It is ironic but it is a fact that while focusing yourself in studying, it is important to have a piece of your time for enjoyment to add more comfort and more attention in your studies. To have a clearer view, it is significant that a person must appreciate the environment where he/she is accomplishing his/her education. Like me, as one of the blessed qualifiers to study in the University of the Philippines Manila, it adds to my focusing on my studies the way I enjoy the benefits I get in enrolling here in this University.
University of the Philippines, Founded in 1908 that screens students like a filter that only let pass the finest of the grains of the creams of crops all over the Philippines. The University that dominates other schools in academics and competitive in social activities and politics. These are just some phrases to describe UP but how about the description from me, myself, describing the University from my experience by sharing what I like most in studying to this so called University of the Philippines in Manila.
As you received the letter of acceptance from UP, you already experienced one Joy that you will enjoy for the rest of your life that others would not. It is the honor and prestige on which you are divided from students of other schools. Along this comes you’re distinction as a person that is smart. This is one thing that I like in studying in UP that I can walk around head lifted and with confidence as I mingle with others people. One thing that tickles my senses is that when others talk about me, like my mom or someone close to me introduces me to someone as a UP student, then his/her friend will have a reaction that will be flattering..
Another thing is that studying in UP is with freedom and liberation. You can say what u has to say, you can express what you wanted to. Just like on the first day of classes, one of the speaker in the orientation mentioned “virginity”. Tough he made an association with the word, he proved to the freshmen that you are free to express what you feel. But it also has limits which is properly accepted by all that we are free to express anything just don’t break the rule of respect for others. That is something to grasp at because you have freedom and you have your respect. Moreover, this is also a reason why in every major movement for change in our country, UP is not left behind thus he participates in good number for our country.
It is also in this University that you can meet various kinds of people in different states of life. Unlike schools like la Salle and Ateneo, Majority of the population are from what you call “Socialites” meaning, people who are in a high state of life and showing where state are they. In UP, you can meet and be friends with these people and others who are in lower social state but with respected principles. In short, all kinds of people are in this school because everyone likes to qualify in this school, the rich, the poor and the average.
I also like the fact that anyone in any fashion can enter UP. There is no Uniform or dress code, all you need is to be descent enough to be seen to enter the school. It is in my own decision what to wear so that I’ll be enjoying my freedom and at the same time attending the school in the most comfortable way I want.
Maybe this is another fact that everyone may be fascinated. The tuition fee is very cheap. Compared to others schools reaching to thousands of peso a year to that of ours which is less than 20,000 pesos a year, it is really obvious that the fee are near to be free of charge. It is one thing that I like because it is one way of helping my parents. That is not being a big burden to them on the expenses but instead I make them proud on the school I am attending.
Even with the small amount of tuition, the level of education that is given to us is not tainted. We still have the best of best mentors and subjects. We acquire the skill beyond the expected that is why we are given great confidence in passing board exams etc after schooling. It is also one thing I appreciate that by UP we can do lots of Community work. Up is being a bridge from the students to the Philippines wherein we are a given a chance to repay the nation from letting us study here. To elaborate, I enjoy the Community service UP is rendering us by our NSTP where we are given a chance to teach children that are slow and starting to learn.
But what I like most is the UP itself. The way UP had molded me and changed my personality. In studying in this school, I learn to be Independent. Studying in UP is like you’re in an environment that is very similar to the Real world. It is similar because you are not pampered or you are not spoon fed. You have to stand for yourself to face harshness that is the reality of life. It’s environment, lacking proper resources, facilities and myself inadequate of money to spend, I am being tested by UP to the best I can be. That is what I like in UP. It Teaches me how to be more independent in accomplishing tasks, to be more resourceful to what is left for me, to be more self-reliant to everything I do and of course to be myself and develop me in many ways not trying to step on a social level that I don’t belong. It is like the statue of the Oblation, we are naked at first and we are open arms to accept every knowledge, every skill and of course every characteristics that UP can give us. Up, Not a Social ladder but a developer of one’s skill.
