Exit Reflective Essay

English, being the universal language, is one of the most important languages one should know. That’s why there are English courses in DLSU aimed to help students to improve their skills. 3 months ago, I first entered my Englcom class with so many expectations to learn about the proper way to read and write. I remember myself wanting to learn how to use the punctuation marks. After writing 6 essays, I was able to gain knowledge of the correct way to use, not only the punctuation marks, but also the right words appropriate for the type of essay I am doing. I also learned about Plagiarism, the correct way to cite sources and to make list of references using the APA format. I also became aware that it is more appropriate to use third person when writing formal essays. Because of the writing process worksheet, I have learned that the essay would be more interesting if there is a target audience and if I know what is my role as a writer. We used to write essays at school but I never really had an idea about how the thesis statement should be like. I never knew that it should inform the reader of what is to be discussed in the essay. Because of the step-by-step guidance of our Englcom professor, I was able to learn these stuff. Before taking up this course, I had this weakness that it takes a lot of time before I am able to compose a meaningful essay. I was able to benefit from the requirement of creating an outline before writing the draft because the ideas I want to include becomes organized. After organizing my thoughts, it became easier for me to write my draft because I already know which ideas comes first. Even though I still had a hard time finishing my essay earlier than the deadline (because I tend to talk too much), I still somehow learned how to maximize the limited time we were given to write the essays.

After the 6 essays I’ve made, I am safe to say that I have learned more about English and the proper way to read and write. I believe that through these knowledge I’ve acquired I would be able to achieve my goals and this would help me in my future career.

Entrance Reflective Essay

I have been introduced to English since I first started talking. My knowledge of it has been expanded in my12 years in school. I am now a college student yet I'd have to say there are still more to improve. I can read quite well but I find it hard to understand a text when there are terms I am not familiar with. It also takes me some time before I could write a meaningful text. I get confused with which words to use on particular sentences.

Since I have friends on other colleges, I have been told that the Englcom course is composed of loads of essays and writing activities. I am looking forward to learning more on the proper way to write and use punctuation marks and the like. I believe this course would help me increase my knowledge and skills in English. Learning my competencies in reading and writing would help me in improving my skills and as we all know, English is the universal language. All of us would need to learn it for us to be able to communicate with foreigners. The career I have chosen is in demand abroad and if given the opportunity, I would like to work outside the country. With the knowledge I would acquire here in this course, it would be easier for me to achieve my goals.

TV: Junk food for Children's minds

Television has become one of the most convenient sources of entertainment for people. With different channels available ranging from news to cartoon, it isn’t surprising that children and even adults are hooked to it. Television is, somehow, looked to as a stress-reliever for adults and a fun recreation for children that are tired and exhausted from work and school. Both can choose whether to watch action, drama or comedy. They may also learn how to cook, buy stuff, or learn about animals or places through TV without leaving their places. Nevertheless, these activities are still undermined by a number of risks and damages for children. Although children can benefit educationally from watching television, their health and morals are put to risk.

The health of children is affected by excessive TV watching. According to Alex Wattermann’s “Children and TV: The negative effects of Television,” children who watch TV most of the time are prone to sight damages (2006). The more time the children spend next to the TV set, the more their eye mechanics are weakened. In addition to this, the children’s ability to focus and pay attention is also damaged (Watterman, 2006). Television has also caused a great influence on how children view themselves. At a very young age, children nowadays are more conscious of what they look like. Because of commercials and TV shows that promote perfectly shaped bodies, children are having the misconception that having skinny bodies is complete perfection and that everyone should be skinny in order to look pretty. This misconception became the cause of numerous eating disorders such as bulimia, anorexia and self mutilation among children (Watterman, 2006). The issue on obesity has also been raised. The more time children allot on watching TV, the less time they get for their physical activities. Because children no longer have time to exercise, the high sugar and fat food they consume turn into stored fats that causes them to be overweight (Graham, 2008). This obesity problem is also encouraged by TV ads that show unhealthy food (Boyse, 2009). When children like what they see on TV, they ask their parents to buy the product regardless of what effects it may cause on them. If children would ask their parents to buy the junk food they see on TV, most parents would tolerate it because this makes their children happy; thus leading to obesity.

