KAYA KOlehiyo — A celebration of gratitude and hope of new beginnings

Entering college marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. The thrill of new experiences is often accompanied by a touch of fear as the reality of navigating uncharted territory sets in. This blend of excitement and uneasiness is a familiar feeling—one I personally encountered when I was a college freshie.

I vividly remember the moment I stepped onto my college university, fresh from high school, a flood of questions rushing in: How will I navigate this journey? What are the secrets to surviving college life? And most importantly, what kind of people will I connect with along the way? After all, every stage of life is richer when shared with others, and the college experience is no exception. This is where KAYA KOlehiyo! College Preparatory Program comes in: a heartfelt initiative by Pathways seniors from Batch 16, last 11 August 2024. Batch 16 was composed of mostly 4th- and 5th-year college students who were, at the time, about to graduate from college and the Pathways program. To welcome and help the college freshies from Batch 19 navigate college life, Batch 16 envisioned their project to embody the spirit of support and camaraderie, ensuring that no one embarks on this venture unprepared and alone.

The afternoon was a blend of joy and insightful activities, beginning with a series of talks from our plenary speakers, composed of Batch 16, each eager to share the wisdom they’ve gained in college. Charms Carcueva (AC, BA Communication), Carla Cañero (MC, BSBA Major in Marketing Management), Kristel Mangarin (Ateneo, BS Management Engineering), and Willy Santos (Ateneo, BS Health Sciences) offered the freshie batch a glimpse into the road ahead. Their talks covered essential topics like achieving academic excellence, mastering time management, the importance of discernment in decision-making, and the role of self-care in maximizing the college experience. Their stories and advice painted a clear picture of what lies ahead, preparing students not just to survive but to thrive in their college. Batch 19 warmly received the inputs by asking their questions to the speakers. Looking back, I can’t help but feel a sense of happiness towards the freshie batch receiving this kind of support, from how Batch 16 has stepped up to guide Batch 19, because I am certain that this would make a huge difference on how they will approach their college experience.

The program continued with breakout sessions, where Batch 19 students were grouped together based on their university they’ll get into and the course they will be pursuing to get to know one another. They got to ask questions specific to their course and colleges, which was heartwarming to see as they interacted. It was clear that they were already beginning to form the bonds that would carry them through the ups and downs of college life. Their laughter and conversations were a testament to the strong foundation of community being built—one that promises to provide strength and cohesiveness as they begin on this journey together.

As Faith, from Batch 19, shared, "Nakakatuwa po kasi sobrang safe space ng Pathways dahil nalalabas namin yung mga worries namin. Very insightful po." Her words capture the essence of what the KAYA KOlehiyo! College Preparatory Program aims to foster—a safe and supportive environment where students can freely express their concerns and thoughts. This initiative offers guidance while also ensuring that these incoming freshies have a space where their voices are heard and valued, setting the tone for a pathway of growth and self-discovery.

The program ended with a powerful tradition: a symbolic jump where Batch 19 students took a leap of faith. With that leap, while they still took their fears and worries with them, they were met by their Batch 16 Ate's and Kuya's cheering them on on the other side—a reminder that they are supported and that they are not alone. The moment was marked by a celebration, as Batch 16 handed down small tokens that helped them thrive in their college lives to the incoming college students, each participant receiving a small, meaningful token. These tokens, passed from one generation to the next, carried the hope that that these, too, would help the freshies in their college adventures.

KAYA KOlehiyo is more than just a college preparatory initiative; it’s a reflection of the supportive and close-knit community that values lifting each other up, which defines Pathways, as project head Willy Santos aptly put it, “With Pathways, you always have someone to lean on.”

Crenz Gacuray is a member of Pathways Batch 17 and a BA Applied Psychology senior at the University of the Philippines Diliman Extension Program in Pampanga (UPDEPP).

Photos by Rachel Leigh Pepito and Alexa Reyes.