to process the purchase (it was on a contract so there were a lot of forms and regulatory steps to finalise), when the trainee went to the back and I was alone with the store manager, I made a point in how impressed I was with the traineeâs performance. The relief on her face was prudent and they were extremely grateful for my patience.
We donât discourage children from learning. We donât lambast them when they canât perform a task that an experienced person can do. Humans arenât born with the inherent ability to work a credit card facility. We are born to learn and develop skills that help ourselves and each other.
The only decent thing we can do is be patient and encourage each other to become the best at what we do.
It's already December! The end of this year is fast approaching. Looking back, this year has been a year of transformation for me. 2017 made me realize and discover things about myself. I've also done new things, achieved goals, and encountered difficulties throughout the year that changed my mindset in many aspects of my life! I can't believe few days from now, 2017 will be over. I can say that I have lived this year productively, at least more than half of it.Â
With this year coming to an end, I am already looking forward for 2018! New year for me means setting new goals for individual growth and enhancement. Before I enter a new year, I always make sure that I have clear goals to work on throughout the year. But I don't just set up goals, I also think of an action plan. Setting goals is the first step, achieving them is another thing. Here are the usual things I consider when setting up my goals and actually achieving them:
1. Goals, not resolutions. Resolutions are too general, they tend to be all or nothing. They are just the things we should do or do not do. These are the dos and don'ts we just keep for a month, and then eventually forget about. Instead of resolutions, set clear and specific goals. Setting clear and specific goals will push you to exert time and effort. Drop the "I will get higher grades this semester", instead establish a goal like, "I want to score 90% on my midterm exam." It is important that you set a Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time bound (SMART) goal. Also keep in mind that your goals should be far-fetched but attainable to keep you motivated.
2. Plan out your actions. Unlike resolutions that we just make but don't plan out, it is important to break your goals down into discreet steps. You cannot achieve a goal without taking an action. If you want to score 90% on your midterm exam, you cannot get it overnight. You need to take actions like studying everyday for 2 hours or reviewing your lessons right after class for one hour. Planning your actions is also helpful so you won't feel lost along the way. Your action plan will provide you a sense of direction. Through action planning you can also take into account the possible adjustments you need to take if ever things get in your way.
3. Challenge yourself, not burn out yourself. The purpose of goals is to improve oneself. If your goal put you in pressure and stress, then you've probably set it in a form or size that is not relevant for you/your time. It is always helpful to set small goals that give great results. If all your goals involve long-term objectives, it will be too much of a burden. But if you set small goals that you can check off on a daily or monthly basis, you will achieve more goals that don't necessarily need to consume too much of you. It is best to take into account what is best for you and your season.
It is helpful to consider the things you've learned today and incorporate them into the goals you want to achieve in the future. I hope the things I have learned from the past years will somehow help you establish your own goals and action plan. To help you organize your goals and actions, I have made a free goal planner printable that you can download by clicking this!
I believe 2018 will be a year of productivity and achievements for you, so set your goals and plan your actions!
BREAKING SOCIETY'S STANDARD: BEAUTY THAT REALLY MATTERS
Today's major struggle of our generation is coping up with society's standards. It has always been a challenge for us to try to fit in and find our place and worth. With countless of standards we are trying to live up, what bothers me the most is what the society believes the objectivity of beauty. This has always been an issue to most of us, especially to women.
When I looked up online what beauty is, I found this: a combination of qualities, such as shape, color, or form, that pleases the aesthetic senses, especially the sight. This only shows that the word "beauty" has always been associated with the outer appearance. With all the advertisements and promotions to beautify our outer, we got used to the idea that the outside determines if we are beautiful or not. I am not against beautifying oneself, but what really bothers me is our idea of what the perfect size, color, form is. The society makes us believe that beauty is a certain perfect image. Our idea of beauty is twisted that I believe is not healthy for us, emotionally and mentally.