Children’s morals are at risk whenever they watch TV. Being young and naive, children most of the time do not know whether what they are watching is good or bad. When children are exposed to violent acts, they tend to be more aggressive and are more likely to commit acts of violence. It is because children like to imitate and they usually cannot tell the difference between reality and fantasy (Boyse, 2009). Children usually adopt or imitate the characters they watch on TV and these “TV characters often depict risky behaviours such as smoking and drinking” that might be viewed by the children as a right thing (Gavin, 2008).

There are some things that children could benefit on from watching television. Television has numerous educational programs like the informative materials that are shown on History Channels and Discovery Channel (Baker, 2007). However, there are also several channels that show entertaining cartoons that children find more interesting to watch. Children would rather watch cartoons rather than educational programs because they only get to watch TV when they have their free time. If they watch learning tools on TV, then they would feel like they are studying all the time even if they are not at school. So watching television for children might be educational but children would use their leisure time for entertainment, not for learning.

Despite the fact that television might educate children, watching television endangers the health and morals of the children watching it. In order to lessen the negative effects of television, parents of children must supervise the programs and the amount of hours their children watch on TV. It’s up to the parents to protect their children from the bad influence TV has to offer to their children.

List of References:

Wattermann, A. (2006). Children and TV: The Negative Effects of Television from

http://www.brainy-child.com/article/children-tv.shtml

Graham, J. (2008, August 12). How Television Viewing Affects Children from

http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/htmpubs/4100.htm

Boyse, K. (2009, November). Television and Children from

http://www.med.umich.edu/yourchild/topics/tv.htm

Gavin, M.L. (2008, October). How TV Affects Your Child from

http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/family/tv_affects_child.html

Baker, L. (2007). The Negative Effect of Television on Children from

http://www.helium.com/items/161828-the-negative-effects-of-television-on-children

What is Haute Couture?

Fashion is one of the most observed aspects worldwide. What is fashion? According to an English Dictionary, Fashion is a term commonly used to refer to people’s clothing style and the study of clothing. The role of fashion in people’s lives is seen as, in some way, to “lend variety to our lives, providing an element of excitement in trying out something new” (Ranat, 2007). Teenagers are the most common victims of its prevailing influence as it leads them to behave in different matters. Fashion has a wide range of varieties ranging from RTWs to Mass Market. One of the most misunderstood topics in fashion is Haute Couture. Haute Couture is the designers’ unusual approach to show appreciation of clothing through expensive garments.

Prior to the invention of the sewing machine, more than half of the clothes worn by people were hand stitched by the wearer themselves. Around 1850s, Haute Couture was born through the works of an English dressmaker named Charles Frederich Worth (Pemberton-Sikes, 2009). His works became popular that the name ‘Haute Couture’ in Modern France is “a protected name that can be used only by firms that meet certain well-defined standards” (“History of Haute Couture”). As its definition suggests, Haute Couture means “excellently sewn”. This implies that Haute Couture could or must be pricey, and indeed it is. One of its limitations is its cost. The fabrics used in Haute Couture are highly expensive, using only expensive silks, cashmeres, linens, cottons, suede, leather and all kinds of furs. Because expensive fabrics are used to make Haute Couture clothes, fashion designers make use of sample garments called toiles (Grotton, 2007). According to Pauline Weston Thomas’ article ‘Haute Couture’, toiles can either be muslins or linen canvas depending on which initial designs are to be created. “Toiles can be manipulated, marked and adjusted to fit particular live models measurements until the designer and his sale staff is all satisfied.” (2006)

Haute Couture is not a phrase one usually hears everyday. People oftentimes had mistaken Haute Couture as weird or eccentric. Because of its cost, some people view it as something not worth spending on. Haute Couture is oftentimes compared with Ready-To-Wear clothes. Most people prefer the latter because RTWs are more accessible and less expensive. However, Haute Couture is something designers spend time on because they want to show appreciation for arts. Haute Couture became the foundation for the success of many famous designers nowadays. It was Haute Couture that made the names Balenciaga, Coco Chanel, Christian Dior, Givenchy, Jean Paul Gaultier, Georgio Armani, Valentino, Donatella Versace, Yves Saint Laurent, Pierre Cardin and many more, popular and known worldwide (“List of Haute Couture designers”).

