Am I In Hell?
By Mary Adrian A. Bautista
If you’ve ever said this phrase while in college then you’re probably just like me. You’ve encountered lots of dilemmas and I know you’ll be able to relate to what I will say.
Now, remember all the events, person, or any other thing that you’ve encountered in college...
I’m guessing that you’d like to reminisce all of the wonderful memories you have, for who would want to remember the horrible ones?
Isn’t it heartbreaking when you realize that you’ve become inferior because of some people? Did they get into your nerves a lot? Unfortunately, you will encounter a whole lot of them during college (even in the real world actually). You can’t avoid them, and in fact, they will be everywhere. I know that some of you might stop reading this because it might remind you of the troubles that you’ve been through because of people like this. But come to think of it, were they worth it? Were they worthy of your precious time?
If you’re the kind of person who wants to be praised or complimented by everyone, think twice. This might be a sign that you’re trying hard. We all know that we can’t please everybody. But there you are, trying so hard to do so. I will admit I’ve been like that before, but surely it sank to me that it’s just a waste of time.
Do you know what happened to Senator Miriam Defensor – Santiago’s son? He committed suicide because he was humiliated by his professor in his school. Many students are reported to commit suicide because of emotional harassment. The sad part is this harassment often comes from those whom we’ve put our trust to educate us, from the so-called professionals. It’s a pity that they don’t use their brains and don’t even care what a student might feel. And for the record, even in this generation it is still a “chronic disease.”
Most students are pretty much independent once they’ve entered college. Everybody is busy doing their own tasks. Why is it that despite of this scenario, most professors think that the students have no lives aside from studying? Are they bent on making students feel as if they’re in hell during college. They are the self-righteous people that I mentioned a while ago – the so called professionals. I know that you know who are those I’m talking about.
Granny, Hitler, Tanda, Amoy Lupa, Kalbo, Mamaru, Gloria, Gurang and many other nicknames that we’ve given them. It is all because we had to go through so much trouble because of them. From being embarrassed in front of the crowd, shouted along the corridors, saying “Ang BOBO mo naman.” Those are just some of the things that they might done to you. They are professionals but some of them don’t act as one. Those things are inhumane. What if they are in your situation right? And actually it is tempting to fight back and say “Hey! You’ve been a student before! You must know how we feel, right?”
Instead of making us the Heroes of Tomorrow, they just make us feel embarrassed and want to stop continuing for a better future. I am not blaming them, but scenarios like these discourage lots of students like you and me.
I did not write this to fight back but I wrote hoping that this might serve as a wakeup call to our professors. Sirs, Ma’ams, if you really want us to have better futures, then you would have to set a better example. You are mentors and educators not a jail warden. Instead of embarrassing us, why don’t you encourage us instead? We need proper guidance. It is okay to scold us but it should be in an efficient and humane way. We’ve placed our trust in you, so please don’t make us regret doing so.
