That Horrible Old Age

                            by Vic Odarve.

We are all getting older, whether we like it or not, and that horrible old age, dubbed "elderly," has two faces to contend with: a deplorable stage or reasonably opulent living conditions.

Bantilan's Family

Deplorable senior conditions are common among poor families in our civilized society, where they live alone in their homes without the care or assistance of their sons or daughters. On the other hand, wealthy seniors naturally spend their golden years in the homes of their children, grandchildren, relatives, and friends, where they are lavished with sensitive affection and care.

The first image is still horrifying. The elderly who are unable to care for themselves suffer the most. In most cases, key members of the family or dear relatives simply abandon or did not extend the needed help. Some of them are bedridden, paralytic, and others are stricken with diseases that place them in very deplorable conditions. They clearly need valuable assistance, compassion, and understanding, and kindness from a well-minded individual.

Old folks at home- Mayana Village

On other hand, there are some elderlies who still enjoy life living together with their children or grandchildren as they have done since the beginning. Of course, majority are traditionally supported by the relatively affluent families and lifelong friends. Most of them are typically receiving modest pensions and other potential benefits from governments. They are properly treated as members of their children’s family with basic needs in social life. This instantly reminding us to properly take care of our own dear children at the prime of our life.

No one really knows how long a person lives. For those who are not fortunate enough typically ended their twilight years in the government homes for the aged, away from their beloved children and legitimate grandchildren, relatives, and friends. As by most cultural tradition, parents who care their children through thick and thin throughout the journey in their lives and able to manage knitted family ended their twilight years under the affectionate arms of their children.

Casimero Dagangon
103 yrs old-Mayana

 Despite notable advances in the modern medical profession, all of us are getting older about the passing years; the conscious thought of what might happen naturally to us as we cross to the dark side of old age. It is a real drama of our modern life. Some are fortunate enough to enjoy life.  Recently, my neighbor living in a village of Mayana, Casimero Dagangon received a cash award for having reached the 100 yrs old.

 Civilized mankind must return from dust to dust, but before knocking out to the world stage, an unspeakable old age presses people down, rendering either living in a deplorable or well-cared stage in their lives. The fundamental fact is, most of us come to a frail stage and whether we like it or not, that awful old age is a reality that everyone must accept.

 

Tips and Benefits of Working Math Exercises

                 by Vic Odarve.

Exercise sets are offered at the end of each chapter in all mathematics texts and workbooks. That is why many engineering students are to do some of these tasks and submit the results at the following meeting. The message is clear: they must be worked out before proceeding to the next chapter. It checks whether students are ready for the next topics, much like a wormhole. If the teachers do not give an assignment on the exercises, solve them by yourself for your own benefit. The following are tips on how to get the most out of the exercises.

Madonna University,Nigeria

As a starting point, select one exercise that is like your notes or workbooks or the one discussed by your teachers. If you find it still difficult and you still have not solved any of the exercises, go back to the examples from your notes and the textbook you are using. Review your example notes and solve it without looking at the solution. Check if you have a similar answer. If along the way you get stuck, uncover the solution for a while and see where in the way you get lost. Repeat this process until you can master and understand how it is done. If you are convinced that you comprehend the process, go back to the exercise, which is like your notes, and solve it.

Make it a habit of reviewing or checking your work until you have your final answer. Since most exercises have answers, look at and compare your answers only after you thoroughly check yours. If you get one exercise with a correct answer, solve the remaining. This way will build your confidence.

Working math exercises prove beneficial to engineering students. It relates to academic success. Students who do math exercises perform better on tests or examinations. By working exercises, students are reviewing what they cover in class, thus increasing their understanding of the subject concept. Students develop self-discipline and management skills too. They also feel enjoyment and challenge in mathematics, and they put their new acquired skills into practice. Practice makes perfect.

UB ME-Seniors 1978 class

Later, students will realize that what they learn in that chapter will be used in the next chapter. Mathematics or workbooks' subject contents are presented in sequence. Master the first one before the next. Do not skip. If they could not solve the exercises at the end of the chapter, most likely they would be in trouble the next chapter. Follow the advice. Do it now! Do not delay! Complete the exercises! Geniuses in mathematics are a gift from God, but skills could be developed!

Academic success and other benefits are yours simply by following the tips.