March On

March on
APRIL 20, 2010
By OFELIA EMPIAN
www.nordis.net

Sitting at a cafeteria table, alone and surrounded by different groups of laughing and carefree students, I think the whole world is having a blast while I am left alone, eating away my misery with a half-eaten sandwich infront of me. I cannot pinpoint the exact reason of my misery, these are just one of the moments in life where I am sucked into the vortex of deep thinking — that I am not yet ready to assume the full responsibility of myself, the full responsibility of being an adult.

In a few months time, I shall be graduating, just like the rest of my peers. I’ll be marching up the stage, in full graduation attire, toga and all, my name shall be called, and my diploma handed over, now ain’t that cool? But after the flashes of the cameras had died down and the congratulations heard, I don’t know what is next after leaving the stage with my diploma in hand and my sense of pride on my shoulders. I don’t know where all of these will take me.

I remember one of my advisers in high school who related to us the meaning of the word “commencement” in the phrase “commencement exercise”, which simply means “beginning”. After any graduation, he says it is the beginning of another level of learning. So we not only celebrate the end of a student’s level in learning, but more importantly, the start of another level for them.
For the kindergarten graduate, it signals the start of his elementary years. For the elementary graduate, his high school years, for the high school graduate, his years to spend in college. And for the college graduate, it marks the beginning of his steps into the professional world.
Talking about venturing into the professional world, questions start flooding my head. Will I be famous? Will I be rich? and man, I don’t want to hear me singing “ Que Sera, Sera, Whatever will be, will be, the future’s not ours to see…” while I lay in bed, jobless, with the sink full of dirty dishes, begging to be cleaned while cockroaches and flies feast on leftovers.
But this is just my mad mind imagining the worst things that could happen to a fresh grad or for a parent, a worst nightmare, i.e. their child becoming a “tambay” after graduation. Of course, many pessimists would then be expecting that many graduates will end up jobless, that the country will not be able to provide jobs for all of the graduates. What a shameful truth but I don’t want to be part of that. I’m not a fan of statistics trying to dissuade me from getting to where I want to be.
So as I continued my ponderings in the comfort of the four walls of my own room, trying to pacify my chaotic mind through my own dose of writing therapy, I found myself less apprehensive of the coming of days.
Slowly, I try to welcome it. Embrace it. Life after graduation will not be easy but it is still part of a new level of learning. It is learning found not in the comfort of the classroom, classmates, and teachers but learning that will be found in the solace of the workplace, workmates and hopefully, bosses.

I know tough times will be more evident in the adult and/or the professional world than the world I’m used to, but many adults survived and came out strong, victorious and successful in the path they have chosen. They are still living and breathing and walking this very earth with courage.

Which reminds me of what the prophet Deborah sang eons ago: “ March on my soul with courage!” And I say March on! even if the graduation song ends.#