Words and Photos by Lorraine Giron
College life is one of the most exciting yet daunting phases in one’s life. We enter these institutions hopeful, armed with optimism and enthusiasm for the future. However, the reality is college is not all rainbows and butterflies. This is why finishing and getting that diploma is not just a testimony of one’s hard work but the fact that one has survived amidst all the challenges. Seven graduating students share their insights on how college life has changed them for the better, and talk about their fears, hopes and aspirations after graduation in this post.
Below are their stories.
7. “I remain optimistic despite being unsure of many things.”
How has college life changed you for the better?
“I believe I have a better study habit now than when I was in high school. Since I have to travel to school everyday for two hours, I learned how important time management is. Also, I became closer with my family and friends because of the hardships I face. College life made my will and mind stronger but my heart for the people softer. I am more ready to take risks now and face challenges in life.”
What are your fears, hopes and aspirations after graduation?
“I have fears of what should I do first, when do I start and where will I begin. I was never sure of what I want to pursue as my career, not because I do not want anything but I want too many things. For now, I will follow the path that my parents wanted and see where it would lead me, hoping that through the way, I would be where I rightfully belong.”
6. “I hope to find my niche after College.”
How has college life changed you for the better?
“At first, I would not say that it changed me for the better but rather for the worst, however, after I reflected on my stay in College, I would rather not label it with better or worst. I prefer to say that… it just changed me substantially. During my stay in College, I went through a lot of difficult times – to the point that I have lost myself. It was tough, taking into consideration other external factors, but I chose to fight. To still strive and get back up every time something knocks me down. That is why I choose to say that it just changed me because it made me lose myself, yet it also made me stronger than before.”
What are your fears, hopes and aspirations after graduation?
“At first, I would not say that it changed me for the better but rather for the worst, however, after I reflected on my stay in AMV I would rather not label it with better or worst. I prefer to say that it just changed me substantially. During my stay in AMV, I went through a lot of difficult times, to the point that I have lost myself. It was tough, taking into consideration other external factors, but I chose to fight. To still strive and get back up every time something knocks me down. That is why I choose to say that it just changed me because my stay made me lose myself, yet it also made me stronger than before.
After college, I just really hope that I find something I want to do my life, something that I am passionate about. Its my fear to not know my true calling and to have waste my time doing something that I really do not want to do but I have to do to make a living. In addition, I aspire to feel free and just have the best time of my life.”
ALSO READ: An Open Letter To Those Graduating From A Course They Didn’t Love
5. “I learned to persevere for my goals.”
How has college life changed you for the better?
“It changed me in a way that I am now able to make decisions carefully. I am also now able to distinguish the things that need to be prioritized because I have realized that every decision I make could either make or break my future. College also made me realize that nothing worth having comes easily. One needs to earn it to have it if he or she really wants it.”
What are your fears, hopes and aspirations after graduation?
“I fear that the future I planned for myself and for my family won’t be met, and the possibility of being a disappointment not just to the people I love, but also to myself. However, despite that, I still hope that I remain as free-spirited as I am now in the future, and that my future job won’t hinder me from doing the things I am most passionate about.”
4. “I hope to become a good teacher in the future.”
How has college life changed you for the better?
“College life shaped me and prepared me for the world of work. It made me realize the true meaning of professionalism. As education majors, we are trained to handle different people, because we handle teenagers with different capabilities and potentials and also socialize and work with colleagues from different schools.”
What are your fears, hopes and aspirations after graduation?
“Siguro, my biggest fear in the future is that I may not satisfy the expectations they set because as teachers, we don’t just train and teach students, we shape them to that “someone” who they want to achieve in the future. I also aspire to teach in college because I want to share what I learned and also help them establish the “golden path” of their chosen profession.”
3. “My perspective has widened”
How has college life changed you for the better?
“The things I learned from College did not come from the subjects I enrolled in but from the people I’ve met. These experiences gave me an empathetic perspective…galing ako sa province na I think ganito yung society very typical, pero ayon hindi pala – mas complex. Grateful ako kasi it changed me to become more open-minded because of the different people with their struggles. I hope I can also share these lessons to others”
What are your fears, hopes and aspirations after graduation?
“Nandito na ako sa stage ng life na nagreready na ako sa mga job interviews and completing the requirements for employment. For me, it’s important to do your best in everything you do and maintain a low expectation level para hindi ma-disappoint. I hope that I can meet more people with lovely personalities! And lastly, do all things with love to make the job worthwhile.”
2. “I was able to come out of my comfort zone”
How has college life changed you for the better?
“From shy, to not so shy na! Dati sobrang mahiyain ko talaga, as in! Yung tipong hindi ako magsasalita unless tanungin ako. More often than not, sobrang ikli lang din ng sagot ko. I don’t often join groups of people, especially if hindi ko kilala. Sa friends ko lang talaga ako nakadikit lagi haha! Pero eventually, especially after ko magshift from AMV to AB, I had to get up on my own feet. Since irregular ako, I was forced to talk to people. Eh usually, hindi talaga ako ganun. I let my friends do the talking. Tapos puro reportings and presentations sa AB, so kailangan ko i-up yung game ko. Hindi ka magsusurvive kung mahiyain ka. From then on, I learned how to mingle with others smoothly, tapos sa presentations, usually nag vovolunteer na rin ako.”
What are your fears, hopes and aspirations after graduation?
“Sa ngayon, gusto ko makahanap ng stable na work and income para makaipon. Pero sa future, pangarap ko syempre maka-travel talaga! Yung fear ko siguro is failure? Nakakatakot din kasi yung may plano or dreams ka na, pero hindi ka sigurado if aayon yun sa gusto mo. Maraming adjustments pa yan for sure, and maraming magbabago. Despite that, gusto ko lang ng simple at masayang buhay sa hinaharap”
1. “I hope to become a better person for my family and society”
How has college life changed you for the better?
“College life changed me for the better by making me experience obstacles that I have never encountered before, especially that I am in an environment I was unfamiliar with. Over time, I was able to find people who I can rely on and learn from people that I couldn’t. It prepared me to appreciate the best in things and to stand straight amidst adversities inside and outside of the school, even if I have to do it alone. My college life was the time I was humbled from the illusion of a life without consequences. And broken as I may be, I’ve never felt better going through it.”
What are your fears, hopes and aspirations after graduation?
“I hope to be successful in life in whichever path I take. I want to give back to my family’s sacrifices for me and at the same time, I want to help the world to become a better place.”
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Despite the various emotions we feel about college, we cannot deny that the things we’ve learned from it has made a difference in our lives. Whether we graduated with honors or have simply passed all the course requirements, graduating from college is a huge accomplishment that one needs to be proud of. Likewise, it is also a new start and a reminder that there is a much bigger road ahead. The next phase after college—the “real world”, as adults call it—has many new challenges and opportunities to make oneself a better person.
How about you? Are you a new graduate? What did you learn most from all your years studying? Tell us in the comments.
