by: Russet

Few weeks ago, I was looking for a place where I could be able to gather my thoughts as I write an article for work. So, I decided to spend that afternoon at the Starbucks outlet in front of Ateneo in Katipunan, QC.

In my previous visits to that place, it always amuses me how some people could actually spend their time studying alone or in a group in such a public place (where customers come and go or have their little chitchats) without being distracted. And so, I tried to experience it for myself.

After getting my venti espresso frapuccino at the counter, I chose to be seated at the corner table hoping that I could concentrate on my work assignment. So I put my earplugs on as I listened to the taped interview I had earlier that day.

Around thirty minutes later, my attention shifted to this group of students who occupied the table beside mine. College students I presumed, they had different expressions on their faces to which I got a bit curious. So I decided to let go of my earplugs for a while as I nonchalantly listened to their conversation.

They are freshmen students (as I understood from their discussion) sharing their first week in school. Surprisingly, though, only one of these six students seemed to be excited about her new life in college. The rest were unenthusiastic about having to attend classes everyday, reading numerous books and doing those endless reports and group assignments. But what really caught my attention was when one of them uttered “I wish I was already working, so I could earn my own money.”

Oh, well, how I wanted to join their conversation and tell them how lucky they are to still be in school. But I guess, that was a normal remark for students and I must admit I had that same thought when I was still working my ass out for that ever so precious college degree. I could still recall those frequent occasions where I would actually daydream of working in a prestigious company, having my own desk and wearing corporate clothes.. and yes, earning my own money.

But after four taxing years in college and with a diploma to be proud of, comes reality. It is not easy to look for a job!! much more, landing at the work you have long wanted. With thousands of students graduating each year, competition as you realize is definitely tough.

At first, you tend to be a bit choosy, sending your resume only to top corporations which you think will give you the job you had dreamed of. But as months passed by and still without a job, you begin to expand your search to include even those companies you had barely heard of. Then, you start hearing comments from your parents about having to continue giving you financial support and for not trying hard enough in those interviews. Whew! Out of the blue, you tell yourself…. I wish I were still studying!!!

Then you start recalling those times when all you did was go to class (with or without preparing for the class discussion), watch a movie with your barkada after school, party during weekends… and all of these you enjoyed without having to think of the money you had to spend because, well, you had your allowance from your parents… You also recall how you could use your charm with your professors to be excused during class recitations or from submitting your project on time… but now find it so hard to convince the HR Manager to hire you for the job your are applying for…

How I wished I were still in school…. I miss my friends (whom I seldom see now because of our different schedules and priorities).. I miss my school.. I miss my classroom at the fourth floor.. I miss my professor who, because of her regional accent, could not properly pronounce my name… I miss my other professor whose sense of fashion was always part of our conversation… I miss the cheeseburger I often ordered from the school’s canteen…I miss spending long hours at our “tambayan”…

Most of all, I miss my life as a student - when things were much simpler…when problems where confined with school work and affairs of the heart…when all I had to do then was to go to class, pass my subjects and enroll for the next semester… when I enjoyed receiving money without having to earn it….

But I guess, this is all about man’s insatiability… we never get contended.. we always want what we do not have… and when things are no longer in our hands, we realized how valuable they are…

And as I finished my espresso frap, I decided it was time for me to head home… that group of students were still there… still frustrated about having to read five chapters for next meeting’s class discussion… and upset to be going to class the following day instead of working in a top corporation or running their own business….

I smiled as I passed by their table… in my mind, I wanted to tell them how I envy them because they are still students… and how I wished I was still in school… but then, I realized I had to rush home to continue writing that article I earlier started on…. deadline was on the next day… at eight am sharp!

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