By GLADYS DIANE DE MESA
Hello new iTamaraw and welcome to FEU Tech. Are you terrified, nervous, and lost? Don’t worry, there are probably hundreds like you feeling the exact, same way while wandering in the hallways, clasping their bags like their lives depended on it.
How do I know?
I was once a freshman too just like you. And here I am a few years later ready to give you tips on how to survive your dreaded first day.
1. Go to school before your first class starts – This will give you time to familiarize yourself with the elevators and classroom assignments on your class schedules. Knowing where to go next is much better than running around like a headless chicken trying not to be late for your next class. It also makes a good impression on your teachers.
2. FYI, TBA – on your class schedule/COR means, To Be Announced. If our Manong guards got P10.00 for every student who asks, San po yung TBA? they will all be rich by now. Instead, go to your Department to confirm if that TBA has now been assigned a room.
3. Be battle- ready even on your first day – Here’s a checklist of what to bring:
- I.D. – (No I.D., no entry)
- COR – (Unless you have memorized your classroom numbers)
- Ballpen – (Because a pop quiz might happen on the first day)
- Notebook – (To write your professor’s name, expectations and classroom policy on)
- Paper – (Because pop quiz)
- Index card – ( Some professors give extra points to those who bring this on the first day)
- 1×1 or 2×2 photo – (a requirement that comes with the index card)
- Umbrella and slippers (Just in case it rains on your first day. You can never be too sure)
4. FIT Building or Engineering Building – Classes are held in both buildings, so better know the difference. FIT Building is located at P. Paredes St. right across PRC while Engineering Building, formerly known as the Tech building, is the old one beside FEU Main. If your class schedule reads F404, that means go to FIT Building 4thFloor but if it reads T404 go to Engineering Building, 4th Capiche?
5. Smile and make connections – Remember that you are on an exciting journey that will last four to five years and building relationships will definitely make the years go by faster and smoother. There will be hard days and there will be even harder days, and you will need someone to hold your hand through the marathon sleepless nights and group studies. And your first day is a good day to start making friends.
6. Have fun – So what if you get lost? So what if you got on the wrong elevator? You are not the first iTamaraw to be late for a class and you probably won’t be the last. So, savor this moment. Celebrate the small milestones like finding the canteen or taking a selfie in one of the nine study areas. You are now in college, welcome to the big league.
7. Be brave – Good or bad, it’s just the first day. Tomorrow is a chance at redemption, you always get a do-over. All you need to be is brave enough to take each new day as an opportunity to learn about school, about yourself and about life. Take this to heart an iTamaraw always dares to be brave to be great!