As a woman struggling to cope up with this standard, I experienced a lot of criticisms. I experienced being criticized because of gaining weight, but I was mostly criticized before because of my acne. For the past years I've been battling with acne, my worst case was during the first semester of my last year in college. I suffered from severe acne and it was a traumatic experience. It scarred me outside, but mostly inside. I remember that time people always asking, what happened to your face?, or saying things like it ruined your face, it is getting worse. Those words made me feel very ugly. That's when I decided to take oral medication to clear my skin and to somehow lessen the feeling of being ugly. But in the process of healing, I realized that it's not just my acne I need to cure but also the fact that I consider my appearance as something that defines my beauty.
I decided to change my thinking; to change whatever the society told me to be the standard of beauty and to give importance to the beauty that really matters. In here, I will share to you three things that I have learned in the process of accepting that I am beautiful regardless of what I look outside:
1. People will say what they want to say, but none of those really matter. We have different insights about things, and definitely different sets of standard. What appears good to you, might not be good for them. But at the end of the day, it is what you think that counts. It is what you tell yourself that will leave the most impact. During my acne experience no one directly told me that I was ugly. I assumed I appeared ugly to them because I was trying so hard to live up to the society's standard of beauty. But when I started changing what I think of myself, it also started to change how I see myself.
2. Learn to accept your flaws. Accepting yourself means accepting every part of you and that includes your flaws. Your every flaw holds your history, it tells your story and the venture you took. My acne left me scars and marks but it's okay because they represent my story. I gained too much weight during my preparation for my licensure examination, but it is completely fine because it tells my journey. I have learned to accept myself with these flaws because I realized being imperfect doesn't make me less of a person. I am who I am regardless of what my appearance is.
3. Your outer doesn't define your beauty. What really defines your beauty is your inside. I think that's the beauty that should matter. It is true that the outer beauty satisfies the eyes, but the inner beauty touches hearts. If there is one description the world will give me, I want something that would reflect the beauty of my heart and soul, because it is your heart and soul that will leave a great impact to the world.
These are the three things that I learned during the process of discovering my own beauty, and I know there are still so much things I will learn and discover about myself. I believe you too. In the process of self-discovery, let us not forget that the society, or rather the world, will always set standards to what we should be, but it's us who will define ourselves.
Regardless of what the standard is, remember that you are beautiful. Your inside is your beauty, use it to touch hearts and change lives.
Most of the time, we see ourselves through the eyes of other people to the point that their opinions about us become the basis of our self-worth. This is what you need to remember: you are not the person they think you are. Regardless of what people think about you at any particular moment, one thing is certainâyou donât have to please them. If the things you do are based on what you want people to think of you, then you are giving them the right to define you as a person. Please donât, because you are more than the things they say and think about you. When you feel good about the things you are doing, donât let anyoneâs opinion take that feeling away from you. Do what makes you happy, pursue your dreams and follow whatever your heart yearns. Always remember that people would think what they want to think about you, but none of those things should matter, because the only things that really matter are the things you think of yourself.
The most meaningful event that happened in my life this year was passing the licensure examination for Electrical Engineers. It was one of the best experiences I would never forget! I can't believe two months had already passed since I took the board examination. Well, the journey wasn't easy, but it was truly worth it!
Since I value my memories and experiences, I want to document here how my journey to getting my professional license went, so some time in the future, I can look back and reminisce this life-changing experience! If you are also interested in knowing my journey, you can read more down below!
B E F O R E
Before taking the examination, I made sure that I am ready and prepared. Every preparation is different depending on the background and the ability to learn. For me, my preparations involved enrolling myself in a review center. I believe there were some who bravely committed themselves to self-studying but I cannot risk my chance to that because I've made up my mind that I want to take the board examination once.
Enrolling myself in a  review center was really the good choice! They know the board examination trends, so you can get some techniques that you can incorporate during the exam. You can also get materials that will be helpful and will make your study session manageable. I've also adopted and developed a study pattern during our review sessions inside the center that really helped me.
