New school year and schedule

Hola! I am on my 3rd year now, time flew by pretty fast I didn't realize that soon enough until now haha. Today is the day, I'm stepping out there and proud of myself. Well here is the issue, the photo above is my new class schedule for the 1st term of school year 2011-2012. One word to describe it, it's CRAZY! But I really like it, haha I have thought of doing this for so long and well here it is, there is no going back. I tried to keep my schedule tight so I won't slack off and to keep myself busy. It's part of my self-development experiment. I must be crazy doing this on myself but that's what I like about it, being crazy and challenging myself to the crazy stuff and have fun. This term will be interesting with this kind of schedule. We'll see how tough I am haha, this is a resilience test. Good luck to me (=

All is well

ALL IS WELL. Three simple words that gives me the feeling of having everything okay and fine.  In fact those 3 words were from a movie I watched, it's called "3 Idiots" and I recommend everyone to watch it because everyone can learn from it. Today I got the results of my grades. And guess what, all is well, I passed on all courses that I took. What's surprising and epic today is I was able to view my grades even though I haven't paid my remaining balance yet, spectacular I could say, haha!

Well what I could say is that, when you feel everything starts to fall apart you should remember to snap out of that bad feeling because when you are drawn more onto that feeling you will be drowned and will surely attract all the bad things that you don't want to happen. The three words in bold letters always reminds to stay calm and gives me confidence to what I do. Earlier this ending term I had those bad feelings with me, the feeling of failing again. But then I remembered the three magical words and started to say it over and over again to myself and let my heart feel the good vibes. And as I do it every single day I wake up and before I sleep and before taking exams, I always get the good vibes. I continued to pursue and work hard for my academics and seems that everything went well. It was worth it, I had no failing courses and I had good grades. Those three magical words for me changes a lot of things in a person's life, from small to larger scale. 

All is well are words that doesn't directly solves the problem but gives you the courage and confidence to deal with it. I am hoping to continue the good things and vibes I am getting for the future adventures of my way to a degree on engineering.

My school

Mapúa Institute of Technology

This is the school where I am currently enrolled in. It heavily specialize in the field of engineering and architecture. It was established by Don Tomas Mapúa in the year 1925. The founder Don Tomas Mapúa thought of solely basing the acronyms of the school from Massachusetts Institute of Technology because MIT is a school of great success in terms of technological advancement.

In the present time Mapúa Institute of Technology have the quarter system. It is the only college in the Philippines which has this kind of academic system. Some of its academic programs are recognized and accredited by ABET.

In my own words, I could say that this schools is spectacular. Even though it is small, it is not small at heart. When I first came here I thought I wasn't sure about what engineering means to me. But it all changed as I go along. This school made me realize the essence of engineering for me. There was a time that I almost gave up on engineering but this school changed all that and here I am now pursuing to be the best that I can be. I will do my very best to be able to stand up for this school and for our father's (Don Tomas Mapúa) vision. I will not give up, I'll definitely be an engineer to be able to contribute for the betterment of my country and for the world. 

Values that molds

Throughout my stay as undergraduate on college, I have learned several values in life. I've learned that, to be able to improve and be at your best you must have values. I've learned values on different ways. I learned through friends, I learned through myself, I learned through failures, I learned through catastrophic casualties. At first I've thought that life on college would only be a repeating process and so I've practiced myself to repeat processes but I noticed that I wasn't improving at all. I have questioned myself repeatedly on what's missing until I saw this one guy on class who have failed our subject 3 times. I asked him, "What makes you brave enough to take another shot and not care about what others say?". He replied, "willingness to learn and accept failure".

I was curious on the phrase "accept failure". He explained it to me. He told me if you are really willing to learn and change you so should never back off no matter what happens because the moment you gave up means its the end of your opportunity to change things. I was amazed and spirited on what he just said to me. I came to the realization that I was not learning and accepting things I have to accept. From that day onwards, I have decided to put values in my life and apply them on every single day I wake up. Everyday I tell myself to do my best, do what is right and learn through the things I observe in everyday.

