The Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) prepares to reopen its doors to thousands of students for another academic year of Flexible learning.
However, back in 2020, students struggled to adjust to the demands of online learning since schools transitioned to remote education. Days where numerous students and organizations have called for an "academic freeze" while the country battles the pandemic. A pleasant recollection of the academic freeze being pushed and rejected by the commission.
It was not concealed from us that the previous school year has not been filled with rainbows and butterflies; strange as it may seem, education, school, no longer appears to be about learning but rather about being lost in thought of ‘what if's’. It had developed into the students' ideology to pass for the sake of gaining. Is it gaining what? Academic validation, perhaps as a coping mechanism, or to stop one's brain in fear of failing.
And as was the case last year, the new school year is being backdropped by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, which is unlikely to abate anytime soon.
Nonetheless, as PUP welcomes a new level of information to help us get through this bewildering period, the university also gives way to a new set of knowledge for the school year 2021-2022. As the new set of students enter and demonstrate their ability to conquer greater heights, the start of their college life entails embarking on a new venture.
For instance, the first days have always been the most difficult. Just being put in a position where your sole objective is to enforce how much you are good at a particular hobby or passion but ending up lost in a field with better individuals than you. Take note of that silent heartbreak you will experience upon discovering that you are not as good as you believe—that moment where it all appeared to be shared.
The first days were as frightening as entering a dark room without knowing a single person inside; it felt like a nightmare, like being a lost child in the woods, having no one to depend on. Unnerving and rather strange, but rooms for improvement are there; meeting new friends and building connections through organizations; trying new things is the scariest part of learning, but who cares? That comfort zone of yours will eventually destroy you anyway.
It is essential to take note of those professors with whom you cannot even keep in touch on the first day of class. They were some of the most heinous individuals when it came to exams and quizzes, even that one instructor who will instill fear in you and will make you tremble. Indeed, the distress of the first days can be defined in myriad ways.
Moreover, with a bit of planning and creativity, infusing the first days with warmth and inspiration is easier than you think. The first week of school should be used to habituate to your new surroundings. Knowing how to address a blockmate by name and using proper pronunciation is a simple way to demonstrate your curiosity about them. There is a greater chance that you will meet a blockmate through membership in organizations or student publications. Collaborate with them to seek out these opportunities and meet new people. In the end, you'll have a great buddy to start your university life with. "They are the ones who will help you reach your own silver lining," a statement inferred by Mika Doria.
There is substantial doubt about how university life will be affected by the country's deteriorating situation. Whether this runs smoothly or remains the same as the previous years remains a question. The hope is that students will maintain their resilience and begin to develop a sense of community in their new digital context. Regardless, everyone was obligated to keep a clear head and have realistic expectations of this new normal. The origin of this problem lies in the radicalism that is inherent in evil.
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Written by: Chloe Alpay Layout and Design by: Gerald Reyes
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