In Pursuit Of Higher Education

Posted on January 3, 2010 12:00 pm by Sheng Banzon
Photo: Courtesy of Sheng Banzon

SAN FRANCISCO - The city of Berkeley in California was one of my favorite hangouts during the time I spent gallivanting about in the States in 2007. I'd take a train to go for visits once a week, during which I'd duck into music shops like Rasputin and Amoeba, dig up secondhand and first-edition copies of hard-to-find books in hole-in-the-wall stores such as Moe's and Cody's (which has already ceased operations, as I discovered today), check out tie-dyed shirts and other weird merchandise of hippie street vendors along Telegraph Avenue, and try out the weirdest headpieces at Berkeley Hat.

A walk along the colorful Telegraph Avenue leads you to quirky finds.

Down the road are bargain shops for stocking up on books and music.

I'd say most of the twenty pounds I put on (from 95 to 115!) was a direct result of snacking at Berkeley as well, in places like Arinell (the best New York-style pizza), Jupiter (where they serve terrific honey-wheat ale), Yogurt Park (for when I'm pretending to be healthy), and Tanaka (only when I have the money). If I wasn't shopping for CDs or books, I was either eating or thinking where I'd eat next.

But the main attraction of the city for me was campus life. The University of California Berkeley is steps away from the train station, and I spent many sunny mornings there sprawled on the grass and reading amongst other students, pretending I was one of them.

UC Berkeley has a big campus, but it’s pretty easy to learn the layout from walking around. The Sproul Plaza is my favorite spot, from where you can see the Sather Gate, one of the school’s most prominent landmarks.

School life is something I very much miss, and I still haven't given up the dream of taking up graduate studies one day--in UC Berkeley, if not in NYU (which is still my first choice--I love New York). My original plan was actually to take up my masters immediately after completing my bachelor's degree in Creative Writing (admittedly not the most lucrative career path, but it seems to be what I'm meant to do). However, the majority of my professors advised that I try working and living a little first, so I switched from looking for a graduate school to finding a job.

Completing a higher degree of eduction is not really mandatory, but it does have advantages. It allows you to gain specialized knowledge on your chosen field--something that the broader scope of undergraduate studies doesn't cover. There's also the plus points it adds to your CV. And, most importantly for me, it develops better study and work ethics, because you can't slack on it like you did in college (I most certainly did).

Some of the pros to attending graduate school right after finishing your undergraduate degree are: 1) it allows you to carry over the momentum of senior year, particularly when it comes to research work because you've just finished your thesis; 2) you won't have to go through the back-to-school readjustment period, unlike those who opt to work first; and, 3) the professors from whom you can get letters of recommendation are easier to get hold of, and they still know you from recent classes.

However, I decided to get a job and get a life first, because as somebody who wants to become a writer, I realized that talent and theoretical knowledge can only work for your writing to a certain extent; drawing material from seeing and experiencing the world is also an integral part of the equation. Also, I wanted to experience student life from the perspective of a more mature and driven person, so I could focus my learning toward achieving the goals I want to surpass as a professional.

Lastly, I wanted to make sure I was on the right path as well--a two-time shiftee like me can never be too careful.

I've been thinking a lot about graduate school the past year (most especially during the stressful weeks leading up to the holidays, as a reprieve from work), and spending time in Berkeley again has made me more certain that it's something I want to embark on in the near future. Turns out waiting a while before going back to school is bound to pay off. Hopefully, I'll go back a more focused student and a better one, having been a student of life first.

In the end, I think that's the first step toward higher education.

