The Big A: a Year in Review

Being fifteen years old and residing in the Republic of the Philippines meant that June is the month when all schools open for another year of fixed educational curriculum. That means more midnight crams, less gimmicks, no time with computer tweaks, and lots and lots of nosebleed (especially with the more recent El Niño). But being a High School student of Ateneo de Manila (a.k.a. 'The Big A'), it also meant that school will start in a jiffy rather than on the national opening of classes on June 15. But instead of hurrying up with preparations, I'd rather take a little stroll down Memory Lane and look back how I survived my first year in The Big A.

I transferred from Don Bosco Makati to Ateneo for Second Year of High School because of the track record that I had (and still have) with my comrades. At first, everyone was worried with my decision to transfer, most especially with my parents who thought I'll never survive. After all, Ateneo is one of the top schools here in the Philippines.

At first, I was flunking some seatworks, quizzes, and even failed my Christian Living class because I was still adjusting myself to the school's curriculum. But I got my wings back to soar a bit higher in the second and third term.

I also had my set of 'firsts': First time to become a 'somewhat crappy' mascot of a class of procrastinators, First time to lay hands on a Mac during computer class and club period, First time to see and actually read manga maintained by the school's library, First time to piss off a person who usually pisses me off, First time to get straight A's in practical arts, First time to be ranked 'class technician' and to have access to the classroom's snail-speed desktop computer, First time to have a daily 'offline meeting' with a person I've known in the web, etc.

In the end, I survived The Big A. But for me, this is just part of the challenge coming ahead. So for now, I better get prepared. Nobody wants to die in the line of duty, you know!