Why Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) is a Practical SHS Strand
My strand back in high school was Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS), and it was the best choice I ever made. I was fortunate to have a wonderful time with my classmates, which made the last years of high school formative, enjoyable, fun, and youthful.
My Experience in the HUMSS Strand
The best way I could describe HUMSS — it feels like therapy.
In high school, the redundancy of learning Mathematics, English, and Science subjects was a good learning experience. I’ve always felt rather stale in having no identity other than acquiring them from extracurriculars, vacations, school breaks, and relationships (family, friends, and acquaintances.)
In HUMSS, I remember feeling that I finally got to discover myself. The essays, worksheets, and video projects focused on exploring the whys.
There is a stigma that the real reason why students go for HUMSS so they won’t have to do math. Maybe there is truth to that. However, we shouldn’t discredit the strand.
What are the School Requirements?
Spoiler alert! There is still math, not as much, but there is an expectation to be creative.
You can anger a professor for not answering their question introspectively. We’re talking about infographics, podcasts, videos with newscasting prompts, readings (a lot of them), analysis papers, reflection papers, documentaries, vlogging, graphic designing, thesis papers (almost every week), acting (sometimes) and APA Style will be your best friend.
Public Speaking
In high school, I was a very shy kid. Public speaking can be learned, and SHS professors do not expect you to be great at it on the first day. It’s alright to stutter and make a fool of yourself. Remember, nobody cares about the fall when you gracefully recover and that is all that matters!
Here’s a tip coming from a then-shy kid: keep volunteering! How are you going to learn without trying? There’s only one way to find out.
Everyone has different styles, you don’t have to be loud. Raising your voice is nothing if your personality doesn’t show.
For Junior High School’s Credit, They Teach Discipline
As I brought up this perspective, adults in my life concur that junior high school teaches discipline. I do think that is fair. 7:00 a.m. classes until 5:00 p.m. with rehearsals and electives are wild, now looking back.
Practicality in College
As a college student delving into the corporate field, I’ve been told plenty of times that I should have taken Accountancy, Business, and Management (ABM) Strand. I have zero regrets. The HUMSS jump-started me to have self-awareness.
1.) Resistance from Unwanted College Influences
In college, there are tons of influences and personalities. Character strength is the best thing I acquired from the HUMSS Strand because I understand my principles, values, and individuality to resist unwanted influence.
2.) Character Strength
During my first months of college, I was so down. It felt like everything I believed in was untrue or a distant past as if I was back to square one. You can teach yourself motivation and self-respect is hard work in the lowest of times.
3.) The Benefits of Education
We’re taught to watch the news, advocate, and be good citizens. In turn, in college, we appreciate our education more because we recognize that it is a privilege, especially, in the Philippines.
4.) Presentations
Any course in college require their students to present and this is a HUMSS’ student forte, you’re good to go!
5.) Personality
A person who upholds themselves in virtue is more respectable than the ones who base their personality on other people’s business. In college or even in the real world, people want personality. Cliche, but it’s true, be yourself!
Develop passions, discover interests, meet people, and understand yourself. HUMSS is a leeway to grasp your skillset, and you can explore them. Choose to explore them.
