Waking up 5 in the morning had been a routine of a student for the past years of his college life. Had all his preparations done a night before in order to go to school as early as possible. Wearing school uniform with dignity and pride while riding a jeepney and headed inside the school premises. Greeting guards with respect as well as friends and schoolmates, paying courtesy to faculty and staffs by uttering “Good morning ma’am or sir” or giving them a snappy salute. Entering the classroom with a wide smile, searching for friends’ seats and share amazing stories with them while waiting for a first subject teacher to come. Eating delicious foods at the school cafeteria during breaks and have a group study together for the announced quizzes. These are the usual and the most memorable things that every student misses for more than a year now.

March of the year 2020, the whole nation was astonished by the news of the spread of deadly Corona Virus that affects almost half of the country. Institutions were told to end classes immediately to guard the safety of the students and encourage everyone to stay at home to prevent attaining the virus. Philippines was under state of emergency and had quarantine classifications which resulted to enhanced community quarantine from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. 5 to 6 months later, schools all over the country headed by the top agencies for education came up with the plan of having virtual/online classes and modular learning. Students right then adapted for a new learning environment which was recognized as “New-normal education system”.

Life may throw you challenges that sometimes wanting you to continue and to back-off, but there is one thing that it made you sure about and that is the fact that it gives you lessons and made you who you are in the future.

As someone who’s been residing in an area where internet connectivity posts as a challenge, attending zoom meetings and doing online related school works are the things that John Ivan P. Tormon, an incoming 4th year Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management student of John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University-Molo find himself struggling with. Struggling on how he could attend online classes when the weather is not good, and how he could submit his activities on time when there is a power interruption most of the time.

“I find it really challenging. To be honest, I’ve never done any preparations prior to the inception of online learning, I only have with me the desire to learn, graduate on time, and to attend the classes just like how I used to before the pandemic,” said John Ivan Tormon.

Just like wanting to have a great life, earning a degree also passes some seat-backs. It is how you live with it and having a courage to face it and triumph over it. Challenges are always present, be it in online classes or traditional learning.

"I insisted of pursuing my studies despite the challenges I’m facing because I have a dream, a dream that I want to pursue and a dream that fuels me to continue.” Tormon added 

To achieve something means to do everything. You need to pass through an easy, medium and difficult path in order for you to reach your main objective or goal in life. The act of being courageous, resilient and determined leads you to being an achiever and extraordinary.

Dhennyl Lhyn Estal, an incoming 4th year Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management student of JBLFMU-M is a believer and goal-driven person. Being on a dean’s list for six consecutive semesters which entitled her to be an academic scholar of the institution makes her motivated each day to study hard and work well in school. Online learning posed several struggles such as difficulty in concentrating and adjusting to the new learning styles, lack of motivation, unexpected technical issues and poor internet connection in her will to continue excelling. Thus, she perseveres and remain steadfast despite the roller coaster ride of the school year. " In times of struggle, I remain motivated whenever I think of my dreams and my parents. They are my strength amidst all the trials and difficulties I have to conquer and the fact that I am not alone in this journey is enough to keep on going,” said Dhennyl Lhyn Estal.

Adjusting is not that easy as what we have thought from the beginning. It takes time and a long process to cope up with an environment which we are not used to. Several barriers show up that affect your desire to pursue things that you are taking. As digital learning become the core of “new normal education, students faced advantages like time flexibility, getting wider range of learners and new learning ways which are far different from the traditional one were introduced. However, if there is a positive side of the plan, you also have to take the responsibility to face its negative lateral. Disadvantages such as less teacher-student interaction, technical issues, and some distractions are enough to expect during this time. "Both students and teachers are having a hard time adjusting during this new normal education which sometimes affect one’s performance in class. I honestly had a hard time adapting but you have to bear every struggle with success in mind because the moment you’ll start manifesting your thoughts, winning slowly becomes your habit,” Estal added.

It is really satisfying seeing your friends, classmates and teachers smile every day in school campus. The feeling of having a strong connection with them every time you talk to them personally and got the chance to interact with them fulfills your whole experience as student. School becomes our second home, indeed. A training ground which makes us a better and competitive individual, aside from our usual environment which is our own home. Teachers are our second parents who continued guiding us when we are away from our parents. Classmates and friends becomes our siblings where we can share our own personal problems. These amazing people are not just a common individual to us, rather they are our family.

Setting aside traditional classes instead during this pandemic may be a burden for some, and a distraction to learners but being safe and preventing the spread of the virus is significant. A plan of having an online learning/education becomes a solution of our government to continue classes amidst the threat of this Corona Virus disease. Parents and students were at least educated on the importance of adapting the new normal learning in the education system of the country. This has been the only way for the dreamers to continue sailing and achieving what their hearts desires. No matter how hard the process is, if we have the eagerness and a burning heart to succeed, trials are nothing. In the end, it is you who decides which path you will take, and you will be filled with joy and fulfillment if you already reach the triumph. If that time comes, you will definitely tell yourself that you already turned your cant’s into cans.