EACH WEEK, before my 2 PM class at Bellarmine Hall every Monday, I make it a point to arrive by 10 AM. I’ve never missed a trip—the trek from one end of campus to another is a highlight of my college routine. These walks are so vital that weeks without it feel incomplete.

During these early walks, I always keep a book handy to read as I leisurely stroll past landmarks that seem more familiar to me nowadays from a sidewalk’s periphery: the Manila Observatory, the statue of St. Ignatius, and the Church of Gesù.

These walks do more than clear my head of academic stress; they fill it up with ideas, observations, and reflections that make learning in the Ateneo truly fulfilling. As I finish the last pages of my book on the way to Bellarmine, I tuck it back into my bag, leaving just enough room for a new one. I bought this book last week at the Ateneo Press Bookshop, and now I’m back to buy another.

When it comes to killing time on campus, my weapon of choice has always been a book. Reading has defined my studies and my extracurriculars, my work and my hobbies, my life as it is, and maybe whatever will become of it later on.

Through books, I have traveled through time, spoken with personal heroes otherwise unreachable, and made sense of knowledge in a way that feels like I’m never learning alone. Every book introduces me to a new way of life, and in my 21 years on this Earth, I like to think that I’ve already lived so many.

The longer I learn, the clearer it becomes that studying in the Ateneo is not always easy, as I’m sure anyone who has ever studied here can attest. The rigors of our education prepare us not just for the wider world but also equip us with the skills to handle whatever comes next. We owe it not only to ourselves, but to our friends, loved ones, and peers to make the most of the Ateneo education that had fashioned some of the country’s most brilliant minds for over a century and a half.

At times when I’m not running to class, a walk through the halls never fails to remind me of the distinguished history of this old campus and the daunting reputation of the even older institution behind it.

As someone who fought hard to enter this University, I strive to maximize my stay by absorbing as much as I can from the written, spoken, and printed words of my contemporaries. I consider my organized class notes, annotated lecture slides, and of course, books, as some of my most prized academic possessions for this reason; I hope to look back at them as tangible proof of the knowledge I gained from my years in undergraduate study.

As I persist in my studies, I doubt that my love for learning will ever fade. This love won’t end after college, just as it did not stop any earlier. As I continue this life longing to learn as much as I can, I endeavor to find new ways to share these passions with the world—or, at least, with those in the world that want to listen to me.

Reflecting on my passions and how far I’ve come, I collect my thoughts on how fortunate I am to take time and reflect at all. Not long after I do, I finish my walk to Bellarmine Hall.

Then, I buy another book.

Ram is a Management Economics senior expecting to graduate in 2025. As a passionate reader and dedicated writer, he channels his many passions into a diverse portfolio of written and multimedia works across different disciplines. 

Editor’s Note: The views and opinions expressed by the opinion writer do not necessarily state or reflect those of the publication.