By Jan Vicente B. Pekas
Strong enough to make traveling outside a hassle and very troubling but weak enough not to warrant suspension of classes, these types of storms are truly the enemies of students. Even waiting inside the comforts of our homes for the rains and winds to subside is a futile attempt. These rains are just about stubborn as students’ demands and expectations for a suspension.
When I was still in elementary and enjoyed the luxury of having the slightest of rains cause suspensions, I was aware of the college students that would still go to their classes amid torrential rains while I was safe and warm in bed. Time eventually caught up and I am in the other side of the coin this time, the side where it is dripping wet. Left only to wonder in the rain the warm and comfort of a bed back at home.
College students are seen as adults and you would expect them to be made of sturdier material than high school students. A bit of rain should not be enough to suspend their classes is what most would expect.
Perhaps that is where the flexibility and authority of professors will come and have their classes held online. I have personally enjoyed these teachers and their understanding of others’ situations and location in relation to the school.
Unfortunately some teachers are made of harder materials than students and even more stubborn.
Inside the houses of people are filled with smelly clothes, shoes and bags. Left scattered because there is still no sun to dry them off after a wash. With limited clothes and shoes everyone shifts to an efficiency centered mind and just reuse the thick jackets when going outside.
Public transportation becomes the more important when we are just standing there being rained on as every second passes. Not much greater sights can compare to an oncoming jeepney or bus to students in these rainy and cold times.
These students are tough and can withstand a lot. Just like materials used in construction, they also have their own breaking points until they collapse or snap in two. It is already widely known that these students are put through the grinder every day. Add in the pressure from home and a storm then we all go a bit closer to that breaking point.
Duty can drive every man to walk through a storm in order to accomplish it. Perhaps that is why even students more than an hour away from school still walk amidst storms and attend classes with wet shoes, smelly clothes and a drenched bag.
These people especially deserve a bit of understanding on their side when they hope and wish for a suspension of classes. Adults have been in their positions before, and it would give them a bit of clarity of their reluctance to go to classes amid storms if they look back to their past as students get drenched while going to classes. **
