WHAT AM I DOING

Human beings strive for survival. Even everybody knows that everyone will die and afraid of it but still they are still fighting to survive. How people live in this world are patterned to the trend of this world. Specifically, according to our old  teachers, everyone should go to school. The idea of better living  have been taught in schools while  teachers are bench-marking ideas from great philosopher. Now, its been three years already that I am with this trend. The idea that "you can't get a better life if you do not go to school" caught my attention. This is the trend. Primitive people did not make this an issue long time ago but because of this trend I need to go with it, I don't want to live like those primitive people either.    


I love the idea that learning is fun. Although this idea has been taught throughout centuries, especially to children, it is encouraging that learning new things is always fun.  Psychologically, not all learning is positive. The idea to acquire new things  is positive, that makes learning positive. But if we try to consider moral connotation, learning may somehow become negative.  People could learn how to get along with other people and could make friends and somehow what people have learned from school were applied. Although some norms can easily be observe in the society, but mostly the concept on how individual behave in the society are being taught in school.  It is really interesting how learning have been molding individual through the institutional collaboration.  I have posted a blog regarding doing school that last three (3) years ago I was convinced to the idea that going to school wasn't necessary. I have never made a limitations on what God could really do. That time I've tried to rely on how God would lead me. It's really hard to understand God's will. And because everyday, I am exposed of committing sin, I begin to doubt if God would still lead me. He has promised to not leave me nor forsake me and even I have been unfaithful for too long, He will remain faithful. The idea on how Satan controlled this world is HUGE. Sometimes I cannot even detect of what I have done was not good. So, why I am on this trend? It's because I did not believe that He is able, that's all.  I still believe His existence and sovereignty and this guilt inside would try to grab me from drawing near to Him.  I have thought about fixing all these mess. Sometimes, the truth hurts. Total transformation hurts me and to other people. I really don't know where to begin and I still hoped that changes would take place one day. 

AM I LIVING IN DIFFERENT WORLD & DECISION MAKING

Long time, no post. I was busy last few months. Actually, the company where I previously working was closed. The operation ended last December 2010. I'm lucky because I find another job which was related to my previous job. It was like starting a new beginning but I haven't feel any nervous because I am sophisticated enough about the field. So, that's about me and the current job that I am into.

One time I've asked this question to myself "Am I living in different world". I started comparing my life five (5) years ago. Sometimes I started to think that all those things in the past were only the part of the past. I kept on telling myself that I couldn't turn back the time. I could not even change the past. I could just say that five  (5) years ago was a different world and this current life that I am living is another world. Does it make sense? A lot of things have changed, me too. My perspectives about life was different from the perspectives few years ago. That's the fact that we couldn't deny - past is past.

I am graduating this March. I have been schooling for two years in college. For the last time, the school still offer the Associate Course, so I am graduating for an Associate Degree. Another decision-making would take place after  graduation, whether I proceed for the Bachelors Degree or I stop doing school and find a job. Maybe I could get the minimum requirement for applying a job - the Associate Degree but It would be much better if I could acquire the Bachelors. I don't know yet. Maybe I need some people to help me decide of what I am going to do. I am affected of some different aspects that I need to decide carefully. I know that everything that I am currently doing would affect my real self in the future.  Actually, I only  have one (1) year left. After this one (1) year I will be having my On the Job Training which is the requirement for getting the Bachelor. So, it would take two years for me basically. Let's see. 

ONE MORE TIME

"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time." ~Thomas Edison


This quote poked me. I just wrote it as my status on Facebook.  It was related to a certain circumstances that I was about to give up. It was about computer errors that I wasn't able to figure out what causes the errors. Normally, when I am fixing computer, one day is too much. Reformatting computer would only take 2 hours, including the software installations. But for two days spent on fixing the errors? I came to a conclusion that I may not able to fix it. I've already explained to the owner that it would take time. The errors were hardware-related problems. I kept on trying to do trial and errors many times but I did not notice any progress. I was installing software that time. I have changed the BIOS configuration, thinking that maybe it would work. It worked, but it took one day to install an operating system while it would only take less than two hours. Strange thing. I thought the computer was in great trouble. That was on the first day. On the second day, I tried to change again the BIOS configuration. I have also googled the problem. Most results, they said, were RAM related problem, if not, the CPU. I have tried using different RAM - working RAM but still it led me to BSOD - Blue Screen of Death. So, it was not about the RAM. I thought it was the BIOS, maybe  the BIOS need to be updated. I haven't tried doing that before. Until now, I don't have enough confidence of doing so. Most people said that it would harm the system - the motherboard specifically if not successful. First of all, it was not my own computer. So, I didn't  try updating the BIOS because I really don't know if it'd be successful. For two days, I didn't see any progress on the efforts that I've exerted. I came to the point that it'd be the BIOS. So, I cleaned up the mess - I disassembled some parts of the computer and I mounted them back. I was about to give up. But before I have disconnected the different devices attached to it, I turned it on. I got a clean boot process  for the last time. It gave me life again. But, when the system tried to load the operating system, there the BSOD again. For the last time, I logged in to BIOS set-up and changed the CPU frequency, and restarted the computer. There, strange thing happened. The computer started normally, as in no errors. I was not sure yet. So, I restarted the computer a couple of times and it booted normally. That was the first that I've encountered such problem. Another thing that I've learned. 

