Navigating the journey ahead, first-year College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS) students took their first steps toward finding their place in college as they participated in the annual College Life Symposium on September 16, 2026 at the MSU-IIT Gymnasium.
The Office of Guidance and Counseling (OGC), together with the Organization of Student Peer Facilitators (OSPF), spearheaded the CASS College Life Symposium with the theme “Finding Your Oz: A Journey Through College Life.” The event aimed to guide students as they embark on their college journey, helping them navigate the transition from high-school to college while emphasizing the importance of student well-being.
The event also showcased the support services available for CASS students such as the Guild Career Ambassadors (GOCA), Learning Assistance Volunteers (LAV), the OSPF, and the CASS Student Council.
CASS Dean Dr. Marie Joy D. Banawa welcomed the first-years with a clear reminder of their purpose while offering her support. She highlighted that college life can be challenging, but encouraged them to stay focused and resilient.
“Your first reason of why you are here in MSU-IIT is to finish a degree, and in this gymnasium, you will receive that degree. You will attend the graduation, but reaching that four years after is not a bed of roses,” Banawa expressed.
“The faculty and staff are here to support you,” she added, emphasizing that first-year students can seek help from the faculty and staff as they navigate their college journey.
MSU-IIT guidance counselor Dhale Rose Gwyneth Solmayor and BS Philosophy graduate Quossette Cabus Loquenaria served as speakers for the event. They encouraged the freshmen to set clear goals, discover what works for them, step outside their comfort zone, and to reach out when coping becomes difficult. They also urged students to see college not just as an academic institution but also as a place to grow and develop their skills by joining organizations and forums.
“So hopefully, you take college as a chance for you to improve yourself, to surpass even your own limits,” Solmayor stressed.
Furthermore, Solmayor and Loquenaria, along with CASS Guidance Counselor Michael Alain Mamauag, entertained questions and offered advice during the Open Forum, addressing concerns raised by the students.
Interactive icebreakers also became one of the symposium’s highlights, with prizes given to participating students. Mamauag also awarded additional monetary prizes to randomly selected students who were able to recall what they had learned from the symposium and correctly pronounce his name.
Written by Crizelle Kaye Padillo
Proofread by Harris Donmoen Iligan
Photos by Schwarzdyle Zamoras
Photo Edit by Samuel Adrian Guerra
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