“Saan po iyong TBA?”
This is a common question UP freshies ask upon venturing around the campus for their first day of classes. If you’re lucky to run into the right upperclassman, they will be quick to answer that it stands for ‘to be announced’ and that professors usually announce the class venue through email. But if you aren’t, you might just be misled to The Bahay ng Alumni, a building within the campus that often functions as an events place rather than a classroom for students.
This is just one of the many instances to look out for upon setting foot in the University of the Philippines, Diliman. But for freshmen, like Ezeil and Jamie, they didn’t really get to experience this upon entering the university. They only got to know the school through a screen—a screen that can only do so much to introduce the ins and outs of UP. They too had their own share of expectations for their freshmen year but most of which would have to wait until we’ve recovered from this pandemic.
Last July 30, 2020, the UP Office of the Student Regent announced that the University of the Philippines will proceed with remote learning for A.Y. 2020-2021—classes were to start on September 10, 2020. Despite the numerous calls for #WalangIwananUP, #PostponeClassesUP and #LigtasNaBalikEskwela, UP was firm on pushing through with conducting classes online.
And much to the students’ dismay, the first semester proved to be quite the rollercoaster ride, especially for the freshmen.
Remote learning as freshmen
Ezeil Melgarejo, a Speech Communication freshman residing in Negros, shared her struggles with the digital divide. “I’m always worried about missing synchronous sessions and deadlines because of [the internet connection].”
She stressed that one of the ways she would cope with academics was through other people’s company but now that everything’s online, Ezeil finds it rather limiting and less enjoyable than helpful to interact online with others.
In an attempt to address this problem, UP, through its Student Learning Assistance System (SLAS), offered its students learning assistance packages to address their financial and learning needs. However, according to a report, only 35% of the packages promised to first semester grantees have been delivered as of February 23 —updates on this are yet to be released.
Alumni organizations, such as #nowheretogobutUP, has also extended their hand to UP students through donating over 100 tablets, keyboards and pocket wifis; providing both student-athletes and other students from different colleges with gadget assistance.
Even so, a lot of students are continually burdened as their mental health also worsens together with their problems with internet connections and means to attend classes.
Mental toll of remote learning
She was no longer as productive compared to before.
“I have been struggling with anxiety and existential dread. It is a daily battle of questioning if the hustle is still worth it,” the freshman shared. “The pandemic made me feel like my life was paused and that I have been going around the same circle since March 2020.”
“It’s as if you’re a student 24/7, looking out for deadlines while keeping up with your responsibilities at home.”
Ezeil Melgarejo, freshman
This was also the case for Jamie De Luna, a Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management freshman based within Metro Manila. She found remote learning very challenging despite having kept up with the workload and classes.
“I had a hard time adjusting because the lines between my educational and personal life were constantly blurred by looming deadlines and increasing workload and backlogs,” she explained. Jamie described the remote learning set-up as an ongoing flow that she was waiting for to end so that she could rest.
Like Ezeil, Jamie was bombarded with anxiety and other overwhelming emotions brought about by the implications of academics under the pandemic.
UP’s response? Besides heightening financial and learning assistance, UP also gave way for reading breaks and mental health centers such as UPD PsycServ to further help its students get through the semester.
However, due to the overwhelming number of students availing the services provided by UPD PsycServ, it takes awhile for a student to get consultations; proving to be quite problematic especially for those who can’t wait too long. With having only one psychiatrist available, slots for appointments have also become so scarce to the point that upon trying to get a schedule on the website, one will only see a screen with the words ‘No Times Available’.
Luckily for freshmen, Ezeil and Jamie, coping with the whole remote learning set-up came in the form of friendships.
Jamie shared how her high school friends help her cope with the whole situation, stating “One thing that keeps me going is keeping in touch with my old friends through daily video chats where we do homework together. It gives me the comfort that I need to help me motivate myself to continue with work.”
Ezeil on the other hand found comfort through spending time with both her friends and family, knowing well that this would greatly help in lightening the load for her as well as the people she conversed with. “I keep myself motivated by constantly reminding myself that this too shall pass,” she added.
Today, UP students are in their second semester of remote learning. Having no choice but to adjust, UP students continue to grapple with the likings of the remote learning set-up. The problems of the past semester are still very apparent.
The situation the country is currently in has caused students quite the uncertainty as the government continues to re-implement lockdowns to lower the surge of cases in the country. Despite the resumption of face-to-face classes being nowhere near the picture, freshmen like Ezeil and Jamie are still hopeful to get the full UP experience once the pandemic is over.
May it be riding an IKOT jeep for the first time to go around the campus, jogging in the academic oval early in the morning, trying out food in Area 2 with friends or chilling out at the Sunken Garden after class.
However, at the rate of how things are going in the country, these expectations would just have to wait. Who knows, it might even take quite a long time before everything goes back to normal.
Jo Comuyog edited this story.
This story first appeared in KRISIS (AY 2020-2021) on May 17, 2021.
