Life is a song - sing it.

Life is a game - play it.

Life is a challenge - meet it.

Life is a dream - realize it.

Life is a sacrifice - offer it.

Life is love - enjoy it.

Good day everyone! I am Peter John Toyorada a Secondary Education student major in Music, Arts, Physical Education and Health. This is actually my fourth year here in the university. Yes, I’m proud of it. You may be asking how come that this is my fourth year and I am still taking a first year minor subject. I am actually a grantee of Student Assistance Grant Program (SAGP) of the university. I was lucky that I was assigned in the grade school library. Yes, I have to work for me to sustain my studies. I have to work hard to at least ease the burden of my parents. People may think that my college life is boring because most of my time will be spent working, well I don’t think so. I believed that I have lived my life the way I wanted it to be.

                I first entered the portals of UIC back in June 2010. During that time, I was very determined to finish my studies and deal with what they call “college life”. I enrolled as a BSEd. Before I really wanted to take social studies as my major subject but I was then frustrated since social studies is offered no longer. That is why I ended up in majoring MAPEH. Teaching is my passion. Being a teacher is what I really wanted to be, but not teaching MAPEH. Funny it may seem but I have started it and I have to finish it. My first year in college has never been easy. I really have to adjust to the situation. I’m not used to wake up early and go to school on time, but I have to or else I’ll lose my scholarship. I also experienced enrolling a subject from the other courses where your classmates would look at you like you’re an alien because you don’t share the same course. However, those things never put me down. Instead it made me stronger and boosted by confidence to face life and reach my dreams.

                My second year in college was full of challenges. For the education students, second year marks the start of major and professional subjects. Goodness! MAPEH is never an easy subject for a student like me. I believe that everybody have their own unique talent, however mine is not yet discovered. If you just know how hard it is to at least level up to the performances of your classmates who are really good dancers and artists. How about me, stupid humanoid trying too hard to perform? I know I’m not a singer, nor a dancer not even good in arts. Though I have lots of things to work on, I know I am good in interpersonal communications. Well, my edge among my classmates is that I am more confident in using the language. I took that as my advantage to somehow let them feel that I have something in me that they should admire. Thank God that in the end of the two semesters, I’ve been awarded as a second honor.

                Third year as a secondary education student was memorable because of all the learning experienced I had. In third year, I had a subject “Field Study”. A one-unit subject but was too demanding. During FS, we are exposed to the actual teaching and learning process. We are asked to observe classes in a typical high school. This was actually the time where I feel that teaching for me is a calling. This was actually the year where something in me said that I was destined to be a teacher and I will surely be a good one someday.

                At present, nothing could be tougher than my fourth year of stay in college. I must say that this is the year of insecurities. This is the year where I could see my batch mates wearing senior uniform. I could see them busy working on their materials for their practice teaching. God knows how I wanted to be in their position. We entered the university together but now, I will be left behind? But I guess that’s the challenge God wanted me to overcome. Now that my friends are near the finish line, I just wish them the best in their future endeavors. I will just take that as a challenge for me to do well and give the best in everything I do.

                Throughout my journey, I have tattooed in my mind that God gives his toughest battles to his toughest soldiers. Whenever I feel like it’s as if everything goes against me, I just think that God wants me to go this way. That before I could be the person I wanted to be, I have to experience the trials to be the best. No matter what blocks my way, I’ll stand on my faith. I will not stop until I reach my dreams. Next academic year would be my fifth year. With God’s grace, that would be my last year as a BSEd student. By that time I know, I’m better and more ready to face the challenges.