I am a transferee

                Before, I said to myself that when people get too overwhelmed with their blessings they fail to handle them well; and I agree to what I said till this very day.

                I prayed so hard to have a second chance to be in U.P. I failed to pass UPCAT, so I decided to settle in PUP instead. There I took B.A. Journalism. What amazes me is that PUP was able to sustain itself even though students are paying low tuition fees; then I realized it was not good to be amazed. PUP was not effectively sustaining the needs of its students after all. There I experienced the most drastic situations. The rooms have electric fans which are not working. These same rooms have poor lighting as well. Usually, we conduct classes in a three hour period. Worst part of it is when professors do not show up. So, we end up waiting for three hours without learning anything. The environment was not conducive for learning. During my stay in the university I firmly decided that I will transfer in U.P. I tried so hard to have high grades so that I will have a higher chance of being admitted.

                 I fixed all the credentials that I used in transferring. I went through a written examination and an interview. During the interview, they asked me why I want to transfer. I answered the most honest reasons I have in mind, highlighting on the situations I experienced in PUP. I remembered Dr. Elena Pernia asking me, “Don’t you think you and PUP match together?” I answered a firm yes and added that I am transferring so that I could experience the quality of education that UP gives and bring it back to PUP. For short, I have this concrete plan of going back to PUP to teach. Fortunately, I passed and was admitted in UP.

                It was hard for me to leave PUP. I gained good friends there. Maybe that was my point life when I have to think of my betterment for the sake of fulfilling the betterment I have in mind. I wanted to contribute in the improvement of the university I first loved, P.U.P.

                The first few months of my stay in UP was not good. It was hard to cope in a new crowd. I am also forced to change my study habit. What I thought was enough was never enough. I still have to study hard, the hardest I could ever imagine. It was so stressful that I failed Math during the first semester. It was not the UP I have in mind. Before, I was so excited of being in the university but now all I want was to get out, but I know I cannot do that.

                Finally, I got the chance to meet new peers. They changed all my stressful views. Each of them has good educational background. One of them is a valedictorian. Others are part of the honor roll. I can say that although they attained so much, they remained humble. It is unfair for UP students to be labeled as boastful or intimidating because not all of them are.

                Inside UP I learned that when you think you are intelligent there will always be someone more intelligent. Same with when you think you are rich there will always be someone richer and when you think you are beautiful there will always be someone even more beautiful. It was the time that I realized that students inside the university sustain the attitude of being humble, because other students inspire them to be.

                Another thing that makes the UP culture outstanding is the set of faculty it have. There I met professors who are really passionate of teaching. These professors are always present in class and always show up on time. The quality of students really reflects the quality of professors they have.

                Most of all UP have good facilities. I cannot see why UP students demand for more, because if PUP was blessed with those facilities they will be more than thankful. UP have great facades. Rooms are well ventilated; some are even air conditioned. Those rooms are well-lighted. UP is an ideal university for learning.

                These are the things that I want PUP to experience, not just PUP but also all the state universities and colleges. SUC’s should be given enough budgets for the improvement of their facilities and educational materials. I believe that through these there will be a higher chance of producing quality students. As they say, we are scholars of the nation and for the nation.

                I am not a student activist of some sort. Everything I wrote here is based on my experience. Yes, I am a transferee; and I am proud to say that I am one of the original daughters of PUP before UP adopted me.

                In my ups and downs I realized that giving up on the blessing that was bestowed upon me should never be an option. Like what I always say to my friends and fellow students, “When you are tired of studying think of those who can’t but are willing.” That is why I am never giving up; I am thinking of those people who wish to have my place and I am holding on to the idea that I have to give back something to the university which first cradled me; to the university I first loved.