7 minute read
SOPHIA: THE SEEKER OF ATHENA
from PAGLAYAG VOL. 2
by SIRMATA
Arrrggghhh! Why is studying so difficult?! I already
“have other stuff to mind than finding an X! Math please, she doesn’t want anything to do with you anymore, so stop asking me to find your X!” I chuckled when I heard what my sister said. She looks so frustrated solving her Math homework, which is due later today. “Who ever said studying was easy, dear Sophia? Besides, nothing’s difficult with your homeworks if you have listened carefully to your professor.”, I said. “Then what do you suggest I do, goddess of wisdom? Share to thee your thy wisdom, Lady Athena.”, she sarcastically said. I laughed at how comical she was. But I did give a few tips as to how to do well in your studies. First and foremost, you need to motivate yourself. If you failed today, it doesn't mean you’ll also fail tomorrow. Set your goals, and use that as your motivation to do well. Stay focused, but don’t pressure yourself too much. Second, listen and participate as much as you can during discussions. Actively participating in class is easier said than done, especially if you have an introverted personality. But there’s no harm in trying, and stepping out of your shell. Through participating, you are able to showcase your potential, and you can also show your professors that you understood the discussion. Third, try taking detailed notes during discussions. Note taking is a helpful skill to have, as this will ensure that you don’t miss even a single detail of your lesson, and you can use them as a reviewer for exams. Fourth, don’t hesitate to ask questions. If you’re having trouble understanding the lesson, its not bad to ask questions. This allows you to clarify things. Fifth, keep your focus when doing your homework, or when you’re reviewing. When reviewing for an exam, or doing your homework, look for a distraction-free environment. Mute your phone for the time being, so as to avoid distractions. Sixth, don’t forget to take at least a 15-minute break for every 45 minutes of studying. Don’t push yourself too much, and let your brain rest for a while. If you study nonstop, it might overload you with too much information, which could cause you to get stressed and exhausted. Seventh, try participating in group studies. Studying alone is fine, but sometimes, having a study buddy or study group can benefit you too. By being in a study group, you can ask somebody from your class about the parts of your lesson that you don’t understand. Eighth, be organized. Keep your stuff organized. If you have a study area or table in your room, don’t let it get cluttered. Use one notebook per subject, so your notes won’t get mixed up with your other subjects, and for you to find references faster and easier. Ninth, use a planner or organizer. Time management is very important when studying. Write all the due dates of your activities/requirements, examination dates, and performances. Tenth, create a study schedule. If you have multiple tasks to do, for example a research paper or exam, its best suggested to break your tasks into smaller chunks rather than doing everything in one go. This will help you be less pressured and stressed. It will also help you avoid procrastinating. Eleventh, take good care of your health. Health is wealth as they say. Your brain needs fuel to keep it going, so you have to eat meals that are nutritious and balanced. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so be sure not to miss it. Twelfth, get enough sleep. Try to get at least 8 hours of sleep. Don’t pull an all-nighter if your body can’t handle it. Lastly, stay fit. If you still have time to spare in your schedule, try doing some exercises. You don’t necessarily need to go to a gym to do that, but there are types of exercises that you can do at home like zumba, as there are a lot of videos on YouTube that you could follow. Studying becomes easier once you know how to manage everything, and to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on yourself. You’re doing well, believe me. No need to rush, go at your own pace. Don’t compare yourself to anyone, because you’re one of a kind, limited edition. And as Malcolm X had said, There is no better than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance the next time.
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SOPHIA:
THE SEEKER OF ATHENA
JESUSA MAE SUMAOANG
EDMAR DE LOS SANTOS
The Philippines is under a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic. In November 2021 alone, the Department of Health (DOH) recorded 1,268 positive new cases of the said disease and a total of 93,364 reported cases since January 1984 Moreover, 28% of the new cases were 15-24 years old, and 52% were 25-34. With this, many youths are living with HIV. Edgar Daniel Bagasol Jr., 24, from Paoay, Ilocos Norte, founder of Advocates Yearning for an Ardent and Transformative (AYAT) HIV advocacy, believes that the root cause of the epidemic is the lack of education. Further, according to him, there are only 2 to 3 health facilities in Ilocos Norte, and there is no effective mechanism to promote their services. Also, stigma prevents HIV patients from going into hospitals to access sexual health services.
Advocating sexual health
For the above reasons, Bagasol founded AYAT HIV advocacy in December 2020 with other advocates from Laoag City, initially planned to spark sexual health awareness in the Ilocos region. “Currently, our organization is at the forefront in promoting sexual health, recognizing the fact that sexual health is actually a natural part of our overall well-being,” Bagasol shared. They have been championing HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) education in several communities, but their main target of the organization is the youth in Ilocos Norte. Most of the members of their organization are Ilokano youth who are part of LGBTQIA+, women advocates, working from the health sector, and some are living with HIV. Though the Ilocos region is one of the areas with the least recorded new positive cases in the past years, for Bagasol, it may imply something. “Madami sa mga nagpapatest ay hindi sa Ilocos nagpapatest, like pumupunta pa sila sa ibang lugar,” he believes. Hence, they will be recorded in the area where they get tested even though they are Ilocanos. Also, since sexual health is still a sensitive discussion and stigmatization among HIV patients is prevalent in the province, these challenged their goal to educate the Ilokano youth. But, AYAT has five strategies to address these issues: community outreach through educational activities, digital campaigns, capacity-building to train its members, sharing their advocacy to other people, and care and support, which could create a safe space among the patients and youth.
Advice among HIV patients
Bagasol then encourages people living with HIV to get out of the fear even though there is still no cure for the disease. “The treatment that we currently have, the antiretroviral treatment, is very effective and it has been helping a lot of people living with HIV not only in the Philippines but in the whole world,” he assured. Also, he said that there are people and organizations who are willing to listen to their stories and who can offer them safe space “We would [also] encourage living with HIV to lead HIV and AIDS advocacy, especially in our province na wala pa talagang masyadong groups supporting these communities,” he added. Lastly, Bagasol encourages interested advocates on sexual health and HIV patients to inquire through their AYAT Advocacy social media accounts. They are holding orientation to those who would want to join their advocacy.
