I’LL NEVER FORGET how I started my college journey. The pandemic kept me stuck at home, taking online classes and wondering if my classmates in Zoom meetings were real or just figments of my imagination. Now, as I wrap up my college life in a hybrid setting, it’s clear that our batch never experienced face-to-face classes or the long-anticipated Integration event, which will forever be etched in our memories. 

Honestly, I didn’t expect things to turn out this way. I imagined starting my freshman year with a fresh start—making friends from diverse backgrounds, joining various organizations and committees, and volunteering. Instead, my beginning was far from ideal. 

College has been an emotional roller coaster. From late-night hangouts with friends after exams to breaking down in the middle of studying, it’s been a mix of joy and disappointment that we’ll look back on. It dawned on me that college can be either a miserable phase or a valuable lesson, much like a love-hate relationship. 

I remember crying at the LRT station at 7 PM during my junior year, listening to Seventeen’s “F My Life” while struggling with major requirements, including the Chapters 1-3 of our thesis. It was also when I received my first and only “5.00” in a 5-unit subject. The song seemed to perfectly capture my third year in school. I shed so many tears I almost dropped out of university, but I persevered, retaking the subject and passing with flying colors! 

Throughout, I questioned myself: “Should I step out of my comfort zone?” Can I still write?” I wondered if I should explore other aspects of college life, such as joining organizations. 

Thankfully, The Bedan helped me navigate university life and improve my writing skills, healing the wounds from my fear back in senior high school where my writing abilities were frequently questioned. Thanks to The Bedan, I grew more confident and never imagined that a laid-back person like me would become an FCR Editor. One thing that I’ve learned as a section editor for the publication is to always be true and let people know what you really are trying to promote within the community. It’s always a good thing to see students smiling, knowing the other perspective and interest of their blockmates or batchmate. I would miss that. Nonetheless, College truly is a wake-up call to “step up” and “be the best version of yourself.”  

Despite the disappointments, the enjoyment I found in college was the highlight of my student life. It was an “exploration” filled with unexpected situations and experiences. As they say, savor these surprises during college because they’re unique to this time in your life. 

With that, I’ll miss the spontaneous late-night hangouts with my friends, where my FEU buddy and I would drop by friend in DLSU and have dinner at Taft or P. Noval. I’ll also miss the impromptu food hunts with my blockmates, sparked by our random sharing of TikTok food videos. Not to mention the late-night meetings with my org mates, where I’d sprint to Legarda station just to catch the last train. Though these moments might seem trivial to some, they were small but significant sources of positivity for me amidst the challenges and breakdowns at school. 

As a graduating Psychology student, my advice is to stay positive and be kind to yourself, even when you’re on the brink of falling apart. As you transition from being a carefree teenager to adulthood, focus on your goals, take time for self-reflection, and treat yourself to a date now and then. Attend concerts, go watch a movie, or try coffee-shop hopping! Prioritize your health above all else and celebrate the small victories. Shoutout to my college friends as well, psychology would have been much harder without the support of you who helped explain countless terminologies and concepts. To my juniors, always read and listen to your professors.  

Now, I find myself at the final stage of my college journey, balancing writing an opinion article with searching for a job as I step into the real world of adulthood. I’m admittedly nervous about what the future holds, but I remain hopeful that I will achieve my ultimate goal: earning that MD. 

To end this column, I would just like to share a words inspiration to you from what Joshua from Seventeen said in the UNESCO Youth Ceremony, “Every single dream matter, whether it is big or small, loud or quiet, traditional or innovative, personal or public, never let anyone, including yourself, belittle your dream.” And, as what NCT Dream said, “Just keep looking to the stars!”  

This is your The Bedan Vol 81. FCR Editor, signing off. Happy graduation to us, Seniors!