Frequently Asked Questions by Freshmen
Orientation Seminar a.k.a. OrSem
OrSem is an introduction to what Ateneo life is all about. It is a three-day long filled with fun activities. All freshmen go through the orsem and everyone enjoys it. You get to meet new people and friends: your blockmates and even your TnTs (upperclassmen who tour you around the campus and show you what Ateneo life is all about). You will also get to know more about your course through department talks.
We upperclassmen will make your orsem worth remembering. To make your Orsem experience more.. fun, take our advice.
Wear comfortable clothes and sneakers. Wag kayong pa-cute or sobrang over-the-top. Jeans and a t-shirt would do. Never wear stilettos or come in mini-skirts. One girl in my batch came in stilettos and mini-skirts and I think she became our laughing stock. Don’t ask why, we’ll leave that a surprise.
Bring lots of water, extra shirts and medicines if you have asthma and other related diseases. Orsem would be tiring and will test your endurance and patience, but it would be definitely fun.
Let down your inhibitions and have fun.
If you have more questions, don’t hesitate to ask your respective TnTs.
Orsem2007:Soundcheck! website:
http://www.orsem2007.comBlock Sections
You will know your blocks around a week or two before your Orsem.
You will have this one "mother of all blocks" which is your course block. As the name suggests, everyone in that block belongs to the same course as you are but you will find out that this course block is somewhat useless in your first year because the only class that you will have with them is Filipino and INTAC. You will get to be with them in your second year.
The other block: Your english block.
You will find out in your OrSem that you will be divided in 3 different english "categories" (i cannot find a word to describe this one. haha) bases from your ACET scores in English. The basic english program (i do not know if it is apt to call them "programs" but who cares. ANYWAY, you will have 2 hours of English in the first sem. next sem pa kayo pwedeng mag take ng Lit), the regular english program (1 hour of english and 1 hour of lit) and the merit english (for those who are really gifted in english. haha.)
Your english block will be your classmates for a year and you will spend two hours every MWF with each other. In some cases, there are people who become more closer with their English blockmates than their course blockmates. Oh yeah, people in your english block would belong to different courses.
Misc Blocks: The math, natsci and PE block.
In this block, iba iba na ang mga courses ng kasama mo. In your PE block, you will have blockmates already in their sophomore year.
Classes on Freshman Year
The number of classes in a day depends on when you schedule your P.E. classes. It could be 4 subjects in a day (ex. my Wednesday schedule is English, Literature, Natural Science Lecture, Natural Science Laboratory).
You will be taking 16 units in total, excluding PE and INTACT.
There are no Saturday classes on your freshman year. But sometimes you'll be expected to attend seminars and INTACT activities usually held on Saturdays.
Classes are around 50 minutes for MWF classes and 1 hour 20 minutes for TTH classes. If a professor is not in your class within 10 mins on MWF classes and 15 for TTh classes without prior notice or text from him, you can consider yourselves dismissed.
English ClassesSa OrSem, malalaman mo na english block mo. Pag R or M yung code ng english class mo, meaning Regular English and Merit English, respectively, hindi mo kelangan mag summer. Pero pag E code ng english class mo, meaning Basic English, kailangan mo mag summer. Pero it doesnt end there. Yung mga asa Basic English mag ddiagnostic test pa tapos pag pumasa ka, lilipat ka na ng Regular English, which means, hindi mo na rin kelangan mag summer!
Math ClassesFor Math naman, may diagnostic test din. Pag pumasa ka dun, sa Math11 ka. Pero pag hindi ka pumasa, you have to take Math1 (Basic Math) and kelangan mo magsummer. May possibility na nasa Math11 tapos hindi mo napasa yung diagnostic test so lilipat ka ng Math1 and pwede ding Math1 ka muna tapos napasa mo yung diagnostic test, so lilipat ka na ng Math11!
Although there are exceptions, such as Math18 for Management Engineering, Environmental Science, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics, there will be no diagnostic test needed.
Filipino ClassesSame as math classes, may diagnostic test rin. You will be transferred or remain in your class depending on the result. If you have a foreign passport, you will be taking foreing Fil classes.
Natural Science ClassesYou will choose your natural science class except if you’re a science major (excluding BS MIS and CS). You will take two natsci subjects, one on each sem. To help you make your choice, here’s a couple of things to consider.
Environmental Science - This is probably the easiest and most fun of all the Nat Sci classes. It's a mix of both concepts and memorization for the lecture. But for Laboratory, it's more practical than knowledge based. You have to learn how to use the instruments.
Botany - Memorization. Prepare for lots of memorization. From plant structure, scientific names and plant function. Laboratory isn't much fun, you have to stare at microscopes for long periods of time.
Zoology - Same as Botany, memorization.. and lots of it.
Physics - Sabi sa akin more of conceptual ang physics. You have to understand concepts and apply them in equations etc.
Chemistry - Lab work is fun. You get to make ice cream! But for the lecture, it a bit tedious since memorization, analysis and concepts are all incorporated.
But then again, it all depends on the professor.
You'll be taking Nat Sci for two semesters. You get to choose two different subjects. If you get a low random number (see enrollment process) most people would choose Environmental Science, because it is the easiest natsci subject.
P.E. ClassesYou will have PE subjects until your sophomore year. You will also get to choose your PE class. You cannot repeat a PE subject, unless you fail (which nobody does except when you use all your cuts). Here are the options to choose from.
pe lecture
aerobics
swimming
badminton
physical fitness
table tennis
tennis
running
soccer
weight training
basketball
arnis
volleyball
pencing
judo
ballroom dancing
tae-kwon-do
tai-chi
yoga
tap dance
modern jazz
advanced judo
Recreational Activities
Registration/Enrollment Process
Random NumbersRandom numbers determine the number in which you are to enroll your classes. For example, you have a random number of 100 and I have a random number of 150, you will get to enroll first.
The lower the random number you get, the better it is. If you have a low random number (anything below 200 is good) you get to choose the natsci and pe class that you want.
PaymentCash, Checks and BPI Credit Cards are accepted. There is also two ATMs located inside the campus: BPI, Banco de Oro and Robinson’s Bank.
You don’t need your parents’ company when you enroll. Registration is relatively easy since your subjects are already pre-enlisted.
Tips before your reg:1) Choose what Nat Sci subject you want to take and have back-up choices in case the nat sci class you want is closed. If you have a bad random number, start ranking your choices. Ex. 1st- ES, 2nd-Physics 3rd-Chem and so on.
2) Once you get your reg form and know your schedule, arrange it in a way that you'll know what your free time is. Know your free time, because you might be able to squeeze your P.E. classes in there. Last year I had a 4 hour break on TTH, I sandwiched my P.E. class during that time so I don't have to waste 4 hours doing nothing. Also, if your class starts at 12pm, you don't want to take a 7:00 am class, it would be finished by 8 am so you'll have 4 hours of free time. But if just live nearby aka in Katipunan, I would not be that bad since you could still go home and perhaps take one long bath before your 12pm class.
3) Same with your nat sci class, have back-up choices as well. Sophomores get to register first, most likely some classes are closed, such as badminton and recreational activities. Have as much as 5 back -up choices, especially if you have a bad random number.
What to Wear
There is relatively no dress code for the campus except for classes under the JGSOM building. For SOM, there is the three-finger rule (straps should be at least 3 fingers thick) and shoes must at least have one of the following: closed, closed toe and ankle strap.
