Written by: Ma. Isabelle Balobalo

The sophomore year often comes with a sense of growing confidence–classes feel more familiar, and students begin to feel more settled into college life. Yet beneath this comfort lies a set of academic challenges that quietly demand greater discipline and a more intentional approach to learning. 

To help sophies navigate this stage of their academic journey, Ace Your Acads (AYA) was held on January 30, 2026, at 5:00 PM via Zoom. The event featured two students who had already faced these challenges firsthand, sharing practical insights to help sophomores approach the semester more efficiently.

Nicole Yiety Salinas
OrCom 155, Organizational Communication Statistics

The first speaker, Nicole Yiety Salinas, is a third-year BA Organizational Communication student. She currently serves as an International Relations Specialist in AIESEC UP Manila, an Academic and Research Member of the UP Manila Pre-Law Society, a member of the Finance Department’s Membership Committee in The Hope Project, and part of the Organizational Management and Digital Media Committee of Organizational Communication Society (OrComSoc). A consistent academic achiever herself, Nicole was recognized as a College Scholar during her first semester in her freshman year and has remained a University Scholar to the present.

Reflecting on her initial expectations, Nicole shared that she once thought OrCom 155 would be similar to the statistics and probability subjects she took during senior high school. 

“When you think of the word statistics, you might probably recall the statistics and probability subjects we had during senior high school,” she shared. “To be honest, akala ko din magiging ganoon itong OrCom 155 initially to the point na ni-ready ko pa ‘yung scientific calculator ko.”

She soon realized, however, that OrCom 155 was different. While familiar statistical terms still appeared, the course placed greater emphasis on statistical tools and analysis. 

She explained that instead of solving problems by hand, students use tools like Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets for handling raw data, with IBM SPSS Statistics Version 22 serving as the main software for analysis. Though SPSS may appear intimidating at first, Nicole reassured the sophies that they would not be navigating the software on their own. 

“Ma’am Morada will be guiding you in every step. From using the tool to interpreting the results for the write up.” 

Nicole then outlined the course requirements, which are divided into three major components. Quizzes, exercises, and activities (QEA) make up 60% of the grade and include all exercises leading up to the final exam. The final exam, worth 25% of the grade, is an open-note assessment that covers all statistical tests conducted during the semester. The remaining 15% comes from peer evaluation to be submitted at the end of the semester.

Given the heavy emphasis on group work, Nicole stressed the importance of choosing groupmates wisely. She advised that at least one group member uses a Windows laptop, as SPSS tends to have compatibility issues with MacBooks. Ideally, all members should also have access to their own devices whenever possible.

She also drew attention to the role of detailed note-taking, as concepts from OrCom 155 carry over to higher courses such as OrCom 191, OrCom 199, and OrCom 200—assuming, for the latter two, that sophies will take a quantitative approach in their thesis. She  also advised them to ensure that at least one group member  attends every lecture, so the group does not fall behind, while noting that it is still best for all members to be present.

When it comes to write-ups, Nicole reminded the sophies that the course demands a technical and objective writing style, with specific terms that must be used accurately. More importantly, she encouraged them to take full advantage of all the available support. 

“You may always reach out to Ma’am or to your seniors if you need assistance.” 

Through her experiences and shared advice, Nicole was able to explain that OrCom 155 is less about mastering formulas but more about developing analytical skills and collaboration. 

Cybelle Diones 
Ling 100, The Study of Language

The second speaker, Cybelle Diones, is also a third-year BA Organizational Communication student with interests in writing, film, literature, and music. She currently serves as Head News Writer for OrComSoc under the Organizational Management and Digital Media Committee and is an active member of UP Cinema, contributing to nationwide projects like UP Cinema’s annual film festival. In these projects, she handles external communication, media outreach, and the evaluation of film submissions to curate compelling programs. Academically, she has been a consistent University Scholar since the second semester of her freshman year.

Cybelle began by introducing Ling 100, a course centered on the scientific study of language. “Scientific siya kasi–we’re looking at language as a system with observable patterns.” she explained, highlighting how the course trains students to analyze language methodologically as it explores the core components of linguistic analysis. 

She emphasized the importance of the primary reference, The Study of Language by George Yule, advising sophies to secure a copy as soon as it is given, as it will be used throughout the semester,

Cybelle then outlined the major topics and areas of focus. Beginning with Language: An Introduction, she encouraged memorizing the definition of language. For Sounds and Sound Patterns, she stressed mastering phonetics rather than relying on rote memorization. In Morphology, students should understand word-formation processes and different morpheme types. For Syntax, she emphasized practicing tree diagrams—especially for longer sentences with noun, verb, and prepositional phrases. In Semantics and Pragmatics, students analyze how meaning is conveyed and interpreted, while Language and Society allows them apply these concepts through a multimodal video presentation.

She also discussed the course requirements, which include quizzes, exercises, class activities, a multimodal presentation, and a cover-to-cover essay-type final exam. For the exam, she advised: 

“Yap as much as you can. Hinahanap talaga ni Sir Vibar ‘yung mga keywords. Add a personal touch—add your personal experiences.” According to Cybelle, earning a high score in Ling 100 depends not only on understanding the concepts but also on how students articulate their ideas. 

She shared several practical tips for surviving the subject. First, she advised reading assigned materials before lectures, so students could focus on understanding the lesson rather than scrambling to take notes. She also recommended group study for tackling complex topics, as discussion helps break difficult concepts. At the same time, she reminded the sophies to take regular breaks, as  consistent study sessions are more effective than cramming. 

Her final tip was to engage fully with the course, finding ways to enjoy discussions with Professor Vibar. 

“Maybe for some people, ‘yung Ling 100 may seem ‘boring,’” she said. “Pero kapag nage-gets niyo na ‘yung discussion, sobrang worth it, and it’s so much fun to learn.” 

For Cybelle, engagement is what truly transforms Ling 100 from a challenging course into a rewarding experience. 

Through AYA, sophies were given the opportunity to approach these courses with greater clarity and confidence. From Nicole’s emphasis on teamwork and analytical thinking to Cybelle’s focus on engagement and thoughtful application, sophies gained a clearer understanding of what to expect and how to navigate these courses effectively. More than offering survival tips, the discussion encouraged students to value discipline, resilience, and intentional learning—qualities that will help them throughout their OrCom journey.