The quote written above have given me inspiration. It would not only refer to a certain problems or circumstances but in all aspects of life. As I have said earlier, I put it as my status on facebook. Some commented on it and I thought they are thinking that it was all about relationship. Yes, it'd be, but the quote itself is not limited for relationship only for different aspects of life. 

FROM THE MOVIE: THE SOCIAL NETWORK

We were watching "The Social Network" movie last week. It was a part of our subject assignment which was about world literature. Our instructor explained to us how social networking affect the literature all over the world. At first I wonder why we need to watch it and how is it related to literatures. But after the movie, I came to realize the significance of the movie. Its been making the world more smaller. People could just sit down and get in touch with family, relatives, friends, colleagues, classmates... etc. It gave us an idea that literatures could be passed through social networking easily. Time will come that there will be online publishing which writing could be written online instead of writing it on papers and be published through printing press. Have you ever think about books will be vanished? Internet became a largest resources for anything. This is one of the great things the technology brought us. Despite of many negatives, we still thought that it is not technology that make it bad or negative, its the people who overused it. It is always a matter of choice, we can't blame technology.

The movie revealed the great challenges when facebook in on the process of improving. Mostly, problems were related to money. Money is able to do something - its nature. Again, everyone can make decisions and everyone must face the consequences on the decisions that they made. Someone said that "your choices of today will affect your future" or if I am going to re-phrase it, "my choices will make me somebody in the future". I am just trying to be positive in all aspect. I started making a reaction here... lol. So, that movie was very interesting. Facebook existed and it made people communicate easily, whether at work or during vacations. It put no limit for communication. 

WHAT, WHERE AND WHEN

I am having trouble making decisions about what am I going to do in the next few months. I am saying this because my current job is on the process of quitting. There are many reasons such as low income, not able to compete to other computer related establishments... etc. I am dependent on my current job. All the expenses since I started school was taken from the job. I have mentioned on my other post that I am currently doing school and work at the same time. I don't think that I could be able to stay with my current job while the fact is there is no assurance that this company would for last at least two years. I think, after December the establishment would stop its operation and I don't have any job anymore. If that happens, I possibly quit schooling too. I don't want that to happen. At least I could finish school until March, I wish that I could. I started submitting my CV to different establishments for any IT related jobs. The problem is most companies that I visited are not hiring. They just told me to wait for a couple of months if ever they need another employee. It's not worth waiting at all, but I still have to while I still have more days left on my current job. Yes, I started worrying but not too much. I know that there is a job somewhere for me. I believe that if I seek, I can find. That's an old quote but powerful. Sometimes I felt very frustrated but I used to think positively. "Dream big dreams" that's what someone told me. I think that helped me a lot. Focus on some great things than on small ones. Psychologically, that will help individual to motivate to do something.

So, I have no idea what kind job I may get into. I prefer IT related jobs but if there's nothing, then, I need to sacrifice for my sake. For now, I don't where of course and when would that be. Everything is unclear. I am covered with fogs that I could never see what is going to happen in the future. Well, this is life and it should be that way. Great people in the world reached their achievements through great obstacles in life. If really want to succeed, then, I'll face these obstacles of this life.

WHY NOT DO IT THIS WAY?

Probably, some people who followed my blog noticed that I posted an article which was a complaint about our drawing instructor. That was last semester. We are in second semester now. We've wished not to have him as our drawing instructor again but we got no choice. In the first place, we got no problem about him. He really cared for us - students, guided us on our activities and taught us the proper way considering the cleanliness & neatness. But talking about time management, we can't deny that he used too much time talking of  irrelevant topics than of the subject itself. Nothing was wrong with that but knowing the fact that we entered in his class for the subject, we will not allow that we can get nothing from the subject during the whole period. Most of my classmates hate drawing very much. Logically, we will be pleased if our instructor won't give any activities for us. Even though most student don't like it but of course we won't accept the concept of talking irrelevant topics.

