It’s raining outside again, and the skies feel heavier than usual. A tropical depression named Ada has settled in, bringing strong winds, dark clouds, and endless rainfall. The streets are flooded, umbrellas are struggling, and public transport is uncertain. Notifications are buzzing on our phones class suspensions announced. But as we read more carefully, we realize something: the suspension only applies to elementary and secondary levels.
And so the question lingers what about us, college students?
While younger students are told to stay safe at home, college students are expected to continue attending classes, submitting requirements, and keeping up with deadlines. Many of us commute long distances, walk through flooded streets, or ride in overcrowded vehicles just to make it to school. Some of us worry not only about being late, but about being safe.
We understand that college students are considered more independent, more capable, and more responsible. But independence does not make us immune to danger. Responsibility does not cancel out the risks of traveling in bad weather. And capability does not erase exhaustion, anxiety, or concern for our own well-being. What hurts more is not just the rain, but the feeling of being overlooked. It’s as if our safety becomes secondary simply because we are older.
Yet, we are still students still learning, still growing, still vulnerable to circumstances beyond our control. This is not a complaint, but a call for understanding. We are not asking for convenience; we are asking for compassion. Education should never come at the cost of safety. A storm does not choose its victims by age, and neither should safety policies.
Still, we show up. We walk through puddles, hold onto our bags tightly, and push forward despite the rain. Because we are dreamers. Because we are determined. Because we believe in the future we are building, even when the present feels stormy.
But maybe, just maybe, institutions can pause and ask:
Are our students safe? Are they okay? Because sometimes, the bravest thing a student can do is not just show up but speak up.
Yes, college students are strong but strength should not replace safety.
Yes, education is important but life and well-being matter more.
And yes, we can still learn, even if the classroom shifts temporarily to our homes.
Let us remember:
“Safety is not a privilege; it is a right.”
And in every storm, may we choose care over pressure, compassion over routine, and humanity over haste.
Stay safe. Stay dry. And never forget your life matters more than any attendance sheet.