Third is the Charm

Two years ago, I already finished all the required units for my Masters in UE. I can say that I ended it with a ‘bang!’ because I got excellent grades in my last two subjects, Philippine and World Literature. The next step was to take my Comprehensive exam, and pass it, so that I can finally take on my Project Study 1 and 2.

Comprehensive exam in UE Graduate has been reputed to be a ‘dream killer’ because of its’ difficulty and that only a small percentage can pass in the first try. So when it was my time to take it, I really studied so hard during my free time at work and in the weekends. Armed with what I managed to review, high hopes and steely determination, I took the test last and was examinee number 18. I thought that it was a good sign because eight was an infinity number and one plus eight is lucky nine. It made me smile, until I opened my envelope and read my test questionnaire. What followed was a flurry of ideas, stored knowledge and practical application as my hands tried to keep up to scribble it all down.

I have to admit that I had a self-imposed gap years afterwards. It was just months after I had the exam, I was quite relieved that I finished it, I was so pleased with myself but really afraid to know the result of the test. The last thing that I did for my Project study was to research for Related Studies and have my professor check it. Then in early 2009, I met someone. My friends can swear how difficult it is to catch my attention. But he did. I was turning 27 at that time; I dared myself to do something about it. And I came out broken hearted. Only my closest friends, Cherie and Jeje, know the gory details on how I got myself hurt. I fell from the clouds but I swipe the dust off my shoulders and life went on. I immersed myself in the daily grind and enjoyed giddily what life has to offer me.

After rising above from being sidetracked, everything was going great, but at the back of my mind, something is still incomplete. So with a renewed spirit, I marched to UE and inquired for the result of my Comprehensive exam. I’m glad I did. I did not just pass but I did it with flying colors.

This will be my third chance to finally accomplish what I was set to do. I will try my best that this will also be my last. I don’t want the silhouette of the diploma that I am aiming for. I want the real thing.