Ever have days where you beat yourself up for not fighting for the course you really want to take up in college? Going through four years of college while learning things you’re not passionate about is just pure unadulterated torture; no one should ever live a life they’re unhappy about.

Well maybe the solution is staring at you in the face: shift courses!

If this is something that’s been weighing on your mind lately, boy are you lucky. You asked from “a sign” from the universe, and a sign ya shall receive. Eight of them, actually. Here is Zoomer Corner’s list of signs that you should shift courses in college.

1. The classes you dread the most are your majors.

Sure, not every major is enjoyable. But we’re not talking about the classes you dread just because you ended up with a horrible professor, or a class that frustrated you because getting a passing grade just seemed impossible.

We’re talking about those classes where you find yourself asking, “why am I still here?”.

Operative word: classes. It’s normal to dread one or two majors, but when everything feels like a hassle, maybe it’s time to shift courses in college.

2. You spend more time doing things related to your preferred course.

Most of us have thought of shifting the moment we got our college entrance test results. Filipino parents are notorious for forcing their children to choose courses that they don’t want because they’re just more practical from a financial standpoint.

Because of this, we try to compensate by taking a minor related to our real passion or using up free electives for them. Some of us even join organizations that have projects where our heart truly lies.

When we’re passionate about a cause, then these things that eat up our “free time” may not feel like work at all.

Look back at how much energy and time you invested in the activities related to your passion, versus those related to the course you’re stuck in. You might be surprised that you’re actually spending less than 10% of your day caring about your degree program.

3. The internet is calling you.

Data privacy is a sham. We all know how smart all these websites and apps are getting with the personal data that we give them. Most of the time, they know things even before we do.

So when Youtube is recommending you videos about the things you truly care about, or Facebook is showing you posts from friends who are taking the course that you are eyeing, take it as a sign. Hell, if you found this blog post in one of your social media feed, then maybe Mark Zuckerburg God is trying to tell you something.

Trust these tech giants, they know best.

4. You habitually read up on topics related to your preferred course.

How often do you willingly read articles in the field that you’re studying? Now, compare that to how often you read stuff related to the field that you potentially want to study in.

We are unconsciously drawn to the things that we can’t have. So when you’re studying biology but really want to formally study graphic design, you may find yourself reading news about the Adobe creative suite or obsessively following famous visual artists in the local community.

The most telling sign is when you start researching about the life of someone who works in a certain field. How much money do they make? What does their typical day look like? Do they regret it? Did they also shift courses in college?

5. Failing doesn’t hit you hard anymore.

When you’re a freshman, getting a failing mark in a major can hit you deep no matter how much you play it cool to other people. But as you spend more time in college, you become numb about failing… at least for those who aren’t happy with the course they’re taking.

Yes, failure is such a common thing in college that it might seem laughable to get affected by it. But feeling a “sting” when you fail at something you care about is only normal.

If you recurringly feel nothing when you get failing grades for your majors, then that’s a huge red flag that you should be putting all your energy into a course you’ll actually cry for. As bad as it may sound, crying and doubting yourself over a failed grade shows that you are passionate about what you’re studying as opposed to feeling absolutely nothing.

6. You keep making excuses not to shift.

The most common excuses we hear about why one doesn’t want to shift courses in college are: (a) parents, and (b) it’s too late. Let’s address them both, shall we?

First, there’s the idea that your parents will just not approve of you switching gears. I want you to recall if you’ve truly sat down with them to seriously and thoroughly discuss why you want to shift. Did you tell them the whole truth about it?

Some of us are admittedly not transparent with our parents. But if there’s a time to get real, it’s when you’re trying to persuade the people who are funding your college education. To their credit, the money they invest putting us through school is no joke. So we should cut them some slack, too.

And of course, it’s only normal to get shut down the first time you bring up the idea of shifting courses. The question you should now ask yourself is, did you push hard enough? While we do not encourage you being too pushy, just make sure that you get all your points across before totally closing the chapter. If you don’t, you might spend a whole lifetime regretting it.

Now let’s get to the excuse that it’s “too late” for you to shift. You might be three years into your course right now, and you just feel like it’s not worth the jump when you’re so close to graduation.

While that’s a totally valid reason, just carefully weigh the practicality of your staying in your current course versus when you shift courses.

We live in a country where your college degree can make opening certain doors easier to open, so having a diploma in the field you want to enter is extremely helpful. For most fields in science and medicine, these diplomas are even required.

But just on an individual standpoint, I want you to ask yourself if you can still stand being in the course for longer. How happy are you with where you are… really?

Did we miss any signs that someone should shift courses in college? Share them with us in the comments below! If you loved this article, then you’ll probably love the other advice we have for you here.

Never miss out on anything by following us @ZoomersCornerPH on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Featured Image: Pixabay on Pexels

The post 6 Clear-Cut Signs that It’s Time to Shift to Another Course appeared first on Zoomers Corner.

Students aren’t the only ones adapting to online learning, but our beloved teachers as well. Remaking their syllabus for online classes has probably exhausted them to no end. But what’s even more exhausting is the fact that they’re seated all day giving out lectures through what’s probably a crappy internet connection.

It’s already difficult enough to keep everyone’s attention in a classroom setting. Now imagine what a nightmare it is to do that in a Zoom call. Yeesh.

So like the good role model students we are, here are some ways you can help make your teacher’s life easier in little ways.

1. Keep yourself from unnecessarily laughing.

It’s no secret that you’re probably on Messenger chatting away with friends while you’re all on the same Zoom call. And more likely than not, you’re keeping yourself entertained with memes and jokes that have nothing to do with your teacher or the lecture.

Unfortunately, your teacher probably does not know this and may get pretty distracted if they see you giggling. It’s only normal for someone presenting to assume that they said or did something funny if they see the audience laughing.

