Notes From the Undergrad
by Abigail S. Ong

The undergrad has a lot on his mind.  Quizzes, projects, reports, exams, teachers, friends, peer pressure, parental pressure, relational concerns, pimples, prom…and so the list goes on.  Alas, just when it seems like world is too small for the accumulating worries, another one comes along.  And it’s a BIG worry.

COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMS.

Oh yes, the big bad words. 

The undergrad, upon hearing this phrase, has one emotional reaction:  jitters.  The College Entrance Exam, for the undergrad, is associated with an equally scary word:  the FUTURE. 

Indeed, college entrance exams are the gateway to an undergrad’s future.   This is perhaps the most important exam in one’s life—without exaggeration.  The success or failure in this exam actually starts the undergrad’s journey into the real world.  Will he/she get into one of the premier universities of the country, or will he/she settle for the next best thing? Remember that the university will determine the group of friends and network of contacts the undergrad will acquire, which will be helpful even after college.  Will he/she be associated with the Maroons, Archers, or the Eagles?  One’s course will shape the undergrad’s career, and there are universities that are renowned for a specific field of study.  The university may even provide the setting for the undergrad’s future mate (yes, think about it, it may…).

While all undergrads dread the college entrance exam in panic anticipation, not all respond the same way.  There are those who give in to the fright and as a defense mechanism, opt to push the thought away until a day before the actual exam.  The result?  An obviously crammed and panic-laden score. 

Then there are the smart ones.  Who, despite their worry, choose to be in control of the situation by critical planning.  Meet Steffy, an undergrad from a private high school.  Instead of succumbing to worrying over her wits about her college applications, she decided to plan ahead to ace her college entrance exams.  Here’s what I found in her notes:

·          Chart my course!  What are my strengths?  What’s my passion?  What energizes me?  Which course will likely bring out the best in me?  Which school is known for this course?  Argghh…choices!  I’m going to consult with my parents later.  And I gotta attend that career-orientation seminar our guidance counselor is organizing. 

·          Be the best!  I realized that in order to be the best, I have to be in the best school.  What are the best schools in the country?  UP?  Ateneo?  La Salle?  Which of these schools are offering my course?  Gotta send my application to these…

·          Study Study!!!  I enrolled at a well-known review center, AHEAD Tutorial and Review Center, so I could refresh my memory with high school lessons.  This means I have to cut my mall hours, but it’s ok…It’s cool ‘coz I met a lot of promising students here, and the lecturers are young and friendly!  It’s real fun learning with them!  Plus, they gave us simulated exams and tips on how the exams really go.  I now feel like I’m ready to conquer those exams!

·          Pray! and cross my fingers…I’ve prepared and done my best.  This is the only thing I can do now.  Wish me luck!!!

Steffy aced all three exams she took:  ACET (Ateneo College Entrance Test), DLSUCET (De La Salle University College Entrance Test), and UPCAT (University of the Philippines College Admission Test).  She is now taking up Fine Arts in UP Diliman. 

And luck had nothing to do with it.  For Steffy, it was sheer determination, foresight, and wise choices.

Like her, you too can stop fearing your college entrance exams.  Learn from this undergrad’s notes.  You see, college entrance exams—your future—isn’t too big a mountain if you plan ahead.