The One Where the University Students Tell All

written by Gushi Montes

(4th Year UP Diliman)

On a past activity on June 16, 2012

University life undeniably brings about many significant changes and realizations to those who decide to undertake it. Entering the university thus remains to be a daunting prospect, even in the Philippines, where going to college is deemed a routine step after high school. For college freshmen, in particular, entering a university can become a stressful and difficult experience, as they get their first actual taste of what real life has to offer.

Hence, to welcome the freshmen and ease their anxieties about the university, college veterans from the major universities in the Philippines were invited to speak in an open-forum discussion on issues and concerns about university life. College freshmen, high school seniors, teachers and mentors were likewise invited to participate in the discussion. The forum, which took place in the Narra Nueva living room, served as the activity hosted by the C.S.I. to hail the start of the school year.

The discussion was free-flowing and lively, with moderator Ina Capulong opening the forum by asking the speakers to give their general impressions about their respective universities. Coming from the University of the Philippines (UP), I talked about how diversity and competitiveness in University of the Philippinesbecome key concerns that UP freshmen should be prepared to deal with. Another UP student, Zarina San Jose, similarly noted that the diversity of professors in the University of the Philippines can lead to make-or-break situations in the academic life of a UP student. For the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P), moderator Ina Capulong described how UA&P effectively prepares its students for their professional careers in the workforce. Margaux Antonio, also a UA&P student, likewise listed the advantages and disadvantages of her university’s relatively small size. Ateneo de Manila (AdMU) students Kamille Vera and Ingrid Calub debunked popular myths about attending their university, while former De La Salle University students Celine Miranda and Mia Olivares talked about the challenges of balancing academic and organization life within a trimester set-up.

As the speakers gave their impressions, the audience contributed to the animated discussion by raising intriguing questions. Chiqui Agoncillo, a freshman at the University of the Philippines, asked if freshmen were “being unnecessarily paranoid” upon entering the University, based on what several upperclassmen have told her. I answered her question by discussing how “being paranoid” is a trait that freshmen may need sometimes, especially since freshmen have to deal with many things that upperclassmen do not need to adjust to. Carmela Vertido, a mentor of several college students, asked for more details on how students can deal with professors. Zarina San Jose then talked about how professors can come in all shapes and sizes, but they nevertheless generally treat students as equals within the university setting. Other audience members also asked how college students can handle balancing their faith and religion amidst influences in the university which may oppose them. Kamille Vera answered the question by explaining that it is very possible for college students to be open-minded about other viewpoints and perspectives but remain firm in their own religious beliefs and convictions within the university.

Although the discussion gravitated towards serious topics, there were many laughs and light moments as the speakers shared their own experiences as freshmen, from getting lost in their respective campuses to meeting all sorts of friends from different places. The forum also ended abruptly with the cheerful announcement of a “college-style” merienda, wherein pizza, potato chips and s’mores were served to all the forum’s participants.

As they went their separate ways, both the college veterans, refreshed by recalling their past days in the university, and the freshmen, now armed with advice and cheerful support from their ates, felt more than ready to tackle head-on the challenges that await them in their universities during this coming academic year.

Photos care of Zars San Jose