Hey, Hivers! It's jpatrick28. I'm excited to be back with new experiences and stories to share. It's been a while since my last post, and I haven't uploaded anything in the past few months, so here I am, catching up with all of you.
I’ve noticed that most people were busy writing about Christmas displays in their town and their holiday vacations, but today, I’m sharing a different topic. Instead, I thought I’d share a bit about what’s been going on in my life and academic journey over the past few months.
It all started back in September .I planned to run for a Grade 12 representative in our club. The other candidates running for the same position were tough. I knew that I didn't stand much of a chance, but I still tried my best. Unfortunately, not everything went as planned, and I didn’t win. But honestly? It was a great experience, and I don’t regret putting myself out there.
After the election, I tried participating in more school activities, such as impromptu speeches, oratorical speeches, and quiz bees. Even though I didn't win any of them, the experience was still valuable and memorable.
One of the most memorable moments for me was when I was on stage during my speech. The topic I was given was tough, and I wasn’t knowledgeable about it. However, I told myself, “Just talk, that’s what’s important.” I’m glad I managed to get my point and did my best, but I guess my best is still not enough. It reminded me I still have a lot to
Image source
To be honest, I rarely participate in these kinds of school activities. I'm always worried that I might miss out on important lessons. And, I was right! I ended up missing some crucial discussions, which led me to lose track of my academics.
After getting sick and joining in those school activities, I found myself buried under assignments and worksheets. It was so stressful! A bottle of coffee became my weapon every day. But somehow, I managed to survive that phase.
I can still vividly remember the days when I didn’t have enough time to review my notes. I’d cram in studying my notes while riding the bus going to school, and during my free periods, I’d mostly catch up on sleep. Let’s say September was absolute chaos.
Then came October, and with it, it was already time for our quarterly exams. Preparing for the exam was very intense, and I hoped it would be postponed because I wasn't ready. Well, a typhoon ended up suspending classes, so I did get some time to study. However, the suspension lasted for more than a week.
I gaslighted myself to review our lessons during that time, but honestly, I became mentally exhausted and just gave up. By the time the exam day came, I just wanted to get it over with. I ended up taking my exams without reviewing some lessons. I just depend on my stock knowledge. And I can say that the results weren’t terrible, they definitely weren’t good either.
After the exams, we were assigned to our work immersion workplace. This is a required subject for us Grade 12 students, giving us a glimpse of the working world and letting us explore career paths. It’s been an eye-opening experience, and I’ll be sharing more about it in a separate blog post soon.
Then December arrived, and with it, Cards Day. Maybe most students fear this day, some share memes about getting kicked out of their home due to bad grades. For me, it was more about a day to acknowledge my efforts. I’ve always been a consistent honor student since high school, but this time, I didn’t make it. I was shocked and felt like crying. I knew that somehow I was at fault because I didn’t take things seriously enough. I kind of expected it, and still, the disappointment hit hard.
It took me about a week to accept the fact that I wasn’t on the honor list. But I told myself, “Life must go on”, and said my favorite line “Bawi next quarter” (I’ll try harder next academic quarter). I guess I’ll give it my best shot next quarter.
As December went on, activities and performance tasks piled up before our Christmas break. It was hectic and stressful! But I made it through. I finished all the activities before our Christmas break, and now, I can finally enjoy the holiday without any academic activities in mind.
With less than a week left before the resumption of classes. I know there will be plenty of school activities waiting for us next year, but for now, I’ll enjoy first this short vacation!
On Christmas Eve, we attended mass and have a walk around the church to see the Christmas displays. Then, we had a gathering with our neighbors and family. We ate, sang our favorite songs together, and laughed until the sun started to rise. We celebrate Christmas with simple yet memorable gatherings. And that’s ends my life update so far.
A lot has happened between September and December. During that time, I faced challenges that truly tested my abilities. There were moments when I found myself questioning, "Is this all I've got?" But those doubts didn't stop me. Instead, I kept moving forward on my journey.
It's great to be back on Hive and writing again. I'm looking forward to catching up with all of you!
How about you? What’s been going on in your life lately?
Author’s note: Some pictures are from other sources and properly sourced. However, most pictures are taken and edited by the author.
That’s all for now!
-Pat T.
1/02/2025