Today, out of curiosity, I took my first look at my Economics Analysis grade—and I was dismayed. Honestly, I only studied class presentations and summaries; I hardly touched the actual textbooks or paid close attention during lectures. Clearly, my final mark reflects these choices.

Initially, I felt disbelief and sadness. I thought I had enough knowledge, or perhaps I was simply being overly optimistic. It’s possible that I misunderstood a question on the final or failed to delve deeply enough into the concepts I believed were correct.

I won’t deny that I feel sad. In fact, I told myself that if this happens again next trimester, I might quit the program altogether. I need at least a 2.0 to qualify for the comprehensive exam at the end of the course, and that goal seems to be slipping further away with every poor decision I make regarding my studies.

My original plan was to study consistently before each class—something I intended to do before the trimester even started—but I never actually followed through. Looking back, it’s obvious I missed an opportunity to fully commit.

Strangely, I did enjoy Economics initially. But when finals came around, I ended up cramming at the last minute. Despite preparing slides, podcasts, and even a reviewer, I did the bare minimum. It’s no surprise I ended up with the lowest score.

Now, I’m trying to figure out why I’m sad when I didn’t put in enough effort to begin with. Maybe it’s not sadness—I’m probably just disappointed in myself. I also see how being too hopeful without putting in the work can set me up for failure.

Moving forward, I’ve decided to impose a strict rule for myself: No more grades at 2.0 or below. If I can’t achieve that next trimester, I’ll have to reconsider continuing this master’s degree.

That’s all for now—just my honest reflection on what went wrong and how I might move forward.

Are school tests merely academic hurdles, or do they equip us for life’s challenges?

One day I asked myself are the type of tests in UP very applicable to real life situations? Just during midterms, I encountered 5 questions that required me to enumerate and make an essay out of them! The thing is, I only know the concept but the exact terminology… I forgot!

Often perceived as stressful events that determine grades and academic futures, school tests are more than just assessments. They are, in essence, training grounds for essential skills that will shape our success in the real world.

The Real-World Equivalents of School Tests

Let’s delve into how various school test formats mirror real-life scenarios:

1. Multiple-Choice Tests:

• School: Selecting the correct answer from a list of options.
• Real Life: Making informed decisions in a myriad of situations, such as choosing a career path, selecting a product, or casting a vote.

2. Essay Tests:

• School: Constructing well-structured arguments, supporting them with evidence, and presenting them coherently.
• Real Life: Crafting persuasive emails, reports, proposals, or even social media posts that demand clear communication and compelling language.

3. Problem-Solving Tests:

• School: Analyzing complex problems, identifying potential solutions, and selecting the most effective approach.
• Real Life: Troubleshooting technical issues, navigating financial challenges, or planning intricate projects.

4. Performance-Based Assessments:

• School: Delivering presentations, conducting experiments, or creating artistic works.
• Real Life: Public speaking, job interviews, creative problem-solving, and project management.

5. Group Projects:

• School: Collaborating with peers, delegating tasks, and working towards a shared goal.
• Real Life: Teamwork in the workplace, community service, or volunteer organizations.

The Underlying Skills: A Foundation for Success

Beyond the specific test format, school tests cultivate essential skills that are indispensable for thriving in life:

• Critical Thinking: The ability to analyze information, evaluate arguments, and make informed decisions.
• Problem-Solving: The capacity to identify problems, brainstorm solutions, and implement effective strategies.
• Time Management: The skill of prioritizing tasks, managing deadlines, and working efficiently.
• Stress Management: The ability to handle pressure, stay calm under stress, and maintain focus.
• Communication Skills: The art of expressing ideas clearly, listening actively, and working effectively with others.
• Adaptability: The willingness to adjust to change, learn new things, and embrace challenges.

Maximizing the Benefits of School Tests

To fully harness the potential of school tests, consider these strategies:

• Consistent Practice: Regular practice boosts confidence and reinforces learning.
• Effective Time Management: Allocate sufficient time for studying and avoid procrastination.
• Strategic Study Techniques: Employ techniques like active recall, spaced repetition, and mind mapping.
• Proactive Help-Seeking: Don’t hesitate to seek assistance from teachers, tutors, or classmates.
• A Positive Mindset: A positive outlook can significantly impact performance.

