Written by: Carmina Muñoz

Starting a new semester is always a mix of excitement and uncertainty, most especially for freshies. New courses, new professors, and new challenges await. To help the BA Organizational Communication freshies navigate the second semester, the Organizational Communication Society (OrComSoc) held the Ace Your Acads (AYA) on Friday, January 30, 2026, at 5:00 PM via Zoom. 

As its name suggests, AYA is an initiative where upper batch students share firsthand experiences, practical tips, and survival strategies for specific courses and professors, with the ultimate goal of helping freshies ace their acads, literally. Through candid discussions and real insights, the session aimed to equip students with the confidence and guidance they need to start the semester on the right foot.

Featuring two speakers, this AYA’s seniors offered grounded, experience-based advice on ECON 11 and COMM III, two courses that often intimidate freshies.

Albert Tang
ECON 11, Introduction to Economics: The Market and the State

The first speaker, Albert Mark Tang, was the reliable guide for freshies navigating ECON 11. A fourth-year BA Organizational Communication student, Albert has taken classes under Professor Chester Arcilla twice—having completed both ECON 11 and ECON 102 under him. His experience gave him not only an in-depth understanding of the course but also valuable insight into Professor Arcilla’s teaching style and expectations. 

Albert explained that ECON 11 is an introductory economics course divided into microeconomics (70%) and macroeconomics (30%). Addressing one of the most frequently asked questions, “May math ba?”, he clarified that while the course does involve math, it is limited to basic high school–level computations, such as basic algebra and geometry. According to him, the real challenge lies not in computation alone, but in understanding economics concepts and applying them to the Philippine context, which Professor Arcilla consistently emphasizes.

Albert also mentioned the surprise quizzes, which may contain either computations or short essays and are often given without prior notice. Students can expect frequent surprise quizzes, worksheets that function as mini-exams, group reporting toward the end of the semester, and two major exams. He noted that midterms are particularly challenging, as they serve as the professor’s benchmark for assessing student understanding, while finals are often adjusted based on overall class performance.

To survive the course, Albert advised students to take handwritten notes, read assigned materials before watching lecture videos, avoid relying solely on PowerPoint slides, and most importantly, read the textbooks thoroughly. He emphasized that success in ECON 11 does not come from memorizing formulas, but from critically analyzing how economic concepts are contextualized in Filipino society.

Albert described Professor Arcilla’s teaching style as “legacy” and highly traditional—simple, straightforward, and without unnecessary frills. While the approach may feel old-school, he emphasized that what truly defines the class is the professor’s passion for economics. As Albert shared, “I-pantay niyo ‘yung passion niya sa passion niyo sa pag-aaral and you will survive his course.” This mindset was what ultimately helped him navigate the class, reminding freshies that perseverance and genuine interest matter just as much as intellectual ability.

Building on the insights shared on ECON 11, the event then shifted its focus to COMM III, discussed by the second speaker.

Zamuel Malonzo
COMM III, Speech Communication 

The second speaker, Zamuel Malonzo, is a second-year BA Organizational Communication student and consistent University Scholar, shared his insights and practical advice on navigating COMM III. He currently serves as the news correspondent and Head of the Proofreading Committee of The Manila Collegian, UP Manila’s official student publication. He is also an active member of various student organizations and has worked as a media consultant for national-level programs.

Zamuel described COMM III as a course that develops students’ competence in speaking and listening through both theoretical discussions and performance-based tasks. While some concepts may seem familiar, he emphasized that the course  places strong emphasis on real-life application.

As he began his talk, he anchored his discussion on the course requirements, together with tips along the way. He explained that major requirements include a mediated group interview, group discussion, impromptu and extemporaneous speeches, regular quizzes, and various class exercises. For the group works, Zamuel noted that groupings are usually assigned by the instructor, and active participation plays a crucial role in assessment. He explained that impromptu speeches require students to speak on unique topics with minimal preparation, while extemporaneous speeches involve structured planning without full memorization. He advised students to be mindful of time limits, clarity of ideas, and audience engagement.

For quizzes, Zamuel shared that these are often given at the start of a new topic and may include various test types such as identification, multiple-choice questions, and unpredictable bonus items. He also reminded freshies that attendance and preparedness significantly affect overall performance.

As he shared survival tips for each major requirement, Zamuel emphasizes the  value of attendance and punctuality, noting that consistent attendance can significantly influence final grades. He encouraged students to “speak their mind” during speeches, for confidence and sincerity matter more than speed or perfection. He also stressed the importance of avoiding filler words, respecting time limits, and writing engaging introductions instead of using generic opening lines. When mental blocks occur before or during speeches, he advised freshies to stay calm, speak honestly, and ground their responses in personal insight and awareness of current events.

Ace Your Acads 2026 went beyond surface level tips—it created a space where freshies were reminded that earning that uno is possible with the right mindset and strategies. By hearing directly from upper batch OrCom students, freshies gained practical perspectives and survival tips on ECON 11 and COMM III, courses often regarded as daunting during a freshman’s second semester.

As the semester unfolds, the lessons from AYA serve as a reminder that success is built through preparation, persistence, and openness to growth. With the wisdom shared during AYA, BA Organizational Communication freshies are now better equipped to face the rest of the semester—confident, informed, and ready to say, “K-AYA pala.”