It was easy to hide giggles and laughter when the teacher was facing the blackboard. Now though, it’s not only difficult to do without getting caught, but it’s also rude.

2. Respond quickly.

“Can you guys see my screen,” your teacher calls out.

What happens after is probably an awkward two-second silence where everyone just waits for a brave soul to say yes. Why not be the one to answer your teacher? It’s literally just one word that you have to say and it’s impossible to get the question wrong.

Adapting to online learning means proactively keeping the communication process between teachers and students as smooth as possible. And as we know, communication is a two-way street.

I’m sure your teacher will appreciate a quick reply in any question they ask rather than wondering for a split-second if their internet connection is choppy. Nobody likes awkward silences… but nobody likes awkward silences in video calls even more.

So anytime your teacher asks a question to the entire class, either unmute to answer, leave a message in the Zoom chat, or just nod.

3. Don’t prank them.

Unless your teacher is a certified prankster or you know that they can take it, do not prank them. Yeah, we’ve watched all the videos of students turning off their cameras and changing their names to “Reconnecting” so the teacher thinks that something is wrong with their internet.

Sure it was funny months ago, but now, it’s just unoriginal. And probably annoying for the teacher who just wants to finish the lecture.

4. Stay on mute.

It’s just proper Zoom etiquette! If you have nothing to say, don’t forget to keep yourself muted. No one wants to hear your electric fan in the background or the sound of your mother nagging at you in the background.

Okay, maybe we want to hear that.

But it would definitely be better for your teacher and classmates if you kept the room a bit more conducive for learning by muting yourself.

5. Don’t be a ghost.

Instead, be easy to contact. This goes beyond the online lectures on Zoom, and has to do with the fact that physical distance means it’s harder for your teacher to know how you’re doing.

We know everyone is just in different mental states right now living through a pandemic and economic unrest. Because of that, some of us will eventually need to take mental breaks from school. And believe it or not, most teachers care about their students’ wellbeing.

Hence, we are encouraging you to send over an e-mail to your teacher if you’ll need to be absent.

Some of them may get worried if you go AWOL even for just one class. So while we realize it may be difficult to do, it would be best to inform them beforehand. It’s a vital part in the process of adapting to online learning. Or at the very least, update them why you didn’t attend the class once you’ve returned.

6. Don’t let them chase you.

When it comes to projects and requirements, submit them within the deadline. There are kind and sympathetic teachers who would chase after you even after the deadline just so you’ll be able to pass the class.

This is especially true when it comes to thesis.

Now in a virtual setting, chasing a student is harder to do. Imagine making your good-willed teacher exhausting all means possible to try and reach you. I know there are people reading this who, out of shame, tend to ghost their teacher or class when they have failed to submit a requirement.

Don’t be that person.

Not in this pandemic.

7. Just go along with it.

Look, your teachers are doing their hardest to keep classes engaging and fruitful. There will be times when they do something or ask you to do things that will make you think, “WTF? What is the point of this?”

It’s easy to complain when you’re merely watching their syllabus unfold without seeing all the preparations that they have done for the class. Everyone’s lives has turned upside down because of the pandemic, including your teachers. So just imagine how tired they are.

The fact that they show up every day trying to make online classes work is a testament to how dedicated they are to their job. Just like us, they probably didn’t want to push through with online classes anyway.

But they’re there.

So if they tell a corny joke or make you do something stupid, just go along with it. Don’t make their life harder than it is. Maybe you can tell them how it isn’t working afterwards, but the important thing is you let them do their job without your cynicism getting in the way.

In short, be nice to your teachers who are adapting to online learning. It’s a great time to practice empathy as we move forward with online classes. The rules have changed, and that means we can’t blame a teacher’s shortcomings (or short temper) on them anymore.

Everyone is living in different circumstances after all. Teachers: they’re people too!

We know online classes can be super taxing! That’s why we prepared some tips on how you can mentally survive them. Never miss out on anything by following us @ZoomersCornerPH on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Featued Image: Julia M. Cameron on Pexels

The post Adapting to Online Learning: How to Help Out your Teacher in the Pandemic appeared first on Zoomers Corner.

Are you taking online classes from your bed? Here are some easy-to-follow tips to help you improve your productivity at home by making some adjustments to your home office for school. The road to an A+ starts with a conducive work space to do all your serious work!

1. Invest in a comfy chair.

Let’s get the most obvious thing out of the way. You won’t get anything done if you’re adjusting your butt all the time from sitting all day long. Fight your siblings for the most ‘comfortable-but-not-too-comfy’ chair in your house!

Ideally, it should not be hard to the touch nor something without a back rest.

Nobody wants back problems before they’ve reached the age of 25! If you can’t find a chair with cushions, get creative by placing pillows on your back and butt for a cheap DIY solution.

2. Position yourself near the wi-fi router.

Everyone knows that the worst part about Zoom is the fact that we have to deal with poor AF internet connection in the Philippines. Sometimes, we’re just nodding along with whoever’s talking even though we’re actually only hearing chopped-up bits on our end.

Perhaps the worst part of a choppy internet connection is when our video freezes and the other people on the call can take a screenshot of us at our most unflattering!

So to avoid all these mishaps, make sure you’re taking classes as near as possible to your wi-fi router. Get all dem signals!

3. Keep your notebooks on your desk.

This one is for the people who just can’t take proper notes on their computers. And even if you can, it’s difficult to do when half of your screen is being eaten up by your Zoom window.

That’s why we recommend always having your notebooks prepared on your desk. Every time you take them out for a quick review session later, make sure you return them back to your work space.

By doing this, you avoid wasting time looking for your notebook during a class because you don’t know where you had placed it!

