TACLOBAN CITY – Slow internet can get on someone’s nerves and in the provinces, particularly in far-flung areas, this is Gospel truth.
Although telecommunications firms are trying to improve this, it takes an enormous time and effort to speed up internet in the provinces.
For this, a third-year college student from Alangalang, Leyte took to social media to express her frustration after the slow internet prevented her from presenting her report in class.
"I was all set for our final presentation. I was simply waiting for our group to present but then quick changes happened. I wasn't able to download the other files being assigned to me (for the quick change of presentation) due to my unstable internet connection," Cathrine Candare, a Bachelor in Physical Education student from the Leyte Normal University posted Monday, July 19.
She said the changes happened because one of their group members failed to attend their presentation but it took time for her to receive the message since she had slow internet access.
"I know I am not that smart but I can proudly say that I am a responsible student. But my internet connection stole that characteristic of being a responsible student from me. I was really upset and hurt. I could not stop my tears," she said.
Despite her preparation, another group member presented her part.
She also shared her struggles with online learning while she lives in an interior in their town, confessing that she would usually do her tasks at night when the internet connection is better.
"In our every presentation, it is mostly done at daytime and during those virtual classes and presentations palagi ko problema ang internet connection," she recalled, adding that she even goes out of their house to seek for a better signal.
Netizens who were able to relate with Cathrine gave her suggestions on how to make her internet connection better.
She said that she was not really surprised that many students could relate to her because there were apprehensions at the onset of the online learning system, especially those who could not afford gadgets and stable internet access.
As a future educator, Cathrine suggests conducting limited face-to-face classes especially for third year and fourth year students who need actual demonstrations and observations.
If the same learning setup will be implemented next school year, she advised students to learn not to get overwhelmed by the situation and rest if they need to.
"It's okay not to be okay but we should not stay in the feeling of not being okay. We still need to move forward and accept that there are really things that we can't control. All that we can do is to accept and still strive for the best thing that we can do. Trying is still best than quitting."