They say nothing in the world is permanent except for ‘change.’ One way or the other, we will be facing new chapters of our lives where we might have to leave that which we thought we’d forever have (may forever ba?). When one goes to college, he/she faces major changes: new lessons, new environment, new faces, new experiences and sometimes, even new decisions to make. The University of the Philippines (UP) community acknowledges the individual’s liberty to change his/her mind and follow where his/her heart must be leading him/her. Hence UP students are among the many who are given freedom to choose to shift in/out out of their courses and/or transfer to another campus. But starting anew is not always as easy as A-B-C.   For the brave Iskolars who are at the verge of their adjustment periods, don’t worry, you are not alone. Your fellow Iskos and Iskas from UP Diliman got your back with their words of wisdom cause they’ve been there and they’ve done that. Read, relate and learn as 6 of them speak straight from experience!

1. JANINA BAUTISTA. Batch ’12 Transferee from UP Baguio. Formerly majoring on BA Communication. Currently taking BA Journalism, 4th year. 

I transferred to UP Diliman because... 

Sabi ng nanay ko. Nung nasa UP Baguio ako, wala naman talaga akong intention na lumipat sa Diliman. UP Baguio din kasi first choice ko sa UPCAT, gusto ko kasi nang malayo. Pero nung kalagitnaan ng second sem ko nung first year, try ko daw lumipat sabi ni Mama. Si Mama lang kasi tumutustos sa pag-aaral ko, mula tuition fee hanggang living expenses sa boarding house at pagkain. E sobrang mahal ng cost of living sa Baguio, medyo high-end na city kasi. Alam kong nahihirapan si Mama sa mga gastos ko nun, kaya pinilit kong makalipat. Nag-apply ako sa CSWCD at CMC, pasado naman pareho kaya eto nandito ako ngayon. 

When I left my former campus and stepped on UP Diliman grounds...

Medyo ironic, kasi nung first time kong makapunta ng UP Diliman noong high school para magpasa ng UPCAT at nagkandaligaw-ligaw kami sabi ko sa sarili ko, "Hinding-hindi ako mag-aaral dito sa Diliman, ang laki eh.” Nung inaasikaso ko yung pag-transfer ko sa Diliman, hindi ako naeexcite. Natatakot ako kasi wala naman akong kakilala dito. Kaka-adjust ko lang nun sa Baguio tapos mag-aadjust na naman ulit dito. Mahirap umalis sa Baguio kasi nandun yung friends ko, pero wala akong nagawa kundi iwan sila kasi kailangan eh. 

Time it took before I was able to adjust: 

Matagal bago ako naka-adjust sa Diliman. Sa unang semester ko dito, hindi ko pa rin kabisado yung mga colleges tsaka routes ng jeeps.  

How I was able to cope:

Naka-adjust naman sa college kasi may mga mababait na upperclassmen from a college-based organization na tumutulong/nag-guide sa'kin. Sumali ako ng orgs nung pagkalipat ko. Dahil siguro sa pagsali na yun, mas naging gamay ko yung Diliman tsaka mas nalaman ko kung anong klase ng mga tao yung pwede kong makasalamuha dito. 

Para maka-move on, I advise adjusting Iskolar transferees/shiftees that...

Kayo unang mag-approach sa classmates niyo sa GEs or major subjects niyo. Malay niyo, nahihiya lang din sila na i-approach kayo. 'Di niyo alam, sila pala maging friends niyo sa buong college life niyo. 'Di naman necessary na sumali ng org, pero it's a good way to meet (lots of) new people.  

2. DARIEN MITCHELL BAS. Batch ’13. Transferee from Far Eastern University- Manila. Formerly majoring on BA Communication. Currently taking BA Broadcast Communication. 3rd Yr. Standing 

I transferred to UP Diliman because...

I honestly felt I deserved a better education for myself because FEU was not giving me the kind of education that I wanted. 

When I left my former campus and stepped on UP Diliman grounds...

I actually stepped on UPD's campus grounds many times in high school so, the place was familiar to me but the first time I stepped in UPD as a transferee, I felt elated, as if I've achieved something monumental and I didn't think much about my previous university.  

Time it took before I was able to adjust:

It took me a while to adjust to UPD. 

How I was able to cope: 

I was admittedly a bit boorish which is why I had trouble making permanent friends. I eventually learned the ropes and found great friends in my college and outside of it.  

Para maka-move on, I want to tell adjusting Iskolar transferees and shiftees that...

UP life is kind of hard when you're dealing with it alone so, I joined the UP Singing ambassadors for a while, then UP Journalism Club where I found the best group of people who I genuinely consider my friends. 

3. ERIZA VALERIANO. Batch ’10. Transferee from UP Baguio. Formerly majoring on B Fine Arts.Currently taking BS Architecture. 5th Year.

I transferred to UP Diliman because...

[I had] two reasons: (1) Distance - not a problem to me but to my parents. They wanted me to study somewhere near (Baguio is 7 hours away, Antipolo is 1/2-2 hours away so it’s relatively near). (2) It was the original plan; my first course choice in UP which I failed to meet the quota of. So even before I actually started studying in UP Baguio I had plans of transferring and shifting. 

When I left my former campus and transferred to UP Diliman...

