He's done UST, but because of not listening to the examiner's instructions of filling the answer sheets the proper way, my brother was denied to be a Thomasian. One thing to remember about exams is that it doesn't matter if you've got the answers right, what matters is you have to read and listen to the instructions very carefully.
Then came FEU. I don't know if I would sound unfair if I say that everybody is welcome at FEU as long as you can pay. And I sure don't know what's the real purpose of their entrance exam when at the end of the day, they're still going to have everyone. Sorry folks, just my opinion.
So yeah, my brother passed the entrance exam in FEU. But I'm not for it. I wasn't even aware that he took the entrance exam at FEU for I was at the province during that time.
Plus, I can't afford the tuition fee, frankly speaking. P 42, 000. 00 for Marketing Management was kind of over the top for me. It's really hard to finance college education nowadays. Tuition plus everyday allowance takes a whole lot of serious budgeting.
I talked to Paul of giving up his U-belt dream. I told him, why not consider checking out the schools in Intramuros for I can't really afford FEU. I told him, there are lots of other institutions out there which offer great education for your course of choice. It goes like this, if you want to take up a computer course, why go to La Salle if you can get it at STI, a school which is known for its computer-related programs?
It took several discussions until my brother decided to regard Lyceum. Our dad's an alumni at that school, being kicked out from Mapua. According to my research, Lyceum University of the Philippines's business administration programs is recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as Center for Development plus a level 3 accreditation status from PACUCOA. It has four campuses, Manila, Cavite, Batangas and Laguna. I wonder, what's up with the South?
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| Lyceum of the Philippines, Manila |
Paul took the exam and passed his first choice course which is Marketing Management and his second choice which I think is Accounting. For his third choice, which is Customs Administration, he was up for an interview. But nevertheless, he passed for Marketing Management and I enrolled him the following day, I even brought the uniforms, so no escape for him. I was kind of the dictator here, but in all fairness, he has given me a subtle go signal. He was quite stubborn though, he is still insisting on getting to FEU, but being the more stubborn person I am, I said NO.
Lyceum offers business courses for about P 35, 000.00 per semester which is evidently way cheaper than FEU. My brother told me that he will try his very best to get into the Dean's List to acquire the merit scholarship which means tuition fee discount. So yay for me.
Enrolling my brother in college brings back the urge of me going back to school. I envy those college kids running around the school's corridors and were seen having the time of their lives. If only I have the money, I will definitely go back to school and maybe take my master's degree, or even law.
College life is one transitory phase. It's a season of metamorphosis, of knowing oneself better. It's always one step ahead. I've always had this inkling that I could have done better during my college years. But Algebra has several tricks up on its sleeves. So to those not mathematically gifted like me, you might want to double your efforts with number related subjects. Statistics is fine, as long as you've got your calculator.
I accompanied my brother with his orientation at Lyceum, and the peer facilitators were very amusing. They've shared some tips to the noobs on how to survive college at Intramuros without having to visit BayLeaf establishments; according to them there's always KFC, which stands for Kikiam, Fishball and Chicken Balls. I'm not sure if that's highly recommendable though with Hepatitis as an inevitable freebie. I sure am excited for my brother, I hope he can explore Intramuros and be enamored by its walls.
To all incoming urban college students out there, may you all enjoy your course or even learn to love it (if it was "parent' choice"). Take the right choices, meet new people, join organizations, keep good grades, debate with your professors. And before you embark to your new found journey and freedom, let me bade you "Bon Voyage."
Keep it real,
Joanne :]
