Out Of The Cocoon.

My heart sank seeing my mother teary eyed, waving at me. I would be away from home for the first time, for 6 long years.
My dad accompanied me the first time I came to Philippines. I clearly remember the day I went to see him off at the airport. I was scared. It was a whole new yet terrifying feeling. The sight of my dad leaving gave me shudders never felt before. But the gleam in his eyes that shone brightly for the new life ahead of me gave me all the strength I needed to strive along.
Yes, I was completely oblivious to the life that awaited me. New friends, new life, and the excitement of studying medicine, exhilarated me.
The ‘Chapter of Philippines’, had now begun!
I was enrolled into B.A. in Psychology, a pre-medicine course, which served as a pre-requisite for pursuing medicine in Philippines.
From the food at the canteen to the experiences of a hostel life, everything perplexed me. Taking things at face value, giving in easily and unable to cope with situations made me clueless. Back in school, everyone and everything was so smooth and easy-going, that college life stunned me. I was at my wit’s end most of the time. Battling between emotional turmoil and homesickness, I took my own sweet time to adapt and adopt to the new changes.
In contrary to school days where mostly everyone was amicable to one another, now everyone around me seemed to have chosen someone over another in their journey. I did the same too. Gradually my friends numbered from many to 3 or 4. The word “priorities” came into being and I realized how important it is to have just the right people and not a large number of people by your side.
At times, I found myself lying on the terrace, gazing at the sky and feeling happy for everything and anything. At times, I would find myself despairing and fussing over silliest of things.The next thing I remember doing is calling my sister or a friend to cheer me up and whoosh, gone was all the sadness.
Trips, hangouts, bunking college and late night cooking are indeed some of the fondest memories I have of my pre-medicine days.

And then medicine happened. With all my energy, I set forth to fulfill my everlasting dream.
From going crazy over the never ending exams, to paying bills on time;
From hassles at college to the nostalgia of home and family;
From the irresistible craving of home made food to being on your toes to study medicine, it was and is a roller coaster ride.
Now, emphasizing on the purpose of this post, one needs a few hacks to survive when you are away from your home, family and friends a.k.a when you are Out Of The Cocoon.
– A dream, courage and passion is primary driving force that will help you in the long run, come what may.
–Family is that form of sincere love that you should look up to and you are sure to crusade through it all.
–Friends who are there with you when you are away from your home, are your family away from family. Keep the. Cherish them.
–Last but not the least, the zest in you to nourish the ‘old-you’ with life’s experience and enjoy the ride.
It’s rightly said- Change is hard at the beginning, messy in the middle and gorgeous at the end. So after you will have achieved your goal, every hardship that you would have faced will be worth it. Acknowledge your journey and do something for yourself and for the ones you love. Eventually, your coming Out Of The Cocoon will be fruitful!

Let nobody dim your shine,
Take the chances as a boon,
Go get whats truly thine,
Oh, dear come see the world,
Oh, dear come out of the cocoon.