I was sad. I didn't expect to love UP Baguio and everything in it as much as I did in my 10-month stay. Besides, Baguio is one of my favorite places in the country so I really enjoyedstudying and staying there. [When I first stepped on UP Diliman grounds, though, I was] nervous and excited. More nervous than excited probably. It was my first time to transfer schools, per stage at least. From nursery to sixth grade I stayed in one school. The entire high school I stayed in one school. I wasn't used to meeting different sets of classmates. 

Time it took me before I was able to adjust: 

Entire first year was adjustment period. By second year I have established close ties with people in my batch and the circle grew and grew through time. 

How I was able to cope:

It helped to be friends with as much people in the college. Made Arki a little less stressful. Also, there were days I just observed the campus to appreciate its beauty and vastness. There’s no denying UPD opens a lot of doors, we just have to actually be there and strive to enter. Profs and friends alike [helped me]. There were profs I encountered in my 5 years in UPD who made me realize how privileged I am to be studying in the campus; I wouldn't have met them if I didn't transfer (although there are A LOT to miss in UPB). Friends (and family) [also helped me], as mentioned before, make Arki worth stressing for. 

Para maka-move on, I advise adjusting Iskolar transferees/shiftees to...

Focus on the goal.  Besides, there must be a good reason why you transferred/shifted. There will always be times we can't help but look back—it's a good thing for one because it means we enjoyed our time in our previous campus/college—but just my two cents: the lives of the people we left behind didn't stop the moment we left. Life goes on kaya move on na!  

4. MARKO NIKO BALOLOY. Batch ’12. Transferee from UP Los Baños, formerly majoring on BS Agricultural Biotechnology. Currently taking BS Geography. 3rd Year Standing. 

I transferred to UP Diliman because...

[I would have] less expenses and makakapag-uwian ako everyday.  

When I stepped on UP Diliman grounds...

I thought walang bago, same culture as what I got to experience sa UPLB pero hindi kasi mahirap pala mag-gain ng friends dito pag di ka friendly unlike sa LB. Tapos yung competition within the classroom ay grabe unlike sa LB, friendly-competition. After experiencing 1 year sa Diliman, na-realize ko na mas gusto ko ang setup sa UPLB, with the people.  

Time it took me before I was able to adjust:

One semester to one year.  

How I was able to cope:

I joined orgs para may mga makilala ako ng lubos as I stay sa UPD for [the] undergraduate program.  

Para maka-move on, what I want to tell adjusting Iskolar shiftees/transferees is...

Gusto ko sana itanong kung pinag-isipan ba nila ang pag-transfer sa program nila ngayon and gusto ba talaga nila.. [But] I would say, minsan siguro darating na manghihinayang ka pero try to seek from within yourself what you can do in the program you are taking now. Wag isipin na ayaw mo siya, subukan mong i-enjoy dahil dun ko na-realize na natutunan din palang ma-appreciate ang ibang programs once you get the chance na -ma-orient ng maayos about it. But once alam mo na ang ginagawa ng program mo but still find yourself unfulfilled, I would suggest to think again and re-assess what you want to do it life. Also, yung undegrad naman hindi lang diyan matatapos life mo, pwede ka mag-specialize sa post-grad mo sa mga bagay na mas o gusto mo talaga.

5. ANTONETTE CARIÑO. Batch ’12. Transferee from UP Baguio. Formerly majoring on BA CommunicationCurrently taking BA Journalism. 4th Year. 

I transferred to UP Diliman because of...

Peer pressure. I want to try a new environment. Main reason: gusto long mag-engineering as Diliman. 

When I first stepped on UP Diliman grounds, I thought...

[UP Diliman was] so big. People are really intellectuals. [I was] sad because there are memories left and can't be done in UPD. 

Time it took me before I was able to adjust:

One semester.  

How I was able to cope:

I hangout with my friends from high school who also transferred to Diliman. I met new friends, focused on acads, and joined organizations.  

Para maka-move on, I advise adjusting Iskolar shiftees/transferees to...

Just balance acads and fun. Create new memories, and you'll see the right time will come for you to move on but of course don't forget the memories you got from your past school because maybe in some time you can use it in your new environment. 

6. ERWIN COLCOL. Batch ‘12. Transferee from UP Manila. Formerly majoring on BA Orgnizational Communication. Currently taking BA Journalism. 4th Year.

I transferred to UP Diliman because... 

Journalism was my first choice course when I took the UPCAT. When I got accepted in UP Manila, I promised myself that I would shift to UP Diliman after a year. I was lucky that I got good grades back in my freshie year, I was able to meet the required GWA to transfer.

When I first stepped on UP Diliman grounds...

Of course, I was culture-shocked. UP Diliman is a very big campus and I always got lost in my first few weeks here. I remember that I only stepped twice on UP Diliman before transferring, so I was very unfamiliar to the place. ‘It was hard for me to leave UP Manila because I have friends that there whom I would not be seeing more often.” 

Time it took me before I was able to adjust:

It took me one semester, I think? 

How I was able to cope:

I applied in an organization to meet new friends, and I’ve never felt lonely since.

Para maka-move on, the advice I give to adjusting Iskolar shiftees/transferees:

Join organizations. There are orgs out there that are very friendly to shiftees and transferees. They will not only help you adjust to your new environment, but will also become your classmates and friends who will help you along the way.