Dear Kuya,

Exhausting, Draining, Fulfilling. If I were to describe my first month as a college freshman in three words, these are the words I would use. This month has been very crucial to my entire college life as I'm nearing the completion of my metamorphosis of becoming an actual college student. I can proudly day, I am 20% close to becoming fully transitioned as an actual college student (I need to be humbled more by failing grades to become a 100% actual college student, though I haven't so far). This month has drained me holistically. Imagine going to school having only 2 hours of sleep, diving right into a 7-hour anatomy and physiology class without breaks, with overtime lectures to the point that we were the only ones left at the campus at night. Then going home, I have to study overnight to prepare for my minor subjects' reports and quizzes and memorize the goddamn musculoskeletal parts for the next day. However, knowing my situation somehow made me feel grateful that I live nearby unlike my friends who need to travel at least 2nhours to be at home and school vice versa on a daily basis, knowing very well how toxic public transport
is in the Metro. This is my cycle. Study, nap, eat, and study again. Well, welcome to college life. These hardships I have, have taught me to thrive in these tough situations to become the tough person I always aspire to become. Indeed, it is overwhelming. But I thrive here. It is hard because it is life.

This month has been very special as you finally came home after more than a year. It is a treasure for me to have my family be completed even for a short term of time. The simple dinner, and talking with each other together are the moments I always cherish and be grateful for—having all the people behind the person I am today be under one roof. I love coming home to Bulacan even if it means having to stand for a long time in a congested bus after a tiring school day. Even if it means having my allowance be allotted for my bus fares. To be in company with Kaldi and Bolt, to be able to eat lutong bahay, and to be in solace with nature are the things worthy of having to endure the toxic traffic of Manila.

My college life has so far been exhausting but I'm so grateful to have my college circle to whom we always have our backs. We help each other study, listen to each other, and have each other's backs always. When days are rough, we go out and wander the walls of Intramuros, eat something, and sit for a while to breathe. While I am with my new friends now, I am still in contact with my OG friends and still have bonds with them. I have no regrets in choosing PLM Nursing as this choice has helped me expand my horizons not only academically but personally as well. It feels so good to be surrounded by brilliant people who aspire, and are willing to exchange ideas with you. In life, we are supposed to come out of our comfort zone and meet new people even if it's hard. This is a living testament of my mantra "everything always happens for a reason."