Called the Unknown

The seed which must grow

Will first leave the sower’s hands

To brave the tempest,

…

HELLO. 

So far my “preparation” for college has involved house-hunting, enrollment and supply (singular) buying. I AM EXCITED to fail my first test. Apparently the subjects are all challenging, and the course itself is a tough road to trek. I will do my best. 

(And pray that I made the right decision.)

Greeting UP-Manila (with excitement, fatigue and who knows what else)

Before going to the campus for my Dental and Physical Examination (a requirement for enrollment), I was honestly worried. It was a new school with unfamiliar (and highly suspect) terrain, as well as people. I browsed around to find some tips and tricks in enrolling, and to my dismay I found none. 

It turns out that I didn’t need insider tips. There isn’t anything to excessively worry about, and that’s probably why nobody ever bothered to write about it. Everything you need to know about the details of the examination (and the enrollment itself) is found on paper/ the school’s website. BUT there is a technicality  that I didn’t know and so paid for (but I assume I’m a singular case): “w/ chest x-ray plate” actually means “plate is unnecessary if you have normal finding, just bring the printed results”. I didn’t know that, so I had to go some place and print the lab results. 

It would also be good to note that for the physical examination, there isn’t really a need to completely and accurately fill out the form. The queue is so long and the doctors so tired that a few missing details here and there don’t matter anymore. It’s only for our benefit as students that such a form needs to be updated. 

Something that isn’t part of the official parcel that might benefit you to know is that EVERYTHING TAKES A LONG TIME. Enrollment had me standing for four to five hours, and that was me coming in at 8 am and going home still without my ID card. 

Expect to be tired and slightly sticky after such a long day. The good thing is that Robinsons Mall is a stone’s throw away, and there are lots of food to be had. 

…

What made the wait for the different services bearable was the presence of the FBC (or Freshmen Block Coordinators). They’re basically incoming second year students who volunteered and trained to provide guidance for the freshies. They were all very accommodating and lively. I especially loved their funny (and rousing) anecdotes. 

Each block had an FBC assigned. My course has two blocks. Meh. 

Blahblahblah faulty transitions I don’t want to do this properly 

The FBCs gave us a tour of the campus awhile ago (though I didn’t get to finish it) and also came with us for our Block Lunch. The campus is fairly big, and I will need a map the first couple of weeks. I got to meet fun block-mates while we ate in Greenwich. :) They’re all so different yet relatable (we’re all new here, so I guess that factors in). 

Another thing that I can say about our FBCs and UP-M students in general is that they are all extremely proud of being an Iskolar Para sa Bayan in the Manila unit. The facts and statistics they spout off really make me feel good about my chosen school; I feel like I’m in the smartest campus in the country. 

… 

The whole “smartest” thing was also discussed awhile ago during the orientations, specifically those by the OSA-Counseling group. Apparently it’s quite usual for students to feel inferior in UP-M, since a lot of people are tons smarter. The parents were also briefed on it while we were taking our psychological exam and block lunch. 

Other things discussed during the orientations were: Drug Safety, Anti-Sexual Harassment, Security and Safety, ROTC and NSTP in general, and Immunization. I was sleepy several points into the different talks, but I was in the second row and so did not want to be blatantly disrespectful (though the guy two seats from me had no such compunctions). I also semi-talked to the two course-mates beside me. 

I’ve already said no to ROTC since I don’t think I’m meant for any kind of militaristic, disciplined lifestyle. I also don’t think I have the time or resources to go to the UP Diliman campus every Saturday for the training sessions. 

My autonomy is just around the corner

though I don’t think I’ll be meeting it soon. Maybe in a few weeks, or months, or semesters.

(Huh?)

By “autonomy”, I’m only pertaining to my living arrangements. As of right now my mom and I still have not found a dormitory or condo that is affordable, practical and decent. We’ve already looked around a bit, and still have not come to a decision about anything. 

Meet my new lover, Moleskin. 

This is the second Moleskin planner I’ve bought, and this one is meant to last for eighteen months. Woohoo! Unfortunately I can’t use it yet for the first month of college (June) since that’s how it rolls. 

But it is beautiful. And also expensive (I said goodbye to a thousand bucks). 

Photo op! No pictures of UP but gratuitous pictures of my planner

Goodnight!