Let’s talk about college memories. We’re not talking about graduating as the batch valedictorian. In fact, we’re not even talking about marching on your graduation day. Those milestones are a tad trite, maybe even passé.
On the other hand, there are some simple memories in most people’s college lives that are cause for celebration. Are they monumental, life-changing events? To some, certainly. But these are moments you will fondly remember, because when they happen, they really do stand out.
The semester you almost got into the Dean’s ListIf you never considered yourself a smart student, that semester when you were just a point away from being a Dean’s Lister is, without a doubt, a cause for joy. What some people have in natural smarts, you were apparently capable of nearly matching through sheer effort and diligence, proving that there was some measure of justice in this world.
The first time a “pasang-awa” grade made you very happy
That time you slaved over a particular subject and found yourself completely at the mercy of the whims and fancies of your prof. It certainly put joy in your heart to know that all your worst fears are unfounded as you happily took the D you were so sure you weren’t even going to get.
The first time someone asked you out under the pretense of “group study”
That classmate you always had the hots for asked you to a group study, but focused on studying you more than the actual subject matter. Definitely a moment to remember.
The first time a professor made you realize how admirable their vocation is
As kids, more than a few of us always thought that teachers are a dime a dozen. The first time one of them showed you that their lifelong devotion to their career path truly produces some of the best and brightest society has to offer, you came to realize that everyone, no matter how we may view them with disdain, fear, or even ridicule, has a role in this world.
Your first all-nighter (that may or may not pay off)
Caffeine was your best friend, and you made mental notes to never trust your flaky groupmates ever again as you slaved over a project deadline. Bonus angst points if the prof decided to give an extension to everyone on the day itself, thereby invalidating your sacrifice.
Your first barkada member who came out of the closet (Despite everybody already knowing)
Everyone knew that he was gay/she was a lesbian except himself/herself. By the time your kabarkadacame out to the rest of you, everyone around smiled and said, “we know,” and carried on like nothing really happened. Of course, that’s pretty much the best response true friends could’ve ever given in the face of this act of personal courage.
The first time you mimicked a professor (While they are right behind you)
Remember that prof who had mannerisms so pronounced you imitated them with ease to the amusement of your classmates? Remember when your prof was standing behind you as you made that impression, and your prof ended up being amused about it? You will never, ever want to forget that memory, because you got away with it.
Your first prom date while you were in college
You were an awkward one in high school. But, in college, the caterpillar has turned into a beautiful butterfly, and you suddenly got invites from the whole barangay to besomeone’s prom date. Everyone looked at you in awe solely because you’re a couple of years older than most of the people in the room. It was a weird but awesome feeling you probably won’t experience again until you’re 50, unless you ended up being a teacher yourself.