How to make the most of a ‘double-the-summer’ experience
The blazing sun’s fury signals the start of summer break for both students and teachers. Finally, it is time to relax and recover from a whole semester of problems.
This time, students and faculty members at the University of the Philippines have double the reason to celebrate.
In anticipation of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations integration, the Philippines’ national university decided to synchronize its academic calendar with those of other Southeast Asian nations.
Classes in the whole UP system will start in August and end in May beginning academic year 2014-2015, giving both students and faculty a four-month break.
Times two
This will be the first and last time students in the university will have twice the usual number of vacation days.
Professor Lizamarie Campoamor-Olegario of the College of Education at UP Diliman and Dr. Rosalie Arcala Hall of the College of Arts and Sciences at UP Visayas suggest that both faculty and students spend the extra two months in more productive activities.
Olegario encourages students to do things they have not tried before, like “learning new skills like cooking, dancing, playing [a] musical instrument, painting and so many others.”
She says the extra time can be used for self-reflection.
Hall encourages students to volunteer for nongovernment organizations, foundations and local governments.
She says helping the needy can make summer more meaningful.
She also suggests that students make a summer reading list. “Try to finish as many as you can. This list should include both scholarly and leisurely kinds of reading. Better to read than spend your time watching TV or catching up on miniseries,” she says.
College students usually get stressed out during the school year by academics and extracurricular activities, often neglecting their health.
Hall says students should focus on eating well, exercising and staying fit. She says this is better than partying over the summer.
As for teachers and professors, Hall suggests to her fellow faculty members to think of research topics and start working on them.
“I am currently involved in six research projects in various stages. Having this four-month break is a boon because it allows me to finish much needed field work and writing,” she adds.
Hall says the long vacation can be used by faculty members for writing manuscripts for publications and preparing for the coming semester.
Catch up on reading
“Four months is not too long [a time] but much appreciated,” she says.
Incoming UP Los Baños freshmen Marelle Anne Montalla (industrial engineering) and Gerard John Fortaleza (communication arts) plan to spend the four-month vacation reading books and preparing for college.
“I’m planning to attend the summer bridge program this year [if there is one] for an early adjustment here in LB (Los Baños) and to make friends,” Montalla says.
From March to April, some private companies and government agencies had offered summer jobs, which UP Mindanao students Gianne Evale (computer science), Bryan de la Peña (food technology) and Camela Janine Gonzaga (architecture) planned to take advantage of.
While De la Peña is working for the family business, Gonzaga hopes to find a job related to her course.
Meanwhile, Lorraine del Rosario, biology student at UP Baguio, and Maria Agnes Malbas, architecture student at UP Mindanao, plan to travel.
Currently enrolled in summer classes at UP Diliman, Malbas says, “Classes will end in late May so we will spend the remaining days of summer visiting tourist spots and other recommended places here in Luzon, including other UP campuses.”
Homebodies
While adventure-seekers are packing their bags eager to hit the road, Chadinne Busmeon from UP Cebu and Donalene Talento from UP Baguio, biology students, will spend the long break at home.
Busmeon says she has been busy with academics the past few months so it is about time she helped with the chores. Talento plans to take care of her little sister and spend quality time with the rest of her family.
Charlene Mae Olsim, biology student at UP Baguio, will spend the long vacation engaging in sports and getting physically fit.
“I’m looking forward to some outdoor activities like badminton and basketball on weekends,” Olsim says.
Four months is equivalent to a whole semester. Within that time, many things on one’s bucket list may be accomplished.
