Charm Casther

Hey guys, I just want to share how I cope with this "New Normal," which is not typical for everyone else, especially in these times. I could not imagine how the Pandemic hit me. I was shocked literally because I did not know where and how to start to begin a new life with these unexpected things. Though it is hard for me to handle this kind of situation, I need to fight. Everyone was so happy before the Pandemic; there was no fear of becoming infected, no face mask, no social distancing. Despite the pleasures we take for granted every day, we do not realize that what we experience today is the polar opposite. I am not sure how this could happen. Despite of difficulties as a student, I often lose hope because adjusting is difficult, particularly now. However, as a student who aspires to solve this problem, I endeavor to realize all of my ambitions despite the Pandemic.

College is no longer the pleasant environment in which we used to spend our formative years of schooling.

My advice to my freshman self would be to prepare yourself as you embark on another life-changing adventure. Don't accept anything less than the best. If you could have a flat 1, don't settle for a 3. Equip yourself with the tools you'll need to advance to the next year's level. To maintain your grades, learn to adapt to a new situation and work harder.

Keep the fiery desire you had in your freshman year, to my sophomore self. Consistency is key, as is remembering what you gave up last year to get to where you are today. It may seem cliched, but keep going and giving it your all.

This is the year you'll know you're getting close to the finish line. To my younger self, don't get sidetracked by transient individuals who have transient feelings. Keep your sights focused on your objective and cultivate a positive mentality that will propel you over the finish line as a student. You must maintain a steady mental health status throughout this period. So that your emotions don't swamp you, stay loyal to your basic ideals and have a reasonable mind.

"True friends are never apart from one another. Perhaps in the distant, but certainly not in the heart."

Those photographs were shot a few months ago when I returned to my hometown of Oroquieta City in the province of Misamis Occidental, where I had not been for six years. This occurred during the months of December and February. My pals and I had a deep interaction, and it was wonderful.

I moved away from my birthplace in 2015 and elected to reside in Maramag, Bukidnon, for two years before settling down in Cagayan de Oro City, where I am now. Actually, I had no plans to spend my New Year's Eve in Oroquieta City, nor had I intended to remain there for more than a few of months, until one of my friends, Nestor, persuaded me to return and see where my roots originated from. When I arrived, I was overcome with emotion as I saw the spot where all of my hopes and joys had begun to unfold. I was completely taken aback when my friends and classmates decided to organize leisure activities since they were aware that I had returned home from school. I couldn't stop myself from crying and expressing my thanks to them from the time I first met them. We had a lot of fun and made a lot of memories together during our bonding time, which was great. We even got a little crazy and boisterous. We sing, dance, and reminisce about the moments that we've had in the past that have made us laugh and weep at the same time. Furthermore, one thing that has made me respect them even more is the way they treat me, their compassion, love, and support, all of which are constant.

In life, we have many options that may or may not align with what is considered typical in society. If you continue to rely on other people for your happiness, you are allowing them to interfere with the actual joy you must feel inside yourself.

What I would do differently would be to choose and do the things that really made me happy and whole in this world instead of the ones that made me feel incomplete. For how many years had I been putting other people's needs first and making them the focus of all my activities in life that I had virtually forgotten about myself? Now is the moment for me to reward myself and treat myself to the things I deserve. This is something I seldom do since my attention and concentration are generally drawn to the individuals that set the bar for me. Who continues putting pressure on me to do things I don't want to do? I'd want to be free. I want to be unafraid of myself and have no reservations about who I am.

Interacting physically with people, teachers, and students is one of the best experiences we have done before. The environment allows us to express ourselves genuinely in terms of studies and personal matters. 

Those past moments always remind me how lucky I was to be there, studying in a place we are supposed to learn. I missed being called by my teachers to help them carry their belongings. I missed those moments when we used to have an alibi for buying and eating snacks in the canteen. Learn and acquire those lessons in the place sitting with your classmates, looking in front of your favorite teacher. Seeing your company every day and witnessing your crush smile makes me wonder and wish to bring those times back.

It has been a long due since the last time we conducted face-to-face classes. We used to live a life as a student without any restrictions and things to be afraid of.

In my senior high school years, I used to bond with my friends while serving my school as a student leader, but when the pandemic paralyzed the country and our educational system. I felt uncomfortable in the new setting. With all honesty, I had a hard time coping with this new normal situation where we people are trying to adjust and make a living in this time of crisis. It affects my school performance, especially in academics, during my first term in college. I almost get lost in my studies. There were times that I started questioning my worth as a student, and I became more doubtful about my capabilities because I knew in myself that I was not really good at performing in an online class setting.

Now that the Department of Education and the Government are trying to bring back everything as it should be like before, it brings joy and happiness to me as a student. I am delighted to know that finally, we are taking a step towards getting everything back to normal. Since I am a huge fan of creating memories with the people I love the most. Moreover, if ever, it would happen sooner. I cannot wait to see and witness the beautiful faces of my classmates, instructors, and, of course, my friends. For sure, my time as a student in USTP during the face-to-face class will be memorable and will be full of excitement.

Hello there! To my ten-year old self, Casther. I have missed you so much. Please know that you are a blessing to your family, friends, and other people surrounding you. You are uniquely beautiful just the way you are. Thank you for the memories and experiences that you had encountered in your life before that made me who I am right now.

I know in the past, you have experienced injustices from people who cannot accept and respect your gender identity. You were humiliated, abused, bullied, and even discriminated against before. People are dictating you to fit in a cookie molder where you try to fit into the social standard they set while you please them to embrace your true self. But more than those hardships and struggles in your life, I missed those moments when you shared laughter, happiness, and sadness with your friends. Those days are the most memorable that I have experienced before. I still remember how simple is your life back then. Living in the Province with your Grandparents has taught you to strive hard in life to achieve your goals to pay them back in the future for the sacrifices they made for you. I missed those moments where you get to bond with your three boy siblings. I missed playing with them, but now, as we grow older, everything seems to have changed. It feels like we drift apart from each other. But to you, my 10-year-old self, thank you so much for being part of my memory. Thank you for the happy memories of my life.

The journey of choosing my major (BSTCM) is a plot twist of all my plans that I will never forget.

Before the Academic year, 2019-2020 ended when I was still in my Senior High School Years. I have already decided what program I will take as I pursue my college education. I want to be a Psychometrician because I felt like it was my calling and my passion to help those individuals who suffer from anxiety and depression. I took a lot of entrance exams and scholarships from different Universities and Organizations. Luckily, I passed the Xavier University Ateneo de Cagayan Entrance Exam as well as the City Scholarship Program.