By Crystal Soriano

Students leaving campus immediately after class—a trend known as the ‘fastest campus leavers’—has become a familiar routine in college life. Bags zip shut as soon as classes end, students rush their way through hallways, while others are already halfway to the bus terminal. Some rush out of practicality—avoiding traffic, securing a jeepney seat, or escaping the noise and weight of a long academic day. But beneath all these reasons sits the most universal one of all: the simple longing to go home.

For many Tamaraws, home is simply more than just a physical place—it is a source of comfort. Long hours of commuting, getting stuck in traffic, and breathing the haze of vehicle smoke are nothing when faced with the promise of returning to spaces that offer familiarity and peace. Some students find that comfort in the provinces or streets they grew up on, while others discover it in quiet corners of the city that make the chaos of college life more bearable.

Sometimes, leaving campus early is about taking a moment to breathe, a brief recharge to survive another week. This moment of respite can take many forms: spending quiet time alone, engaging in hobbies, or simply being with the people who make them feel grounded. Being away from home for extended periods can be challenging, but it is a reality most students anticipated when they moved to Manila to chase their dreams.

Familiar places and faces

Whether it is a holiday or a regular weekend, these short periods of rest offer a brief pause from the fast pace of city life—a chance to set aside schoolwork and deadlines.

Beyond stepping away from academics, these moments give students a chance to reconnect with familiar places and recharge before returning to the city.

In an interview with FEU Advocate, first-year Communication student Samantha Gail Apalit shared that these pauses often take the form of a journey back to her province in Pampanga. She recalled how traveling eases her mind and how the worries she carries in the city melt away.

“Whenever I’m in Manila, everything I do is related to school, from finishing assignments, working on group projects, stressing over my grades, or managing my reputation to make sure I [am] a model student. But whenever I come home, all those worries fade away and I can focus on just being home and having smaller problems like what to eat later or what time to go to bed,” she shared.

The journey itself, however, is not without challenges. Traveling from Manila to Pampanga means hopping from one vehicle to another several times.

“All the tiredness from [transferring between] a jeepney, bus, and tricycle, it takes me two to three hours at best and four to five hours at worst just to get home,” Apalit stated.

The long commute often leaves her exhausted, but the moment she steps through the door, the fatigue fades. Familiar faces, home-cooked meals, and the comfort of being home make every trip worthwhile.

Being home revives her connection with her siblings. Though they live in different places and rarely see one another, their reunions fill the house with laughter and warmth.

“I feel all my exhaustion [ease away] whenever we share a meal together, exchange stories, and play with one another. A lot of things change, especially in the [fast-paced] city of Manila, so whenever I come home to my family, it’s such a relief to know that our warmth and laughter [do not change],” Apalit shared.

Beyond the shared meals, the comfort of home gives her strength to keep going. The stability she finds in her hometown helps her navigate the rush of city life while reminding her of the simplicity she values most.

“Although getting to discover new places and [experience] new things in the city is exciting, nothing beats the simplicity of just knowing a place. To know where to get your phone fixed when yours breaks, to know where to buy the cheapest eggs when you run out, all of these simple familiarities of knowing your way around your hometown are [things] I'll always love about my hometown,” the Communication student expressed.

While she laughs when others call her the ‘fastest campus leaver,’ for Apalit, the term goes beyond a nickname; it reflects how she plans her day, prioritizes her tasks, and makes the most of her time, turning it into a practice of discipline and balance.

For her, it also mirrors the experience of students like her who work hard during the weekdays to finish their tasks and assignments, so they can head home on weekends without any worries.

No matter how exhausting the trip gets, the moment Apalit sees the streets, places, and faces she grew up with, the weariness lifts from her shoulders. Manila may be full of opportunities to grow and chase success, yet it is in the solace of her roots that she finds the courage to continue.

Similarly, for other students, going home provides a much-needed pause from city life. 

Zoe Sisam, a first-year Communication student, makes the most of every opportunity to return home to Misamis Oriental in Mindanao. Whenever classes end or a long break approaches, she never hesitates to take the long trip back.

Sisam travels more than 1,300 kilometers by plane just to return to her hometown. Despite the long and exhausting trip, she still chooses to go back whenever her schedule allows—often on a monthly basis—showing just how strong her sense of belonging and connection to her community can be.

Adjusting to her new environment has not been easy, as she believes the culture in Manila is far different from what she’s used to.

"Since I [came] from a city in Mindanao, everything is new to me—the places, people, culture, and even the language spoken, so it feels like extra work for me to speak the language here," Sisam revealed.

Most of the time, her friends tease her for rushing out of the classroom, and she considers herself one of the ‘fastest campus leavers.’ Yet when it is time to return to her hometown, that same urgency is replaced by hesitation—leaving becomes much harder. She said that being home allows her to be herself without having to fit in.

