#uste

University of Santo Tomas

Kinain ng sistema QwQ

Salle x Neo <3

og Buhay Kolehiyo

There was this event on my school wherein Catholic schools are invited for the PCNE event held every year. Last 2018, I was in 11th Grade, we went to UST for the said event, it was held for a week I think, but we only attended for 2 days. In 2 days we were able to admire the beauty of UST even for a while, and at that time I went to the chapel and prayed for me to get accepted in UST. I also got my first ever picture at the UST spot.

July 2019, we went again to UST but this time there were only chosen students who are allowed to go. Luckily, I was invited to join along with my friends. It was only for 1 day and what we did was only easy and fast, which is why we had time to go to the museum and take pictures. I saw students going in and out of the halls. Afterwards we went again to the chapel, as usual I prayed for the same thing, for me to get accepted to the prestigious university. I bought a rosary at the chapel shop, of course it is a yellow one, thinking that maybe it could my lucky charm in passing USTET.

Fast forward to November 2019, I took USTET at ICSM. The feeling was really unexplainable, I got sick the morning of the exam (my lola told me maybe I was just nervous) but I think it's because I had an upset stomach. During the exam, I couldn't really focus because I was feeling really sick, so truthfully I would say that moment I just wanted to finish the exam for me to be able to go home. I didn't mind what the results would be. When I got home, I thought that maybe it was a bad luck for me, since I got sick on the day of my exam.

The results got out on January 2020, we were all nervous looking at the results. Of course, I was the last one to look at mine. I found out I was wait-listed, which is a thing that is still worth thanking for. I was really happy that time and my classmates congratulated me and vice versa. On March, I did get curious as I thought I would receive an email from UST (thinking it was that way), so when I didn't I already called. I found out that I have a missed interview on February.

Sadly, when I was ready to pass a letter to the dean and have a scheduled interview, the lockdown was implemented because that time they declared a pandemic. I was anxious because I didn't took exams on different universities, so I told myself, "Where would I study if not on UST?". It was impossible that time to go to UST so I couldn't do anything.

On May 2020, a family friend of mine tried to help me as she is working at the UST Hospital (of course there are connections and all). I wrote sooo many letters addressed to the dean and priest. It was a month full of revising, printing, and emailing saying the same thing all over again. One day, we tried to go to UST, and sadly when we got there we were informed that they already implemented a work from home system. That time I was already loosing hope because I keep on thinking, how could I possibly still get accepted in this situation? Emails after emails, I got one wherein they said I could have an interview but for my 2nd program of choice. Thankfully, I got in... but I chose not to accept the offer this time. It was a hard decision for me, of course. I gave my full effort and cried for how many months just to get in. But I just have this feeling within me that its not what I want.

On August 2020, I made the choice to enter to FEU. Even with the advices given by my family for me to stop for a while and to just try again in UST. But I reasoned out that I don't want to be delayed and all, so I pushed through FEU. During the four months that I had in FEU, it was truly an amazing journey, and I think it was also a blessing to be able to get in to FEU first, as I met many people from different organizations and at the same time excelled on all of my subjects. I could say FEU introduced me to what college life really is and for that I am happy. But still, I know it is not where my heart truly belongs. Every week, I'm still thinking how UST was really different, it has the vibes of home.

On December 2020, I sent multiple emails to different universities in Manila (ADMU, DLSU, UST, PhilSCA, UP etc.). I received some replies, but I was thinking if that university would really satisfy my heart. Then, I received an email from UST, from a different department saying they would like to see my grades. In which I immediately responded. As I didn't expect that it was able for me to transfer for the 2nd term, because I thought I will be transferring (if possible) for the next AY.

January 2021, it was a busy month for me, but I patiently waited for replies from the dean but he already gave me a heads up that the application was still not sure. But I am still hoping that I could get in this time. Emails after emails, it was already February. I already told myself that its okay. I tried my best and I did everything I could, and that I could still try again on May, for the next AY.

THANKFULLY, I got in!!! I started my classes on the 2nd week of February. I adjusted for the mean time but I quickly adapted to their system, but I will say that I am still learning some things. I already settled all of my documents needed this March. Sooo I could already say that I'm a Thomasian na.

I think one thing that I learned from this journey is that God always know when is the right time and that when something is for you, it will always come back to you. I remember the time when we went to UST for the said event, I shouted "UST, kung mahal mo nga ako tanggapin mo ako", and I think it was not the right time for me last year, but this year, UST accepted me whole heartedly.

side trip during natcon(?)

university of santo tomas

photo by 🍒