Graduation: A Reflection on the Journey

By Jhem M. Cuizon

I didn't expect much after graduating from Maslog Nation High School (the
previous school’s name) and enrolling at ALC, it's just another school to me.
School didn't really matter to me because all I wanted to do was finish and
graduate in academics. Yet, as time passes, I meet more people. My prior school
didn't have meetups because we saw each other every day at school, so there
was no need. Yet, coming to ALC to meet with many people was a tremendous
adjustment for me because I am not a social person. Creating projects with
friends is exhausting, but it's enjoyable, so that's where my journey begins.

Waking up early since face-to-face class is every two weeks makes my body
complacent, and as a result, my body does not want to go, but wanting to
graduate is a wonderful thing. Because it's only a half day, there's not much to do
after that, although there are plenty of activities. As a result, I frequently wonder
myself, "Am I doing it correctly?" After all, there is no one to guide me except
myself. This is also why I dislike being self-taught so much. I'm not as good as
the people around me believe I am. Also, when someone is truly teaching you, it
is far easier to learn than when you are self-taught.

Others argue that an honest zero is preferable to a cheated perfect, but this is
incorrect because if your score is zero, no one can grade you, which means
you're failing and going to summer class or retention, neither of which I want
because all my effort would be futile if I failed after all, 1 year of studying is no
joke. But, for me, as long as I haven't failed or my grade isn't too poor, I'll be
content. What matters to me is that each year I advance in rank until I graduate
and am able to find work. My family is doing everything they can to help me
succeed in school, they are not pressing me to earn excellent grades, but rather
that I graduate. To be a good son, I must not burden them and must care for
myself and graduate.