Aimed at providing students with the latest study skills and techniques on how to attain academic excellence, Professor Perri Cebedo conducted a seminar dubbed as “Maximizing Academic Performance” (MAP) at XU-AVR1 on July 29, Wednesday.

In partnership with XU's Office of the Academic Vice President (AVP) and the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid (OSFA), the seminar catered 198 scholars, mostly freshmen.

The discussions dealt with the following topics: (1) Learning environment at home and classroom participation; (2) Attitudes and characteristics of champion learners; (3) How to study “boring” textbooks; (4) How to take LUC (legible, understandable, complete) lecture notes; (5) Memory skills and tools for remembering; (6) Using video tutorials and lectures to enhance learning; (7) Using eBooks in PDF format and illustrated encyclopedias; (8) Weekly study plan as an application of time management; (9) Preparing for exams, studying for exams and taking exams; and (10) Honing the vocabulary for written, oral and reading skills to reignite the joy of learning.

Cebedo, an Ateneo alumnus, also highlighted the importance of “learning how to learn.”

“The desire to learn is like a fire, you have to nurture it,” he said, adding that sharing one’s knowledge is like the light of a candle, “for the candle does not lose its light when it lights other candles.”

Cebedo also donated a collection of textbooks in PDF format, eBooks on Math and Sciences, and video tutorials on various subjects, among other. These instructional materials are available at OSFA for interested members of the XU community.