Some people say you are going the wrong way when it’s simply a way of your own.

I always read that

quote online and it somewhat relates to me. Hello everyone! My name is Arabella Magracia, let me give
you an introduction about myself. I am a 2nd-year college student at the College of Saint John Paul II
Arts and Sciences taking a Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management. I was born on May 13, 2002. I
am 20 years old now and will be turning 21 next year *sigh* I feel old. But it’s okay because by this age I
realize a lot of things and I became aware of what was happening around me. For me, my family is one
of the most important things in my life. Because I wouldn’t be here if my parents don’t give life to me.
Both my parents are very hard-working. The only thing that they wished for me is to finish my studies
and gives me a comfortable life. My parents aren’t rich but they give me their full support, and that is
enough for me. Of course, I want to make them proud. Well, let me tell you about my experience of
enrolling in Saint John Paul. The year 2020 when I started college, I remember it was in the middle of the
pandemic. It gives me a hard time finding a school, I know everyone can relate. I’m very much thankful
because my parents don’t pressure me too much. They understand what I am going through at that
time, so my mom told me that if I can’t find a school then I can take a rest and she will just enroll me the
next school year. One time, I was scrolling through my phone, and suddenly the page of the school
appeared with Herlene Budol’s face. I remember she appeared in a tv show and at that time, she is
famous up until now. I was like “Oh, so this is her school? Okay, I’ll try to inquire.” I would say her life
story is very inspirational. Many people underestimated her capabilities but she never stops and proves
them wrong look at her now. She received a lot of blessings that she deserves. I guess that's one of the
reasons why I also went to this school. So, I messaged the page and they are very accommodating. I
mean, I message a lot of schools but they are the only one that replies fast. I have already enrolled
myself, at first, I was hesitant because the school is far from where I lived. I lived in Rodriguez, Rizal
while the school is in Cainta. It was fine for me because at that time the mode of learning is still online,
then in 2022, face to face started. I ready myself for the big adjustment. It wasn’t that easy at first but I
slowly used it little by little. I have to wake up at 4 in the morning just to prepare myself for school. I
mean, I am used to wake up early because way back when I was in high school our classes are early too.
Our face-to-face class is every Thursday and Friday. Every Thursday our class starts at 8 in the morning.
So, I will wake up at 4 in the morning, prepare myself, and prepare everything then at exactly 5:30 I
should be on my way to school because from our home to school, the travel takes one hour if not traffic,
but when it’s traffic it will take more than an hour or two. I ride three times going to school and three
times going home. I always get home super late. To be honest, there is a part of me that doubts what I
am doing. There are many schools to attend, why did I choose to study here? I should pick the one
where you don't have to wake up that early, and you don't have to ride six times a day. I'm just torturing
myself. Those are the thoughts that enter my mind on the first day of our face-to-face class. I can’t help
myself but to complain about it. Because I felt tired traveling for more than an hour just to go to school,
at the same time we have a lot of school works to do. At that moment I wanted to transfer. But then, I'm
thankful to my parents because they made me realize that you can't learn if you don't experience
hardship. Like what my dad said. “You have to work hard. If you want to graduate, go to school, and
socialize with your classmates. You should go out of your comfort zone” As time goes by, here I am now,
I’m already getting used to this kind of setup. I've also learned to be strategic. I can say that, that is one
of the achievements that I got this year. I overcome that situation and now I enjoy traveling. There’s the
fact that it is exhausting but at the end of the day you will realized I should not doubt myself. My
parents’ words help me to motivate myself to wake up in the morning and finish what I have started. I
know I am not the only one who experience this kind of situation. At some point, I also thought that
someone else had a bigger problem than mine. That’s why I always convinced myself to stay positive in
life. Look for the bright side and that’s what I wanted to tell others, especially those people who have
the same age as me. Every year, I learn a lot of life lessons, never doubt yourself because you don’t
know what are you capable of. Just believe in yourself and the things that you can do. Now, our first
semester is almost done, next year will be the second semester and I am looking forward to what will
happen in the future.