Good day, everyone. Today I’ll walk you through how our everyday world as students has evolved across four dimensions—norms, values, symbols, and connections—by contrasting life “before the pandemic” with life “after the pandemic.” I’ll frame each contrast with catchy titles from our table, then explain what those titles really mean in our daily lives. First is Norms. Before: Back in the day, strolling into school looking dugyot—untucked shirts, bedhead hair, traces of last night’s scrape-and-go makeup—was totally acceptable. We prioritized convenience over appearance and never felt judged for showing up casual. Messiness was a badge of authenticity: as long as we were present and engaged in class, nobody cared if we looked a little rough around the edges. Fast forward to our current reality, and you’ll find peers comparing Vitamin C serums and sheet-mask reviews between classes. Skin-care routines replaced last-minute prep. Even younger students discuss niacinamide concentrations like pros. Personal grooming went from optional to essential, reflecting a broader shift toward self-care as part of our daily identities. Second is values. Just a few years ago, LGBTQ+ issues were whispers in the hallway. Coming out felt risky, and many of us avoided the topic altogether. Our value system emphasized fitting in over standing out, and most schools lacked visible support groups or safe spaces for queer students. Now, rainbow flags hang in classrooms, student councils host pronoun-awareness workshops, and conversations about gender and sexuality happen openly in homeroom. Acceptance isn’t just tolerated—it’s celebrated. This shift shows how we collectively redefined respect and belonging, ensuring every identity has its place in our community. Third is symbols. Our campus symbols stayed constant: the same weathered banners, the familiar jingle of the bell, and the old courtyard benches under the acacia trees. These elements created a comforting routine, but they rarely carried new emotional meaning beyond what they’d always represented. In the wake of disruptions, “home” transformed into our most potent symbol. It became our refuge, a space where we felt safe to learn, laugh, or vent without judgment. Choosing to stay home—even after restrictions lifted—became a gesture of care: we weren’t just avoiding germs; we were protecting each other’s emotional well-being. Lastly, connections. Most of our friendships thrived on face-to-face interactions—catching up between lockers, crowding into jeepneys for weekend mall visits, or swapping pencils and jokes in study groups. Digital chat existed, but it played second fiddle to real-world hangouts. Today, our social lives blend Zoom study sessions with spontaneous mall runs and TikTok collabs. We schedule group calls to review for exams, then flip seamlessly into in-person coffee sessions. Some of us even explore budding relationships on dating apps, switching effortlessly between swipes and weekend movie nights. This hybrid model reflects our renewed appreciation for both genuine presence and the convenience of online spaces. In just a few years, we’ve moved from carefree “dugyot days” and silent hallways to a world defined by self-care rituals, vibrant pride celebrations, home as a sanctuary, and a fluid dance between digital and real-life connections. As students, we’ve witnessed culture adapt, values expand, symbols deepen, and connections diversify. These shifts remind us that even after times of upheaval, our community’s spirit endures—always ready to reshape itself in pursuit of warmth, acceptance, and belonging.