BACOMM GRAD LEADS...| from p.1

Why BA Comm?

Wanting to follow in her mother’s footsteps, Calderon enrolled as a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) strand student during her senior high school to pursue Physical Therapy for her tertiary education. Eventually, passion became her priority.

Communication majors are no strangers to the “non-challenging” perception of people toward the degree. But this did not stop her from taking the risk.

“Most of the people I know were shocked; some were disappointed, but one thing is for sure: I never regretted enrolling and pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Communication,” Calderon told Y2C.

How did she manage her mental health and online learning?

Her interest in learning did not exempt Calderon from academic stress. Dealing with five semesters of online classes forced everyone to adjust to pre-pandemic routines.

“[The hardest part of my college journey] would be during the online classes. That was hard because we were learning through the screen, and I am a face-to-face kind of student because I love the full experience of mingling with others, having conversations, and just meeting people from different walks of life. After all, that makes the experience profound and authentic,” Calderon expressed.

Being a consistent achiever from her childhood, Calderon also did not escape the pressure she established for herself. The graduating student also went through constant disappointments— discouraging her from continuing her craft.

“My parents are supportive; they don’t pressure me, especially during my college journey. If there Is pressure, I think It would be from myself because I constantly want to get better every day,” she said.

“There are times when college hits you hard, and sometimes you get disappointed. Sometimes you just want to give up because it’s never easy. But when you get through all that and when you learn to rise above all those things that keep pulling you down, you will realize it is worth every second and minute. That all the sleepless nights are worth it and that hard work indeed pays off,” added Calderon

Law school next

Pursuing her childhood dream of becoming a lawyer, she will take a Juris Doctor degree right after graduation. According to her, she will enroll in the MMSU College of Law.

When asked about her message to those who will come after her, Calderon reminds others to be patient and not lose passion for their craft and studies.

“Enjoy college; don’t compare yourself to others’ achievements because once you start comparing, you become unhappy. Focus on yourself and celebrate even the small wins,” she said.

During the commencement exercises, 495 marched with Latin honors; 15 were communication students. Of the 15, four are magna cum laude, and 11 are cum laude.

Aside from Calderon, Paul Angelo Juan, Maria Anna Jessica Rosqueta, and Edmar Delos Santos all magna cum laude and communication students, ranked third, sixth, and 13th, respectively, in the overall list of candidates for academic honors.