We’re at the point in our lives of reaching both the pinnacle and end of our high school venture. As we seize the moment of being high school students, we embrace the fleeting nature of youth. The senior high school journey is surely filled with friendships and laughter, cherished memories, daunting challenges, lifelong wisdom,  and rich experiences. Yet, this can also be the phase where we enter the labyrinth of our own mind as we begin the bittersweet anticipation of our future. As we drown ourselves in thoughts and possibilities, we ask ourselves: what happens next beyond this? 

The idea of college sounds nerve-wracking for most. Haunting the corridors of the mind and casting doubts and uncertainties on the threshold of a new chapter. “Where are you planning to attend college?”, “What program are you going to pursue?”—These may be the most overused lines that you’ll ever hear from the hallway chitchats. While we ponder what path we are going to take, comes the concerns about career prospects. The pressure of deciding what universities you would like to apply to, what career you would like to pursue, navigating your program choices, and envisioning who you want to become in the future—all of this boils down to overthinking and filling your canvas when you’re not even ready to lift the brush yet, because every stroke seems to carry the weight of agitation and expectations that accompany such decisions.

With fears instilled by the mere idea of higher education, this is only the beginning of anxiety; the real stress kicks off with the actual preparation for the college application and entrance examinations.  A barrage of requirements, paperwork, and deadlines to catch up on to comprehensively present a background of yourself, all while preparing for the examinations with limited time. From mathematics to language, and from science to reading comprehension; students must demonstrate their mastery in a wide range of subjects. However, this is not just a test of knowledge, but a test of concentration and time management to race against time with accuracy.

CETs are the gateways to the next chapter of one's academic journey, but at the same time, stand as formidable barriers to the desired institutions of the students. Along with this comes the pressure to stand out among the sea of student applicants, the uncertainty of acceptance, and the anxiety while waiting for the release of the results. It is the arena where students must prove their academic prowess and worthiness of admission to pursue one’s dreams. And with all the overthinking and worry, the moment of truth is revealed with a daunting drum roll of anxiety.

To pass one’s dream university is such a bliss—a mix of emotions where euphoria, excitement, and relief come together to celebrate the gratifying achievement. The picture of yourself in that institution can be so incredibly fulfilling knowing that you’ve earned a spot despite the competitive admission process. 

But to fail? To fail is such a heartbreaking experience—engulfed in an overwhelming disappointment as you battle with feelings of rejection and suffer from the uncertainty of your future. So many questions and “what ifs” run into your mind and wonder what could’ve been done differently. Is it because of the standard of the university? The program you chose? The admission quotas? The lack of review and time for preparation? Or is it because of yourself? Because you fail to assess and ask yourself what do YOU really want. You must understand that the biggest factor that could affect your CET performance is yourself and your passion for your chosen program.

Senior high school is indeed a beautiful segment of our lives despite being full of roller coaster rides where it seems to be endless and without direction. This phase can be the avenue for growth and achievement, but can also be the prison of thoughts, regrets, and doubts where we question ourselves from here on.

So in between the lines of writing your next chapter in life, ask yourself this - what do you really want to pursue? Where do you want to study? And is this really for me? As you think, listen to your heart - to the whispers of your inner child and set forth your genuine skills and talent from the back of your mind. Because CETs are a once in a lifetime chance and college is a four-year challenge, so think conscientiously and choose your trial right. Every question you answer from the test booklets with your chosen career choice is a tile of a mosaic of your future, so envision the picture that you want carefully. As you stand at the crossroads of possibility, silence the noise around you and trust the path where you resonate with the most. 

Realize that being true to oneself is the ultimate test question that can be more difficult to answer than any CET question.