By approaching school tests with a growth mindset and recognizing their real-world applications, we can transform them from stressful events into valuable learning experiences.

Do you have personal experiences where school tests prepared you for a specific real-life situation? Share your insights in the comments below!

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a manager is having control—not just over tasks and processes, but most importantly, over yourself. Self-management is a crucial skill for anyone, whether you’re managing a team or simply trying to lead a more productive life.

Recently, while looking for ways to earn extra income, I reflected on how I act when I am in “default mode”—those moments right after waking up or when I have nothing urgent to do. I noticed a pattern: I’d fall into routines like playing Mobile Legends or binge-watching Netflix. While these activities help pass the time, they don’t align with the goals I have for myself. Unmanaged time can lead to wasted potential, and I realized I needed a better strategy.

The Birth of “The Default Project”

Today, I launched what I call “The Default Project”—a personal initiative aimed at reshaping how I spend my default, unstructured time. My goal is simple: replace unproductive habits with purposeful activities, even when my brain feels foggy or uninspired. I’ve heard phrases like, “Success is a habit” and, “What you do today shapes your future.” These ideas resonate with me, so I thought: if I can’t prevent falling into a default mode, maybe I can reprogram what that mode looks like.

Early Implementation: Passive Productivity with YouTube Videos

Without fully realizing it, I had already started experimenting with this project last week. I began uploading gameplay videos from Mobile Legends to YouTube. While these videos are simple records with no commentary or lessons, they serve a dual purpose. First, they train me to develop a habit of content creation. Second, they allow me to explore the idea of becoming a faceless YouTuber over time.

Although I know these videos won’t generate income immediately, the process has value in itself. Consistently producing content, even without an immediate reward, is building the discipline needed for future projects. In a way, this is an exercise in long-term thinking—a concept important in both management and entrepreneurship.

Replacing Negative Inputs with Positive Alternatives

Another aspect I’ve been working on is reducing negative influences in my default time. I often catch myself browsing the news, but I’ve realized it does little more than flood my mind with negativity and unnecessary information. As a manager of my own time, I need to replace these inputs with something better.

So, I’ve begun watching motivational and educational YouTube channels every day. This shift ensures that even when I’m passively consuming content, it still contributes to my personal growth and future productivity. The goal is not to stop relaxing but to make downtime intentional.

Exploring Creative Outlets: Designing for Profit

One of the productive habits I plan to incorporate into The Default Project is designing shirts for sale. Creating digital designs feels like a natural extension of my creativity—I’ve been involved in designing since college, working on tarpaulins and similar projects. Now, I want to channel that creativity into something profitable.

I believe that by combining my artistic skills with online tools, I can build a sustainable side hustle. Design work is something I enjoy, and when passion intersects with productivity, success becomes a lot more achievable.

What Management Taught Me About Default Mode

This project has helped me realize that managing yourself is one of the hardest yet most essential aspects of leadership. It’s not about eliminating all leisure activities but creating structures that guide you toward productive habits. In management, we often talk about systems and processes to streamline work; this personal project is my way of creating a system for myself.

By being intentional about how I spend unstructured time, I’m not just making better use of my day—I’m also learning the importance of consistency, focus, and small incremental progress. These are skills that any manager must master, whether they are leading a team or their own life.

Progress, Not Perfection

The Default Project isn’t about perfection; it’s about building awareness and making gradual improvements. My uploads, shirt designs, and new video-watching habits may not yield immediate results, but they are all small steps toward becoming a more disciplined and productive version of myself.

In management, progress is often made in increments, and it’s the daily decisions—especially when no one is watching—that determine long-term outcomes. Through this project, I hope to build habits that not only improve my personal life but also enhance my ability to manage future projects and side hustles effectively.

Last Saturday was a day of reckoning for my economic analysis and production management courses. The midterms were a formidable challenge, consisting of a true or false section and a combination of multiple choice and essay questions. Despite my initial confidence, I quickly realized that these exams were no walk in the park.

True or False: A Trickier Than Expected

The true or false section was particularly tricky, requiring a deep understanding of the topics and facts. While I had reviewed the material beforehand, I found myself falling victim to the exam’s deceptive nature. It was a stark reminder that complacency can lead to unexpected pitfalls.

