By: Thea Divina, Andrea Eleanor Cabaron
Students seen studying at the Salon de Actos in preparation for the Midterm Examinations. Photo courtesy of Letran-Manila.
After readjusting Midterm examinations in lieu of the transport strike on March 6 to 7, Colegio de San Juan de Letran held its first face-to-face midterm examinations on March 13 to 18.
The second semester had output-based and written exams.
Kodi Nicole A. Cabacang, a psychology student, says she prefers onsite examinations. “The reason is because online setup requires strong internet connection. I also often encounter difficulties such as disconnections during online exams.”
She stated she prefers written test papers as output-based requirements consume more energy and time from students. She also states during the interview the difficulties she faces when working on output-based exams.
“Output-based requirements often take too much time since it requires polishing, repetitions, and further improvements in order to follow the rubrics,” Cabacang says.
A student from the College of Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA) shares his experience with the midterms week. He says in an interview he also prefers onsite examinations, with the same reason as Ms. Cabacang. He adds he is adjusting well to this new approach for the midterms, “...there are breakdowns, stress and the like, seeing your friends, blockmates and great professors boost your morale and mentality on moving forward.”
A College of Engineering and Information Technology (CEIT) student expresses his dismay regarding the scheduling of the exams. “Before exam week, nag-review na ako pero nung nagbalita ng transport strike medyo nakakadismaya since ready na ako for examinations.”
When asked about which exam modality the CEIT student prefers, he replies with online. “Mostly ng exam namin mga Engineering students is onsite at hindi namin pwedeng baguhin, yung gusto kong online exam is mga minor subjects para maka-focus kami sa major namin na subjects sa online exams.”
The LANCE also asked the three students for their suggestions of improvement for the face-to-face modality, especially during examinations.
Ms. Cabacang suggests extending the office hours of the libraries during the examination weeks. “...Students opt to review/study at school. In addition, I believe that this will also further strengthen the value of encouraging students in finding a safe space within the Colegio.”
A BS Accountancy student suggests the Colegio to examine their professors. “There are lots of professors out there that are passionate in what they are doing. There are some professors in the Colegio that do not help the students learn, but rather burden them with pressure and passive teaching methods.”
“Isa lang naman ang suggestion ko, during exam week sana, at least sa isang araw may dalawa or tatlong exam para di sayang yung time mo sa isang araw na ‘yon,” the Engineering student says.
As part of the Colegio’s Ginhawa Program, a two-day academic rest is implemented at the end of each major examination for the current academic year. The collegiate department implements its academic break on March 20-21.
Student’s grade consultation is to be done between March 22-24 in accordance with the teachers’ meeting arrangement with their pupils.
In line with the contingency measures post-transportation strike, the encoding of grades will be on March 25. The release and viewing of grades in the Knights Portal will be on March 26.