During my preparations, I've also developed good habits and eliminated my bad habits. I've made it a goal to be committed  and devoted to studying. I've worked harder than usual! It is also good if you already developed a good study habit during school, as for me, I have a certain habit of intensive studying, I adopted it during my preparations for board examination and study 3x harder. I have also eliminated my habit of procrastinating by reviewing the materials at our apartment right after our review sessions inside the center.
Preparing for the board examination wasn't easy. It was a sacrifice. I remember waking up early in the morning, around 7 or 8 am, taking my breakfast, then start studying my materials, solving problems, and writing all the formula and memorizing them until night, around 9 or 10 pm. I sometimes also study until 1 or 2 am! I know it was a torture for my brain, but I also made sure I have breaks in between every session so my brain would function well.
I also remember how I silently cry myself to sleep because I was so exhausted and all. Of course negativity also haunted me during that time. You cannot avoid it, specially if you have lot of things you need to study and there's not even enough time.
But it didn't stop me from achieving my goal. I am capable, that's what I always tell myself. I am capable and I can achieve anything if I put my mind to it.
D U R I N G
After months of reviewing, the day of examination has finally come! It surprised me that I did not feel very nervous during the day of examination. But I was glad my heart wasn't racing that time, I was able to function well!
During the exam, I made sure to listen to the examiner carefully. I also avoided making mistakes when writing personal information in my sheets! When the examiners finally allowed us to start answering, I quickly scanned the pages of the test questionnaires. The first thing that came into my mind was, this is not what I expect. Some of the questions were things you can learn only from actual first-hand experience and some you don't really know about. But I remained calm and started analyzing and answering. Â
There were also lots of errors with the questions, that is because the questions were not computerized, they were typewritten. Good thing my review center practiced us to troubleshoot problems! The habit of studying long hours also helped me during the exam. I was able to function well throughout the entire day without losing my focus!
Making the most out of my time during the examination also helped! Every question, regardless of its difficulty, is worth 1 point. So you don't want to miss the easier ones for the difficult questions. I started answering the easier questions first, and skipped those questions that I find difficult. After answering the easier ones, I went back to the difficult questions and spend most of my remaining hours answering them. This was a good strategy!
After 2 hours, some of the examinees were already submitting their sheets. I wondered that time if I was the only one who find the questions difficult. But I held myself together and told myself that it was not a race. I wouldn't get additional points by submitting my papers first, so might as well spend all the allotted hours trying to answer all the difficult questions I skipped and triple-checking my answers.
My determination to pass the board examination really pushed me to try harder. There are lots of questions I don't know, but I can try to answer. After submitting the last set of examination papers, all I can do was pray. I cannot go back and try to answer the questions again, but I can pray to God to grant me the desire of my heart. He knows I worked hard for it and I prayed that He give me what I deserve.
A F T E R
The day after the examination was the beginning of rest day and also the start of the waiting game. The result of the examination was expected to be released after three working days. To get myself preoccupied, I decided to visit some places in Manila. I really tried my best to avoid thinking about the result. I did my best and whatever the result is I just need to accept it.
At last! After days of waiting, the day has finally come. September 7, 2017, together with my batchmates, I waited for the result to be posted in the PRC website! That day was probably the longest day of my life! Honestly, I am more nervous that day! My heart was racing, stomach turning inside out.
When the clock struck 8 pm, the result were released. My hands were shaking when I was scrolling through my phone! And when I saw my name, everything suddenly felt so light!
I prayed and thanked God with a grateful heart. I knew that it was His way of showing me the fruit of my hard work and my faith. I was able to achieve victory through Him. Until now, I get a little emotional whenever I think of it.
After praying I called my parents and told them the good news, they were very happy and crying. I cannot thank them enough. They were the reason why I didn't give up. My victory, is their victory.
My journey to getting my professional license was not easy, but it was a meaningful journey I will forever treasure. This journey taught me how to work hard and believe in my capability. This journey proved that God wouldn't give you a challenge you cannot handle. You just have to work, keep your faith and trust His ways.