Tags: college,school,education,USA,San Francisco,Berkeley,California,degree,masters degree,post-graduate school,graduate school,higher education

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40 Comments

• 
  lavfifth
  40. I know that graduating college and passing the board exam would be the best gift for my mom and to myself..I know one day that will happen..though I had established my career but I know I need self-fulfillment..
  April 26, 2010 at 02:39 pm report abuse
• 
  lalabong
  39. Completing a higher degree of eduction is not really mandatory, but it does have advantages--- correct! it makes you more confident.
  March 15, 2010 at 03:48 pm report abuse
• 
  lalabong
  38. Im inspired with this article. Give us more beautiful posts cosmo. :)
  March 10, 2010 at 10:40 pm report abuse
• 
  Joei
  37. 37. this is really inspiring... im currently taking Sociology and i really hope to pursue masters then PhD..i know i still have a long way to go but i really want to specialize on something.. maybe deviance? hehe..
  February 17, 2010 at 11:41 am report abuse
• 
  len9
  36. i'll think of pursuing a master's degree after 2years of work. :)
  February 10, 2010 at 11:21 pm report abuse
• 
  handpaintedsky
  35. yeah. i wish to make my dream of pursuing higher education come true, too! :)
  February 10, 2010 at 05:09 pm report abuse
• 
  fishbowl84
  34. yes.. nice one! i wish i could do this too
  February 07, 2010 at 02:12 pm report abuse
• 
  miss_techylicious
  33. great, great job. on to the better things! :)
  February 07, 2010 at 09:42 am report abuse
• 
  joyfulmom
  32. i hope to start my ma by june...
  February 05, 2010 at 06:50 pm report abuse
• 
  shirleylim26
  31. Do what makes you happy cosmo girls. We only have one life to live. So enjoy!
  February 04, 2010 at 02:10 pm report abuse
• 
  tinnnnn076
  30. This is very inspiring. For most people, studying stops after getting a degree because this serves as a ticket to getting a decent job. But having a Master's Degree will get you even further.
  February 02, 2010 at 02:40 pm report abuse
• 
  retz
  29. I really wanted to take up creative writing. This is what I love to do, you know writing stuff. It's good to continue learning. Yun yung ginagawa ko ngayon eh. It can be very challenging, especially pag marami ka ng alam.
  January 31, 2010 at 02:13 pm report abuse
• 
  summerinparis128
  28. i always dreamed of going to the best school to learn college.i think i need to pursue a dream that will only b possible if im a college grad.
  January 31, 2010 at 08:01 am report abuse
• 
  mompreneur
  27. though grad school wasnt the best exerience for me but i think its a necessity nowadays
  January 30, 2010 at 01:28 am report abuse
• 
  alizey
  26. get a job and life first .. :DD
  January 29, 2010 at 07:43 pm report abuse
• 
  casebats
  25. this is inspiring
  January 28, 2010 at 06:11 am report abuse
• 
  iyabadelic
  24. yes one step at a time. no pressure. enjoy lng ;))
  January 28, 2010 at 12:03 am report abuse
• 
  iyabadelic
  23. will try to enroll for post-graduate studies this summer but hopefully, i'd be able to manage my time between work and my studies. i'd really want to go back to school since i've been missing it recently. i just graduated and got my first job and i'm not even sure if this (current job) is really for me.
  January 28, 2010 at 12:02 am report abuse
• 
  lady sairi
  22. goodluck sis in pursuing your dreams! one step at a time.. :)
  January 27, 2010 at 11:34 pm report abuse
• Sheng Banzon
  21. @miss_techylicious: Wrong person, it seems, haha. I'm neither engaged or in a relationship. :D
  January 27, 2010 at 07:22 pm report abuse
• 
  miss_techylicious
  20. sheng, are you getting married this month? just want to confirm if you're the sheng that i know. :)
  January 27, 2010 at 03:19 pm report abuse
• 
  Giell
  19. Im a just a fresh gad. And Im planning to take my MBA in 2-3 years time.
  January 27, 2010 at 02:25 pm report abuse
• 
  mamaii26
  18. dedication, discipline and drive.
  January 25, 2010 at 07:01 pm report abuse
• 
  joyfulmom
  17. been wanting to start my MBA, thanks for this article, might be able to start by june.
  January 24, 2010 at 09:29 pm report abuse
• 
  sonncza
