I miss being in school and studying. I know that sounds a bit too nerdy, but really, I do. I suppose that's what almost 11 years out of school does to you. After braving the work world for a little over a decade now, I'm starting to miss having teachers, soaking up new information in a classroom, and testing knowledge through pop quizzes and oral exams. There's something uniquely and ultimately enriching about being in school.

In-School Introspection

I got especially nostalgic about my college days when we were working on Cosmopolitan July ish's Cosmo Campus section. As we were writing and completing the section's stories, I couldn't help but wonder: What are the things I learned in school that I still use up to this day?

As much as I racked my brain, I couldn't accurately recall any specific lesson plan or unit class. I tried to think back upon my Stat class, and while I'm sure I memorized so many formulas then, I don't remember any of them now. I tried to call up specifics from my 16 units of Philosophy, but aside from the broad fundamentals of "pagmemeron," I couldn't categorically run down a list of thesis statements. I attempted to call to mind my fun Comm classes, but while I do use some tips and notes from my Journalism class for work, my mind goes blank when I think about specific theories. What happened to me?

I'm pretty sure I wasn't exactly a petiks student in college to merit forgetting these things. I was actually quite the opposite, computing my QPI/GPA to the decimal, assuming leadership roles in and out of class, balancing good academic performance with a slew of extra-curricular posts. So, what gives? Did I grow dumber over the years?

Campus Recollection

Fieldwork for the July ish brought me to my senses. Thinking back, more than the piles of handouts and tons of books, school gives you an opportunity to learn more important things in life. It gives you a million and one chances to develop the discipline to succeed.

With the freedom college bestows upon its students, it gives you the choice to want to learn and to choose what is more important. With the many tasks you have to manage, school gives you the skill of foresight and provides you with an environment to hone your ability to prioritize. With the appeal of distractions, it nudges you to focus to get the things you want. And with the many personalities that your university introduces to you, school gives you the opportunity to ditch relationships that are not healthy and forge real friendships that'll last a lifetime (to my friends, you know who you are! And to my besties who I've lost touch with, I miss you).

Sure, I may not remember the specific course plans or journal titles, but I do remember being able to wing it because I wanted to. I remember succeeding and finishing with flying colors because I worked hard for it all, to the very last decimal point of that elusive high QPI. Even if it's been nearly 11 years since my commencement march, I cherish these lessons of school to this very day.

Teacher Says...

In school, it's easy to dismiss things and exasperatedly ask: "Ano'ng point nito?" But, I'll make like your ate who's been there and done that by telling you this much: The point is, well, bigger than the lesson plan. It's embracing your potential to succeed. Being humble enough to know that you need to learn more—and want to learn more. I think that these are, by far, the most important lessons your education will teach you. And, it all begins with your embracing it and making it happen—grades notwithstanding.


Still in school or just want to figure out what the heck I'm talking about? Pick up the July 2011 issue of Cosmopolitan Philippines. The Cosmo Campus section will be your trip down memory lane.

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