As of today, February 28, 2013, I have formally resigned from AB-LIM (Literature) and am now officially a major in AB-CAM (Communication Arts) aka my lifelong dream course.
In fact, the whole school year has been a long hard journey for me. My application to major in my original degree program was turned down on two separate occasions. Initially I was not allowed to shift courses as it would label me as a quitter. I was in limbo from September 2012 until today. My hair turned white (not literally) as the countdown to the release of shifting results grew closer.
Then this afternoon, a month after I submitted my shifting forms to those CLA departments, the list of incoming CAM/OCM majors was out.
To my surprise, I saw my ID number along with the 100+ other prospects!
My dream has morphed into a reality.
In a minute, I turned into the happiest girl in the entire world.
So what was the first thing I did as I turned on my laptop? Make a parody of the classic interview in the ESPN special The Decision starring Lebron James, the former target of those ringless jokes.
This is a transcript of my very own “The Decision” interview based on Lebron’s original version of the interview that brought him notoriety all over Cleveland as well as the sports industry. Several differences are distinct from the unprecedented account of “The Decision” to what I call my idea of sharing what course I will go to and possibly graduate in four to five terms later. Obviously I am not a NBA superstar, I am not being courted by different teams all in part of free agency, and I am not donning a Miami Heat jersey this summer.
Wanna see the real thing? Check out the video before clicking the “Read More” button:
Thank you very much. Everybody is on pins and needles across DLSU, particularly those in the College of Liberal Arts for the course you’ll be shifting to.
Are you ready to go Candice? Where is the powder?
It’s in my makeup kit.
What’s new? What’s been going on with you this school year?
This school year has been a rollercoaster ride. First term was awful, second term was unforgettable I still can’t get over it until now, and this term is going great so far. This whole shifting thing is taking up my time the past few weeks, too.
What have you thought about this process?
The first question that came to my mind was, “Will this course make me happy big time?” I often compared this process to walking barefoot in a path of flames. It was tenaciously difficult because this turned out to be the most crucial choice I had to make my entire life. To be frank it was even more gut-wrenching than picking which career should I pursue in my adulthood.
You weren’t able to shift because you had to wait two terms before you could apply for the program you want. Have you enjoyed the shifting process now?
I’ve been looking forward to shifting since late October and I did enjoy the process once I got through it. At first it was exhausting having to bear the responsibility, going to the departments back and forth just for processing of my application to major.
What did you expect? Because you are not in the same classroom as the Lit majors; some of them were once your blockmates. You are currently taking floating subjects. Last term you were on a roll with your academics despite not taking any majors.
There were no expectations at all, honestly.
How many people know your decision right now?
Only my family, friends, and some of my blockmates. By the time the interview ends everyone will find out about the secret I’ve been keeping for four months.
One hand or two hands?
Two. Speaking of two hands, you reminded me of some grammatical joke my dad told me last Christmas, “I had two hands, the left and the right.”
Four months? How were you able to keep it for long?
I do not want people to think lowly of me just because I cannot be a Literature major even if I tried to get in twice.
When did you decide?
Today, when I opened my eyes to the white light in my room. I looked out at the window with nervousness rushing through my head knowing this would be my last chance to get into a course I really want.
So does the course that you’re going to, that you’ll announce in a few minutes, do they know your decision?
They just learned about it once I walked in to the department’s office and confirmed my slot.
They just found out?
Yes, yes, yes.
Who in this process, Candice, have you taken advice from and who has had the biggest influence?
I sought advice from my friends and family. In fact, they carried me on all this time especially when I was perplexed over choosing one over the other without utmost regrets. As for my biggest influence, it would have to be my dad. He initially disapproved of my intentions to shift only because of what happened in July. When I told him I would apply for internal shifting as a side step from retaking the qualifying exam, we had a disagreement that culminated in a lengthy emotional phone call. Not only he was disappointed with the reality I had to face, he thought shifting courses would trigger the label of me as a quitter. I was disheartened at his negation towards my plans. Days before the retake he kept on telling me not to give up and ensure all means so I could major the following term. There was even a time we were so desperate we drafted a script to be addressed to the Literature professors asking for advice on how to successfully qualify for the program! Subsequently, however, he redeemed by being vocal in supporting my decision once I did take two of the exam.