  16. everyone want to study abroad! but not everyone have the chance
  January 24, 2010 at 09:24 am report abuse
• 
  miss_techylicious
  15. it's really nice to study abroad. you know, it's an accomplishment.
  January 22, 2010 at 06:52 pm report abuse
• 
  shirleylim26
  14. i am a graduate of Engineering and wanting to take my masteral degree... thanks for this article...
  January 20, 2010 at 11:33 pm report abuse
• 
  lizbenetua
  13. Thanks for posting. I am currently in the Philippines taking up my Masters in Nursing as well. It is hard, but it has given me the best opportunities like seminars...and meeting people
  January 20, 2010 at 02:55 pm report abuse
• 
  Myrajoy
  12. not yet for me I guess...I still need experience..hhehe
  January 11, 2010 at 11:22 am report abuse
• 
  amberluke
  11. loved your blog =) i think its good to have work experience before pursuing higher studies so you have a perspective wherein you can realistically apply what you learn. when you start working, you realize what's relevant and what was useless =)
  January 08, 2010 at 01:28 pm report abuse
• 
  salmoncat
  10. Good luck on that MA, Sheng.
  January 07, 2010 at 05:34 pm report abuse
• 
  jhe_1212
  9. I'm working now but I'll be enrolling next year as MBA (part-time), while working! Hopefully I could finish in 3 years! :D
  January 07, 2010 at 12:52 pm report abuse
• 
  cymn
  8. graduate school, i will pursue it in three years time... hopefully...
  January 03, 2010 at 11:46 pm report abuse
• 
  summerinparis128
  7. I never graduated from College,thanks to Americans,I was hired as a call center agent,good thing my family has taught me English when I was young.I agree,experience is the best teacher.I had a lot of work experience,I've been working since 17 now I'm 23 and I never stopped working,switching one job to another.During my 5th month in my current job,I got promoted as an Escalation Agent,primarily from an Agent to Assistant Supervisor for frontline agents taking calls from agents who hasn't resolve the customer issue,mostly irate customerrs.After 10months I got promoted as a Coach,but it only lasted for 5months cause I got involved in a fight,I was demoted back to being Assistant Supervisor for frontline agents.Well,I just realized that for someone to succeed in a certain field " Diskarte @ Tiyaga" ang kailangan.There is a lot of college graduate sa office na mas naunahan kong mapromote.Napapaisip nga ako kung bkit cla ngyaga dun.Practicality ata.I'm still looking forward to finish college but I really can't find a school near my workplace so this year I'm trying to pursue my passion "Photography".It's feels good to do something you really want,not just for the sake of practicality.I would want to accomplished something not just to earn big but to make myself have the feeling of certainty and accomplishment.Cguro if God will allow,makakatapos din ako,but for now,just like what is mentioned in this blog,I need to get a life first.
  January 03, 2010 at 09:28 pm report abuse
• 
  miss_techylicious
  6. enrolling to graduate school is one of things i want to do... if only i had the luxury of time and money. =)
  January 03, 2010 at 09:25 pm report abuse
• 
  rose17
  5. after graduating from college, I realized I didn't want to go to school anymore. You know, the-everyday-at-school-with-assignments kind of thing, I figured I can learn outside school, and that's what I'm trying to figure out now, first year after college
  January 03, 2010 at 05:38 pm report abuse
• 
  kobe_bear
  4. it surely does have a lot of advantages
  January 03, 2010 at 04:54 pm report abuse
• 
  darriane
  3. we learn new things in everyday of our life,experience itself is a type of learning.so weather you like it or not, its apart of you, that will mold you as a person make make you who you are right now
  January 03, 2010 at 04:11 pm report abuse
• 
  fishbowl84
  2. the best form of learning for me though is EXPERIENCE :), agree?
  January 03, 2010 at 01:33 pm report abuse
• 
  xannebull
  1. college graduation doesn't mean that learning stops there, one must continue on learning. I am taking my masters degree in IT, and i am hoping that i would be graduating as soon as possible...
  January 03, 2010 at 12:03 pm report abuse

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