4. Have some snacks ready.

Just like school during the good ol’ pre-COVID days, we will probably stay up too late at night and use up all the snoozes in our alarm before actually waking up. In the new normal, this means attending online lectures without washing our face nor brushing our teeth first.

And worse, a 40 to 90-minute lecture at 7AM just means that we are going to have to skip out on breakfast. That’s why you should always have a ready-to-eat snack on your desk! Whether it’s a granola bar or good ol’ Sky Flakes, it’s good to munch on something in these criminally early lectures.

Hey, that’s more reason to wake up in the morning!

If you find yourself snacking too much throughout the day, you can just place one snack on your table every night before going to bed. By doing this, you’ll be able to avoid binge-eating until your last class ends.

5. Change up your light.

Did you know the color of light that you are exposed to is correlated with your productivity levels? Whiter, cooler light helps you focus on the task at hand while warmer light invites a sense of comfort. Even being hit by sunlight alone can already improve your mood and energy!

Consider these when setting-up your home office for school like which room in the house to set-up your work area and where to position your table. You may also want to get a desk lamp where you are able to adjust the warmth of the bulb.

You can even adjust the settings of your computer screen to make sure that you’re getting hit by the right color temperature at the right time of day.

There are apps that can help you do this automatically, with f.lux being the most popular one. It’s available on Windows, Mac, iPhone & Android so make sure you install it all your devices, too!

6. Have essentials ready.

It’s almost flu season in the Philippines, which means waking up to major morning allergy. That’s why a whole roll of toilet paper on your work space is a must!

There are also other things that’s just better to have by your side all the time. A bottle of alcohol for quick hand-cleaning, a handheld mirror for teeth-checking, a cap for bad hair days, and a pitcher of water for when you need to calm your nerves when the teacher is getting angry.

7. Remove the clutter.

Always Marie Kondo your desk from time to time! Not only does a clean environment help you feel that you’re being more productive, but you also reduce the risk of getting distracted.

You might not notice it, but there are times throughout the day when you place something unnecessary on your desk. And if Chekhov’s gun taught us anything, that object is going to be a pretty huge distraction for us later on.

Personally, my number one culprit is the nailcutter that magically appears on my home office desk. When a Zoom lecture gets boring, I absentmindedly reach out for it and start chipping away at my fingernails. Before I know it, all the important things being discussed are over!

For some of us, having a home office for school is a blessing in of itself. However, we do miss the days when we stayed at the library or the coffee shop cramming all our papers.

While not the same, our work space can give us that familiar feeling of productivity again; we just need to know how to arrange it in the best way possible.

You know what’s inevitable even if school is going virtual? Group works! Read about the six types of oddly-specific groupmates here.

Never miss out on anything by following us @ZoomersCornerPH on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The post 7 Easy Tips to Make your Work Space Conducive for Online Classes appeared first on Zoomers Corner.

Hey Zoomers,

It’s been almost five months since we’ve gone into quarantine, and it seems like the government doesn’t really have a plan to contain the virus. How is it possible that the world has changed so much and so little at the same time? Everything is opening up yet cases are still rising in huge numbers.

We are trying to go back into our old lives without really going back if that makes sense. The Department of Education even played around with the idea of resuming physical classes, not knowing how it’s a kid apocalypse waiting to happen. But the reality for most of us Filipino students is that we are entering uncharted waters as we enter a new school year.

What’s new this school year?

Some already got a taste of what online classes were like when schools didn’t realize how heavily the pandemic weighed on students’ minds and pockets. This time though, schools are more prepared for the battle ahead.

But with every battle comes unexpected tribulations and setbacks that we just can’t prepare for.

On Twitter, we are already seeing a lot of students ask for donations with the hashtag, #PisoParaSaLaptop. As the name suggests, they are simply requesting generous users to spare them even just one peso for the purpose of buying a laptop. It’s unfortunate that not everyone can afford something that should be a basic need in pandemics like these. And even if they do have one, there’s still the problem of poor internet connection in the entire country.

Online classes are not a walk in the park especially when you’re already disadvantaged in the first place.

Aside from that, businesses are closing down left and right, while people are still dying at the hands of coronavirus. If you were a student whose family was directly affected by this, could you imagine how tough it would be to continue online classes?

What are we sacrificing?

Every student is probably having anxiety or some internal squabble about the upcoming school year. I mean, it is going to be super different without a doubt. Simply going through the motions of online classes is not exciting.

Young people should be out and about, exploring the world with their friends and discovering themselves.

It’s difficult to do that when you’re stuck in the confines of your own home. The best memories I have of school do not involve going online to answer tests and listen to lectures. They involve interaction with people I consider home and spontaneous moments that just can’t be replicated through a screen. Sharing contagious laughter and giving someone comfort are things that stick with you because of the physical touch.

The clinking of beers, the sound of basic trap music blaring in college bars, the sound of the bell ringing to signal the end of the day…

To the zoomer who’s going to enter online classes, you deserve to be angry. You deserve to feel robbed. This whole “I attended school during the pandemic” story is going to be a killer story when we’re older, but let’s be real: this situation sucks.

However, there is definitely an opportunity to make timeless memories during these times. But even if we do make the best-tasting lemonade out of the sourest lemons that life has given us, the fact is: we didn’t want lemonade in the first place.

If we could trade back all the problems that we encountered pre-COVID, we would do it in a heartbeat!

What now?

In short: this school year is gonna be difficult. It might be harder, it might not be. What it is gonna be though, is different. And if you’re feeling a bit positive, you might even say unique.

Online classes are gonna present new challenges that we will help you with here in Zoomers Corner. You are not alone in experiencing this unusual and unfamiliar situation.

That said, there are gonna be problems and events all of us have never come across before… things that have to be documented and talked about. We’re here to experience these together and tell others how it really feels like to be a zoomer during this time. No one can write our history better than ourselves.

