NU12 # 7 – What pisses me off at school and what must be done by the Great White

NU12 # 7 – What pisses me off at AGSB and what must be done.

I have spent four fruitful years studying college in the Ateneo de Manila Loyola Schools. I am proud to have undergone that very exhausting but rewarding tradition of quality Jesuit education. Contrary to popular belief, being "conyo" is not a prerequisite to enter the prestigious university. There are also lots of simple and humble students and many are from the provinces. Many scholars also populate the university. This expels the notion that the university only accepts the elite class of the country. During my four-year stay in the Loyola Schools, I have somehow experienced the true Atenean culture. Enduring philosophy, theology and other classes from legendary Jesuits and non-Jesuit professors, eating in Manang's home-style cooking, hanging out at Zen Garden or along SEC walk and being with real people are just some of my most memorable experiences in the Loyola Schools.

Having shared my experiences regarding the university, I cannot help but compare my experiences here in AGSB from the ones I've had in Loyola Schools. Students in AGSB come from different colleges and universities here and even abroad. Surprisingly, graduates of the Loyola Schools are only comprised of a few handfuls of students. In most of my classes, I would only have around 1-5 classmates who are also from the Loyola Schools and the others would be from various schools. This makes the culture in AGSB very different from the Loyola Schools. I am not saying that the lifestyle in the Loyola Schools is perfect. I have just realized how people from many walks of life have made the Atenean culture very different in AGSB. Sad to say, some of the good qualities of the Loyola Schools' culture have been replaced by false stereotypes.

First, being in Ateneo doesn't mean that you are "conyo" and should speak English ALL THE TIME. No need to force yourself to speak in English especially when your nose is already bleeding. It's widely acceptable to speak in Filipino in regular conversations. Speak or write in English if your professors require you to, otherwise, just be true to yourself.

Another thing that annoys me in AGSB is how many students try to brag about money and their material possessions. Being an Atenean is not equivalent to being the top 1% of the social class nor is it a requirement to enter the university. Many students think that once they are in Arteneow they have to be very sosyal or pa-sosyal. NO! You are living in a misconception of what being an Atenean is! My suggestion is try to be humble especially if you're just bragging your imaginary or unsubstantial wealth. We are in AGSB not to show off but to learn.

In the Loyola Schools, plagiarism is never tolerated. Students who have been suspected to have plagiarized face heavy consequences or even expulsion. Professors and departments are intensely strict about enforcing their stand on plagiarism. They even acquire expensive software just to ensure that all who attempts to plagiarize will be caught. In AGSB, I've witnessed many students plagiarize and get high grades for it. I've seen AGSB students who plagiarize and even graduate with flying colors. Honestly, I think many undeserving people have graduated in AGSB because of their ignorance toward plagiarism, their cruel intention to just copy and paste to get things the easy way or because of some professor's lenience or maybe all of the above. AGSB has a roster of professors with outstanding credentials and achievements. I hope they tighten their stand on plagiarism. They can also acquire software to detect plagiarism and persecute students who get caught. 3  <we caught some and failed them. I do not know if we expelled them.  For the NU 12, I did not publish or give them grades  because they are not orig.>