"Home is where I can truly be myself. Ever since I came to Manila, I feel like I have to change parts of myself in order to fit in. But when I’m home, I can breathe a little easier and do things without overthinking them," she expressed.

Aside from the comfort of being back home, one of the first things she does is to spend time with her friends as soon as she lands. After not seeing them for a long time, a quiet reunion filled with warmth, shared stories, and laughter provides the connection and familiarity she misses.

"Since we all are busy in college, it’s nice to catch up with them and update each other about what’s going on in our lives," Sisam stated.

While reuniting with her friends and family in Misamis Oriental brings her joy,  it makes the thought of returning to Manila bittersweet. Living on her own, she describes the experience as isolating.

“It can feel isolating sometimes, especially since I live on my own. I don’t know a lot of people in Manila, so I’m usually alone outside the classroom,” the Misamis Oriental-native stated.

Sisam acknowledged that homesickness is real, especially when adjusting to an unfamiliar place. Even so, she understands that it is a common feeling—one that should not keep anyone from moving forward.

“It's normal to feel sad and homesick, but don’t let it hold you back from being the very best you can be,” she advised.

Her experience fosters gratitude for the little things often overlooked at home, from the trees to the quiet of the streets at night. While Manila offers an exciting lifestyle, it can never replace the slow but steady rhythm of life in the province.

No matter the reason, many ‘fastest leavers’ rush home due to homesickness, a feeling that is universal for every college student. Longing for the comfort of home can be so strong that leaving campus the moment class ends has become a familiar routine. Adjusting from the comfort of home, a place of warmth and safety, to the new environment of a dorm takes some time to get used to.

But not all students rush to leave the city. For some, staying is its own form of relief, a moment to rest and enjoy their independence. It serves as a space to breathe, recharge, and reconnect with themselves.

A different kind of home

For the fastest leavers, the destination is always home as they rush out of campus. It is the quiet comfort of provincial towns after long weeks in the city. But ‘home’ is not the same for everyone. For others, it is the familiar rhythm of Manila—the honk of jeepneys, the glow of city lights—that brings a sense of peace.

First-year Psychology student Faith Manuel believes that traveling home is not only inconvenient, but can be both physically and mentally draining. Living in Rizal, Manuel usually travels home by car every three to four months. Staying in Manila, despite its chaos, helps him stay focused.

“It is more the hassle of traveling home than the cost itself, lagi kasi akong hatid-sundo, since marami akong dala when I [decide to go home]. The hassle of going back home takes a toll on my mental health which is already [difficult] enough to deal with,” he stated. 

The heavy workload and constant deadlines often make staying in the city the more practical choice. And while home usually offers comfort when the pressure builds, Manuel has gradually learned to adapt to the pace and structure that city life demands.

“I have grown accustomed to [switching] my body [into] ‘professional’ mode when I’m in Manila, [in the sense that I always feel the need to work] when I’m here,” he shared.

Since moving to Manila in 11th grade, the Rizal-hailing student has slowly developed an appreciation for the city, something that he never expected.

“Manila is [crowded and fast-paced], and it is easy to feel lost. But I grew accustomed to it all. Somewhere along the way, the noise became my sanctuary,” the Psychology freshman expressed.

Being away from home helps Manuel maintain personal space and emotional balance. Distance reduces tension from family conflicts and allows him to focus on his own well-being, keeping his relationships healthier.

Even though the city keeps him motivated, it is hardly the best place to rest—but it does give him the advantage of getting more things done.

Manuel considers himself a workaholic, noting that this routine has become his source of comfort. He explained that Manila does not function as a place of rest for him. His time in the city is tied to academic responsibilities, which prevents him from relaxing and keeps him on ‘high-alert’ mode.

The city may not be the perfect place to unwind, yet its overwhelming noise has become familiar, almost comforting. He realized that peace can take many forms: the consistent pace of Manila, and the quiet focus that comes with work. After all, home is not a place but a feeling of ease and belonging.

Being the ‘fastest campus leaver’ is not just about rushing out of class or staying behind, it is about naturally seeking what recharges you after a long, tiring day of classes. What started as a funny TikTok trend reflects a real longing for comfort and familiarity. 

For some, heading home means escaping the day’s demands and finding a moment to breathe. For others, it means staying in the city, embracing its rhythm, and finding peace in the structure and independence it offers. The way we restore ourselves and find that sense of belonging is unique to each of us.

Home is not just the place we grew up in—it is the feeling we carry with us, stitched into the moments that make us feel whole. Whether you proudly call yourself the ‘Fastest Campus Leaver’ who chooses to return to the familiarity of your provinces or stay in the busy streets of Manila to claim a sense of personal freedom, every path students rush to take the moment class ends is about finding balance, seeking peace, and quietly discovering where they truly belong.

(Illustration by Janine Raiza Batua/FEU Advocate)