Monday, April 07, 2008 Back to School By Karl Aries Emerson F. Cabilao
YES, I know it’s just the start of the summer season. The title above is definitely not a misprint.
After just a brief respite, the universities will be teeming again with its denizens for summer classes. It would seem like this generation of students have finally turned into nerds. But they have their own compelling reasons of hitting the classrooms this summer instead of the beaches or the traveler’s trail.
Summer is a time for catching up or taking advance classes.
The rigid requirements in most college classes are expected to yield a few casualties along the way. No thanks to external influences such as the malls, gimmicks, night life, computer games and their excesses, students especially those who have the directions of a broken compass could easily be distracted. Compare the lure of the various watering holes in I.T. Park or Paseo to that of the sight of voluminous reading materials on top of one’s desk for next week’s exams. It’s no contest.
Another factor that leaves students biting the dust after a hectic semester are some professors. Well, the university is no Avalon. There are good and considerate teachers but there will always be ruthless terrorist-like pedagogues, who give the toughest (and sometimes out of this world) examinations and demand the impossible from his hapless classroom slaves. And he only knows of two figures on his grade sheet: 3.0 or 5.0.
They say that these “monsters” are supposed to challenge the college studes to bring out their best in every class discussion, project and exam. But then again, digging up the facets of excellence in students today is a tough nut to crack when their “compass” is faulty.
While others make up for failed subjects in the summer, others are taking up courses in advance for a lighter load next semester. My classmates and I did this during my college days since there were rampant talks of how our thesis work would demand most of our time in 5th year. So, we took up minor subjects supposed to be offered to us during our final year in college during the summer and added ticks on our accomplishment table. Moreover, we were able to really immerse ourselves in subjects like Political Science and Rizal Course, which we would probably be at the bottom of our priorities during the regular semester. And yes, finishing these courses in just several weeks is also a plus.
So to those who are going back to school this summer, feel blessed. Thank the heavens for summer classes, which give you either a second chance or an important step ahead in your quest for that precious diploma. Don’t mind those overly carefree beings who call you a sourpuss for pushing pens during a season when you’re supposed to be with them, wasting each day of summer in money-burning outings and gimmicks.
Aside from occassional trips to the beach, going to school (and passing your courses in flying colors) is one of the many things you can do to make your summer vacation really worthwhile.
The architect-writer may be reached via kanerip316@yahoo.com
