On the year 1877-1878, Jose Rizal entered the University of Santo Tomas (UST). He was 17 years old at that time taking a preparatory course in theology and law. His father Francisco wanted his son to be a lawyer because his older brother Francisco didn't finish his law course.
He only had three hours of classes a day. That's why Rizal has a time to enroll in a vocational course at the Ateneo de Manila, which he finished within a year.
Out of 60 students in his pre-law class, Rizal was one of 49 students who passed. He earned a score of sobresaliente, the highest mark, which he was included in 8 students who got this score .
On the other hand, Rizal faced discrimination and racism from Spanish friliers and students while studying medicine.
In the Christmas break in 1877, his mother didn't recognize him at first sight when he went home in Calamba. That's when he decided to shift to medicine.
Rizal was allowed to take the preparatory class at the same time his first year of medical school. He's one of the 28 students who applied and 4 were allowed.
As the years passed, Rizal continued to pursue medicine at UST. He ranked third out of 11 students, behind Cornelio Mapa and Jose Luna, the brothers of Juan and Antonio Luna.
He had two more years to go in medical school, but he chose to finish his studies in Spain. However, He didn't ask his parents for permission, but Kuya Paciano knew.
Even though his in Spain his name still appeared in the registry of UST for the next school year, yet no grades were recorded.
Rizal's life in Europe was financed by his Kuya Paciano, who's managing their agricultural land.
Seventeen-year-old Joze Rizal wrote a college diary called Memorias de un estudiante de Manila under the pen name P. Jacinto while he was studying at UST. It was written between 1872 and 1881. It contains Rizal’s personal accounts of his childhood in Binan, scholastic triumphs at Ateneo de Manila, and his medical studies at University of Santo Tomas. Now others will occupy your souls and you will soon forget this traveler.