Architext

Sunday, a time of peace and relaxation. But then for me, it’s quite different. Sunday is the time where I finished all my plates to be passed the next day. One word to describe my Sunday, STRESS. As in freaking stress!!!

I just wanted to lie down on my bed all day, as simple as that. But whenever I think about my plates and assignments I needed to do, I have to get up early and do it all right away to avoid cramming. Maybe you can say that I’m quite a nagger. What can I do? This is the program that I chose, Architecture, the college that never sleeps.

I think TGIF (Thank God, it’s Friday) doesn’t apply to the students of 1AR-3 since we have classes on Saturday. But the good thing is that our class is only Visual Techniques and it’s 7 – 11 am so we can make the most with the remaining hours.

Life as an architecture student…

To be honest, the life of an architecture student is totally separated between busy and free.

During the semester, all assignments like model-making, presentation board creation, drawings, sketches, reports, essays, oral presentation, portfolio and even final examinations could kill, anytime, anywhere. In my study here, one semester took 16 weeks only, one year has two semesters, hence 32 weeks out of 52 weeks a year.

 During the semester, assignments are coming non-stop, usually we will have our rooms full of our works, which are being regarded as rubbish by other people. However, these works are our beloved masterpieces. We will be regretting when we throw our precious works. Even though the lecturers might not appreciate your works, but it is still your works, which countless effort has been put on it.

Phew! I didn’t expect to make it through the day but here I am. Thankfully, I didn’t pass out, out of exhaustion (okay, so maybe I’m exaggerating just a bit.) since I haven’t had any good night’s rest for the past few days. Our workload is just as many as ever, and I have been spending these past few nights completing my plates (since it requires tedious work, I tend to make an early head start) or procrastinating and binge watching the entire 7th season of The Big Bang Theory.

I’ve been focusing on my Theory Of Architecture class today, since we had a ton of stuff to do (from the perspective drawings to the final project and of course, who would forget the precious scale models?) and so, even though I’ve been completely drained of my energy from all the all-nighters I have pulled for the last two days, I still managed to make a decent, albeit rushed, perspective drawing of the Schroder house. Still, I’m irked that I wasn’t able to live up to my standards of a good output, which made me a little cranky the rest of the afternoon.

I was cranky at that time but thank God for P.E. classes! I was able to let go of my stress even for just a few hours and I did had a good time playing sepak takraw even though I still sucked at kicking the sepak ball high enough to go over the net.

So now you’re a Thomasian, enrolled in the only Royal and Pontifical Catholic University in Asia. Now that you’re in college, you’ll be adjusting- A LOT. You’ll learn to adjust and change things- from your study habits to your sleeping schedules ( If you even get the time to sleep.). It is quite stressful, but it will also bring new and exciting experiences to your young adult life. Follow this Bucket List that will make your Thomasian experience worthwhile.

1.       Entering the Arc of Centuries

-          To fully introduce you to the Thomasian experience, you must enter the Arc of Centuries first, but there’s a catch: there’s no turning back. This tradition goes way far back and was continued by Thomasians up to this day. Thomasians believe that when a student enters the Arc of Centuries, they must not exit it unless they are graduating. Legend says that when an undergraduate exits the Arc of Centuries, it would symbolize your early departure from the university or in other words: you won’t graduate with your desired course.

2.       Food.

-          You won’t go hungry in this university (unless you don’t have money ) . Places like Dapitan and P.Noval are haven for food junkies (as if anyone isn’t). Try widening your horizons and let your taste buds explore new flavors with this budget friendly list!:

o   Mang Tootz                                                

o   Amoyamie

o   RapRap

o   Starr’s

o   Coffee Avenue

o   Brinner

o   Rufo’s

o   University Scoop

o   Sisig Express

o   Moon Leaf

o   Big B

o   Tori Box

o   Rock Band

o   Eatles

o   Chun Chon

o   McDonald’s

o   Cafeteria ng Beato

o   Subway

And many more! But we know that you’ll still go to McDonald’s for quite a few time (probably ten times) before trying these out.

 3.       Buy Yema from Ate Yema

There is a woman famous for her sweet delicacies, roaming around the campus and she is known for her nickname ate Yema, named after her bestseller.

Her products are a Thomasian favorite. Don’t miss out on the sweet, sweet Yema!

4.       Enter every building in UST

If you already roamed your own building, try loitering around other buildings. You might find something valuable, or discover something amazing! (you might even find your special someone)

 5.       Brace Yourselves for the…. *drumroll* FLOOD!

The University of Santo Tomas is famous for a lot of things and is also famous for- well *eherm*, Floods. That is why the university keeps an eye on weather updates to make sure the students stay safe. When rain falls too hard and flood begins to start, Students usually take refuge in their buildings while others are so stubborn they just plunge to the filthy waters. The aftermath also brings interesting things, especially when you start to see different creatures surfacing such as the hito or a turtle.

 6.       Make the most out of your College Week

Want a break from your acads? College Week is the best time! It is an annual tradition participated by colleges in UST, giving the students an opportunity to take a break from their classrooms and enjoy a wonderful week to connect with other students in their college.

 7.       Dream BIG.

Try to aim higher with your grades. Why get contented with a 3 when you can get a grade of 1? Be more confident with your skills!

Wednesday is would either be the most relaxing day of the week or the day that would not let us sleep. if is usually the day that we, the 1AR-3 peeps, would do all our plates for the remaining day of the week. it is the day of the week that we aren't going to school for another nerve-wrecking day, but it would be the day of the week we spend in our houses for us to paralyze not only our mind but also including our whole body. yes, that's the definition of Wednesday to me.

Today, I am here, working in front of a computer, doing some stuffs that would either make my grades or would just make my grade even worse than before. yes, I am now suffering from a mental breakdown due to finals that's coming on our way. mental breakdown due to so many plates scattered o my table, due on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Mental Breakdown due to all the stress that I've been suffering since the first day of school. yes, I am not yet used of being called a college student, nor acting as one. :D

Right now, I had just finished answering some of the online tests that was been posted on eleap, due tomorrow. after this, i would be facing 2 plates at home and a book for my finals. Yes. Hectic. Let's just pretend that this would be the last battle that I'll be facing and just give my best.

I have to admit: I wasn't all that enthusiastic in going to school to start another long week just after having a nearly-sleepless night in a desperate attempt to finish the workload given to us (APEC week passed by faster than I had hoped)

 But I guess things began going uphill just as soon as class had started. In English class we were told that instead of having a lesson for that meeting, we were to discuss about an output we were suppose to present for our finals. We were told to create a website that is in application to what we have learned in teh entirety of our English 1 class. It was quite exciting, especially since I was grouped amongst my friends, which made it even better. And so the plan was set, and everything was planned out. I can't wait to see how this turns out :)