Kassandra

I was never an expressive person, so it took me a while to start this essay. I am self-aware but my thoughts ramble too much to the point that I would stop thinking or analyzing my actions. However, I was also interested in studying the human mind. Integrating psychology into my self-analysis was a bit harder than what I was expecting. Nevertheless, this is who I am. “Genetics do play a role in how you consciously or subconsciously manifest your true self.” — Ben Harper I believe that every Filipino kid has heard the phrases “Manang-mana ka sa tatay mo!” or “Anak ka nga ng nanay mo.” I often would hear this growing up especially when I “act up.” For instance, if I do something mischievous, I would be compared to my dad. When my sassy attitude shows up, I am suddenly becoming my mom. That’s how my relatives would compare me to my parents. Intellectual skills, social views, interests, and personality are all strongly influenced by genetics. According to research, personality qualities li...

Hi, past self! How are you doing? Are you having fun playing outside? Are you still sneaking out? I hope you enjoyed every bit of being a child. I never really considered writing a letter to you because I never liked looking in the past. I never really liked you. You were too careless, outgoing, and trusting. You were too good. You were conditioned to think that the world would be good to you if your good to them. You never had a personality as kid. You were thought to be a people-pleaser. Your personality revolved around those who are around you so you could fit in as a kid. However, I wouldn’t really trade the joy you experienced as a kid. I would say the teenage years were your most exciting and tiring. As a college student now, I’d say you’ll eventually experience a lot of psychological troubles. There is going to be a moment in your life where you’ll eventually smile even though you are in pain. You’ll learn how to independently control your emotions and facial expressions. This i...

Hi, Joy! I am writing this letter to you even though you will never have the chance to read this; even though, you’ll never have a chance to hear anything from me. Do you remember how we met? It was the start of a new academic year. I was fine with the people around me and you were happy with the people around you. We never really had something that could connect us. You were outgoing, friendly, and talkative. I was happy with a few friends. I don’t talk to people much. I was quiet. Looking back at it now, we never really had something in common. I guess that should’ve spoken volume. It was a messy start. One interaction garnered much unwanted attention. I guess that should’ve spoken volume. Maybe, at some point, behaviorists are right,. Because as much as my pride wants to deny it, my personality started revolving around yours. You were an eye-opener. You introduced me to the things that I never knew that I could do. You made me want more from what I have until nothing was enough. Fro...

  Consistently following studying strategies has always been hard for me. Due to my attention span, I tend to deviate my focus from one thing to another. Having metacognitive skills but never addressing the problem is my problem. I have always been aware of my short attention span, so I tend to make reviewers every time I have an exam. I don’t have the focus to read actual materials, so I make reviewers as a way to recall lessons. After that, I don’t use the reviewers I made because I would always have the thought of “I already reviewed.” Moreover, the pandemic made it harder for me to have a study habit since everything was online.  When college started, which was post pandemic, it was like a whole new phase for me since I never had good study habits. I reminded myself that I need a study habit since it’s a new environment and I don’t have my friends from high school to help me out. One of the reasons that motivated me to study was the learning approach of the class...