By Prezylla Claris Bongbonga and Rodesa Tolentino
The first periodical exam for the school year 2024-2025 of International Colleges for Excellence, Inc. began on October 2, 2024 to October 5, 2024, in which the students put their time and effort into testing their knowledge and skills in learning.
Students from Preschool to Junior High School were given time to rest and review their lessons after the Malaya event, which happened a week before their examinations. The event altered the students’ experiences and gave them the freedom to shine before facing the trials and plowing through piles of reviewers for their exams.
Following their examination, the hallways were filled with breath of relief as students stepped out of their classrooms. The experiences of the day were a mix of anxious laughs, quiet sighs, and moments of realization.
Rose Ann A. Monleon and Kayne Louielyn S. Garcia, Grade 6 students, shared their hypertension: “It was hard!! Kinakabahan po kami, lalo na po sa math! Kahit na nag-review po kami, tinatry po naming intindihin!” Their laughter helped break the weight of the hardships they faced. That familiar feeling of giving their all yet being caught off guard by those odd tricky numbers.
Jesceline Marie Lamsen, a Grade 8 student, couldn’t help but find humor under pressure. “They say ‘hair holds memories,’ and I realized I became bald all of a sudden! Wala na akong masyadong matandaan dahil sa pressure!” she laughed. Her lighthearted vibe reminds everyone that even when things get tough, there’s always room for a good chuckle. “But I guess I did pretty well,” she added, holding onto that feeling of accomplishment despite the difficulties.
For Grade 7 students Avryl Dahpne Banawi and Sophea Ziamora Basilio, the day was rolling along nicely, until they hit the wall that every student knows all too well: math. “We did well naman po! All of the exams were pretty easy, then MATH CAME!! HAHAHA, sa math po kami nadadali,” they said, echoing the struggles of many who wrestled with the same subject. But together, they smiled through it, knowing they had done their best.
In Grade 10, Brad Henry De Vera approached the exam with a mix of determination and nervousness. “The exam was pretty challenging lalo na po kapag hindi ka nakapag-review. But there’s a part of me na talagang gusto pumasa at makakapasa ko,” he remarked. Despite overthinking and the confusion of identifying, classifying, and enumerating, Brad was pleased about his preparation. “Math lang talaga! HAHAHA,” he chuckled.
His classmate, Carl T. Padilla, also felt the pressure of the ticking clock. “Yes, the pressure is there po, lalo na may oras kaming hinahabol,” Carl shared. “It was challenging, kasi yung mga expectations namin sa exam ay mahirap—like enumeration and identification.” Nonetheless, he remained optimistic as did his friends. “All goods! Sana makapasa!”
The students felt more at ease and eager to study more as the examination came to an end. Their relieved expressions showed that although education can be a rollercoaster ride, it is ultimately worthwhile. This calls for a job well done, ICEANS!