Thoughts on my Supposedly Last Year of College

I entered the University in 2013 with high hopes of graduating on time and finishing my degree with flying colors. I've always expected the best for myself, I set high standards and I wanted excellence in anything that I do. I was hell bent on graduating on time and finishing my 4-year course in 4 years, no more no less.

As I now see my batchmates trying to finish all their requirements, saying that its just a few more steps till they get to march on that stage with their proud smiles and their sablay on their shoulders I cannot help but ask what if? It actually came to a point that I had to ask did I really make bad decisions, was I a bad student to not graduate on time, does it actually make me less of a person when I chose to not graduate on time.

As I navigated my way thru college, I learned that sometimes graduating on time is not the ultimate goal well for me at least and to some of my peers. Many would actually question my motivations on why I chose the path that I took but looking back at the choices I've made I know that it is worth it.

Not graduating on time does not make me less of a person, if anything not graduating on time has left me fulfilled in other aspects of my life and being. Getting high grades used to be my goal but studying in UP and learning outside the 4 walls of the classroom made me realize that there is more to life than just finishing your degree and getting that dream job. It is not always about accomplishing your goals sometimes it is more of asking for whom and for what did you achieve your goals for.


I do have regrets, but at the same time, my accomplishments and fulfillment outweigh these regrets, if it actually matters not graduating on time has taught me lessons that can't be learned inside the confines of classroom walls.

I am not justifying nor romanticizing the fact that I am not graduating on time, what I'm saying is that sometimes there are things worth pursuing more than just graduating, Sometimes there are fights just too big to be ignored that you would be willing to sacrifice your personal goals for. Many would disagree with me and the choices that I've made but lie Albus Dumbledore said, it's our choices that make us what we truly are.

It was a conscious choice on my part to not pursue graduating on time, it's not easy seeing graduation posts on my facebook and twitter feeds, Its also not easy seeing my friends and batchmates proudly smiling with their finished manuscripts and requirements, but at the end of the day I believe that what matters is how we have and how we will contribute to society at large.

For those like me who chose the same path kudos, sometimes it's better to be present in making history than being just present in the 4 walls of the classroom.

I'll be patiently waiting for my turn to graduate for like they say quality education takes time. In my context education includes those things that teach us life's lessons even outside the academe.