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.