Until now I continue to put values on whatever I do because putting values on what you do makes you feel good about it and more proud. Instead of me copying a homework from a classmate, I tend to do a homework by myself and learn from it. Instead of me procrastinating like before, I tend to do things in advance. Instead of me getting a shortcut on every math problems like before, now I tend to know and understand the concept of problem solving. You see, applying values in life is hard at first but its worthwhile. You can see a big difference when you do it. You feel more light, happy and more proud on what you do. 

I learned through the past experiences I had on college to value the values and value every single day as an opportunity to change the way things are for the good. With this in mind, I continue to strive hard to become a worthy engineering degree holder.

Untold side stories

This wasn't told during my first post cause if I do so my first post would be much longer. Well anyway, here it is. During my 1st year 4th term enrollment I came up to the challenge not just to improve on my deficiencies and weaknesses, it was also about something else. I was on the thought of shifting academic program. Well I wasn't originally a Mechanical Engineering student, I was a Computer Engineering student when I enrolled at school. I have decided to shift because I wasn't feeling any joy on Computer Engineering. I was dazzled by the field of Mechanical Engineering, my mind was penetrated and I said wow Mechanical Engineering is awesome. I was amazed on all the possibilities and opportunities I saw on Mechanical Engineering. And so, during the 1st year 4th term I have decided to stop getting Computer Engineering Majors and and just focus on maths and apply for shifting.

The condition for shifting is to have at least a 2.50 or better GWA. And so set myself to the test, I started the 4th term and in ended quite good, I had 2.3 quarter average but unfortunately my GWA didn't reach the quota. Well you see, I didn't give up. I tried again for another term, the 2nd year 1st term was good, I also had a quarter average of 2.3 but still I was not permitted to shift program even I have reached the quota for the GWA. The registrar's reasons? Stupidly because the program I am currently enrolled in doesn't have a board exam.

Well I called it stupid because first and foremost Computer Engineering is Engineering it is as hard as the other Engineering, besides even it doesn't have board exams it requires flexibility due to changing rapid changing technology. I was so pissed off. How could they say such thing whereas board exams won't matter simply because its an external factor. And besides, the first two years of engineering on our school has the same courses, basic engineering courses.

I was almost losing grip and giving up until I thought of what if there is still hope and there is someone willing to help me. During my 2nd year 2nd term I kept on thinking for days who could possibly help me. One afternoon, I was passing by the school of Mechanical Engineering and there I saw the dean and I've had this idea of asking him for help. I called on his office and he said "come and visit me and we'll talk". I was so nervous because I was set to talk with the dean of Mechanical Engineering department. I talk with his secretary and then he approached me and we walked into his office. He asked me, "Why are you shifting to Mechanical Engineering?". I replied, "It is because it is what I really want and I think I would  have more fun in learning engineering through Mechanical Engineering". And then he seemed to take an interest on my reply and so we talked for about an 20 to 30 minutes and the end result..he said, "Okay, I will be accepting you right away, I'll let the registrar know about this so you won't have any problems anymore on shifting". With those words I felt great and relieved. My nervousness was overtaken by joy and I got back home with a smile.

In the succeeding term (2nd year 3rd term), it was official. I was already a Mechanical Engineering student. Since that day onwards, I have participated on every activities and some projects that the School of Mechanical Engineering had. I have been very supportive to my seniors and to the organizations that promotes innovation, technological development and education. And today, at present time, I am currently supporting the activities through which some of my seniors are involved and I am doing the best that I can to learn through them.

In due time

Here I am, well..still surviving. It was a miracle I guess, for me not being kicked out at school and for me being able to cope up with so much deficiencies with myself. Today is June 10, 2011 exactly 1:40 in the morning at UTC+8 timezone to write about my present situation. Well let me tell you about it. At present time (2nd year 4th term), I am having a hard time. I don't have so much reliable professors, I don't have reliable friends and I don't have much time. Why not much time? It's because the term is near its end. It's our 8th week of the term. It's near to the end because we only have 11 weeks in exact for each term. I am currently having a hard time with some of my courses. Here is the list of courses I am taking up and my standing (my guess about my standing).

