Bryan de Jesus
June 26, 2023
The atmosphere inside Valencia Hall can only be described as jubilant with a sense of relief permeating around the area. Students are beaming with smiles while their parents stand by their sides proudly. After all, it’s a celebration of excellence trumping a year’s worth of adversity, culminating in a well-deserved recognition.
On this day, 26th of June, more than 500 students were recognized for their academic and extracurricular achievements. For them, this is not just a moment of recognition, but also a moment to reflect upon the past and the future ahead of them. The sophomores find themselves halfway across the finish line, wondering about the challenges that are waiting. For the juniors, they are on the precipice of a challenging final act that will determine the end of their academic journey and for the seniors, they face an unknown future, away from the comfort of their friends, families and the university.
Despite the differences in the paths they’re about to embark on, all of it paints a picture of a new beginning. Each student, whether a junior or a sophomore, studying broadcasting or journalism, stands at the crossroads of their individual stories.
At the Threshold
Reflecting on her journey, Sheila Natividad of BA Journalism 3B expressed gratitude and felt a sense of fulfillment as an awardee. However, as she approached the final year of her academic journey, she recognized that achievements like Dean’s or President’s list are not the paramount of her education. Sheila views them as an indicator of her dedication and perseverance in all her years as a journalism student.
She understands that those awards are mere stepping stones to her bigger aspirations, namely being able to give back to the community by means of journalism and pursuing a career in media. Sheila recognizes that life beyond graduation is full of challenges and she wants to translate her academic achievements to something she can utilize in the future.
Beyond the End
As a graduating student, Arianna De Jesus of BA Broadcasting 4B is uncertain of the future herself but is ready to anticipate the challenges ahead of her. She has already started looking for jobs a month before graduating, determined to ensure that everything she learned in the academe will see practical use. Arianna also emphasized the importance of self agency and survival after college.
When asked about the significance of the awards she achieved, Arianna replied that she believed they hold no significance after graduating and everyone goes back to scratch in the real world. She also advised the younger students to not be consumed by the pursuit of academic awards as their worth is diminished the moment you shift your focus solely to recognition,
leaving behind significant parts of your college life, like friends and enjoyment. She stated that the reason she received awards on her own was that she enjoyed her time here in BulSU. She enjoyed what she did with the people she held dear.
In her 4 years in college, Arianna faced a lot of heartbreaks and setbacks, but she also found opportunities to find worth in herself and the future. While she may have won awards, positions and other achievements, she reiterated that what truly left a mark on her were the relationships she forged with the people she met and the lessons she learned from them.
A New Chapter
Today marks the turning point of everyone’s journey. Whichever path they take will take root from where they stand at this very moment. As they celebrate their milestones with their loved ones, they are also preparing for what lies ahead, steadfast and dedicated to their aspirations. This is just the beginning of your new chapter. All the best, Katalistas!
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