For those of you who will be taking licensure examination in the near future, here are my three tips that might help you:
1. Set your goals at a challenging level.
My goal for this journey was not just to pass, but to pass the board examination with a rating that I can be proud of. Setting your goal at a challenging level will give you motivation to actually do them. Extra goals means extra hard work, and extra hard work leads to extra achievements. Try to set extra goals aside from just passing the board examination. You will be amazed with what you can do and how much effort you can exert to achieve these goals!
2. Build a good study habit.
During my preparations for examination, my day was mostly consisted of studying through problem solving. I improved my problem-solving skills by solving at least 50-100 problems in one day. I made it a habit to start early in the morning so I don't have to stay up very late at night. One thing you should avoid is procrastinating. I remember slacking off for three days after our pre-board examination and it led to cramming!
If you want to build a good study habit, it is better to start now. Try to incorporate different ways to your study routine, and see what's best and effective for you. Â
3. Keep your faith!
My best weapon during this journey was my faith. I always believe that God will give me what I worked for. If you think you already did your best, then pray to God that He grant you what you deserve. I believe He rewards good things with better things! You just need to trust His plan for you.
I hope these tips might somehow help you! Always keep in mind that it is what you do that will determine the outcome of any endeavor you undertake. Your ways will determine your success! Good luck and enjoy your journey!
Iâm back (again)!! Itâs been so long! But I have finally convinced myself to get back to blogging. Many things happened for the past months, years I guess? And I canât believe I survived! I must say they are very stressing but Iâve learned a lot! Anyway, here are some updates on bullet:
I cut my hair short and I got some fringe. I went for a chin-length hair and I think Iâm rocking it lol, and I look 5 years younger with a short hair haha.
I am now a Registered Electrical Engineer. Until now it feels surreal!! I cannot thank enough all the people who helped and supported me throughout the whole process. All the stress and tears during my review days were worth it. Ahh, I am happy I am done with all the studying!
I am still unemployed though haha. I am excited and scared at the same time for the next chapter of my life. The hashtag of my life would probably be #Adulting haha.
I gained so much weight because of stress and too much eating during the review days haha. I hope to lose some weight, but more than that, I hope  to finally convince myself that I am beautiful regardless of my outer.
I have someone that accepts me for who I am and I am really thankful.
So thatâs it for my little update. I am still unemployed, so Iâll probably make posts out of boredom, so stay tuned for that! hehe.
Being a student is one of the very challenging phases we need to undergo in life. This is the time where we need to deal with growth and changes, both physical and emotional, while coping with deadlines, homework, peer pressure, parents' expectations and judgments. This phase of our life is indeed very overwhelming and exhausting, so many of us probably wonder if we are going to survive this stage. The good news is, just like those successful adults who were also once struggling students, we too will definitely survive! How? We just need to change our perspective. Surviving school largely depends on how we see and treat things. Usually, when things don't go according to our plans, our immediate response is we become scared. Why? We become scared because we have this wrong idea about how we should be as a student or how things should be during our academic life.
It is time to change our minds! Let us unleash ourselves from what we believe to be the objectivity of a great student. Listed below are the five essential truths we are missing as we try to fit the society's concept of success:
1. Failing is part of the process.
Most of the time the idea of being successful put a certain pressure to most of us, so when failure comes and delays everything, we get really frustrated. We want to be successful as soon as possible that we forget success is a process, and consider failing as a threat. Keep in mind that failing may be a delay, but it will never be something that will stop you from being successful. It is an integral part of the process that will teach you the next steps you have to take. Rather than considering your failure as a hindrance, use it as a tool to improve yourself. Don't be afraid to fail, because no successful person succeeded just by one try. All of us are bound to fail a few times before we reach true success.
And yes, we may fail often, but always remember that failing several times is far better than not trying at all. The number of our setbacks and failures are the amount of possible ways we have bravely dared to try.
2. Grades donât count.
Grades have always been the basis of someoneâs worth in the academic world. For years, society has taught us that grades and test scores define who we are as a student or what we are going to be in the future. We all have this idea that those A-students are most likely to succeed in life than those who are just getting Câs. But the truth is, grades will never define who you are today and who you will be in the future. Results overwhelm us that we easily lose sight of the important things the journey teaches us along the way. We tend to focus on what the final outcome is and forget to give credits to the things we have learned during the process.
