I Am Who I Am Today Because of MunSci

I firstly heard the word “MunSci” from a friend named Glendale when I was in 1st year high school or grade 7. He said that he would be there to study but due to their migration from Muntinlupa to San Pedro, he resisted. Thus, he studied from where I came from, IETI San Pedro Campus – Main. Our adviser that time was so impressed when she knew that Glendale passed the entrance examination of Muntinlupa Science High School. My only idea was that the school from where Glendale took the exam was not just a school, but a school that has high standards in education. Therefore, our adviser expected a lot from him, that he was an intelligent kid.

During my grade 10 days, I had a hard time choosing a school where I must study in our upcoming grade 11 because almost all of I’d known schools that has STEM strand were totally not affordable. One is 44,000 pesos. I was like "What the hell!? We can't afford that." I understood our financial problem and I wanted my dad to not spend too much for my education because I have a sister that is studying in Adamson University. She’s turning 5th year in college now, and I knew that her fees are not a joke. Studying in private school was a hard one. Too much money was requisite, and then all of a sudden, what I learned was not satisfying at all.

It’s January, it sounds crazy but the word “MunSci” just popped out in my mind and starting asking myself, “Why don’t I try?” I began searching and inquiring about Muntinlupa Science High School. I also believed that MunSci has STEM strand to offer because obviously, it is a Science High School. I recently discovered that MunSci is a public school; it didn’t come in my mind.

After I’ve decided that I wanted to study in MunSci, I invited some of my friends. When we went for the first time in that school, I realized that it’s not an easy itinerary to do. Before, I really spent my 9 years of studying in IETI and all I see was just always the same thing. Same buildings, same places, same rooms, even the every corner of school I knew. After we’ve arrived in MunSci, I with my group of friends inquired. It's mesmerizing!

We have talked to Sir Obsequio, and all of a sudden, it made me challenged, that “Oh they’re really advanced and it’s really not easy in here.” My friends decided to study in Lyceum of Alabang, while I stick to choose MunSci. Luckily, I have been enrolled easily and without fees! How lucky I am. A big obstacle is waiting for me when the school year starts.

The learning began, and I had been shocked of what abilities and skills did my new classmates showed in sessions. They were fluent in speaking English, some were logical, and the others were really working hard. The 1st semester was my adjustment time; I really need to cope up with them. It’s not that easy, and it was not in my expectations before I went in. The lessons were not a piece of cake but rather a whole-slice of cake. I could say that the old Munscians can fly now while the other transferees, especially I, were necessary to train more.

With my first time experiences in MunSci, it was also a phenomenon that I became a new student after 9 consecutive years of studying in IETI. It was 9 years that I felt the last time that I became transferee. It’s really hard to adjust and flow with the new environment I had. Different people from where I came from, different brains, different perceptions, but same humans obviously. I had a hard time having a new friend in this new school; almost all of them have already made their group of friends, especially the pioneers in MunSci. Gratefully, I had a companion, and she’s Andy, a schoolmate of mine from my past school.

Muntinlupa Science High School had a big contrast with my past school, IETI. Usually, Science High School students are known to be geniuses and smart especially in terms of Sciences and Mathematics. As I’ve entered in this school, I really felt down in myself, that being the Best in Sci-Math from IETI in our batch was nothing after I went in MunSci. Half of the old Munscians I’ve known were deserved to be Sci-Math awardees. They’re all great and had amazing skills.

In my new and first time experiences in my new school, I realized that what I learned in my entire Junior High School was only 55% from what the old Munscians have learnt. I don’t know but I felt like I want to regret studying in my past school. I regret those times that we always spend our free time instead of studying. I realized that I’ve missed so many lessons, especially in Mathematics. If I knew that those lessons from my Junior High School were really important, perhaps I could tell to my teachers that they shouldn’t give free times for their students anymore.

Today, as I’ve studied and entered Muntinlupa Science High School, I learned a lot. I’m slowly learning to speak English fluently and solving Math problems logically. As I have now my 9th month in studying in MunSci, I could see myself that I’m slowly improving, my skills and abilities are improving – my penmanship, my skills in arts, public speaking, and etc. I believed that when I graduate in MunSci, I could be a successful student that wants to prove himself that he can do anything he want. I may not be a great and outstanding student from now, but I hoped and I believed, I could be successful in striving my dreams. I am who I am today because of MunSci – especially of my teachers and new classmates, and the lessons I’ve learned.