EVA, Gaius Chris A.

2011100910

REFLECTION PAPER

In the span of 5 and half year I have studied in Mapua Institue of Technology
(MIT). I experience a lot of cramming deadlines to beat and out of this world quizzes.
Buy those hardship, molded me in to a better and responsible person.
Mapua was my first choice as entered college. I was enticed by my parents and
high school classmates that Mapua is the best among best in terms of Engineering.
Another thing that help me decide that I will go to mapua is quarter term system. Since
they advertise in there website that you could finish engineering in just four years instead
of 5 years.
In my first year in Mapua. My goal was to finish my college on time nothing
more nothing less. My plan was to study hard and aim high. I remember my joy being
part such prestigious institute known for producing the best engineers in the Philippines.
But those joy quickly became stress as the fast pacing of education caught up to me. Also
it became hard for me to adjust because during that time I my home was in cavite. I have
to travel 2 hours before I can get to my classes. Those times was hard for me as I am not
really used to a fast paced education. But I am still fortunate compared to my other batch
mates who were having hard time with math subject. As my math subject I am lucky to
have professors who were great at teaching math subjects. Even if I am performing in
good in my math subjects. Pressure still caught on to me as I fail in my chemistry subject
and SLHS subjects. The failures that I experienced caused me to thinking of transferring
to other school. It is because I am not used to failing my minor subject like SLHS and
chemistry. But my parent told that I need to stick to Mapua since it was my first choice
and it was their dream school for me.
The hardships continued through my second year in Mapua. I even come to the
point when I was almost kicked out to my program because I failed physics one three
times already. But didnt stop I my achieving my dream in becoming a civil engineer. I
studied hard eventually in my forth take I passed the subject. I also remember in my
second year college I took my first civil engineering related subject CE 151. The subject
for me was the introduction or orientation to civil engineering as it discuss the parts of a
house how to make different plans and also make a scale model of a house. In that subject
I also learned the different plans the civil engineers make in to complete the design stage
of construction. The subject also helped to improve my hand witting and drawing skills
as previously I dont really like to draw perspective views isometric views and etc. Also
in my second year I started realizing my potential to become good student.

In my third year in Mapua that is when I started realize what I should do in order
to graduate in my program. I burned hours and hours to study the lesson really hard in
order to keep the pace of the lectures. As a result I started getting grades that I really
aimed for. But still there are still failures along the way I failed my surveying exit exam
which caused me to be delayed for one term. That really pissed me off since the exam
was really easy but I failed to prepare for it causing me to fail. After one term has passed
I secured my surveying exit exam by studying the concepts that the exams covers.
In my fourth year in Mapua. That is where I started appreciating more the civil
engineering. Since it was the time where most of my subject is a core part of being civil
engineer. The first subject that I really liked was hydraulic. It is because of experiments
we have done and it was easier to understand compared to mechanics. Next subject that
really liked was soil. The soil subject was fun it has a lot practical application and easily
comprehensible since some concepts that has been discussed in hydraulic was still used
soil subject.
In my last year in Mapua. It was years of full of ups and down. I remember being
scared of my soil 2 or foundation engineering. Since my professor was one of the
notorious terror professor in Mapua. I doubt myself If I can pass the subject. As the
term pass those doubt became hope. Since he was really a great professor. His methods is
different from conventional professor in my time in Mapua. But it help grew as person.
Those hardship I faced during that term was blessing in disguise as I was able to
understand more easily foundation and Reinforced Concrete Design. Also in this year I
was part of research study of evaluation of vehicular live load in Nagtahan Rd. link using
AASHTO specification. At first I was skeptical since the topic was new to me and I dont
the experience in this kind of research. So what I did was I read previous research and
journal in line to the topic of our research. It is give me an idea what are the things I need
to accomplish and the way they evaluate the vehicular live load present in that area. Also
I asked our adviser Engr. Kimuel Suyat regarding our thesis what are the steps we need to
undertake in order to accomplish the research given to us by the department. As we were
making the thesis paper, I was able to learn how to use a structural analysis program
called SAP 2000. It was my first program to able learn how to use for structural analysis.
In span of three term I was able to experience the disappointment and the hardship of
researcher have to go through in order to finish his/her thesis paper. Also without the help
and guidance of Dr. Francis Uy and Engr. John Paul Carreon regarding to the format and
deadline of thesis paper probably we will not still be finish it on time. Also they organize
colloquium for us researcher. It is help us get more idea regarding our research topic from
a professional who has already experienced making or doing a project regarding our
study.
Aside from research we have also experienced on-the job training from different
companies. Those OJT helped me to be become more aware of the job or task of a civil
engineer outside of school premise. We had three OJT. Two vertical horizontal

construction and one horizontal construction. Those OJT helped me become more aware
of the steps and methodology done in order finish a construction project.
I still dont what lies ahead after I have graduated civil engineering in Mapua. But
one thing is for sure I will study for board exams. I want to have first a license before I
practice my profession. After I pass my board exam I will maybe apply for a cadet
program of any top construction company in the Philippines or apply to an unpopular
company in order to gain experience. Aside from that I plan to pursue masters degree
this is to expand and solidify my knowledge in civil engineering. There endless
possibility to what path I will take after my graduation but one thing is for sure. I want to
excel to the work and field I love.
Dream become reality before I entered my dream was to graduate in Mapua with
a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. Now it became realty. What a journey has
been from sleepless nights to uncountable cramming moments. But everything is worth
the effort. It took me longer than I expected but I have finished. There were many times
that I was down but I stood up to conquer the failures. In my five and half years I stayed
in Mapua I experienced a lot. Those experienced will help me someday in the near future.
Those experience made me stronger. Importantly those experience helped grew as person.
I am thankful to the Mapua community for the support, for teaching and most importantly
the lesson in life you taught me. In the end of the day I was really lucky to be part of this
community where everybody helps you to grow. I promise to myself all the learning and
values that Mapua instilled me I will use it well in my journey outside of Mapua. VIVA
MAPUA I can do all thing through Christ who strengthens me- Philippians 4:13

____________________________
GAIUS CHRIS A. EVA
Signature over printed name