My Graduate School Confessions, First Blog

It's Friday night and I am still here at the office. With so many things to do and so many demands for my time, I am stuck here waiting for my officemate to finish his work so I can have a ride home. The old red car is still in the shop, ready for pick up since yesterday, but I didn't have the time to get it this morning. Car-less, I am waiting in agony for everyone to say, "Let's call it a day!" I have to great books on my desk but it seems like my eyes are tired and my zest for reading has gone out for a while. Here I am, trying to be productive. I thought of starting a new blog (or say I have thought of writing a new blog but never had the time) about my MBA experiences. This is the moment.

To set the record straight, I did apply for an MBA degree few month ago. After so many weeks of praying and thinking and consulting my mentors regarding my options (and fasting that my boss would support my endeavor), I finally gave La Salle a try. Yes, De La Salle University-Manila.

I have always been wanting to take up further studies, either Theology or Business. I have forgotten that I once dreamed of going to law school and run for politics. I think getting into the graduate school means foregoing the law school dream but not the politics. Yes, it's still brewing. I have to be honest. After all, isn't this about confessions?

For years, since I started working, I have been wondering how does one be like working and studying at the same time. A greater reason is how does going to a graduate school eventually change your perspective, your career, and your life.

So after completing my application requirements, I took the entrance exam, had my interview, and somehow made it through. I should give credit to my God who made all things possible for me, not forgetting that He, too, would provide for everything that I will need to finish this race.

Oh, I'm skipping some stories but an amazing favor from God is worth telling. Guess what, I was automatically exempted from taking Financial Accounting (I think it would be an insult I had to!) and to highlight my take off, I was also exempted from taking Management Principles and Business Law. I really have not idea how it happened because some of the CPAs I know who are taking up the same degree are still required to take those two subjects.

The De La Salle Graduate School of Business has three terms every school year. I'm in my first year, first term. I still embrace the La Sallian values and principles, which I acquired in college for four years from La Salle in Bacolod. The sound of "Hail, hail, alma mater" and "rektikano kini kina" reminded me of my college days and my adventures.

I came to realize that everything is different now. I am paying for my education - a very compelling motivation - and I am studying after work. A thought just passed through my mind: "Aren't they teaching us to be masters of juggling activities and demands and pressures?" I wonder. I always thought I am a master of multi-tasking. In fact, some say, I have a doctorate degree. I am not really proud of that. I believe everything important in life needs to be given quality time and best efforts.

So I'm just getting the feel of how it's like to be in the graduate school. Honestly, I'm beginning to love it. But wait until I get into the "core courses."

For this term, I am taking Business Writing every Monday in Taft (I am not really sure if my writing mechanics are getting better). I never thought English is as difficult and mind-draining as Calculus and Trigonometry. I am humbled though, knowing that I have so much to learn. I am just glad to have a very, very good professor. Everyone feels intimated by her presence especially when she starts calling your name and make you identify gerunds, participles, infinitives, and their direct objects. I once was but I told myself that have to seize the opportunity to learn and be better, so I'm giving my best (even if my best, at times, is not enough). I just hope she will still be my professor in Business Communications next term.

Aside from Business Writing, I am also enrolled in Management Statistics. My professor is killing everyone of us softly. Most people say that Statistics is a difficult subject. I couldn't agree more...until I sat at the feet of a statistic wizard. I have not met someone who is as demanding as my stat prof. She floods my email with assignments and notices. But guess what, I love her. I truly do. She's the best. Her bestfriend is PHStat. Try taking her subject and you'll know how it feels like. Oh, she's a die-hard fan of Michael Jackson. I will never forget our Jeopardy game! In fairness to my prof, she is one-of-a-kind. I learned to appreciate "Probabilities" because she made it so easy for us to understand.

It's almost nine in the evening and they are not yet done. I'm still here at BSP. To kill time, I think I will finish the Verbals exercises that my English professor just uploaded to our yahoogroup account.

Until then...