By Raya Untalan

By Laia De Roma

A coarse brick red with thousands of invisible footprints, observing birds chirping in the distance, and the neverending shining of the sun on the path. 

The view of the rough gravel of the red brick road ahead slowly starts to become familiar for many. While for others, they quietly attempt to memorize the pattern of the path beneath their feet to immortalize their several memories made here in the past. 

In the quick four months that have passed in the previous semester, the red brick road has become a view that is all too familiar for both junior and senior. For the former, this only means the beginning of a worthwhile journey. But for the latter, this view has become one worth missing. 

Dealing With Academics

A new environment never fails to bring change, whether it be for better or worse. In the Ateneo Senior High School (ASHS), the academic workload can be quite humbling and overwhelming at the start. For Klyde Sioson, a student from 11-Owen, they emphasized that they felt that they weren’t as competent as they thought they were, “I got checked by ASHS which I think was quite necessary,” he expressed. With each student coming from different backgrounds, it can be easy to assume that the academic system works the same way as to where they came from. 

This similar sentiment goes back several years. For Karmielle Ramos from 12- Holland, she related to Sioson with her experience in junior year, “I was really struggling with my subjects where I didn’t really get a good grade in my midterm mark. That was one of my biggest adjustments in junior year.” At the end of all the effort exerted in the past few months, it is an unfortunate yet common fate that students feel burnt out. Drained, tired, and spent. But with such struggle, there is always reason. Beneath every stack of test papers, worksheets, and laboratory reports, there is a reason for choosing to struggle here in the ASHS.

As Ramos reflected on her exhaustion, she realized that “getting tired is something that I find rewarding because it means that I’m really thinking a lot about these subjects.” In choosing to study in HUMSS, she felt that it only reaffirmed her love and enthusiasm for the strand. Practicality will always be necessary, but passion is the drive of every journey.

But in every journey, no one goes through one completely alone. After struggling with certain subjects, Sioson was able to improve with the support of his classmates. “My classmates and I would discuss our answers and thought processes together. Sessions where you would teach the class in front would help a lot,” he said. The intense workload can seem overpowering and disheartening, but everyone is thinking the same idea. In the ASHS, nobody is struggling alone but rather, together. 

Finding Your People

In every environment, it is key that everyone finds their own safe space, whether it be in activity, place, or people. Sioson shared that in the start of the school year, it felt quite overwhelming coming from a smaller school where he already knew everyone. However after one semester, things have changed for him, “In Owen, I never thought I’d be saying this but it does feel like a family, with how cliché that sounds,” he expressed.  Classmates are the people that one is surrounded by every single day, those that you groan together with in annoyingly difficult math lessons, those that you howl in laughter with after hearing a corny joke, and those that become the people that will always have your back. 

This lesson has become well-learned for seniors after a year in the ASHS, becoming a guiding star for the first semester. For Ramos, it was specifically her formed friendships that were a big help, “Iniiyakan ko talaga ang friendships ko because it’s really something that I didn’t think I needed but as time went by, these friendships made me realize that the ASHS wasn’t as scary as I thought it was,” she explained.  Students often forget to breathe a little, to live in the moment and relish it with the people around them. In the midst of preparing for the daunting adult world through endless nights of tiresome work, it is crucial that there are kindred spirits prepared to bring them out of the dark, ready to shower with love and warmth as a reminder to live in the present.

Besides the support of fellow peers, there are guiding stars in the mentors on campus. With much more experience than students, teachers have plentiful knowledge to offer. Not just academically, but as people with gained wisdom. Such a mentor and role model for Ramos would be her previous class moderator, “He really helped me with discerning big things in my life like CSC. He’s made such a big impact on me and shifted my perspective on life,” she shared. These teachers serve as role models beyond the classroom. With their passion, empathy, and commitment in teaching others, this greatly helps in shaping students for the path ahead of them. 

The future is often trained for with warnings of formidable career paths, that the fragility of time is forgotten. Senior high school only lasts two years, offering limited opportunities to meet and know people that could become an unlimited part of one’s life. In working towards success, the people all around become part of such an unforgettable journey. They are not stepping stones in reaching goals, but fellow stars on their own path that will still work alongside hand in hand. 

Strengthening Passion

Besides academic pursuits, students have the opportunity to personally choose and develop their own interests. Compared to other schools, the org culture in the ASHS is somewhat unique with a systemized yet genuinely enthusiastic approach from the several organizations and committees that the school has to offer. While outreaches and immersions exist,  the ASHS continues to promote and uphold advocacies through its many organizations where members work tightly-knit in bonding together while still learning more about their own interests. For juniors, everything can feel unfamiliar but one simply needs to cling onto their passion. 

In his extracurriculars, Sioson embodied such clinging in continuing to grow as both a student leader and performer. “As CSC External Undersecretary, I was reminded of the many advocacies which helped rekindle my passion for them. In Glee Club, I‘ve already had this constant want for singing and entertainment which helped strengthen it,” he said. Passion will always be the driving force in truly working with all of the will and energy that one possesses. 

After a year in the ASHS, this sentiment has heartily been seen and practiced by seasoned seniors.  As CSC Vice President, Ramos shared that she knows that such committees aren’t always the first choice. What matters is that the people, like officers and members, are dedicated to learning about advocacies through strenuous outreaches and projects. She observed that “The highlight is seeing the people and their passion not fade even though there’s an inclination of students being involved about these things, there are still people that care about advocacies.” No matter the paperwork, endless meetings, or proposal rejections, it is key to do what matters for the heart. 

An involvement may seem like extra work but it helps to take the time to actually immerse oneself in strengthening a passion that has always existed. As a senior, Ramos advises juniors to “Cling onto that passion and interest, tas magugulat ka nalang mag gagraduate ka na ng ASHS at ang layo na ng nakarating mo.” That one org session will never happen again, so listen with heart and mind to advance in what may be the path that real passion can forge. 

In the chaotic two years that the ASHS has to offer with challenge after challenge, the first semester gives a glimpse of what truly matters in the memorable journey ahead. Whether it be people or passion, both juniors and seniors must use such drive to stay in the present. 

As every student continues to walk the path of the familiar red brick road in the upcoming months, may it be known that every step taken is a step towards a future. A future that will be shaped by each moment spent in the campus. So make the most out of time and live with both the gained knowledge and love that one semester has gifted.