Just last week, in our first meeting, we're having trouble. We had our drawing during 8-9 pm. Prior to that, we had no classes, so we're talking outside not knowing that he was already in the room waiting for us. Three (3) of us was already there. Few minutes after, we heard him talking to one of us and he was mad. We really don't know why. We were only less than minutes late and he told us to go. We were not interested, he said. We had a wonderful night in our first meeting...lol. There are many questions that need to be answered. The fact that we're only students in a government school, we don't have enough power to have a different instructor. We're free but there a lots of things to be considered. We would also consider his part, not just our part. 

It bothered me too, but this time, I came to a conclusion that it was not the most important. Maybe that was a part of my life. It is the reality. If I really want changes, then I'll wait for several years, such thing can't be achieved in a moment. I just hope that something would be better for the sake of the next generation. It will be a great honor for the school when they can produce globally competent professionals. How much more if a student from the school claimed it. That is something that  instructor could  do because they're playing a great role for everyone's success.   

10 TIPS FOR GETTING GOOD (OR BETTER) GRADES

10 Tips for Getting Good (or Better) Grades (by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D.)

As a college professor, I am often asked for my advice on how students can get better grades. And after a couple of years of refining my ideas, I have developed these 10 tips. And by the way, these tips will work for you -- whether you are a first-year student or a senior, whether at a small college or a large university. These tips are universal. So, if you are struggling with grades and interested in raising your grade point average, take a close look at these 10 tips for getting better grades.

1. Attend All Your Classes

Now, you might think this was an obvious one. But I speak from experience when I say that many students skip classes for one reason or another. But if you want good grades, there are several reasons why you should attend all your classes:

Absorb classroom material. Even if the professor follows the textbook pretty closely, sitting in the classroom and listening to the lectures/discussions will help you absorb the materials.

Make presence known/participate. One of the benefits of going to college should be that you form a mentoring relationship with some of your professors, and that's not going to happen if you don't attend the classes. And often faculty have participation points (or bonus points), so beyond just attending, make an effort to be involved in the class discussions.

Earn attendance points. Many professors have attendance policies, so you can have a direct impact on your grade simply by attending.

Don't forget to sit close to the front -- historically, those who do are usually the best students.

2. Master Your Professors

Every professor has a different personality and system for running his/her classes, so it makes sense as early in the semester as possible to learn what the professor wants. Here are some ways to master your professors:

Understand course expectations. Most professors give out a class syllabus during the first week of classes -- and it is your responsibility to know deadlines and all the requirements for the course.

Understand professors on personal level. Rather than viewing the professor as some figurehead at the front of the class who decides your fate in some abstract way, get to know your professor as a person. Visit him or her during office hours, or stay after class.

Communicate with professors when you are struggling. Especially at larger colleges and universities, the professor won't know when you are struggling, so if you are having problems with the course work or the tests, schedule an appointment to meet with the professor and get the help you need.

3. Get/Stay Organized

You may have been one of the lucky few who has never needed a planner before, but college is all about multitasking, and you can easily get overwhelmed with due dates, team meetings, and other demands on your time. Here are some tips for getting organized:

Use a planner or other organization system. I've had my day-planner for years and cannot go anywhere without it. Others are that same way with their personal digital assistants.

Stay current with due dates/course calendars. It's not enough to have a system -- you have to use it! So once you have some sort of system, get in the habit of using it (and it will soon become second nature).

Keep homework, tests, and class papers in central location. Don't just throw old homework assignments or tests in the back of your car or the floor of your dorm room. You'll need these for studying for future tests, for meeting with your professor to discuss them, and for figuring your grade in the class… so, keep all your class materials in a central location.

4. Use Time Wisely

Even if you do not procrastinate and are the most organized person in the world, time can be one of your biggest enemies in college. Here are some tips for using time wisely:

Tackle harder work first. Yes, tackle the harder stuff first so that you are sure to have enough time to complete it. You'll feel a greater sense of accomplishment completing the work in this order.

Take breaks as reward for work. Reward yourself for completing a major task by taking a break and chatting with a friend or watching some television. Not only are the breaks good motivation to help you complete something, you'll also be more refreshed to tackle the next bit of work after a break.

Break larger projects into smaller, easy-to-accomplish pieces. If you have a massive term paper due at the end of the semester, break up the work into smaller chunks and assign deadlines to each part.

Do not overextend yourself; learn to say no. Besides all your academic work, you will also be asked to get involved in all sorts of clubs and organizations while in college -- and at some point, you will have to learn to say no to some requests of your time.

