Monday, March 10, 2008 Pampering the Graduate By Karl Aries Emerson F. Cabilao
YOU have just submitted your final set of reports and term papers. Exams have been taken and passed. And you just successfully defended your thesis. It just feels so good to be able to let out a sigh of relief.
Now, you start to clean up the mess in your bedroom-turned-working station and pile up the scattered photocopies of notes and books. Yes, you can see your bed once again after being temporarily buried by school-related stuff. You thank the heavens that there is no snake that came to nest beneath the pile of trash. After the roller coaster ride called the finals week, it’s now time to exhale.
The countdown to Graduation Day is now winding down to its last few days. You can’t wait to break free from the university and head out to the real world. But as in every wedding day, there’s always the “honeymoon” stage after, a time to enjoy the great things of post-university life. As early as now, you can give yourself a gift for doing a great job.
New wardrobe. You would want to have a new killer getup for graduation, and look good after you take off that toga. Guys might want to buy a new long-sleeved shirt and a cool tie to go with it, while girls would have the excuse for spending time (and money) shopping for their dress.
Real food. For those weeks of overnight work sessions and cramming for your final projects, fastfood treats in styro and plastic containers were your main source of nourishment. Now, it’s time to load yourself with authentic home-cooked food.
Stress channel. You feel that you were always crammed into a giant pressure cooker during those last few weeks. Tension and nerves are often on the rise especially during your oral defense and those make-or-break examinations. You need to get it all out by going to the gym for workout or play a few games of badminton and basketball. Or you could relax frayed nerves and muscles by getting a massage.
Meet up with friends. Okay, you may have spent those tension-filled days with them but it would be different this time. Instead of breathing down each other’s necks, you can now go out minus the academic excess baggage.
Family time. With all those frenzied scampering to beat numerous deadlines, you had sacrificed a big amount of time for family bonding. Find enjoyment with your parents and siblings as you finally catch up on each other’s activities. Make up for those absences by taking your meals together, watching a movie on DVD or just talking with them about anything over coffee, either at home or in your favorite coffee shop. Remember, you owe a huge part of your educational feat to their untiring support.