Haute Couture became the medium for designers to show their creativity through clothing. Since the creation of an Haute Couture piece requires a huge amount of money, it has been marked as an exclusivity for the rich and for those who are on top of the social hierarchy. This leads to the conclusion that there are a few regular clients of couture houses. Although only a few support or patronize Haute Couture, it continues to develop and create. The more people would understand Haute Couture, the more it will improve and be known globally. Each one is entitled to his thoughts, so whether or not Haute Couture is an art or just a waste of time and material is best left for people’s own mentality.

List of References:

Ranat, A. (2007, August 23). Role of Fashion in our lives from

http://amit-ranat.sulekha.com/blog/post/08/role-of-fashion-in-our-lives.htm

Pemberton-Sikes, D. (2009). The History of Haute Couture from

http://www.fashionforrealwomen.com/articles/haute_couture.html

Haute Couture. (2009, December). from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haute_Couture

Grotton, A. (2007, October 11). Introduction in Haute Couture from

http://chicstories.com/history/introduction-in-haute-couture/

Thomas, P.W. (2006). Haute Couture from

http://www.fashion-era.com/haute_couture.htm

The Effects of Staying up late at night on students

Being a student means having lots of responsibilities. Coming to school on time with complete requirements and homework is one. Plus, the student must also be prepared with pop quizzes, graded recitations and the like. Having too much workload or too much requirements to finish causes the student to stay up late at night. But how does sleeping late affect the students? Sleeping late takes its toll on a student’s health, mental stability and habits.

The health of the student gets affected when he stays up late at night. His physical appearance and well-being changes when he does not sleep early. This is clearly seen when there are dark circles underneath the student’s eyes. Another sign of sleep deprivation is if there is a change in weight. Metabolic changes might be triggered if a student does not get enough sleep because the body of young people needs proper rest in order to develop, (Lupu, 2006). This metabolic change causes the student to either gain or lose weight. Not only does the student suffer on his health but he also suffers on his mental stability.

Sleeping late at night causes change in the student’s psychological welfare. The attitude of the student and the way he interacts with people depends on the number of hours he spends sleeping. When a person is sleep deprived, he usually feels cranky and moody. Being tired, the student becomes grumpy and irritable and tends to get angry at the people around him, (The Daily Mind, 2009). Not only does his social life get affected, he could also fail subjects because he cannot think straight and he might lack focus. As his attitude changes, the student’s habits are also affected by sleeping late.

The student, who stays up late, will need to adjust to his schedule because sleeping late affects his routines. The internal body clock of the student will get used to sleeping and waking up late if he constantly stays up late at night. This routine would cause the student to wake up late because tiredness affects the student’s ability to get up on time, (Larson, 2007). A student’s academic status might also get affected because if he is sleep deprived at night, he tends to sleep during the morning or during classes. This may cause him less time to allot on his daily routines like reading and studying. These effects are quite a lot and the student might think, “Is sleeping late at night and changing my habits all worth it?”

Having to accomplish something while staying up late might be a rewarding feeling but having to trade in the student’s health, habits and attitudes to a less favourable state is just not worth it. It is up to the student to choose whether he will change his habit of sleeping late or just go with its consequences, which will affect his well-being, state of mind and routines.

List of References:

Staying Up Late: Why Everyone Should Go to Bed Earlier, (2009). from

http://www.thedailymind.com/health-at-work/staying-up-late-why-everyone-should-go-to-bed-earlier/

Larson, G. (2007). Staying Up Late - Is It Worth It? from

http://ezinearticles.com/?Staying-Up-Late---Is-It-Worth-It?&id=811098

Lupu, A. (2006, August 19). Staying Up Late Raises Obesity Risks among Children and Teenagers from

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Staying-Up-Late-Raises-Obesity-Risks-among-Children-and-Teenagers-38279.shtml

Uniform or No Uniform

School is a place of learning. It is where students learn things they need in order to achieve their goals. There are factors that affect the learning of students. One of the factors is said to be the clothes that they wear. Some schools claim that having a uniform promotes learning while other schools do not feel the need to require students to wear the same clothes. The major differences that could be discussed between having a uniform and not having one are the effects each has on students, the cost of clothing, and the convenience that each brings.

