It’s getting harder to stay silent about the growing issues we face as students at Mapúa. It feels like the institution keeps making decisions that hurt us without considering how they impact the people who make this school what it is—us, the students. From disappearing perks to unreasonable academic pressures, it’s as if student welfare isn’t even a priority anymore.

First off, let’s talk about student perks. Remember when we had access to resources like Grammarly and other tools that made our academic lives manageable? Gone. No notice, no explanation, no alternatives. These tools were essential to our learning experience, yet they were taken away without a word. It’s frustrating to feel so undervalued when the tools we depend on for success are removed without a proper explanation.

On top of that, tuition fees keep rising every term, and for what? The facilities haven’t drastically improved, and the quality of education hasn’t made leaps worthy of the extra cost. It’s heartbreaking to see families struggle to meet these financial demands, especially when it feels like we’re paying more but getting less in return. Transparency is severely lacking, and we deserve to know where our money is going.

And let’s not forget the trimester system. We were asked for feedback before it was implemented, and the overwhelming majority of students said no. We shared our concerns about how it would impact our workloads and well-being, yet it was pushed through anyway. This complete disregard for student opinion makes it clear that our voices don’t matter to the administration.

The toxic study culture here is another major issue. Instead of fostering growth and learning, the environment is suffocating. Some professors even take pride in their students failing, as if having a high number of 5.0s or IPs reflects well on them. It doesn’t. It shows that their teaching methods are ineffective and that they’re failing in their responsibility to guide us. A professor’s success should be measured by how well their students learn, not how many of them fail.

And let’s talk about the new departmental exams. How are we supposed to pass when the exams don’t align with what’s in the syllabus or the lessons taught in class? Professors barely touch on the topics covered in these exams, leaving students scrambling and stressed out. It’s like we’re being set up to fail. The lack of coordination and consideration in this process is unacceptable.

Lastly, all these issues are taking a serious toll on our mental health. The relentless academic pressure, combined with a lack of support and resources, is pushing many students to their breaking points. Counseling services are either inaccessible or unhelpful, and the administration seems oblivious to the mental health crisis brewing on campus. It’s not enough to talk about student well-being; action is needed.

Mapúa, it’s time to do better. We’re not asking for the world; we just want to be treated with respect and fairness. We deserve transparency about changes, accountability for tuition increases, professors who genuinely care about teaching, exams that reflect what we’ve actually learned, and mental health support that’s accessible and effective. Students are the heart of this institution—not just a source of revenue. Please start acting like it.