Remember that in life, what really count are not your grades but your experiences. Your experiences transform you and provide you skills that you need to get through the real world. Spending all night studying for a subject you are having difficulties with or doing things while you are battling with your anxiety and depression is an experience that can shape and transform you. So what if you have failed? So what if the outcome is not as great as people expect it to be? The point is you have tried, you have found your way out and you have learned during the process.
Remember that the real world is not about how many Aâs you got, it is about how well you can deal with the challenges life will give you, and thatâs not something taught inside the classroom, it is something learned along the journey.
3. Fear is the #1 source of regret.
One of the biggest things that hold us back is our fear, and this has always been a problem to many students. Most of the time, we refuse to take big opportunities because of our fear of taking risks and failing in the end. Instead of jumping into conclusions without even knowing what lies along the way, why donât we take a leap of faith and take the challenge? Keep in mind that fear wonât take you anywhere. There are a lot of great opportunities out there that need guts and bravery, and if you are too afraid to even try, how will you grow? Remember that the greatest life lessons are learned by taking risks and living outside of our comfort zone.
Always remember that we donât need to limit ourselves just because we arenât sure of whatâs waiting for us at the end. We need to take risks not just for the final results but also for the things along the way.
4. Everything will fall right in place.
We are the generation who wants to accomplish things as soon as possible, and when everything is not in place, we doubt ourselves if we are really doing the right things. This is to tell you to stop all those doubts because you are doing the right thing. Everything will fall right in place, maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but it will eventually. There is no overnight success; everything will be done in a step by step process. Maybe today it seems like all your little milestones and hard works arenât bringing you anywhere, but be patient, because the biggest things will be revealed in the right time. Remember, if it is worth having it will take time. For now we just have to trust ourselves, give credits to all our efforts and remember that we are works in progress.
5. What people think doesnât really matter.
Most of the time, we see ourselves through the eyes of other people to the point that their opinions about us become the basis of our self-worth. This is what you need to remember: you are not the person they think you are. Regardless of what people think about you at any particular moment, one thing is certainâyou donât have to please them. If the things you do are based on what you want people to think of you, then you are giving them the right to define you as a person. Please donât, because you are more than the things they say and think about you. When you feel good about the things you are doing, donât let anyoneâs opinion take that feeling away from you. Do what makes you happy, pursue your dreams and follow whatever your heart yearns. Always remember that people would think what they want to think about you, but none of those things should matter, because the only things that really matter are the things you think of yourself.
It is your life, and it is about you.
Author's final note: Your life as a student will never be easy. Each day is a new challenge to face, but do not hesitate, do not back down, because behind every challenge is an opportunity to grow and improve. Take every challenge. You may stumble and fall along the way, but as long as there is hope inside you and as long as you are trying, you will get through it!
Most students learning struggle is mastering math subjects. Many of us have this idea that one can only excel in this area if that person is born with great math skills. The thing is, being good in math is not an inborn skill, it is a learned skill. You learn it by practicing and actively studying. Unlike other typical subjects that only takes memorizing and recalling to pass an exam, math subjects take a different type of effort. You need to exert time and willingness to practice in order to develop strategies and techniques that will enhance your skills. If you are having difficulties with this subject and you want to develop your skill in this area, then read these ten tips to find out how you can excel in this subject.
1. Practice your Math daily. Like what I have said being good in math is a learned skill, and the best way to excel in it is to practice the subject. Unlike other subjects, you don't need to spend time reading and memorizing information when studying math. You just need to practice until you master its concept. Doing your homework or solving some problem sets daily would really help. Open your textbooks or maybe search the internet for some problems to solve. This would help you acquire complete knowledge of the subject.
Tip: Most of the time, professors include some of the practice problems from your textbook in the exam, so it is a plus points for you if you have practiced a lot of problem sets.Â
Take note that practicing your math needs to be done regularly until it become your habit. Making it a habit would make it easy for you to sit down and work. Make sure to set up a regular time and place for your math practice. 30 minutes of practice everyday will really make a difference!