If not for my dad, I would still be stuck in college limbo. I am blessed I have a dad who believes in what’s best for me.
What was the major factor, the major reason in your decision?
The decision stemmed from my heart’s content. I want to end up in a degree program where I could put my skills to a higher degree of extent.
Do you have any doubts about your decision?
None at all!
Would you like to sleep on it a little longer, or are you ready to make this decision?
Let’s not prolong the agony, shall we?
Are you still a nail biter?
I was before I started my monthly visits to my orthodontist.
You’ve had everybody else biting their nails. So I guess it’s time for them to stop chewing. The answer to the question everybody wants to know: Candice, what’s your decision?
In this summer, this is very tough, in this summer I’m going to take my talents to South Beach and join Communication Arts.
Communication Arts? That was the conclusion you woke up with this morning?
Not just this morning, ever since I saw my ID number at the list of accepted majors over at Miguel.
Why?
Like I said a hundred times, I’ve always wanted to go to Communication Arts but I ended up taking Literature because it would help me in pursuing a career in journalism. Back in high school I had this unfaltering dream of being a communication major since I am very interested in mass media altogether. Now that I realize Literature may not be the course for me, I hopped on my last chance to tenaciously pursue my dream. Once I found out I got accepted I was overjoyed knowing I would graduate with a diploma in my dream degree program. I guess destiny has its own way in playing the cards right for me.
Was it always in your plan to go there and take subjects such as INTBROD, INTFILM, VIDPROD, etc.?
I did not expect to arrive in this time of my life when I have to let go of something I held on dear for the past year and a half. When I first got into Literature in my freshman year, I expected this to be a challenging yet fulfilling journey for me. I was so stoked to take up drama, poetry, creative writing, and an option to work in a publications company for my practicum. Then again a lot of things have happened since then, now I have no choice but to lose grip to the course I’ve loved the moment I got accepted to the university.
How do you explain this to the people in AB-LIM?
Months before the shifting thing happened my former blockmates all knew I was going to leave them sooner or later. I told them I lack the skills to be a Lit major. They could write and talk better than me, no questions asked, that is why they are worthy smiling next to Sir Vince and the Dean.
What was the major reason for leaving AB-LIM?
A lot of personal reasons I’d rather keep from the public, but the biggest reason as aforementioned was simply I am not good enough to be a bonafide Literature major. In a perfect world, I will graduate in the course on June 2014 along with the rest of my blockmates. Alas, it did not happen and never will now that I am moving on to a different environment.
How did your family, friends, and schoolmates react to your decision?
They were happy and electrified for me especially my parents. Happy since I finally achieved the dream to go to that course although it has been long overdue, and electrified because they thought I will graduate in AB-LIM to pursue my journalist aspirations.
Ever want to go through this again?
This has to be the toughest decision ever. Imagine having to undergo the same phase as mine, being rejected from majoring in my first course only to be accepted in the course I’ve always aspired to enter since forever. This is probably God’s way of telling me, “I know you want to major in AB-LIM and spend the rest of your stay with your blockmates, but you are suited better in another course.” He has better plans for me and I believe He will not fail in leading me to where I will succeed in my future career. I can always pursue journalism or creative writing even if I am no longer in Literature. To quote the old folks, if there’s a will there’s a way. Once the door closes, a window opens. Failure is a rabbit hole to success although it already sounds clichéd yet it lives up to the words. I am really excited to be a bonafide AB-CAM student this coming May. The road just keeps on going.
P.S. Special thanks to that ESPN debacle for being the inspiration to my post.