School has always been important in one’s education and personal growth. With that said, it’s important to recount how such a drastic change in our “second home” will shape who we are and who we become.

We’re here with you, zoomers.

Featured Image: Christina Morillo on Pexels

The post This August, We are Navigating School amidst Coronavirus appeared first on Zoomers Corner.

The post QUIZ: Which Oddly Specific Type of Groupmate are You? appeared first on Zoomers Corner.

School’s back, and you know what that means: group projects are making a comeback. Everyone hates it but what can you do? No matter how much you try to avoid it, teachers like to shove them in your face as “practice for the real world”.

Unfortunately, finding the right mix of groupmates is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get!

There are just so many oddly specific types of groupmates that they make us want to volunteer to do a project by ourselves! Here are six of the people in school we have come across so often but never really had a name for… until now.

They love organization, power & being the star of the show. If there’s one thing the Type A Leader loves most in the world, it’s planning everything from start to finish. Because of their superb work ethic, they have built quite the reputation for being the best group leader in class. They might as well have a blinking sign that says “pick me if you want an A”.

Everyone else wants to be partnered up with them… until they actually experience being their groupmate.

If your mediocre-loving ass is paired with the Type A Leader, then get ready to be pushed beyond your limits against your will! Aside from the micromanagement, they get easily angry if you’re a second late with the impossible deadline that they set.

The worst part is that you can’t get mad at them because in the end, they know what’s best for the group!

Rumor has it that this person disappears when you need them most. They are one of the most frustrating types of groupmates; it’s the night before a huge deadline and everyone, and I mean everyone, is on their third cup of coffee working together at 3 AM.

But there’s always someone who’s nowhere to be seen. One who’s never been there from the start and whose presence is only felt because their name is written on the cover page.

“Where is that #@&$!%,” the Ghost’s groupmates all shout in unison.

Were they asleep? Or perhaps they were just getting drunk at the bar? No one knows. That’s why they’re called the Ghost.

If there’s a group project that needs completing, who you gonna call? The Savior!

Nobody actually expects them to contribute because this person doesn’t reply much and is probably super busy with life. In fact, they’re pretty much the Ghost until the very last minute!

This person, who has not even touched the .doc file before, suddenly saves everyone’s collective asses by making major contributions right before the deadline. Over the course of a night, they become the most valuable player of a group project.

And just like that, all their past sins are forgiven. Maybe they were too busy before, or maybe they just enjoy the thrill of passing a project last-minute. But whatever their reason was for being MIA, we are thankful for the Savior’s presence.

Need some tea about how the other group is doing? Or maybe you need some details about what the teacher wants to see on your project? Good thing you have the Spy as your teammate. Their extensive network means that they know how to get the best score for your project.

The Spy is one of the most underrated types of groupmates you’ll have. They are the favorite sidekick of the Type A Leader, who always wants to get the latest scoop about the competition. Because of their natural ability to be shameless and sociable, the Spy always has useful insider info that they’re willing to share the group.

The sweetest words that escape their lips: “the other group hasn’t started yet”.

For whatever information needs you may have, make sure you call on the services of the Spy.

Look, some people just weren’t born to do long research papers; some were born to be artists! When all the boring paperwork is done, it’s time to hand it over to the Designer.

They will make sure to create a beautiful, kick-ass presentation out of a 50-page, Times New Roman 12, double-spaced paper. Powerpoint, Photoshop and Canva are their Holy Trinity. Leave all the aesthetics work to them because no one knows better.

For some, they are a useless groupmate who should’ve just used their energy to do something more “useful”. But for the intellectuals who know how much great visuals can put a presentation over the top, the Designer deserves as much praise as the researchers.

Some people are better off doing the bare minimum than being given huge responsibilities. They are the people who have gotten the reputation of not being good groupmates, or are just too busy with other things.

That’s why the Assistant is delegated the easiest tasks in a group — tasks that are almost impossible to screw up. These include doing the report during class, bringing materials, and printing the paper.

Easy, right? But imagine how pissed you and your groupmates would be if the Assistant managed to screw up the simple task that had been assigned to them. It’s a lot of pressure!

What oddly specific types of groupmates entered your mind while reading this list? Let us know in the comments below!

We’re still trying to accept that we’ll be “back in school” in a few weeks, but the worst part is classes will all be done online! Read about how the school year will feel a lot different with Miss Rona around.

Never miss out on anything by following us @ZoomersCornerPH on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The post There are 6 Oddly Specific Types of Groupmates — Are You One of Them? appeared first on Zoomers Corner.

With many schools transitioning to online classes as a response to coronavirus, there is a new problem that students should expect to face. It’s a form of anxiety that one gets from being on video calls with other people.

Social anxiety has taken on another form to what we’d like to call “Zoom anxiety”. Whether it’s by force or by one’s own accord, meeting with someone online can weigh heavily on someone and cause a great level of discomfort.

For the students who suffer from major social anxiety, online classes spell doom.

But how exactly does Zoom anxiety manifest itself in the ways we interact with the video conferencing app? Let’s take a look!

1. You open Zoom just in time.

Nobody likes small talk, especially through Zoom. That’s why when your meeting is scheduled at 11:30, you make sure you enter the room at exactly that time — not a second earlier. It’s better to be called our for being late than having to dabble in conversations while waiting for everyone to come in.

2. You spend too much time preparing how you look.

You pre-plan your clothes, lighting & background not because you want to look good, but because you don’t want to be judged. In a meeting with many people, it’s hard not to feel self-conscious when you know every action that you do will be caught on camera.

It only makes sense that you always have that fear of looking less than perfect when you’re in these calls.

