First Time Staying Late at School

Every Friday, we have an Engineering Drawing class scheduled from 6 PM to 9 PM. This wasn’t our original timetable, it only happened because our professor was changed after she got promoted to a higher academic position. When the new schedule was announced, I honestly panicked a little. I wasn’t used to this kind of setup at all. Back in senior high school, our classes usually ran from 8 AM to 5 PM, so having a night class felt like stepping into a completely different world.

When I first saw the schedule, I immediately told my mom. She just laughed a bit and said that this was completely normal in college, since she also used to have classes that ended late at night. Thankfully, I have a dorm, so at least I don’t have to travel long distances at night. But I really admire my friends who are commuters, they handle late schedules like it’s nothing. Then again, none of us really have a choice but to deal with what’s given.

To be honest, there were several Fridays when our classes got suspended, and it always felt like divine intervention because it aligned perfectly with our night class schedule. We would joke about being “God’s favorites” for getting spared from the 6 PM to 9 PM struggle. But of course, the universe can’t spoil us forever. Eventually, reality caught up to us, and we had to face the bane of our existence: the Friday night class.

I vividly remember the first time we actually attended it. We were already drained because our Friday schedule starts as early as 7 AM. And since we still had classes during our vacant hours, we couldn’t go home or even rest properly. We spent those free hours finishing plates, sketching lines that didn’t seem to end, while also trying not to fall asleep.

By the time 6 PM arrived, we were running purely on adrenaline and survival mode. Everyone was sleepy, tired, and hungry, yet EngDraw doesn’t exactly allow early dismissals—one plate alone takes hours. So we had no choice but to push through.

When the clock finally struck 9 PM, it felt like a miracle. We were beyond exhausted and still had to commute home. I remember feeling so sleepy and starving, and to make it worse, we had to walk roughly one kilometer just to reach the jeepney terminal. Every step felt heavy, like I was dragging myself through the harsh reality of college life.

That night was the moment I realized that college isn’t just about academics. It's about survival, endurance, and learning how to function even when your energy is at 2%. Ever since then, whenever I have a night class, I just remind myself to push through, finish strong, go home, and sleep like a rock.

It’s not easy, but it’s all part of the journey. And honestly? Despite the exhaustion, experiences like this make college memorable in their own chaotic and strangely rewarding way.