4 Frequently Asked Questions in the Maritime Industry (And How They Can Help Aspiring Students Like You)

Being a seafarer is a strenuous venture. Maritime schools Philippines implement strict rules and regulations as there are hurdles you have to overcome before you become a true blue marine. You might have asked yourself these queries too; so before you pursue this kind of career, let these 4 main questions serve as your guide:


1. What skills will help me succeed in this profession?

If you have these basic skills as early as now, then you’re one step ready to the profession of your dreams.

• Endurance – The long hours, the emotional toll of being away from family, and vigorous physical activities are just some of the stressors that you have to endure when pursuing a career in the industry. A high tolerance for any kind of pain and passion for what you do can come a long way.

• Critical Thinking & Analytical Skills – How you approach a problem is vital when choosing the life at sea. What would you do if there are serious emergencies like sudden severe ship damage, traumas, or medical matters? As a seaman, you have to think on your feet.

• Interpersonal Skills – The people you will be interacting with will be your colleagues for months. Establishing a strong working relationship and getting along with your shipmates is an integral part of your survival.

2. What kind of work can I do on board?

You can consider these jobs at sea:

• Captain – The captain usually takes care of the navigation and operation of all types of vessels. He/She also works with officers and crew to set a ship's speed and course, monitor a ship's positions, and avoid hazards. Captains also ensure their ship's engines and equipment are maintained and that proper safety procedures are up to par.

• Ship Deck Officers – They are also referred to as the captain’s right hand. Ship officers are the people who hold a nautical or technical certificate of competence. They assure that vessel is held on its correct course for 24 hours.

• Ship Engineers – Ships are complex machines that are divided in many parts. The ship engineers are responsible for keeping the ship and all of the machinery’s smooth running.

• Ratings – They assist in their tasks like mooring, cleaning of the ship and its holds and repairing broken ropes. This require strong physical endurance

3. How about land-based careers?

Landing a career at this industry is not only limited to the sea. These can also be your options before considering entering a maritime school in the country:

• Shipbuilding and repair careers – The engineering, design, construction, and ship repair fall under this category. You can choose among a roster of positions, ranging from riggers to diesel mechanics and marine engineers.

• Port operations – Port activities like cargo loading and unloading are the main focus of port operations. The port is a busy place so make sure that you can handle the physical stress. Usual positions include port security officers and port and fleet managers.

• Shore-based crossover – For those who don’t really prefer to go to sea, but would like to work for the industry, a shore-besd professional career is ideal for you. You can choose to be a warehouse worker, executive assistant, and chief executive among many other career options.

4. How can I cope with the stress?

Yes, it’s been proven that life at seas has its challenges but it also has its perks! Facilities vary from ship to ship but most vessels have recreational activities available for seafarers. Employers understand your needs and they will give you the necessary resources like home theater systems, gymnasium, libraries, table tennis, and for modern ships, they even have internet options to be able to communicate with loved ones.

No one can doubt the hardships that come with entering a maritime school here in the Philippines but think of it as a small price to pay for a long term of success!

10 Study Tips for Maritime Senior High School Students

If you’re feeling fidgety about a test, don’t worry; there are certain strategies that can get you prepped in no time. Aside from not panicking, here are 10 study tips that can help senior high school for maritime like you ace your exams:

Give Yourself Enough Time to Study


Practice effective procrastination. Yes, that’s an actual thing. There’s a good method for managing laziness. As detailed by Time, the key to productivity is to make more commitments but in a methodical way. Make a to-do list, put impossible tasks on top and then put the doable tasks down the list. The psychology behind this is to play projects off against each other, procrastinating on one by working on another. This goes to show that we are willing to pursue any vile task as long as it allows us to avoid something worse. It’s safe to say that it’s okay to procrastinate just as long you do it the right way.


Declutter Your Study Area


Whether it be your closet or office desk, excess things in your surroundings can have a negative impact on your ability to focus and process information. Make sure to clear out your desk first before studying for an exam to make your brain more receptive to details.

Organize a Study Group with Friends


When forming a study group, keep in mind that it’s for the sole purpose of learning. The first step to make a successful group session is to stay focused! Aside from being a great support system, it’s an opportunity to learn beyond what you know and it makes learning fun and a bit more bearable. Form a group with 4-6 members with the same goal as yours and you’ll be surprised with the outcome.

Eat Healthy


And by eating healthy, I mean snacking on some brain food. Before you put this idea down the drain, hear me out. Did you know that to maintain a healthy brain you need to eat whole grains, beans, and nuts? Brain food like these can benefit you not only for your upcoming test but in the long run as well! These may seem like drab food choices but they are worth every bite.

Hydrate


Here’s one of the most basic methods to improve brain function, memory, and focus: drinking lots of water. When your body is packed with water, you will be able to think faster, be more focused, and experience clarity and creativity!

Prepare Yourself Physically


Maritime senior high schoolers like you need to prepare for the industry’s demanding nature. In the Philippines, trainings like SOLAS require students to be in tip-top shape. On top of these, you will also be given oral and written exams. Try engaging in specialized exercises to calm your nerves and strengthen your core for physical exams.

Make Flash cards


It’s just a fact: flashcards do work. These learning tools are proven to engage “active recall”, utilize metacognitive faculties (or act of self-reflection), and improves overall memory performance. The great thing is, you have the option to have it in digital form. How convenient is that?

Take Breaks

When doing any kind of task, taking breaks is an essential part of it. Too much information can make your brain prone to fatigue. When your brain is too tired, you’ll begin to lose focus, and if done so repetitively, you yourself could start losing interest. Fun fact: brief diversions from a task can dramatically improve one’s ability to focus on that task for prolonged periods.

Establish media-free zones

Keep gadgets in a place where you won’t hear it. As long as you have them within arm’s reach, you will constantly check it and the next thing you know, you’re already playing Everwing.

Think of it as delaying gratification—resist temptation now, reward yourself later.