One of my biggest
frustrations in life is not getting into the university of my choice. I took this university’s entrance exam three
decades ago, but up to this point in my life, I still think about what went
wrong. Was it my previous school’s
fault? Maybe they didn’t prepare me
enough for the entrance test.... Was it my parent’s fault, for not motivating
me and guiding me for the most important test of my life... Or was it MY
fault... maybe I didn’t review well, didn’t study as diligently as I should, or
I was just not ready and confident to take the exam. Maybe... just maybe... I actually passed, but
I didn’t get in because I applied for a quota course...
Up to this day... the
“what-ifs” and “maybe’s” still linger in my head... but I cannot change what
happened 30 years ago.
The most important fact
is: there is still time and opportunity
to make a difference in my children’s lives.
My children deserve a chance to a bright future... and I will do my best
to give them that chance.
Hence... the need for this
article! As my journey as a hands-on-mom
to my children who will soon be in college... begins!
THE REALITY
My children graduated from
a non-traditional, progressive school. A
school that is very close to my heart.
Raya School has taught my children to love and embrace learning, be
independent, seek information not only on books but by immersing themselves in
the real world, and to love and be proud of the Filipino culture.
But now the children have
grown, one is entering senior high school, and the youngest will be in grade 10
next year. Decisions have to be
made. On what course to take. On the choice of college or university to
enroll in. Will my children’s dream
become a reality, and how as a parent can I help?
We are living in a
third-world country. And whether we like it or not, where our children
graduated from matters a lot. According
to an article posted by news.abs-cbn.com, “Graduates of the top 3 educational
institutions in the Philippines are hired faster and paid more by employers,
according to the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB).”
I have heard stories,
that in certain HR departments, only graduates from these three universities
are considered for a job interview. The
rest of resumes just go to trash. It’s
heartbreaking, especially for a mom like me to know this harsh reality. Imagine putting in a lot of effort, time,
sacrifices and money, but your child is not considered for an interview just
because he or she didn’t graduate from the top three universities. Sad truth indeed....
RISING ABOVE THE PRESSURE
Now I feel that the
pressure is upon me. What do I have to
do to help my children to enter the top three universities and have the best
education that they deserve?
I am well aware, as a
parent, that EDUCATION is best gift we can give our children. Education is
vital to whatever career they want to pursue in the future. Education is also an INVESTMENT.
In the United States, even in the midst of an unsteady economy, they
firmly believe that college is a stepping stone towards financial stability.
Digest this
figure: my eldest, from nursery to
junior high school, have already spent, an estimate of 700,000 just on tuition
fees. Miscellaneous fees,
transportation, allowance, books and school supplies were not yet included. So
if you multiply this by two, I already spent 1.4 million on the education of my
two children, and they haven’t reach senior high school yet! I could have bought a brand new car given
that amount. Or paid off my
mortgage. But no! I put such a high premium on education.
In senior high
school, the school that we are aiming for, charges 55,000 per semester, so
that’s roughly 110,000 for each child, a year.
Multiplied by two children, in the same school, in the next two years –
grand total will be – 440,000.
Before they even step
inside the college or university of their choice, I paid for something close to
a million pesos just for one child. CAN
YOU IMAGINE THAT??? That is the cost of
education in the Philippines. So now you
understand when I say... it is really an INVESTMENT!
With this amount...
wouldn’t you be pressured as a parent, to make sure that your child enter
either UP, Ateneo or DLSU? It is like
running a marathon. You are very close
to the finish line... will you not fight to your last breath to get to your
goal? If entering these three schools
will secure your child’s future? By
making sure he or she receives high quality college education? Knowing the fact that graduates of these top
universities get more and better opportunities, gain international acceptance
and are perceived by employers to be more equipped to take on greater responsibilities?
With entry to the top
educational institutions becoming more and more competitive these days, and
costs gradually rising, it is important that you plan ahead so that your children
get the best possible start in life.
SHOULD I ENROLL MY CHILD IN A REVIEW CENTER?
As a parent, I always make
“informed” decisions based on thorough research and even conduct
interviews. I even made a Facebook
survey:
Surprisingly, 80% of the respondents said, YES, they would enroll their children in a review
center.
Joey, a wonderful parent and
co-blogger recently enrolled her daughter in a review center. She said:
Ambie, a mentor and friend,
enrolled his son in an UPCAT review. And he aced his UPCAT, ACET and DCAT
exams.
