Irregular Student: What is College all about?

Let’s start this way, I’m not an educator. Yes, I’ve been staying in College for 5 years now but I’m not writing this to preach all the things every frosh student should now. Rather, I will share all the accumulated stories and lessons I’ve concluded this past few but dreadful days of final term of this semester.

1. You will lose sleep

Literally. Having 1 to 3 hours of sleep is already a blessing and those snatched kind of sleep while in jeepney will suffice. The hardest moment is seeing your bed trying to seduce you but you have to fight hard and keep your whole system awake just to finish all the paperwork that is due later morning. Just a friendly reminder, it is not really good not to have any sleep at all. It may sound bad ass when your classmates heard that you didn’t sleep for schoolwork but trust me, it’s dangerous. So when you have the opportunity, sleep and take a good rest.

2. Coffee flows in my bloodstream

As what I’m always saying, “The coffee is the only thing that keeps me going and keeps me awake at this time.” I love coffee as much as my tummy hates it. I’m hyper acidic and I have no choice but to take cups of coffee before I got to start with my schoolwork to keep me buzzed up. But then again, a friendly reminder: too much is not good. Mostly to those who are hyper acidic like me, always have Simethicone in your pockets in case the acids kick in. Also, too much caffeine will give you palpitations and intense nervousness so drink at your own risk.

3. Everyone is your friend

One of the ugly traits of me in terms of group work is that I suck at it. I don’t know how to work in group; I always do everything by myself alone, I seldom ask someone to help me or do something for me. Maybe I don’t trust their ability to produce a good output, or maybe I just trust too much my ability to do something beyond average. Well, who loves mediocre output? But in College, I have learned that in group, you have to work in group; you have to work as a team – helping each other out, striving for the best altogether. I have learned to seek everybody’s help, someone’s participation, theirs opinions and ideas. Apparently, it is good to receive their help, to hear their thoughts, to share all the stress and together used it to comply with the deadlines.

4. Patience and soft response can go a long way

I’m impatient. Everyone who knew me knows that I don’t know how to be patient that long. And when impatient strikes, I tend to be so grumpy and from that I cannot talk without being so mad and worse retort in unpleasant manner. To those people who experienced this type of Kat, I’m deeply sorry. I have realized that in order to settle down all the business and dealings, we have to be patient and respond with kindness – whatever the situation.

5. Hard work + prayer

Hard work only results to failure and frustrations. Prayer only results to hoping without action. We cannot receive what we don’t work hard for. Same as to we cannot receive what we do not pray hard for. It’s comes hand in hand; when you pray hard, you also work hard. Aside from that, prayer is a very powerful way to release all the stress, receive strength, and receive endurance to surpass mountain-high school work. Prayer changes your perspective, emotions, and empowers you to work harder.

6. Everything has an ending

Say it to yourself! Everything has an ending. You may not see it now but trust me; one semester will not take longer than 5 months. If you are being trapped in between of that paperwork, examinations, and projects, keep in mind that you will finish all of it.

7. It is all in your mind

According to my own statistics (Yep, you read it right), 90% of my problems were built up because of how I think. True story, I’m a pessimist. I always doubt, think negatively, and worry. I always end up crying from all the stress I’ve been getting from school plus the negative things that’s trying to poison my mind. What we think will manifest outside through our speech and actions. If we think that we will fail, then we will fail. If you think that you cannot do it; certainly, you will not do it. If you are to recognize all the wrong mindset, remove those, and replace those with positive ones then I’m sure as hell that you will outdo it.

8. Put God at the center of everything

Where else would you place Him? Outside? No, not a good idea. I have come to the realization that I cannot do anything without God as the source of my strength, knowledge, wisdom, patience, kindness, perseverance, endurance, and boldness. I’m 105% lazy, procrastinator, negative-thinker, but with Him as the great life changer, He changed my game – He taught me how to be like Him in this crazy time, to be like Him in this wild place. And when good things come up, I know that He is the one who is worthy to be thanked for because after all, it is He who provided everything I need.

College is hard. There’s no easy program but only persevere students. In 7 months, I’ll be finally done in College but as early as now, I can say that being in College will not just teach you all the things you need to learn in your chosen program but it will teach you things that cannot be found in books but can only be learned through experiencing it. May it take to 5 or 7 years of studying, what matters most is that you’ll get out of that school holding not just your diploma but also the values and testimonies of a sleepless-caffeine-induced student.