Over a year ago, I made one of the hardest decisions a very dependent and carefree daughter could ever make - choosing what would be my home for the next four years.

I was contemplating between pursuing a degree in Communication at University of the Philippines or a degree in Fine Arts at Ateneo de Manila University. Of course, everyone was encouraging me to attend the former; who in the right mind would give a UP slot up? But apparently (and obviously), I did. The opportunity to study in the country’s state university is one I felt really sad to let go of. My parents wanted this for me - heck, even my relatives and friends - but I didn’t want it for myself.

Choosing Ateneo might have doubled (or tripled) my expenses per semester (compared to that of UP’s), but I still am getting the quality education all parents want for their kids, I’m loving every moment in campus and most importantly, I’m spending this chapter of my life with the awesome-est, craziest people I could ever meet.

Even though I still get those ‘what if’ moments, I don’t regret my choice of college even one bit. This is where I see myself. This is what I want for myself.