Back to School Tips

June is upon us once again. Amid the the coming rush of rains and typhoons, and the start of the last half of 2008, the world’s turning just proceeds. Gee, time just flies so fast! I have applied for MA in Communications at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. At last, after almost five years of planning, I can finally take up my Masters Degree.

I bet even as I write this post, thousands of parents troop to the malls, bookstores, and school supplies sellers in Divisoria and Baclaran. They will buy the school supplies of their kids. Elementary kids and those in high school tend to be picky with their school stuff. Parents, on the other hand, need to ensure that they stay within the budget.

Here are some tips in going back to school.

1. List down what you need to buy before going out! When we shop, a lot of us fall into the trap of impulsive buying. Your list should coincide with what you need and what you can afford. Even if you want good-looking notebooks, if your budget can’t afford it, you would a stupid person to buy what you can’t afford.

2. Go to the where you can buy cheaper stuff. If your wallet is pretty thick and you can afford to go to posh and expensive stores, then do so. But if your budget cannot afford it, you might as well go to places where you can get cheaper deals. Divisoria and Baclaran have a lot of cheap deals. Beware though since these places are known hangout place of pickpockets and hooligans. Just make sure that your wallets and your goods are safe. When you go there, you should also be prepared to deal with A LOT of people. It would seem as if you are packed tight inside a sardines can.

3. Shop only for what you truly need. When you are at the shopping mall and the stores, you might be tempted to buy more things than you truly need. Well, your list should be enough to deter you from doing just that.

4. Psyche yourself up. I know, vacation is a breeze and you don’t want it to end. But all good things have to come to an end so that other good things can also start. You can also start looking forward to meeting your friends and classmates again. Never mind the dreaded teachers. You’ll get over them somehow.

5. Set your goals for the school year. As you start another school year, you might as well list down your goals and your aims for school year. This way, you’ll have guidance regarding the things that you want to accomplish. If you want, you can become an honor student this time, a dean’s lister, or the Editor-in-chief of your school paper. When you set your goals, just make sure that you work it out!

Whew! I’ll go back to school this June, too. I’m excited! After five long years, I’ll get to attend classes again!