Multivariable Calculus = Expressionless

Physics I (Mechanics) = Expressionless

Phsyics Laboratory I   = Happy

ME Workshop I         = Happy

Safety Eng'g for ME   = Happy

Biomimetics               =  Smiling

Well that's it. I am expressionless on two because I am not sure if I would be able to compensate with the low grades I had during the 1st two exams. I had 55% on my first exam on math and I have no idea about the second yet. While on physics, I got an embarrassing score on the first exam so I'll just keep it to myself and as for the second exam I got 67%. The passing score is roughly 70%. I really am nervous about these two. And so I am planning to spend my breaks and weekends on studying these to. Well that is all I can tell about for now.

My first time as Engineering undergrad student

"The Beginning"

Photo of my 1st year 1st term grades. Failing 3 courses (Algebra, Trigonometry & Chemistry I)

                                                             1.00 = Excellent

                                                             1.25 = Superior

                                                             1.50 = Very Good

                                                             1.75 =Good

                                                             2.00 = Meritorious

                                                             2.25 = Very Satisfactory

                                                             2.50 = Satisfactory

                                                             2.75 = Fairly Satisfactory

                                                             3.00 = Passing

                                                             5.00 = Failed

                                                             7.00 = Incomplete

                                                             9.00 = Dropped

This was the result of my first time as an undergraduate pursuing an engineering degree. It totally shocked me and I felt sad. I wasn't expecting it to be this harsh. Why? I have never thought of college especially under an engineering field to be this hard. I didn't suck at math during my high school but still I have failed two maths plus an additional of one science which is chemistry. This made me think of what I am on. I was so depressed of what I saw and I had a lot of thoughts on my mind every night.

The 1st year second term started. I have every intention on my mind to pass those that I have failed and did what I can do to pass. As a result I have passed on Algebra but not on the remaining two. I was again thinking, was my effort not enough? Am I missing on some parts?

Then the 1st year third term started. This time I didn't take chemistry so I could focus on math. As the term ended I saw the results. I got a very high grade on math which is 1.25 but I failed on a new course which is on Engineering Drawing Graphics & Design. I was a little a happy but most is depressed because of failing on a new course. I though I will not fail anymore but again I failed. New thoughts were piling up above my head as the enrollment for the new term comes.

Now the enrollment starts for the 4th term. I was utilizing the thoughts on my head and have been asking myself repeatedly on what I really want. I suddenly thought that I should be able to improve myself a lot and aim not for the passing. And so challenged myself and took 4 maths (Plane & Solid Mensuration, Analytic Geometry, Linear Algebra, Matlab) and the other two which I failed (Chemistry I and Engineering Drawing). I was really nervous as the term starts. But, I kept my focus on the challenge to myself and so as the term ended this was the result...

Photo of 1st year 4th term grades

Yes, finally! I passed on every course I had during this term and I've successfully nailed the challenge to myself. I was very happy for the first time of my life on college. It was unbelievable for me because I just finished off a very difficult term. And so I have gained confidence on myself and continued to have no failures with the succeeding 2nd year 1st term.

After the 2nd year 1st term, things got a little bit back on bad scenarios again. I have failed two courses on the succeeding term (2nd term). This time, it was on Integral Calculus and Logic. It was due to my over confidence. I have been thinking Logic would be a very easy course to take because it is labeled as minor, but I was mistaken. It was the hardest minor I ever had, EVER! And so, failing on it making me look like a fool. On the other hand, which is on mathematics. Due to the confidence explosion to myself I have not given enough attention on studying my new math, thinking it would be an easy pass. As a result, I have failed. 

And so the story goes on with the other term coming up which is the 3rd term. This time I took Integral Calculus but no Logic. I took math seriously and have given attention on every single topic we had on the course syllabus. But I had given less attention on my new minor which is Philosophy. I though it would be just a reading and reciting and writing class, well actually it was but it was the 2nd hardest minor Ever! We discuss things not on an average level and we had exams not for an average level. It was harsh. The term ended and I passed on math with a high mark but I have failed on Philosophy. During that time I knew there was something wrong with me. Something wasn't enough. I was trying to figure out to myself what it was..