3. Zoom is the last resort.

You’re also probably the person who hates receiving phone calls out of the blue. You make sure every means of communication is exhausted before agreeing to go on an online call with someone. Not only are Zoom meetings a major hassle, but things are just easier when people don’t have to hear nor see you speak.

4. You know the answer but you don’t unmute.

Being shy has a lot to do with social anxiety. And a person who’s already reluctant to speak their mind in a face-to-face situation may find it even more difficult to do so in a Zoom room.

Just imaging your big face pop up on Speaker View while your classmates hear every layer of your voice through their earphones makes you want to cringe. So in the end, you just let others speak up.

5. You practice what you’re going to say.

According to this article from Discovery Magazine, it may actually be a helpful way to relive some of your anxiety. When you have something to present on Zoom, you tend to overrehearse what you plan to say.

Hell, you may not even have a presentation, but you’re constantly thinking of possible things you’re going to say in the slight chance someone else in the meeting puts you on the spot.

6. Sharing your screen is a no-no.

To you, sharing your screen is like letting people take a peek in your diary; it’s just too personal for your liking. And when you have to do it, you’re always frightened and wary of what people may discover about you.

God forbid they see an embarrassing pop-up… or your browsing history!

7. Breakout rooms is code red.

You may not have heard about the breakout room feature of Zoom. But as someone who hates this, I must warn you about this awful feature beforehand.

If you’re in a bigger meeting, the host can break you out into smaller groups of their choosing. So this means that your teacher can put you in a room with classmates you have never spoken a word to before. Talk about an anxiety-inducing situation!

8. You hide your video at times.

Sometimes, Zoom anxiety can just hit out of nowhere. There are calls where you’re confident enough to turn on your video, but there are also days when it’s the total opposite. As a result of your internal panic, you simply shut off your camera so the rest of the world will leave you alone.

9. You leave the room ASAP.

There’s nothing like the feeling of clicking that red “Leave Meeting” button. While everyone else is still doing their post-meeting small talk or saying goodbye to each other, you’re the type to skedaddle out of there.

You will not let anyone see you on camera a second more than they need to, periodt.

Whether we like it or not, Zoom anxiety isn’t going anytime soon. We live in a day and age where video conferencing apps are becoming the norm, with or without coronavirus.

We don’t even use them just for school or work anymore. They’ve become useful in catching up with people who are apart from us. And even with these fun affairs, Zoom anxiety can still kick in.

So what can socially anxious people like ourselves do given everything? In this Style interview with Eugene Farrell, he gives one solid piece of advice: support our negative thoughts with facts. Because only then will you realize that all our anxiety is unfounded.

For example, if you feel like people will judge you for having messy hair in Zoom calls, then you’re letting your thoughts get ahead of the facts. Has anyone mocked you for it? Probably not!

Most probably, people don’t care. You’ve seen someone else with messy hair before, but you didn’t give a damn.

Carefully placing yourself in situations that give you anxiety can actually help you move past it. I remember staying mute (literally and figuratively) during my first months at work due to my Zoom anxiety. But I can tell you that I wouldn’t be as comfortable as I am today with the idea of video calls if I didn’t battle the overthinking in my head.

There are days where it still hits me, but it does get easier.

How has your experience been with Zoom? Let us know in the comments below. If you loved this article, then we have more relatable articles for zoomers like you! Don’t forget to follow us @ZoomersCornerPH on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Featured Image: Charles Deluvio and JESHOOTS.com

The post ‘Zoom Anxiety’ is a Real Problem (and 9 Signs You Have it) appeared first on Zoomers Corner.

In the next few weeks, high schools and colleges will be welcoming a new school year. That means some of us will be taking our classes virtually in our homes until the pandemic subside. Fortunately or unfortunately, the effects of online classes in the Philippines will be felt by every student who has already enrolled for the upcoming semester.

Here’s our list of painful reminders that the school year just won’t be the same due to the new normal.

Are you one of the people who’s always willing to go out in between or after classes? Unfortunately, you can kiss your kaladkarin self a temporary goodbye. Eating out, buying milk tea, and getting cocktail pitchers together with friends are just some of the things you’ll be missing in the coming months.

While we’re locked up at home, it’s easy to see how much we took those simple moments for granted. And with online classes, we’re just going to miss our friends even more! How much longer can we survive without physically seeing them?

Let’s be real: online classes are just like the online courses you take in Coursera. Aside from a Zoom lecture from your professor, you’ll probably just end up watching videos and reading white papers online to understand the lesson.

Gone are the days of in-classroom activities that have you presenting a Manila paper or a silly little skit with other people. I mean we probably hated doing those things back then, but right now, we are begging for those days to come back.

With that said, we’re challenging teachers to come up with exciting ways to engage students in their online classes. Because of your employers, most of us paid full-price tuition this year no matter how unfair it is. So please don’t make us feel like we could have gotten higher-quality education from a free online course instead.

The first few months of quarantine have already taken such a heavy toll on our mental health. It’s difficult to concentrate on studying when there are so many trashy things happening outside our homes. I think students who were forced to take online classes before the previous school year had ended could attest to the fact.

At the start of quarantine, we’ve come up with creative ways to cope with the pandemic like making dalgona coffee or baking something trendy in the kitchen. But going through a robotic five-day school week without anything else to do can make us go crazy.

If you ever feel this way during the year, make sure to take a mental break! To help you, we have some tips on how you can mentally survive online classes.

Not everyone has the same privileges that you enjoy. The fact that you’re able to read this article on a phone connected to your home wi-fi network means that you are already privileged!

One of the effects of online classes in the Philippines is that it will become much more obvious how every student has unequal opportunities given to them. For example, you will have classmates who just can’t be online all the time because of financial or emotional setbacks.

And for you, that means practicing patience and empathy during times where someone’s lack of privilege hinders them from performing well.

Literally everybody is adjusting to the pandemic so the least you could do is avoid being an added burden to anyone.