Lani, one of the founders
of Mommy Bloggers Ph, believes in the advantages of enrolling your child in a
review center:
MJ or Xi Zuq, an author and
my children’s teacher in elementary says:
And Coco, a colleague in
ABS-CBN, was an ACET passer and he has this to share:
MY PERSONAL CHECKLIST:
With the research I did,
having talked to co-parents and UPCAT, ACET and DCAT passers, I am happy to
share with you the checklist I did before I finally make that BIG decision to
enroll my child in a review center:
Having considered all of
these... I am 70% complete with my review center hunt.
I think it’s time to visit
the review center that best fit my personal checklist!
CHOOSING THE BEST REVIEW CENTER
I braved the traffic of
Katipunan Avenue to visit one of the leading and most awarded tutorial and
review center in the country – AHEAD.
I was very lucky to listen
to what its president, Ms. Rossana Llenado has to say about her company:
“We are very proud of what AHEAD has achieved
through the years. We have been in the business since 1995. We put a lot of effort in making innovations
every single year. We are the first to offer Test-Based
Reviews for the country’s most competitive admission exams, namely the
University of the Philippines College Admission Test (UPCAT), the Ateneo
College Entrance Test (ACET), and the De La Salle University College Entrance
Test (DLSUCET).
Ms. Llenado added, “through AHEAD’s learning programs, students not
only prepare for academic excellence, they have also come to embrace their role
as future leaders of the global community.”
So I didn’t waste any time
and I asked her point per point my personal checklist, and this is what I found
out:
As far as PRICE is
concerned, AHEAD is the most expensive review center in the Philippines right
now. But this is because, of the quality
of review and the value of techniques they impart to their students.
Aside from contributing to
their students’ knowledge, AHEAD targets to give them the confidence and
support that they need to do well in the exams; to develop a winning attitude
that they can carry throughout their lives.
Their APPROACH is Learning
by Doing: According to research, people retain 10% of
what they read, 20% of what they hear, 30% of what they see, and 90% of what
they do. Our review trains students to learn by doing as they put their
test-taking abilities to practice.
AHEAD
encourages PARENTS to be INVOLVED in the review process through their Parents
Seminar. This helps parents find ways to best support their
children in preparing for a successful future. It covers information about the
top three universities and their college admission tests and shares tips on how
parents can guide their children’s college choices.
When it comes to TECHNIQUES,
AHEAD has this to offer:
- SIMULATED
TESTS: Our simulated tests are the
closest students get to the actual exams
- SMART
READING: Our introductory session on
smart reading helps students get higher scores in the reading comprehension
section of the college entrance exams, breeze through and understand exam
instructions, and decrease their overall study time because of faster reading.
- MIND
MAPPING: This technique helps
students translate words, topics, and subjects into images so they are able to
retain larger volumes of information, better understand the interconnectedness
of concepts, and produce more creative ideas.
And the TEACHERS: Aside
from belonging to the top 1% of their batches in UP, Ateneo, and De La Salle,
our lecturers are young, smart, and highly engaging.
All of my concerns in the checklist
were explained and answered!
But what sealed the deal
for me? MONEY BACK GUARANTEE scheme.
This shows AHEAD’S strong
confidence in their review system and track record. Part of the terms and
conditions for the PREMIUM REVIEW is that the child should at least take the
UPCAT, ACET and DCAT. The money back
guarantee clause then kicks in when the student does not pass at least one of
them.
For
more information on AHEAD TUTORIAL AND REVIEW CENTER you may visit their
website: http://www.review.ahead.edu.ph/
CONCLUSION:
I think I have made my
decision. YES, I will enroll my child in a review center!
And I bet, it will be a
very informative and life-changing summer for her!
THE JOURNEY TOGETHER
My child’s journey will not
end on the fact that I enrolled her in a review center. A very important factor
in the success rate of children entering the university of their choice is the
parent’s involvement and commitment in supporting her all the way.
Having made this journey
with my child, this the message I want to impart to my co-parents:
The ideal scenario: Together with your children, you have chosen
what you think is the best university for them. Helped and guided them in
picking the right college course. Perhaps, made that vital, informed and joint
decision of enrolling in a review school. What’s next?
These are the things that I
will tell my children two years from now....
Blue, green or maroon.... I have prepared your path
to success... Now it is all up to you.
Success is not measured in money, it is measured by
doing what you love, what you are passionate about. It’s about determining your life’s purpose
and doing your best to attain it.
When you finally find the ideal job... be very
hardworking. Don’t throw unreasonable
demands, or display an attitude of self-entitlement.
Be flexible in the workplace, adapt to the new
environment, make friends and continue the pursuit of learning. Learning never
stops. It is a continuous journey.
Life is all about choices. I hope and pray that you continue to make the
right choices in life.
I have already given you the wings... now you go and
FLY!
