023. Cramming Moment

Last Saturday I was invited to attend the wedding of Michael, one of my closest friends. He is actually my bestfriend way back in elementary. I still remember the days when we were only a bunch of kids playing around in the school ground. Actually that was 20 years ago. From kids to young men, we are now entering the next stage in life- settling down. He hits the road first joining the bandwagon of getting married.

Friday night, I was still in my client’s office, again trapped as usual in my recent job with pending financial statement draft and audit works on both sides, I bravely asked permission from my manager to spare my weekend in order for me to travel back home and attend my bestfriend’s wedding. Luckily I was performing well during the week, so I got a go signal from my boss.

As I embarked back home, I was stunned by the traffic along EDSA. It was already 9 o’clock in the evening and I was expecting to hitch the 10:30 bus going Alaminos. Add the fact the rain on a Friday evening, there’s no way I could reach the bus terminal on time. I immediately texted my bestfriend, that I might be late on his wedding day.

I still managed to take the early dawn bus trip. I arrived in our barangay almost 9 o’clock in the morning, same time for the wedding. Yup I was late for the wedding! Having no time to take some rest I immediately changed my clothes. While inside my room, I almost forgot I have no gift yet!

I dropped by the mall to buy a gift (at the last minute I bought one!). Boy that’s how hectic my schedule in the metropolis. I have no extra time to buy a gift. Though I managed to buy a descent one I felt a little bit guilty of buying a last-minute gift for my bestfriend’s wedding.

It has been a common practice of many Filipinos to beat the deadline. I am not exempted on this practice. It is as if I am on the hard-court playing basketball when all of sudden the “Last-two Minute announcement (with the baritone voice)” covers the atmosphere.

Cramming! Yes I consider this one my cramming moment. I thought cramming is only obvious to students, well even in real life we do also cram. Cramming at some point brings positive effect for some. With the adrenaline rushing on their system, some people are becoming more productive, artistic, and efficient. Logical thinking and reasoning powers their mind on what to do and how to do things. They become more creative and crafty in executing their actions even under pressure.

While others are good in cramming, there is also a group of individuals who crack down or should I say breakdown during the stretch. These are the people who feel chaos inside and already expect catastrophic results. They don’t know what to do and even how to start.

I really hate cramming. For one, I am not good at it. Also I hate the idea of thinking too much on what to do. I set allowance in my time. But no matter how you avoid cramming, there would always be the case when you have no other option but to cram.

For people who might be caught off hand and have no choice but to cram here are my simple tips for you guys:

1. Calm down. This is the very important thing to do if you will do cramming. Inhale deeply and exhale hearty. Always remember you will face a lot of pressure so beware and restore extra energy. Through proper breathing and calmness in your body, you can think more and do more.

2. Plan not just one but multiple plans. Yes, even if only limited time available, manage still to plan on your actions. Make a Plan A as your primary game plan. However as a rule of probability dictates, things might not go the way you want things be, so make an alternative Plan B, Plan C or up to Plan D. In this case no matter what happens your mind will be aware of different scenarios that might happen.

3. Think positive. This is very much important. Hope for the very best and be realistic as well to expect the worst. But weighing the best and worst side of the coin, give emphasis more on thinking positively. You cannot act right if all negativities cover your mind. So think right, think bright.

4. Ask help if necessary. Swallow your pride and accept the fact that people around you can lend extra hand and their time for you. Do this if all your cards are already laid on the table but positive result is still out of reach. Ask help and press the F1 button.

5. Keep in mind not to cram again. Even if you make a positive result after beating the deadline, make a commitment not to cram again. Break the chain of cramming. Learn from your faults and make proper scheduling next time. Remember cramming is also stressful so avoid it as much as possible.

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To my bestfriend Mike and his lovely wife Leila, best wishes to both of you! May you both have less worry and less cramming moments in your married life!

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