Aside from acads, schools are a place for students with common interests to come together in the form of extracurricular activities. It’s not only teachers who have to adjust to the virtual set-up, but student leaders as well.

These clubs have to get really creative with how they do things. For example, it will be interesting how an org that revolves around team sports is going to operate, as opposed to an org that revolves around discussing films.

To the student leaders, it’s important to realize the potential your club can offer to its members as an escape from the mundanity of online classes. Those who will constantly find ways to keep the whole club together will stand out from the rest of the pack.

But honestly though, don’t take your responsibilities too seriously; we’re in the middle of a pandemic.

Everyone knows that the best part of going back to school is finding new crushable classmates on the first day! While this joy is not completely taken away from us during the pandemic, it will be way more difficult.

Aside from the fact that it will take some added skill and determination to get your crush to notice you, Zoom isn’t really a great way to truly determine if one is cute or not. I mean, I’m just being honest here.

You can’t even sit next to them to start a conversation anymore. All you have in your back pocket is the courage to chat up a cute classmate — someone whom you only met through an online class. Tinder is shaking.

But you know what, we are zoomers after all. If there’s someone we want to flirt with, we will make a way!

We can’t talk about the effects of online classes in the Philippines without addressing the recess and lunch situation. Whether you’re in high school or college, it’s always the most exciting part of the day!

For high school students who rely on cafeteria food, this may come as a positive thing if they never liked eating them in the first place. But I’m sure you’re going to miss at least one particular food stall, snack or drink that only your cafeteria can provide.

For college students, just imagine all your favorite restaurants and in-school food stalls that you won’t be able to buy from for some time. Additionally, food trips will temporarily be a thing of the past too.

Home-cooked food will be what the foreseeable future has in store for you which actually might not be a bad thing. In fact, it’s one of our six useful tips to help you (and your family) save up on some money.

And speaking of…

Say goodbye to your baon? It’s time to have that difficult conversation with mom and dad about whether or not you should be given allowance while classes take place remotely.

We know it sucks in all fronts, but we have to give it up to our parents who are working extremely hard to send us to online school in the first place. If there’s anyone to blame, it’s the poor handling of coronavirus in the country & schools making us pay full tuition.

But going back, just be prepared to hear the bad news. You will probably not get as large an allowance as you once did… dun dun dun.

When it comes to online classes, everybody is still dipping their toes in the water. Some will adjust faster, and some won’t.

One thing’s fore sure though: people will find it difficult to understand your choices which means you will have to justify yourself all the time. So just take a deep breath, and don’t let it get to your head.

There will be times when your parents will nag at you because they won’t understand how difficult online classes really are. Or maybe you’re the classmate who can’t go online for a group meeting because your internet is unstable. Or maybe, you’ll have to tell your teacher why it was imperative for your mental health to take a day off.

Or you know, you could be this girl who had to beg her teacher to retake a test because of an honest “meatball accident”.

If writing about the effects of online classes in the Philippines made me feel anything, it’s that school really is our second home. It’s so important that literally all aspects of our lives have been affected because of the shift to online classes.

While we’re thankful that we are able to enroll in them, it’s a shame that quality of education and the entire student experience have to suffer because of it. And that’s just one of the many issues that online classes present.

For all the students out there entering this unique situation soon, I hope this article has helped you mentally and emotionally prepare for the months to come.

What do you foresee will be a problem for you as a student because of the shift to online classes? Let us know in the comments below! Don’t forget to follow us @ZoomersCornerPH on Twitter to keep yourself updated on all things zoomer-related.

The post 9 Ways the New School Year Will Hit Different Because of Online Classes appeared first on Zoomers Corner.

Congratulations to the new batch of “gradwaiting” and graduating students! Now, it’s time for you to face the real world. The post-graduation life is both confusing and overwhelming, but the lessons you’ll learn are endless. It’s been a year since I graduated, but I’ve learned more about the world in the past months than I have in the four years that I’ve been a student. Here are some lessons and tips for graduates in the Philippines that I want to share from the experiences of both myself and my friends.

1. Rest before you find a job.

If your parents aren’t kicking you out of your house or forcing you to get a job, take a break. Not everyone has the privilege of being able to rest after college. So if you do, take the chance! You will thank yourself later.

It’s tempting to go job-hunting when you’re worried about competition, but rest doesn’t come so easily as a working adult anymore. I’ve heard many friends tell me they regret not taking a break after college because they were instantly burnt out after they landed a job.

Remember: life isn’t a race, it’s a marathon.

2. Finding a job isn’t instant.

When I was a college senior, I really thought it would be easy to secure a job. But obviously, I was wrong. There are a lot of things you’d have to do, like prepare a killer resume and/or portfolio, filter through jobs and companies, send out e-mails, and ace job interviews.

As a fresh graduate, you’d find a lot of jobs that is beyond your experience level. Reality is, there are also many companies who will not get back to your job application. These things delayed how long the job-hunting process for me. Luckily, the internet is full of tips for graduates in the Philippines that will ensure that you get that dream job.

I was lucky enough that everything only took me a month and a half. For some, it took three months or even more. If you’re going to rest after college, make sure you’re realistic with the timetable that you set when it pertains to job-hunting.

3. You will meet people who are so different from you.

This one is kind of obvious, but you won’t really realize how true it is until you’re out there. When you’re in school, you more or less grow up thinking the same as your classmates and friends.

However, once you get out of that bubble, you will inevitably meet people who have different opinions and mindsets as yours. There will be people who will make you think: what kind of messed-up environment did they grow up in?

You thought you had the patience and tolerance to deal with those people? We’ll see.

4. Finding friends isn’t easy.

My college friends and I would talk about this a lot when we first started. In school, there are many opportunities to make new friends through classes, and extracurricular activities.