Having and not having to wear a uniform affects students emotionally and psychologically. Both have effects on students because students tend to act differently when they wear a uniform or when they do not. For example, when students wear their uniform, they become more disciplined because they know that they hold the name of their school. However, if students do not have a uniform, there is more freedom because they know people would not know easily from what school they are from. According to Isaac Grauke’s Pros and Cons of School Uniforms, having a school uniform lessens fighting and violence caused by students teasing others who wear less fashionable clothes. Apparently, students from other schools that have no uniform are sensitive with their clothing, which causes them to focus more on what they wear rather than to focus on their studies. Grauke also said that wearing a school uniform develops school spirit and increases a student’s sense of belonging. Although having a school uniform promotes school pride, it has little or no effect on a student’s academic learning. (2005)

Another significant difference between having uniforms or not is the cost. Students spend less money on clothes if they have a uniform because school uniforms are cheaper and they can be “handed down to other kids in the family.” (“School Uniform”) If a student attends a school without a uniform, he or she would spend more money on clothes because he or she would have to wear regular clothes at school. Students tend to buy more clothes because there is a possibility that students will be bullied if they wear the same clothes. Having a school uniform or not has its own conveniences. By having a school uniform, students may not have “to worry about what to wear on a school day.” (“School Uniform”) This lessens the time that students spend on deciding which clothes to wear. When a student does not have a uniform, not only do they spend more time picking out clothes, they also spend more money. However, not having a uniform is convenient due to unpredictable weather patterns. Students may opt to wear comfortable clothes, like thin clothing and shorts, when it is hot outside or thick clothing when it is cold or rainy. For schools that have a uniform, students do not have a choice of what to wear in hot or cold weather. Students are stuck with wearing their uniform no matter what the weather is.

Having a uniform or not has its pros and cons in its cost, its convenience and its effects on students. These are the main concerns that parents and students face when choosing a school. However, one must consider that having a uniform or not has close to no effect on the quality of education a school provides. Picking a school that implements the wearing of a school uniform or not is purely a matter of personal preference.

List of References:

"Do Uniforms Make Schools Better?" Marian Wilde, GreatSchools Staff, 2010.

(http://www.greatschools.org/find-a-school/defining-your-ideal/school-uniforms.gs?content=121&page=all)

"School Uniform" Kids' Health, 21 August 2009

http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetailsKids.aspx?p=335&np=286&id=2485

"Pros and Cons of School Uniforms" Isaac Grauke, Sep 09, 2005

(http://www.articlesbase.com/advice-articles/pros-and-cons-of-school-uniforms-182.html)

Applying for DLSU

Considered as one of the best schools in Metro Manila, De La Salle University was first established by the Brothers of Christian School in 1911. The school was exclusive for boys until 1973, when it first admitted female students. De La Salle University is known for its excellence and for being ahead in terms of education. In 1994, the University was one of the first Philippine schools to have a full internet connection. In 2002, De La Salle University became the first Philippine university to earn Level 4 Accreditation – the highest level granted by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities. With the schools’ mission statement, La Sallian achievers for God and country, it would not be a shock to know that most parents want their children enrolled at DLSU.

There are steps to follow in order to apply swiftly in this prestigious university. First off, the applicant should proceed to the Accounting Office at the Andrew Building and pay for the Non-refundable Processing fee that includes the Application Form, information materials and testing fee. The official receipt must then be presented at the College Admissions Office (CAO). If there is no receipt presented, the student would not be able to get the Application Form and other requirements. Upon receiving the forms needed, the applicant can now start filling out the Application Form with complete and correct information; otherwise, it would not be processed. The Application Form can be submitted after completing the requirements to the CAO together with a certified true copy of Secondary School Records accomplished by the Registrar, Two Recommendation Forms from either the High School Principal, Class adviser or Guidance Councilor, Two identical 2x2 photographs of the applicant and a photocopy of the National Statistics Office (NSO) Birth Certificate. The Entrance examination date will depend on the earliest testing date upon submission of requirements. The examination must be taken on the scheduled date written on the exam permit. Rescheduling of Entrance Exams is not allowed.

