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My worst college experience
College, as I came to know it, is a combination of both fascinating and bad experiences which makes it even more exciting. I could tell a number of bad memories. I can still recall the naughty things I did. Most of all I could never forget the happy times. If I am to narrate my college experiences, I could create a book! (laugh). Anyway, fun is a word that you’ll always remember if you are to take a look back to your college life, and yet it isn’t all fun…..
My worst experience as a college student happened when I was in my first year. I actually went to UE because my sister kind of convinced me. She said that it has the best library, which is true. She said (at that time) it has the lowest tuition fee among the Universities in the U-belt. She said it is near and very accessible and we would be together so I won’t have a hard time adjusting to the new environment. She also mentioned that, unlike most Universities, UE never gets flooded, so it doesn’t suspend classes due to rain. I was so excited because of these reasons; little did I know that UE’s commitment to “not suspending classes due to rain” would also give me a reason to hate it. I was the type of student who was so afraid to break the rules. I follow everything by the book. I used to insist coming to school even if there were typhoons especially if there were no announcements of class suspensions.
I can’t recall the name of the typhoon but it was one of those super typhoons that hit the country. It wasn’t raining when my sister and I left home to go to school, but you can tell that a storm was brewing. We were waiting for PAGASA to announce the suspension of classes and they did, for elementary and high school students. We were trying to call the University number to ask if classes were suspended but the answer that my mom got was “PAGASA said that it is only elementary and high school”. So despite our mom’s protest we went to school. Classes went on fine in the morning, but when lunch time came, there was a heavy downpour of rain so we were expecting they would cut the classes, but they never did. My sister told me that we should go home before things got worse, but I said “no, we have to wait for the University to announce it. I don’t want my Prof to mark me absent because I went home”. At around 3:30PM, water from the roof of the engineering building came all the way down, flooding the vicinity. I was in the library and was so oblivious of what was happening outside. I was surprised when I saw my sister approaching me (her class was until 6:00PM) and she said that classes were suspended because of the heavy rains. My sister and I went out of the University around 4:00PM and we had to walk all the way from Recto to Quiapo Church to find a jeepney to ride, but to no avail. There were jeepney drivers who braved the storm but they were stuck in traffic, because the roads were flooded. It was past six already and yet we were still on the road waiting for a ride home. Vehicles were jam-packed, fast food chains were full and even the University gate was crowded by stranded students. My sister and I were both wet because we tried to walk as much distance as we can to find a jeepney that could accommodate us both. My feet were sore and soaked. I really wanted to remove my socks that time and walk on bare feet but I was more afraid of getting pricked by something sharp as we walked through the flooded streets. My sister and I ate biscuits and couldn’t finish our soft drinks as we were getting cold. I thought it was 11pm when we finally managed to find a full jeepney but the driver took pity on us as he saw us walking and then stopping to check if a miracle would happen. He said that we could hop in though there was one seat left. I told my sister to take that single seat because she was wearing a skirt and I sat on the floor (lapag ng jeep), not caring anymore because my legs were killing me that time. I fell asleep and my sister woke me up to tell me that someone has vacated a seat.
I didn’t know how long I had slept so I was surprised when my sister said that we had arrived at our destination, one more ride and we were home. My mom was so angry when she saw us and I was shocked to find out that it was already 2 o’clock in the morning! I didn’t know it took us that long to finally reach home. I was so exhausted. The following morning my body was aching and I felt sick, good thing classes were still suspended so I had time to rest. I vowed never to let it happen again.
Years later, after my so called “long break” from college, it seemed like UE has not change, it is still the last University to cancel or suspend classes during rallies, typhoons and other calamities. But I learned my lesson, and I learned it well, so if a situation arises, I never let other people or an institution (in this case) to decide especially on situations like what I experienced, on what to do. If you know that it will cause you suffering, decide and if ever there are consequences, so be it. Face it.
A Library encounter
I was fortunate enough to spend “so much” time in college. This lengthy stay gave me and will give me more experiences I need to be ready for what lies ahead. I started year 1999 at age sixteen and until now I’m still in “it”. Yes, it has been nine years since I was once a “college greenhorn” and honestly, I haven’t had enough yet (laugh). Funny thing is, my most unforgettable experience in college, happened not during my first year, but the year I came back from a 4-year hiatus.