However, it’s kind of tough to create new connections after college because you’d have to willingly put your foot forward. You’d have to put some effort in finding people to talk to, which may be an introvert’s worst nightmare.

On top of my head, you can meet people through Tinder, mutual friends, workout classes, or work. So there are options, but no one’s going to force you to be friends with anyone anymore except yourself.

5. Doing vices was a phase for many people.

College was a playground for experimentation. For many of us, it was the “wildest” phase of our young lives where we were into sex, drugs, smoking, and alcohol.

Now that we have bigger problems to take care, those things have taken a backseat. Most of my friends who doubled down on vices during college eventually grew out of them.

Of course some of us still do engage in them, but don’t be surprised if your lasinggero friend isn’t always up for blackout nights anymore. Oh, and just to make it clear, we don’t condone the use of any illegal drugs here. Please stop if you are.

6. College friends are forever… or not.

People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Post-graduation is a great test of that.

I’ve already drifted apart from friends whom I thought I was going to be close with forever. But I’ve also forged even deeper connections with a few of the people I met in college even when we started working.

There is definitely some effort involved in maintaining the friendships that you have, so it’s up to you to decide which ones are worth fighting for.

7. Everyone has their own lives.

In college, it was easier to be there for your friends when you saw each other regularly.

But in the real world, it’s sometimes hard to find time and energy to be there for each other.

As you’re making all of these adjustments in life, it’s hard not to get caught up in your own little world. There will come a point where you’ll think you’re a crappy friend, but the guilt is perfectly normal. You can’t be there for everyone all the time, and not everyone can be there for you all the time too.

The important thing is the effort you exert in finding time for each other, because that alone speaks volumes.

8. College did not prepare you for the important stuff.

I can tell you about some communication theories and frameworks that I learned in college, but I’d be lying if I said I knew how taxes worked.

The post-graduate life has taught me that I was clueless about a lot of important, real-life stuff. For instance, knowing how to apply for SSS, PAG-IBIG, PhilHealth, TIN, and NBI Clearance was a task I needed to learn on my own. Back in August, I was involved in a car accident, but had no idea how insurance worked. Also, don’t even get me started on bills.

One of the most important tips for graduates in the Philippines is to do your research as early as now!

Looking back, I wish I had some sort of guidance on how to go about them. And I’m sure there will be more surprise life lessons to come.

9. You can’t take away the school from the graduate.

Unfortunately, you will be judged a lot by the school you graduated from, especially if it’s relatively well-known.

There are a lot of times when I’ve heard I only act a certain way because I came from UP. Which is a slap in the face, because I am more than my school. That’s why I’ve decided to always refrain from telling people where I went to college unless it’s relevant to the topic.

Whether you like it or not, you represent your school and your school represents you too.

10. Priorities change.

I remember being quite ambitious after I had just graduated from college. There were big dreams that I wanted to follow. But shit (that I’m probably gonna blog about soon) happened, and now, I just want to be happy.

When I was still in college, I always planned to work in the developmental sector through an NGO. However, when I had to go the corporate route because NGOs wouldn’t hire fresh graduates, I realized that I needed to work on myself and my hard skills first.

Truth is, most of us don’t know what the hell we want in life. Because of that, the things we find important will definitely change.

We will all go through certain events that will lead us to constantly rethink the things we hold dear and the path we ought to take.

11. People change.

It’s hard to accept, but you know it’s gonna happen.

The people around you will not be the same people they were in college. Everyone will face different obstacles and triumphs that will shape the way they think, feel, and behave. Sometimes, you won’t even recognize who they are anymore.

But it’s not just them. You will change, too. It’s human nature so don’t try to fight it.

However, it isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Most of the time, people change for the better.

With everything have been said, I hope I didn’t scare you too much. Because trust me, life after college can be difficult, exhausting, and downright mean. But it’s also exciting and magical. This is the beginning of your lifelong journey to becoming your own person.

Once again, congratulations to the 2020 graduates! May you show the world how beautiful zoomers can be.

Got more tips for graduates in the Philippines? Leave a comment below, and don’t forget to share the post to your graduating friends!

Make sure to find more pieces of advice for zoomers here if you enjoyed reading through our tips for graduates in the Philippines.

Featured Image: Emily Ranquist on Pexels

The post 11 Lessons for College Graduates I Wish I Knew Before appeared first on Zoomers Corner.

It seems like every high school in the Philippines has an open secret: teachers are flirting with their own (underage) students… or worse. Don’t even try to call it anything other than what it is. There is a rampant problem of sexual abuse in schools, and it needs to stop.

First off, I would like to start this article with a content warning. I would also appreciate it if you could comment hotlines or organizations our readers can call in the Philippines specifically for child sexual abuse survivors.

Does This Really Happen?

Yes, it does.

If you’re a student, then a teacher from your high school probably entered your mind reading this. I can recall stories of people from different schools talking about it when we were in high school. Furthermore, a quick look into the Twitterverse will reveal that these things do happen in the Philippines.

It’s probably the giant elephant in the faculty room, too. If rumors are already swirling around the student population, then the teachers must already know that something fishy is going on. The question is, why is nobody doing something about it? Are they unaware, or do they choose to turn a blind eye to keep the peace?

The most difficult thing to handle for me is that we didn’t even know how messed up the whole situation was when we were still in high school. I remember hearing about teachers who flirted with their students or asked for their nudes, and no one really batted an eyelash. And for those who are unaware, yes, there were also some accounts of worse sexual activities being done.

Back then, these things would be the punchline of a joke, or just mere gossip to talk about during recess.

But only now, five years after leaving high school, do I realize that I was so vulnerable back then. It literally gives me chills knowing that I walked the halls with sexual predators disguised as teachers. It could’ve been me. Worse, I feel guilty for being so apathetic about this issue back then. I could’ve been friends with a survivor of sexual abuse, but I didn’t know a lot about the issue.