Aside from the individual status letters that will be mailed to the address indicated in the Application Form, the results of the exam can also be accessed through the DLSU website. The applicant could then be classified as either a passer, a waitlister or a non-passer. If the student passed the Entrance Exam and decided to pursue his studies at DLSU, another process called the Confirmation should be followed. The original 4^th year Report card of the student, signed DLSU Statement of Responsibilities and an original copy of the Birth Certificate printed on NSO paper should be submitted along with a payment of P5000 cash at the CAO. The said payment is non-refundable but will be credited to the Student’s Tuition and fees during enrollment. Upon presenting the official receipt of Reservation fee at CAO, the student will then receive the Enrollment procedures, Medical and Dental Exam schedule, Fraternity Waiver Contract, High School Achievement Form, Designation of Parent/Guardian On-Record Form and NSTP Form. All forms should be filled out and submitted during the enrollment day together with the rest of the payment for the fees. Non-submission of these requirements within the deadline would forfeit the student’s slot. For the non-passers and waitlisters, they could still opt to apply for reconsideration.

A freshman applicant of De La Salle University will find it easier to apply if he will bring the requirements and follow the process. In preparation for his examination, it would help if the student reviews his past lessons and familiarize himself with the surroundings of the campus. Only a few steps are required to be followed in order to apply in De La Salle. After finishing all the requirements, taking and passing the exam, all that the student left to do is to know his priorities in order to stay at the University. An opportunity like this does not come often so everyone should grab the chance because “The Future Begins Here”.

Pia, my sister and friend

Pia came into this world eleven months after I was born. We were oftentimes mistaken as twins even though we hardly look alike. Her hair was straight and was as shiny as a waxed floor while mine was curly and was as dry as the strands of a broomstick. Growing up, Pia always loved dancing. She's very passionate about it that she even joined a cheer squad despite our mother's disapproval. Despite having a few extra-curricular activities, Pia remained focused on her studies. She is a hardworking student and as a result of her labor, she was given the honor to deliver her valedictory speech on her primary education graduation.

Having an age gap of less than a year, Pia and I became close. She goes to me every time she needs help with her outfit while I go to her whenever I need help with my Math. But our relationship is not just as sisters but also as friends. There were times in my life when I did not want to tell anyone my problems. I became moody and I unconsciously pushed people away. That's when I learned that Pia is a very understanding person. She was one of the few people who did not give up on me. She might not have the right solutions to my problems, but she is indeed a good listener. At times when I need someone, Pia is always there to listen.

As I entered college, I rarely had time to bond with other people outside my college peers. I would never forget the time when Pia said she misses our usual bondings like watching movies at the cinema and shopping. I got shocked because she is a reserved person and she rarely says emotional and sweet things. She even treated me just so we could catch up. But even though we rarely see each other, we somehow find reasons for us to fight. We have a younger sister, Jed, who loves to play with her dolls and scatters her toys all around the house. Pia would oftentimes scold Jed because she likes to keep our room clean. As the eldest, I would defend Jed and that would be the cause of our fight. I would usually be the one to apologize because she's not the kind of person who easily says sorry. At the end of the day, we would just laugh about it and things would go back to normal, as if nothing happened.

Through the times we spend together and our usual fights, the relationship between Pia and I is strengthened. Because of our arguments and bondings, I learn a lot from her and she learns a lot from me. I can't even imagine what I'd be like if I did not have a sister and best friend like her. She is my guide, the one who helps me to be strong so that I'd be able to face the challenges in my life. She is my partner-in-crime, the one who sticks with me and supports me. But most of all, she is my best friend, the one who I can lean on to whenever I need a shoulder to cry on. She may not be the perfect sister or friend, but having someone like her in my life is already enough for me.