The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) Office of Student Affairs (OSA) organized a series of webinars advocating for students’ work-life balance in Open and Distance Education. The first webinar was held last 7 March 2024 with the theme ‘Balancing Act: Mastering Work, Life, and Learning in Open and Distance Education.’ This was headed by the resource speaker, Ms. Remedios “Rem” C. Moog, RGC, RPm, CSCOP, a De La Salle University counselor, and the Philippine Guidance and Counseling Association (PGCA) National Vice President of Internal Affairs.
The second webinar, titled, ‘Bytes to Brilliance: Navigating the Digital Landscape for Optimal Productivity in Open and Distance Education,’ was held on 5 September 2024. The event was hosted by Ms. Carren Urcia, Project Staff, together with Ms. Marites Moya, the Senior Psychosocial Specialist, and Director Ria Mae Borromeo, the UPOU OSA Director. The speaker, Assistant Professor Blancaflor P. Arada, from the Faculty of Information and Communication Studies, took the lead on discussing matters with regards to (1) the importance of work-life balance, (2) project management tools, (3) understanding digital burnout, (4) helpful offline activities, and (5) tips on minimizing digital distractions. This was followed by an Open Forum where insights, opinions, and questions were raised. A fruitful discussion and conversation sparked between the webinar attendees on how to integrate technology and mental well-being effectively.
Asst. Prof. Arada ended the session with her final thoughts and encouragement. “Don’t be afraid to experiment with different tools and strategies to find what works best for you, and you don’t have to navigate this journey alone.”
The next and final webinar will be held in October, with the theme, ‘Well-being and Self-Care Strategies for Open and Distance Education Students.’ More updates will be posted on the UPOU Facebook Page. For inquiries about personal, social, and emotional support, and career guidance, send an email to [email protected].
Written by Carren D. Urcia ♦ Edited by Dr. Ria Mae Borromeo and Anna Cañas-Llamas ♦ Contributed by the UPOU OSA
#UPOpenUniversity