Most of what I know about the effects of sexual abuse in schools, I only knew after I had graduated. Even though I can’t turn back time to fix my mistakes from the past, now that I know better.

This is What Counts as Sexual Abuse

Before anything, let’s define what sexual abuse is. According to The National Child Trauma Stress Network, child sexual abuse includes both touching and non-touching behaviors, and occurs when a child is used for the sexual stimulation of the perpetrator. While it is often equated with child molestation, there is a semantic issue with using that term, because it is mainly associated with only physical acts. Sexual abuse on the other hand, is not just about using physical force. And that fact is important to high school students who may not know that they’re actually being sexually abused right in front of their eyes.

Let’s work with the definition that we have and see what teachers do that counts as sexual abuse. This list is thanks to the folks at National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

• Sexual touching of a child – clothed or not (remember, even if it’s not meant to be sexual, do not let any person touch you without your consent even if it is your teacher)
• Showing pornography
• Exposing a child to sexual acts
• Forcing a child to take part in sexual acts
• Making a child undress or touch someone else
• Making a child masturbate
• Forcing a child to take part in sexual activities or online conversations

If you’re a sexual predator reading this list and didn’t see your actions above, you’re still not off the hook. Child sexual exploitation refers to giving a child anything (usually money or food) in return for sexual activities. On the other hand, child grooming is when a predator “prepares” a child for sexual activity later on, usually when they’re of legal age. When grooming a child, predators may also establish an emotional connection with them and their loved ones.

If that didn’t get you, then know that you’re a pedophile if you’re attracted to people who have not reached puberty yet. Needless to say, that is nothing to be proud of… and it’s illegal. In the Philippines, sexual activity with someone under 18 constitutes child abuse and exploitation.

Honestly, the fact that there are so many types of child abuse is disgusting. How many people on earth had to be preyed on for these distinctive terms to pop up?

What Happens to Children Sexual Abuse Survivors?

Sexual abuse is often associated with anxiety, depression, guilt, shame, and self-blame. It is not uncommon for survivors to develop body issues and eating disorders as they grow older. They are also prone to suicidal thoughts, and may lead to self-harm. Unfortunately, the effects stay with them until they’re adults with many of them suffering from complex post-traumatic stress disorder.

What Can We Do?

Listen, this isn’t journalism. I am no expert on this deep matter and this article is something that I just had to get off my system after hearing some disturbing news about my high school. With that said, to students who have experienced or witnessed sexual abuse in schools, I want to link you to some resources instead.

If you’re a student who feels like they’ve been sexually abused, you can refer to this article to know some things you can do to help you through this. Know that legal action is an available option when you’re ready.

If you’re a friend of someone who was sexually abused, you can take a look at this article to learn how you can support them. Although this one is about sexual assault, the “how you can help” section is pretty applicable to someone who has gone through sexual abuse. Lastly, this article about traumatic events with input from counselors goes into more detail about how to go about it.

Finding online resources addressed to sexual abuse victims and their friends is shockingly difficult. I now realize that there is a need for us to talk about this issue openly to children. We shouldn’t just be talking to adults about sexual abuse in schools. Hey, children are the ones going through this, and they’re always online too. They need to know what they can and should do during moments of vulnerability. Yes, it is a heavy topic to discuss, but we should also do our part in destigmatizing it. In that way, the survivors would be able to feel less guilt and shame talking about their experience.

A Word to Parents

Parents, I have nothing to ask from you but to please believe your child. Whether they themselves are the survivors or not, please believe that what they’re saying is true. Looking at them like they’re crazy for bringing up sexual abuse in school is a slap in the face. If you must know, many child abuse cases go unreported, and the fear of not being believed by others may be a huge reason why.

As I’ve mentioned, these things happen, even in gender-exclusive schools. Even to boys. And yes, the sex of the teacher doesn’t matter; a predator is a predator.

It’s difficult, but please discuss these things with your child, even before you see signs of sexual abuse. Help with destigmatizing the issue. And to the parents who have developed an emotional connection with a teacher accused of sexual abuse, please do not take their side over a student’s. You do not want to be on the wrong side in this one.

Lastly, be an ally to students. This is mostly applicable for private schools, but know that you can always make an impact by speaking out with other parents about this. The school will probably listen to you more than their students.

A Word to Teachers

Teachers, you have no idea how much students look up to you. In a way, you set the tone of how the school is run. This is why your silence on the matter is pretty appalling. If you choose to dismiss the rumors you hear about your colleagues, then the students will probably stay silent too. We know you know. So for the good of everyone, stop normalizing this behavior and use your voice! Confront who you need to confront.

Also, in the off-chance a student opens up to you about your colleague, believe them, and do something about it. Here is a resource to get you started.

So in short, please, I ask you not to protect your colleagues. More than anyone, you’d probably know the right people to talk to so that things would actually change.

A Word to Schools Who Protect Predators

Here is a great educational piece on teachers sexually abusing students. And another one! But do you really need articles to know what the right thing to do is? It’s simple: stop putting the school’s reputation over your students’ welfare. Stop hiding these sexual abuse cases. Walk your talk.

If you don’t, I promise you that it’s going to bite you in the ass one day. The kids today know better.

I am encouraging everyone who is comfortable enough to share their thoughts about sexual abuse in schools on Twitter with the hashtag, #MySchoolHiresPredators.

Pride Month may be ending, but knowing the basics about LGBTQ+ community is a must. Read more here! And you never know what you’re gonna miss on Zoomers Corner, so make sure to sign up for our newsletter.

Featured Image: Kristina Flour on Unsplash Polina Zimmeran on Pexels

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