I have always been a “library person”. It is my favorite spot in the University. Aside from books, it is a quiet place, perfect for (the then introvert) me. It was the Monday before the final exams week, so students flocked to the library to study, and I was there for the same purpose. I tried to search for a vacant seat to drop off my things so I can go to the comfort room free of my stuff. I was able to find my favorite spot empty so I hurried and deposited my things and went out again to do what I had to do. I left everything, which was a mistake. My cell phone is always on silent mode, so I am confident that whoever calls me at whatever time and wherever I am, I am not going to disturb anyone or cause any inconvenience. That day was not the case though. While I was out of the library, doing my “thing”, my Aunt who was in the Middle East that time chose to call. No problem, I always love hearing from relatives abroad. The thing was my cell phone was on full volume. It was ringing (loudly) for three minutes or so. Of course, I was unaware of it. So when I got back I saw the guard waiting for the owner of that loud cell phone. When I reached for my things the Guard asked me “ikaw ba ang may-ari ng bag na yan?” (Are you the owner of that bag?) I said yes, nonchalantly. He then said, “Ang ingay ng cell phone mo, di mo in-off, bawal cell phones sa loob ng library. Alam mo ba yun?”(You forgot to turn your cell phone off it was so noisy. Didn’t you know cell phones are not allowed in the library?) I said “how could that be, e madalas po ako dito at laging naka-silent ang phone ko?”(I frequent the library and my phone is always turned off), while reaching for my bag to check that wretched “thing”. The guard was so mad, because he thought I was trying to argue with him. When I looked at my cell phone, yes it was not on silent mode. Then I remembered my nephew played with it the previous day, so I must have forgotten to turn the volume off. The Guard’s voice was rising one decibel higher every time he spoke so the scene was drawing attention. I apologized and tried to explain but the Guard said “ Gusto mo kunin ko pangalan mo para hindi ka na makapasok dito?”(Would you want me to get your name so you would be banned here?). Those words ticked me off! I said (in Filipino), “I apologized but you don’t have to threaten me, I know the mistake that’s why I am trying to say sorry but you won’t let me,” and before he can touch me (he was trying to reach for me while I was doing my little speech), I picked my things and walked out of the library. I was so humiliated that I was crying on the hallway. Then I realized I just couldn’t let this pass. I went back and asked for the Guard’s name, which his colleagues willingly gave me. It turned out I was not the first student who was treated rudely by that guy. I did not rest my case; I went to the Security Guard’s office and reported him to his superior. I filed an incident report and explained everything. All wanted, I said is “for the Guard to respect students”. I didn’t do anything wrong except forgot to turn my cell off. He could have approached me and advised me of the mistake without causing a scene. I went back to the library the following day and saw the same guard looking like a whipped boy. I found out that he was reprimanded and had been advised to deal with students accordingly.
I did not know I have it in me. I thought I just don’t have the courage to confront someone or report someone for doing something wrong. After that incident, I am no longer afraid to speak my mind and take action if necessary. That incident, four years ago introduced me to the “world of the adults”.
Working gal
Gentleman, anyone?
It has been my daily routine to ride a bus and a jeepney on my way to work and eventually to school. It is clockwork but I am use to it. I even find something to laugh about to relieve stress. .I enjoy watching people sleep (I do that too!), during rush hour. I also love watching people bump each other to get the last seat (I don’t participate in this activity), to avoid waiting for another bus or jeepney to arrive ( I would rather wait). I can even make up stories just by watching people inside a vehicle (this I do when I am really bored!). I never thought for a single second that I would also find something not to like in this daily routine.
My siblings and friends always tell me that the world has changed a lot, so I need to change some of my views as well. Sometimes when I engaged in an argument with them, I almost feel like I am from a different world or perhaps someone from the 18th century trapped in a body of a 21st century female. The arguments are petty, though sometimes they present good perspectives that I try ( I said I try) to consider. One time I was in an argument with a friend. She said that men and women should be treated as equal. I totally agreed with her but what started the argument was when he said that there are no gentlemen left. I said ” I beg to differ , there may be a lot of guys who don’t posses the characteristic anymore, but there are still left”. She said that is my opinion and I said I stick to it. Little did I know that I would have an experience that would shake that firm resolve. A week later, we had our mock press conference in school, and I was on the evening shift, so I had to go straight from school to work and I brought a lot of things with me. I rode a jeep and it was raining so I was wet (the bottom half of my pants were dripping!). I got off the jeep and went to ride on a bus. I stood in the waiting shed and the bus that came by was almost full but I hopped in anyway to avoid being late.
I took the seat that was in the middle of two guys (you know the seating configuration of a bus, there are three seats on the right and two seats on the left) because that was the closest seat I could get, neither of them moved and the guy on the aisle seat did not budge to give me room. That was fine. So with all the things I had with me, I squeezed in to take the middle seat. A few minutes later, the guy on the window side moved, he was about to arrive in his destination, meaning I had to move my butt and gave him way! I was like, “Why he didn’t tell me or at least gave me his seat so I could have it and make it easier for him to get off the bus?” Being the type of person who doesn’t get piss off easily, I stood and gave way. Now the guy on the aisle looked at me, (I was having a hard time clutching my things so I was mumbling!) and smiled, that awful, awful smile! He didn’t bother to offer any assistance, he just smiled at me as if he can make things easier for me just by doing that! I told my self to stay calm. At last I arrived work and I was really glad that I was about to leave that horrible guy. I gathered my things with both my hands and excused myself. The guy was sleeping so he didn’t hear me. I said it again. He opened his eyes this time and just moved himself sideways and did not bother to get up!I felt like screaming at him for being so unbearable but I didn’t. If the guy can’t act like a gentleman, I had to remain the LADY, so I didn’t snap at him. I just went off the bus and tried to forget the incident.
I just can’t imagine what others would do once expose to a situation like that, I handled it like I normally would but what about the others? I wonder what the old ladies inside a crowded bus; pregnant women standing in a crammed full train and women sitting on half of their butts in a jam-packed jeepney, would do. I told my friend what happened and she gave me the “I-told-you-so” look. I never thought that I would experience such ungentlemanly behavior, but I did. I may have doubts now, but I still believe that there are still guys to prove those non-believers wrong. So to the gentlemen out there, step out of the shadows, before these men wipe out what is left of your kind.
