Garcia, Dan Drexter Z.

2014-21141 BS EE CEAT February 2, 2016

Opportunity cost of studying at UPLB

Good decision-making is vital for a man whose goal is to achieve the highest
possible gain. With regards to this, there are some reasons why I chose to stand with my
student number although it entails losses, some of those will never be reverted again.

I missed lots of things and opportunities just for me to step inside the university.
The cream of those was departing from family. The first night I spent in the dorm was full of
tears and emotions because it was the first time I stayed away from my family. The feeling of
being alone, out of place and poignant was so strong that it caused me to cry. Truly, my
family was my strength and I am weak and nothing without them.

The second thing I exchanged was my dream course which is BS Electronics and
Communication Engineering (ECE). In fact, I have passed in the other university’s college
entrance exam and I could have managed to take up that degree, but because it was UP and
the course was somehow related to it, I still pushed through. The third was consisted of time,
energy, and money. The time and energy I consume to return to my hometown was really
tremendous. Imagine travelling from Los Baños to Quezon City in a rush hour, it was indeed
tedious. Also, the money I spent for the dormitory fees, food, fare and internet usage was
relatively large compared when I am residing at my own home.

Economically thinking, if there are so many things I have given up, there must be
greater things I have acquired in return. First was the chance to obtain a high-quality
education from the country’s premier university. I can’t afford to lose all of the
abovementioned if it was not UP. Second, I have heard that BS Electrical Engineering here at
UPLB has attained 100% passing rate for at least seven consecutive board exams. Third, I
was honed to be more independent, disciplined, and nationalistic than ever, for it has made
me more exposed and aware of my surroundings. Now, I could stand with my own choices,
control my unlimited freedom and engage myself into the present social issues we are
currently besieging.

Last, but the best among all the payoffs, is the opportunity to gain more friends
who had brought me closer to God. My co-church members let me realize that in times of
sorrow and hardship, there is the Almighty Father who is more than willing to aid all of your
tribulations. My faith to the Creator was reinforced and strengthened, and this gift of UPLB
to me could never be equalized by anything.

Truthfully, every choice we made entails costs which we might be regretting

forever and benefits we might be cherishing till the end of time. With that, qualitative and
quantitative reasoning for a choice to be chosen is crucial. Deliberating all of my losses and
gains, I could say that studying here at UPLB is one of the best choices I have ever chosen.