Happy New Year, everyone! Since college, I was obsessed with doing well in my studies. Getting these achievements was never my priority, but they followed naturally through hard work. Now that I don’t have to deal with academics as much, I’d like to do a mini throwback. My passive suicidal self four years ago would thank me because I didn’t give up.
This was the first time I received this Dean's List certificate. I remember bragging about it to my sibling, acting like I felt hot and using the certificate to fan myself. This was the time when I got a 1.30 GWA during my freshman year based on my own computation. It wasn’t my overall best, but I guess this mid-level performance helped me become more academically competent. My own computation for the 2nd semester was 1.25, but I ended up getting a 1.19 GWA from the portal.
Among all my academic achievements that I had, this is the most memorable. I received this one-of-a-kind award from the university that once rejected me. This was also the first time I competed with 56 individuals from eight different universities across Nueva Ecija. Take note that I competed with students from different year levels and still managed to rank first. Additionally, I was only second-year at that time.
With this academic success, I went home with a trophy, medal, cash prize, and certificates. We commemorated this win with my family by treating them on Jollibee using the cash I won. By the way, I didn't bring the trophy home as my professors displayed it in their department. These awards served as a clapback to the school that almost led me to end my life. All school publications and even the Dean on their Facebook account and pages expressed their pride in this achievement. Most of my classmates congratulated me personally after this historic win.
During my second year, I got a 1.42 and 1.52 GWA for the first and second semesters, respectively. The ranking computation was based on grades during my 2nd semester in the 1st year and my 1st semester in the 2nd year. It was also my first time receiving this award from the main branch, together with my mother. It was also the same day they awarded me separately for my regional competition win. Until now, I can still feel the chills from the way they screamed after the emcee called my name.
For the second time, I earned the highest rank again as a Marketing major. I got a 1.60 GWA during my third year, both in the first and second semesters. They computed my qualified grade by averaging my 2nd semester in the 2nd year and my 1st semester in the 3rd year. I thought I wouldn’t get this award because my classmate was also competitive and had a higher GWA than me in the second semester. It turned out that I performed significantly better in the first semester. She got a 1.95 GWA, while I got a 1.60 GWA. It was just friendly competition, you know.
After being awarded as the highest-ranking Marketing student on our campus, there was also a separate recognition for organization officers. As seen in the photo, I wore a barong that I bought for ₱600.00. It wasn’t cheap, and there was a chance the parcel wouldn’t arrive on time. Luckily, I was still able to wear it, even though the fabric made me feel extremely hot. While serving, I also handled our organization’s Facebook page. I’m glad they trusted me with that responsibility.
By the way, I still remember the Dean subtly saying that I was great. I don’t know why she said that. Yet, maybe she was hinting at something.
A few months ago, I was shocked after I saw that I didn’t have a 2.25 on my portal. That’s why I immediately told my friends that I could graduate With Latin Honors. If that's the case, it would be historic since I will be the first Marketing student who will get it on our campus. During the awarding, I was also surprised that no one from our program graduated with Latin Honors. On top of that, I also predicted that I might get Rank 1 for the third time. I don’t know what the basis for getting the rank will be.