Multiple Choice and Essay: A Successful Strategy

For the second exam, I made a conscious decision to sacrifice listening to a lecture (Organizational Behaviour) in order to focus on my review. This proved to be a wise choice, as I felt confident and prepared when I entered the exam room. The questions seemed familiar, and I believe my ketogenic diet contributed to my clear thinking and ability to recall information. To my surprise, I was the first to hand in my paper, a testament to my effective preparation-This is the first time it happened to me, to pass my paper first!

Today marked the first day of my economics class, where I met my new professor and the familiar faces of my classmates. As expected, we kicked off with introductions, and our professor outlined the key topics, grading factors, and the expectations for our reports. But what made the day unexpectedly enjoyable was our deep dive into “The Theory of Consumer.” This fascinating topic explores consumer behavior, specifically how individuals make purchasing decisions. We discussed trade-offs, where consumers are willing to give up one good for another, the concept of utility, and how satisfaction is represented graphically.

I must admit, I went in with low expectations, assuming it would be another “death by PowerPoint” session like last trimester. But to my surprise, today’s class was incredibly engaging—full of energy and humor. Our professor managed to make the lesson both educational and fun, which is not something I expected.

Luckily, I recorded the session (as I usually do for reviewing), but I didn’t anticipate how entertaining it would be. From witty comments about his mother-in-law’s spending habits to jokes about Sara Duterte’s “confidential funds” and even people’s willingness to pay crazy amounts for Taylor Swift tickets—everything was tied into the lesson, making it so relatable and relevant to today’s world.

Even though I was running on little sleep, I couldn’t bring myself to lie down or zone out. I just hope every session will be this engaging!

It’s Friday today, and tomorrow kicks off a new trimester for my Master of Management course at the University of the Philippines. I have to admit, it feels a bit strange to be gearing up for new classes when one of my grades—Management Accounting—still hasn’t been posted. But here we are, on the verge of a new term, whether I’m ready or not.

And to add a bit more excitement, Typhoon Enteng is making its presence known with all the rain and flooding in low-lying areas. Luckily, where I live isn’t affected much, but the weather has definitely added to my anxiety about tomorrow. We’re supposed to have a face-to-face class in Economics Analysis, and I’m not exactly thrilled about braving the storm to meet the professor in person.

Yesterday, our professor sent out the syllabus, and I got a glimpse of what this term has in store: the topics we’ll be diving into, the textbook we’ll use, and how we’ll be graded. As I looked it over, I thought, “This time, I’m going to nail it.” I learned a lot from the struggles of last trimester, and I’m determined not to let those same issues trip me up again. I’m shooting for a perfect score this time—aiming high!

I’ve come up with a simple, three-step game plan to keep me on track:

1. Get a Head Start on the Material: My first step is to make sure I study the lessons thoroughly before each class. I want to use the actual class time to clear up any confusion or fill in any gaps in my understanding. I’ve learned that just reading the material on my own doesn’t always make everything click, so being prepared will help me get the most out of each session.
2. Knock Out Assignments Early: I’ve decided that Sundays will be my dedicated “assignment day.” With classes on Saturdays, this means I’ll tackle any reports or homework right away, leaving my weekdays open for other things—like my side hustles. If group work comes up, I’ve realized it’s better for me to take the lead on creating presentations and papers, then pass them on to the group for feedback. Last term, we spent way too much time in unproductive online meetings, especially when I was already busy with work. Doing it this way, I’ll learn more and save everyone time.
3. Flashcards and Quizzes for the Win: My final step is to use flashcards and quizzes to reinforce what I’m learning. After all, most of our tests are about remembering concepts and applying them to real or theoretical management situations. This strategy should help me lock in the material and be better prepared for whatever questions come my way.

Honestly, I decided to push through with this trimester partly because of the rainy weather. With my businesses not fully up and running yet, I thought, why not focus on my studies? I find management topics a bit easier to handle than the hardcore IT stuff, so I’m hoping this trimester will be my chance to really shine and boost my grades.

