LET’S BE HONEST, we all entered San Beda with one thing in mind: leave this place in 4 years. But life does not always follow the timeline we carefully planned, and sometimes, the only choice we have is to give ourselves grace and keep moving forward.

As you begin navigating this new chapter of your life, you may find yourself wondering, How long will this chapter last? Chances are, you’ve also been asked, “Where do you see yourself in four years?” Your answer probably includes wearing a toga, receiving your diploma, and finally stepping into the next phase of your life.

Dearest freshmen, let me tell you this now: college is no walk in the park. You’ll encounter professors who will test not only your knowledge but also your patience. You’ll juggle demanding major courses alongside minor subjects. You may experience setbacks you never anticipated, whether academic, financial, or emotional. 

And when life happens, the four-year plan you once held so tightly may begin to unravel. Knock on wood and hope you never have to find out what it’s like to extend your stay by another semester…or two.

But if you do, don’t spend your days replaying the words, “I’m a failure,” in your head. Don’t measure your worth against the people you entered the lion’s den with. Their timeline is not yours, and yours is no less meaningful because it took a different route.

Some people graduate exactly on time. Others take five, six, or even more years. Some shift degree programs after realizing they were chasing a dream that wasn’t truly theirs. Some pause their studies to support their families, prioritize their health, or simply because life demands it. None of these stories make them less deserving of crossing the stage.

We often treat college like a race, believing that the first to graduate somehow wins. But it was never meant to be a competition of who gets there or the fastest. It’s a journey of growth, resilience, and discovering who you become in the process. There is no medal for finishing first if you lose yourself trying to keep up with everyone else.

The truth is, taking longer than four years may teach you lessons that no classroom ever could. It teaches humility when your plans fall apart, perseverance when every semester feels heavier than the last, and compassion—not just for others, but for yourself.

So if it takes you more than four years, don’t let shame convince you that you’ve fallen behind because you’re simply taking the path life has placed before you, and that path deserves just as much respect as anyone else’s.

After all, a delayed graduation is still a graduation. The finish line remains the same, even if the route looks different.

And when you finally walk across that stage, the number of years it took won’t matter nearly as much as the fact that, despite everything, you never stopped moving forward.