What’s life after AA (Associate in Arts)?
Whenever I had a chance to see my classmates face-to-face, I would often ask them about their plans after completing their Associate in Arts (AA) degree from UPOU. To date, UPOU only offers two undergraduate courses—the other one being Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Studies (BAMS). A lot of them would just give me a blank stare while some would just say, “Ewan ko. (trans: I don’t know.)” However, there are quite a handful of people who have definite plans after receiving their Associate in Arts diploma. Some would continue studying to obtain a Bachelor’s degree while some would put their focus on their jobs.
Beginning of the semester
At the beginning of this semester, I posted that this would be my last semester as an Associate in Arts student. True enough, last January, I received a letter from the Office of the University Registrar informing me that I was already a candidate for graduation. Of course, I jumped for joy upon learning about it although I already expected the sad news. But still, I need to pass the courses I took this semester.
So now that graduation’s only a few weeks and the opening of the new academic year’s a few months away, I asked myself, “What’s life after AA?”
When I entered UP Open University, my goal was to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Studies (BAMS). However, as I was exposed to university life open learning, and distance education learning, I realized that I wanted to do study something else. I’m not abandoning the fact that I still want the BAMS program. But, one thing is clear—I want a bachelor’s degree. So, after my Associate in Arts, I would study again and get a bachelor’s degree.
Strategic Planning
I’m considering every option I have and carefully thinking about them. I told myself that I needed contingency plans in case my first plan failed. I know how competitive getting a slot at a UP unit is. Being a UPOU student doesn’t guarantee that you’ll have a slot at, let’s say, UP Diliman if you want to transfer. So, I need to have a PLAN A up to PLAN Z. I don’t want to elaborate on each of my plans. But, in a nutshell, I either transfer to other UP units and take up a bachelor’s degree or stay at UPOU to take up a Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Studies.
I’ve been to a couple of UP colleges to inquire about their undergraduate degree programs and admission policies. I’ve already submitted my papers for them to evaluate and here I am wishing, hoping, and praying that they would admit me as a student.