Codebreaker: Budgeting breaks, socialization and collegiate success

by Dickson Lua & Arjo Mejilla

Hey Freshies! Have you noticed how many and how long your breaks are, now that you’re in college? Well, in case you haven’t, you should know that those lull moments comprise much more than half of your stay here, in the Ateneo. However, few exemplary individuals ever harness the power and magnificence of this commodity before they’ve spent most of it. Thus, this article is born! Like the metaphorical choose-your-own adventure that breaks between classes are, choose the part of the article that you want to read.

Jump to:
Academic Excellence for the Free Mind for academically excellent break-budgeting

Nearby Terrains for the Social Butterfly for leisurely and social break-spending

Energizers for the Available Workaholic for extra-curricular work to kill your breaks

Academic Excellence for the Free Mind

For one seeking supreme academic potency, it may easily be observed that one’s breaks are often hindered by three things: excruciatingly slow walks from building to building, thinking and deciding of a place for the block to eat, and simply not knowing what to do next. Well, there’s a problem for you, bright minds of the future! Simply prance on to the orange section for quick and easy thoughts to scurry away from such nuisances. That aside, we can focus more on what you really want – learning! [and maybe good grades]

It is most vital to remember that one must exhort more effort staying in the Ateneo than in attempting the ACET. Breaks are of great importance in pilfering and being endowed with A’s from professors, horrendous and marvelous respectively; the rise of feeling an excess in time only parallels one’s name diminishing from that prestigious dean’s list.

See this sign? Memorize it, live it, love it.

Luckily, our school is handsomely equipped with a library furnished with high-quality books, computers, and workspaces beyond what is supple. This extends to its satellite, Matteo Ricci’s 2 floors, steps, and balcony that maintain a studious ambience blended with the serenity of Atenean foliage.

Matteo Ricci: The most effective way to get group work done.

Of course, there are always more secluded and exotic places left undiscovered for you adventure-seeking innovators out there, so just keep your eyes peeled, your clocks ticking and your minds exceeding expectations before you’re faced with test-types you’ve never even imagined. Think twice before you run out of breaks!

Some of the most important steps in your life.

Nearby Terrains for the Social Butterfly

For someone on the lookout for recreation and relaxation, away from the hustle and bustle of a busy academic life, the limited grounds of homeland Ateneo may not be enough. However, before you get to do so, note that the top three roadblocks to a well-spent break of distraction and rejuvenation include: aimlessly slow strolls from place to place, planning of block activities [instead of more spontaneous ones that actually work far better], and your more work-oriented blockmates – do invite them all the time, ‘cause they’ll come by eventually. For now, let them read the other 2 sections.

Whether you’ve got a black hole in that tummy or just like trying different types of food, there’s a variety of menus to be found! For starters, the Ateneo School of Theology and ISO cafeterias aren’t very far away as they offer different tastes from the usual Gonzaga cafeteria and JSEC food while maintaining decent prices. A swift drive to Riverbanks[closer than you think] or Esteban Abada[just behind Katipunan] also serves delicious tastes with generous amounts from varying shops whose names I shall not disclose [product placement = bad; ask me in person] – just that they’re all lying around corners you see but do not always pass by.

The Loyola School of Theology. The cafeteria with the cheapest food and the best view.

As for you gamers and socialites, the orgroom is a great way to start [MVP 303] ‘cause people with the same interests as you are hangin’ there ALL THE TIME – not an exaggeration. You’ll learn a whole dimension of gaming places along Katipunan from those people; these range from simple LAN gaming shops to those with Rockband rentals and everything else, just chill in the CompSAt room and mingle with people when you feel comfortable.

Keep an eye on this for important information or funny messages and doodles!

Your Ateneo adventure awaits! Go forth and seize the day before classes resume! Do keep an eye on your homework though. We wouldn’t want you wasting away while we suffer our way towards success.

Energizers for the Available Workaholic

Well, there are so many things you can engage yourself in during your 4-year stay in the Ateneo. However, do note that among the things stopping you from doing as much as you want, the top 3 would have to be irritatingly slow movement between destinations, joining too many things [‘cause you’re so engaged… this is a problem when you can’t give each commitment your 100% any more], and blockmates who’d really rather take moments to chill and live their lives more peacefully – don’t see them as hindrances ‘cause one day you’ll realize that they’re important; for now, direct them to the orange section.

To begin with, there’s Sanggu and there’s COA. Sanggu is where you go for a direct type of service for your fellow students; this involves representation, info dissemination, leadership seminars and such. COA is where you go to grow as a non-academic. Orgs don’t necessarily serve, or, at least, not always directly; such as arts-oriented orgs. Aside from those two, there are also numerous varsity teams and unaccredited organizations, like dollhouse, that do very interesting things to keep them occupied.

The student government of the Ateneo student population.

The King of all organizations.

Of course, there are also engagements that might tickle your fancy more than it would others. Being a Microsoft student partner, as the name suggests, paves the way for numerous big opportunities; you’ll hear about this in one of your CS sessions. Of course, there’s also the programming varsity team; a healthy undertaking for us all.

MSP -- You get some pretty cool stuff from these guys!

Be a part of our crack team of programming warriors: ProgVar!

In any case, there’s only so much you can squish into your breaks! Do remember, though, that you are, before anything, a human being and a student in the Ateneo, so be sure to maintain your health and your academic standing; we wouldn’t want to lose someone of your aptitude now, would we? OF COURSE NOT! Use your breaks wisely, oh infinitely-engaged one!