Today officially marks my last day as the Prefect of the Xavier Honors' Dormitory.
One year. It has been a year since I embraced the responsibility of 'watching over' 26 souls. It was a decision that I never imagined would take me to where I am now. It was a decision with uncertainty but became one of the wisest decision that I ever made.
Living in the dormitory is not that hard. There is a specific structure that one must follow. The problem usually lies with the consistency in doing what is expected from the dormers. EXPECTATIONS. I would usually hear people saying 'much is expected from the dormers because they are provided with so much'. TOO MUCH BLESSINGS equates TOO MUCH EXPECTATIONS. That was my idea, they were provided with so much privileges thus they must do something to compensate for those privileges.
I was under the impression that I, as a prefect, must ensure that all the things demanded from the dormers should be followed. Although it never slipped my mind what Kuya Zero told us, that above all technicalities 'cura personalis' must prevail. So I did. I tried to be an authority and at the same time, a sister to them. I insisted on 'respect rather than fear' and I invited them to be more open to me. I valued communication overall and I would reiterate to them that I'd rather be confronted if they have problems with me rather than hearing the concern from others.
Being a prefect is not an easy task, especially if people are expecting you to accomplish as much as a 'full time prefect' does. However, what makes the job of a prefect significant is the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. MAKING A DIFFERENCE, that's what makes our job difficult. If you are basically a person who would not take this as part of your responsibility then being a prefect is easy. Making a difference is simple, that's what I learned from the dorm. Making time for your dormers so you could listen to their stories, how they struggled to get the scholarship, their long-term plans for their family and simple stories of their life outside the dormitory is already making a difference. YOU made time for them, YOU listened to them, YOU were there for them.
Generally, my kids (that's how I call them) are talented students. Yes, indeed, the students in the dormitory are not ordinary students, not because they are academically excellent but they can be that responsible despite their age. Some of them would just need a little push so they could discover the things that they can do. Some would need a little 'reminding' to help them reevaluate and refocus their goals.
I am happy that I was given that chance to spend time with them. I myself learned a lot from the dormers. I just hope that through their journey, they will not forget where they came from and to be consistently grateful for all the blessings that they have received and are about to receive. I pray that my kids would always remember that they are doing all these things because it is the purpose of our creation, to glorify the name of God :)
