Written by Reena Amon

You’re finally in the home-stretch! This is your sign to buy that reward in your shopping cart, order a delicious meal or two, or catch up on that hobby of yours you’ve been too busy for! As we finish or are finishing our semester, Christmas bells are ringing and 12.12 sales are singing. While passing that final requirement you’ve worked endless nights on, one might ask, “What did one semester online teach me?”. Let’s hear it from OrCom Majors to share what 4 months of Zoom calls and screen staring taught them!

Ever felt lonely?

“Spending a semester online just further proved to me that no matter how old we get, we’ll always long for guidance and companionship, someone to give you clarity and assurance. To be honest, I am overwhelmed and worried about how everything will turn out, but having someone to consult or simply talk to alleviates these feelings. I owe this little success of surviving the semester not only to myself but also to the people who helped me reach this point.”

-Leanne Dinglasan, 1st Year

“I wanna say that the most significant realization I’d had over an online semester is that no matter what the circumstances are, it’s the community that gives me a sense of identity and motivation. I wouldn’t have survived without the friends who’d kept me sane throughout the semester.”

-Eryl Soriano, 3rd Year

Ever doubted yourself?

“It taught me that you can’t expect the same standard from yourself for every task, you’ll always feel dissatisfied/disappointed with yourself. You have to accept that you’re only human and that you’re doing the best you could at that moment. It’s not a sin to take time for yourself and you owe it no one to explain why you need to take a break.”

-Majet Cirio, 2nd Year

Ever lost that motivation?

“One semester of online learning taught me that while there may be fewer professors present, learning about your degree program on your own time, at times, can be just as fulfilling. I’ve had more time searching for my own external sources of knowledge outside of a provided course pack, and this made my learning feel very personal.”

-Yñigo Escaño, 2nd Year

We OrCom majors know how members are a significant part of an organization. Therefore, we rise by lifting others – especially in a setting where interactions are limited and learning becomes a challenge. Remember that you have a community that is with you and for you throughout your college journey.

Now it’s your time to answer – what did one semester online teach you?