Just a few hours ago, a notification popped up in our chat group: one of my professors had posted grades. I hesitated before checking, the usual wave of pessimism washing over me. I hadn’t exactly dedicated myself to studying. But to my surprise, when I finally looked, I saw a grade in the 1’s! Not quite perfect, but definitely not the disastrous 2 or below I’d feared.

Passing two out of three subjects feels pretty good. I can’t help but wonder if my professor was impressed by the paper I submitted or maybe my answers on the finals essay exam hit the mark. I’m particularly good at narrative and logical writing. Re-reading my paper, I was struck by how well-structured it was. Maybe I’ll even share it here later—a reminder that even “average” people can have great ideas!

Now, the waiting game begins for my final grade in the last remaining class. I’m already bracing myself for failure. Accounting has never been my friend. Back in college, I dreaded my only accounting class. I didn’t connect with the material, the terminology felt like a foreign language, and those ledgers filled with debits and credits were my nemesis. I passed eventually, but only by the skin of my teeth.

Ironically, while writing my final paper for this class, I found myself appreciating managerial accounting a bit more. I analyzed the costing methods my previous company used, and it was surprisingly interesting. Still, if I pass this class, it’ll be nothing short of a miracle.

God save me.

My heart sank as I saw my grade today. It was far from what I expected, and the shock was real. While I managed to pass one subject, the overall result was disappointing. Upon analyzing my performance, I realized that the missing assignments and the lack of proper preparation for the final exams contributed significantly to my low grades.

During my college days, my standards were high. I aimed for grades between 1 and 1.75, and anything below 2 was unacceptable. However, those standards have shifted. I must acknowledge that I didn’t put in my best effort, and for now, I’m settling for an “okay” grade. Perhaps, in the future, if the circumstances are ideal, I’ll strive for those high grades again, but that’s a story for another day.

Meanwhile, I recently completed a paper for Accounting Management, where I discussed job order costing methods and applied them to real-world scenarios, such as my previous company’s IT service desk operations. However, I submitted the paper 25 minutes past the deadline. I aimed to finish it by 11 PM, but revisions took longer than expected, leading to a late submission.

This brings me to the “thrill of the deadline.” I have a habit of completing tasks just hours before the deadline. While it’s exciting in a way, it leaves me vulnerable to extensions and potential issues. I hope to improve and finish tasks ahead of time in the future, but I must confess that perhaps I’m simply bored and don’t want to worry about the remaining time until the deadline.

It’s a journey of self-improvement, and I’m embracing the imperfections along the way.

Recently, I had a candid conversation with one of the broker coordinators for a condo I’m selling. I confessed that pursuing my master’s degree might have been a mistake, given how little time I have now to focus on selling condominiums. My classes are on Saturdays, which coincides with the prime day for client viewings. It’s a challenging balance. On one hand, I’m thrilled by the thought of graduating from the University of the Philippines with flying colors, but behind the scenes, there’s a constant struggle—a myriad of complications and problems that I keep bottled up inside.

I purchased a condo a while back, and I haven’t been able to keep up with the payments for the past three months. This issue has been weighing heavily on me for over a year now. I suspect part of my hesitation to address it stems from the fact that the condo isn’t even finished yet. Maybe I’m procrastinating, telling myself there’s no rush, but the truth is, it’s a burden that’s been growing on my mind. On top of that, there’s the apartment I rented in Manila, which is still under lease. It costs me around PHP 7,500 a month, and I’m paying for it even though I no longer live there. Why? Because it’s filled with items from my failed T-shirt printing business—things I haven’t managed to sell yet.

Being accepted into UP was like a dream come true. I’ve always cherished the idea of studying at such a prestigious institution. Yet, the reality has been a bit different. I’ve been grappling with various issues for some time now. I tried to dive into multiple ventures—affiliate marketing, building websites, automating sales processes—all aimed at boosting my real estate endeavors. But all these projects are still in their infancy, stagnant, waiting for the spark of life. They occupy my thoughts constantly, distracting me from my studies at UP. To make matters worse, I took on a second job for a couple of months, which drained so much of my energy that I struggled to keep up academically this trimester.

Right now, I’m just hoping to pass this trimester. But I have my doubts. If by some stroke of luck I do manage to pass, I can continue my studies in January next year. Fingers crossed, I’m wishing myself good luck.