A Chapter in the Book Called Life

Saying good bye to highschool and welcoming college is a hard thing to do. It is a tough transition in life that will bring you good and bad memories and experiences that you'll always remember as you go on with life. The transition from pre-school to elementary and elementary to highschool is somewhat the same even when you transfer schools in between those group of years. But entering college is like opening a new book where you'll encounter another set of characters or another mood and another story or another set of problems. College may or may not be a tough yet exciting experience to cherish.

I could still remember the moment I knew I passed my dream school. Minutes before that, I was not at home with my mom and brother (and dad's at work) and I was texting my classmate about random things to kill time. Then he randomly told me that our classmate passed the entrance test. I was shocked and nervous at the same time because in a matter of time, I'll know the result of the test I took almost 8 months ago. In no time, I'll cry for the result, no matter if it's positive or not. I hurriedly went home alone and I was crying while opening the computer. My hands were shaking while waiting for the entire site to load. I was praying while searching for the group of names I may or may not be included. And I never knew I could do a lot of things at the same time. I swear, I was almost out of breath waiting for the list of names I clicked when I found out that it was a wrong group. And after clicking the right group, I was not able to see my name... that instant. I almost jumped for joy while tears run down my face when I saw my name, with my most desired course and the campus where I was dreaming to study college. I received a letter days after and the next thing I know, I'm holding my First Semester class schedule in UP Los Baños.

I found it hard to adapt to the new environment knowing that I don't have my parents and brother with me while I open myself to another set of experiences to go through. It was hard, and is still hard, waking up each day feeling excited and nervous to what will happen throughout the day. It is hard to be living independently for the first time in my life. It was hard finding people who you'll trust and hard avoiding things that you should not do. And after clicking the right group, I was not able to see my name... that instant. I almost jumped for joy while tears run down my face when I saw my name, with my most desired course and the campus where I was dreaming to study college. I received a letter days after and the next thing I know, I'm holding my First Semester class schedule in UP Los Baños.

Time ran fast. I was with my BS ComSci blocmates talking to each other, not minding the excessive heat, waiting for the campus tour to start. I was in a line to the open field waiting to be seated and to hear the welcome and inspiring messages of UPLB chancellor, deans and college secretaries, fellow iskolars ng bayan and even Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2013 Ariella Arida. I was sitting in a comfortable armed-chair holding my form 5 and looking at it from time to time, checking if I am on the right class. I was writing my name in a logbook proving that I have my identification card already. And I was walking on the way to my dorm since my last class for the day had just ended.

Then it hit me, whether I like it or not, I'd still be experiencing this kind of challenge. But without this, I won't ever get much happiness and success that I aim to have. Without this, I know, things will be as it is.. No hardships but no enjoyment. I could never say that I had fulfilled my dreams. Dreams that I longed to have ever since. And above all the things I've shared and realized, one thing is for sure. This is not the end of my life. This is just another chapter in the book called life. And sooner or later, I'll miss this life-changing event that once happened to me, the day I entered college.

xo S. ♥