How to Survive a School That Feels Like a Maze

Our school is like a maze. Whoever comes here for the first time would always say, “It’s so hard to figure out the way.”

“Para kang nasa Hogwarts, imposibleng hindi maligaw.”

The hallways feel like they lead to different portals. I still remember my first time here as a freshman, where every personnel that I’d see, would always here a question from me.

WE ARE ALL HEADING TO THE FINISH LINE

It’s very normal to be afraid at your first day. No one knows everything at their starting point.

What’s important is to keep going on the journey. Everyone might have experience the same thing.

We might have the same path, but it will be a different experience for everybody. Try to look ahead, and maybe this tutorial could comfort you.

After spending years in this school, here’s what I learned about finding your way:

1. Get comfortable with being Lost.
2. Yet still ask for directions.
3. Just keep walking.
4. Don’t worry too much who’s ahead.
5. Find people to walk with.
6. Don’t be afraid of the next turn.
7. Keep finding your way.

1. Get comfortable with being lost.

When you first enter, you won’t know where everything is. And honestly, even after years here, I still get lost.

You can think you already have the hang of it, then suddenly find yourself somewhere you don’t recognize. And that’s normal.

2. Ask for directions.

You don’t have to figure everything out by yourself. You have many people around you.

Sometimes, you just need someone to point you in the right direction. Being unfamiliar with the path doesn’t mean you’re incapable of finding it.

3. Just keep walking.

There were times I thought I was simply going somewhere—to the bathroom, to a class, to another building—and somehow I’d come back with a snack in my hand. So many stopover, but you should know your destination.

Because beyond those little detours, walking through this school also led me to opportunities I never expected. Sometimes, you only discover where you’re going by moving.

4. Don’t worry too much about who’s ahead.

You’ll meet people who seem to know the way better than you. You can take that opportunity to learn the way.

Some will get there faster, some will seem more accomplished. Most of them will look like they already have the whole map, but don’t worry you’ll get yours too.

They’re also finding their way, or if not they once looked for their way. You don’t always have to compete.

5. Find people to walk with.

You’d be lucky to have someone tag along with you. So if you do find the peopl to walk with, treasure them.

Finishing the maze alone can be fulfilling. But sharing the journey with some of the best people can make it so much more memorable.

6. Don’t be afraid of the next turn.

Now that I’m in my last year of college, I sometimes look back and wonder how I even got here. I can’t remember exactly how I figured everything out.

Maybe because I didn’t.

Maybe I just kept walking. And now, I’m close to the exit.

I’m excited to leave this maze—but I’m also afraid of what comes next. Because maybe the hardest part isn’t finding the exit.

Maybe it’s realizing that once you leave one maze, life gives you another. One chapter may end, but it’s somehow a lifelong journey.

7. Keep finding your way.

Our school is a maze.

I might be close to finishing it.

But perhaps the maze in life never really ends, and maybe that’s okay. Maybe we’re not meant to have the whole map.

Sometimes, we just have to walk, get lost, ask for help, find people to walk with, and keep going.