Work hard to play hard. One of my favorite students used to say that she worked hard so that she would have the time to play hard -- and that's a good balance. Just make sure you do the work FIRST.

5. Become "Noteworthy"

Another reason for attending class is recording the class notes. These notes are vital clues to what the professor thinks is the most important material for you to learn, so besides taking notes, learn how to better use them to your advantage. Here are some specifics:

Be an active listener in class. Don't read the newspaper, gossips with friends, or text your roommate during class. Instead, listen attentively and actively -- and ask for clarification when you need it.

Take good notes in class. Whether taking notes from scratch or following a professor's outline, the key for you will be to get the most important details down so that you can refer back to them when you need them.

Rewrite or organize notes on your computer outside of class. This suggestion may sound a little extreme, but the writing-to-learn literature shows that you can increase your understanding and retention of material by rewriting it.

6. Use the Textbook

Professors assign textbooks for a reason -- and it's not to make you broke; it's to supplement the lectures and discussions from class. Do buy all the textbooks -- and follow these tips for using it:

Read all assigned material. Sounds obvious, right? When a professor assigns a chapter, read the whole thing (unless told otherwise), including the opening vignettes, the case studies, and tables and exhibits.

Know what's critical. At the same time, know what parts of the text are most critical. For example, in one of my classes, the vocabulary is most critical, and the textbook emphasizes the point by having all the terms and their definitions printed in the margins of every chapter.

Use outlining system to help comprehend material. Reading and highlighting the material in the text is just the minimum. To get the most of what you're reading, you should also take notes and outline the material.

7. Follow Good Rules of Writing

Many classes require one or more writing assignments, from short responses to term papers, and you'll do better on these assignments if you follow these rules of good writing:

Organize your thoughts before writing. Stream of consciousness works in a diary or journal (and may have worked in high school), but it's best to map out an outline before you start the actual writing.

Understand requirements for paper. Every professor has a specific way he or she wants a paper organized, and it's best to know them before you start to write. Be sure to understand the reference system and all the mechanics of the paper (font, margins, cover sheet, footnotes, etc.).

Write a draft (and get feedback when possible). Especially for larger papers, you'll have a higher quality paper (and a better grade) if you can show the professor a draft early enough before the deadline to make changes.

Rewrite, edit, rewrite, edit, rewrite. Learn that editing and rewriting are your friends. No one is a good enough writer to whip out the final draft in one sitting. The best writers go through a process.

Proofread, proofread, proofread. Spellcheckers catch spelling errors, but not other problems, so learn the art of proofreading. Or better, have a buddy system with a friend in which you proofread each other's papers.

8. Study, Study, Study

Another obvious one here? Perhaps, but the rule is you should be spending at least three hours outside of class for every hour in it. And for some classes, you'll find you need a lot more time than that to master the material. So, here are some suggestions:

Study early and often. Breaking your studying into shorter periods of time will make less of a chore -- and give your mind time to absorb the material before moving on.

Develop and practice good study habits. Make it a habit and studying will become second nature to you.

Know how you best study, learn material. Some people need complete silence to concentrate while others like a little noise. Find what works for you and stick with it.

Study with friends to gain support, but… don't turn it into a social event. A study buddy can be a great tool, as long as you actually get some studying accomplished.

Make sure work is done before socializing. Studying is critical to learning, which is critical to better grades -- so do the work before heading out to have fun.

9. Be a Good Test-Taker

Just about all college classes have exams, and sometimes the exams are the major portion of your final grade, so it's important to become a good test-taker. Here are some hints:

Know what to expect on exams. Every professor has a style of test development, so obtain old copies or ask the professor directly. Know the types of questions that will be asked -- as well as the content that will be covered.

Read questions carefully and plan answers. Take your time at the beginning of the test to read through all the instructions and make a plan of attack.

Pace yourself so you have plenty of time to complete all parts. And know the point v alues of questions, so you can be sure to complete the most important ones first in case time does run out.

Ask questions. If you don't understand something, or need clarification of the question, ask the professor. Don't wait to get the exam back and find you answered a question the wrong way.

10. Polish Those Verbal Communications Skills

Many classes include a presentation component, so use these tips to improve your verbal communications skills and maximize your grade:

Practice speeches, presentations. The best speeches and presentations are the well-rehearsed ones, so complete your script or outline early enough to have time to practice the presentation (and to make sure it falls within the specified time limit).

If using technology, always have a back-up. Technology is great, but sometimes it fails. If you have a PowerPoint presentation, make copies of it as a handout in case you need it.

Know the presentation situation -- and plan accordingly. Every professor has a set of guidelines when grading presentations, and many classroom set-ups are different, so know the situation before going into the presentation.