2. Always be present in class. Every concept you need to learn will be discussed in the classroom, if you are not present during the discussion then you will miss everything you need to know. You will miss the key points, the note taking and the worst part is you will miss the opportunity to ask questions for the areas that you will not understand! Math classes discuss new concept everyday, and absence will definitely lead you to falling behind. So make sure to avoid skipping lectures.
If ever you really need to skip class for personal reasons, just make sure that you will find time to catch up and learn what you have missed. You can ask for a copy of the topic from your professor or you can ask your classmate for their notes so you could study them by yourself.
3. Pay attention. Concentrate on what your professor is teaching the class. Clear your mind and focus on the topic. Sometimes discussion gets boring, but that is not an excuse to let your mind wander or to do other things like talking to your seatmate or scrolling messages on your phone. Trust me, if you missed a single point, you will miss the whole concept. Drinking water or massaging the palm of your hands or the back of your neck and putting a bit of pressure on them might help to avoid getting sleepy during the discussion.
4. Take down notes. Some of us may think that note-taking is not essential in this subject, but notes are also needed in Math. In case you have forgotten a formula or how to solve a certain problem from your past classes then your notes will save you! Taking notes doesnât necessarily mean that you have to write down all the things your professor is saying. You just have to get the key points, the formulas and the important things you need to understand the topic. Make sure to make your notes during the discussion than to copy notes from your classmate during the time you need it. This will help you save time for extra studying!
5. Review the discussed topic at home. We should not stop learning, even when we are not in school. Make a habit of reviewing your notes right after school. This will make the topics stay in your mind. Also, try to study one or two weeks before your exam to avoid cramming. This will help you be well-prepared for your examinations.
Tip: Break down the topics you need to study. Don't force yourself to study in just one session. Your brain will not be able to process it all. Shorter but regular study schedule is better than a one long study session.
6. Find a study partner. Learning math is less scary with a companion. Find someone who has the same dedication as yours. This will motivate you to do really well plus it would be fun! Make a habit of solving practice problems together and share ideas with each other. The good thing about having a study partner is you have someone you can ask about the things you donât understand. It is also a good idea to have a group study to discuss concepts or to practice for exams.
7. Learn from your mistakes. If you had mistakes in your past seat work, homework or examination donât just let it go and leave it behind without knowing the right answer. It is good to analyze and understand your mistakes so you wonât commit them again next time. Take time to figure out your mistakes and correct them. You can always ask your professor for clarifications.
8. Take action, ask questions. If you donât really understand what your professor is trying to tell the class donât hesitate to ask him to repeat the key points. If you still have any questions, ask it. Find an answer to whatever question you have in mind by asking. If you are curious and interested in the subject, then you will definitely learn.
9. Take it easy. Change doesnât happen overnight. If you really want to excel in this subject, understand that it is a process. You are going to have a lot of mistakes, but you donât worry because they are all part of the process. Learn from your mistakes but donât focus on them. Make sure to appreciate your milestones and celebrate small victories!
10. Enjoy. Because learning is fun!
Do you find this helpful? What are your strategies and techniques in developing your skills in your subjects? Comment your thoughts below. I'd love to hear from you!
If you feel unlovely donât ever look in the mirror, look at the sky instead. Look at the sky in the morning, infect yourself with the clear blue colors above you, let the sunlight remain on your skin, watch the clouds slowly drift across the sky, look again at the sky before the sun rests behind the horizon, picture the lovely hues of red and orange dyeing the clouds, watch how the sun slowly kisses the earth goodbye, feel the slightly warm sensation the wind blows onto your face, watch the birds fly back to their home, then wait until the sun disappears, wait until the red and orange colors fade into darkness, then welcome the moon in the sky, watch how it gives birth to the stars, look at how they shine, look at how they give beauty and magic to the earth.Â
If youâre feeling unlovely donât look in the mirror, look at the sky instead, because thatâs how beautiful you are. Â
