I was wondering if does it make a difference if i graduated from any other university and not from the University of the Philippines.
I thought about writing this topic as i reflect upon my attitude being a proud graduate of the premier state university in the Philippines. Out of six hundred public high school graduates in our school in 1993, I was the only one who had the privilege to be admitted in the University.Modesty aside,i was the "cream of the crop" for the whole batch having graduated as Class Valedictorian.Can you imagine how that made me feel being one of the few who were qualified to enjoy the scholarship that UP has to offer?Can you imagine how proud i was paying only P60.00 every semester and at the same time receiving a monthly allowance from the school?
Believe it or not, when i was in college i was able to buy my own groceries with my school allowance and it felt like i was already working. But of course,there were times when my parents have to pitch in for me to survive,however,i was first introduce to the idea that earning your own money is motivating and inspiring.I had this in mind, that being smart is what it makes the difference. So i started to find ways to earn more money by making good use of my spare time through working while in school.
Well, my fantasy for being the brightest in my high school class ended when i struggled with my grammar,math,research,and public speaking skills during my first two years trying to pass all my subjects. Blame it to my public educational background,social environment,and lack of resources and support that only those who are economically well-off kids could have and the few poor to middle-class whose environment is achievement-driven and they were exposed to reading early in life.
My classmates who graduated from private high schools were very much different from me,the first two years in college were just like a review of basic subjects they had in high school . I realized how inadequate my skills were to be studying in the kind of environment where everything is fast-paced and spoon feeding is not in the curriculum. Of course,I felt as if the whole world was on my shoulders, but with all might and diligence,I graduated as an average student,without any failures.
Yes, i am the typical killjoy,serious,and studious type of student. While some of my friends were enjoying,i was the type who would rather stay home and study. I participated in some school activities but only limited to those activities i can manage with my time. Did i regret it? No! My personality is not really the party-goer type. When i decide on something, i don't look back because my eyes are fixed in my goal of graduating.I can't just wait to savor the price of hardship!
When i was holding my UP diploma,i was still the proudest person in my high school class! Never did i imagine what life was outside the University. I thought my diploma is my armor and sword which is enough to land me a better employment in the job market. However, another realization dropped like a bomb. The job market is very competitive and the skills i had were not enough. Landing from one job to another, i felt something is missing,that is,self-confidence. Definitely, going for further studies was the option. Indeed it is the only hope,however, my salary and circumstances were not in harmony with my career plans. I tried for several times even the obstacles were huge as Mt. Everest,and my tenacity is unfailing,getting up again and again.
Never it occurred to me that what was taught in school,all the academics are not enough to have a successful happy life.I later discovered that reading is one of the keys that will allow you to open yourself to greater opportunities and perspectives that are not mentioned in academic subjects. Reading for the sake of passing a subject or doing a research is different from reading materials that teaches how to improve one's personal and financial success.
What is the main reason of going to school? Isn't it to find a good job and receive a decent amount of salary to enjoy life? But how come my being a UP graduate is not enough to meet that end goal? I began to question the Philippine's educational system early in life when i find myself struggling to live by even with a diploma from a very prestigious University in the country.
With my search for an answer, i figured out one wisdom: that financial intelligence,practical everyday skills necessary such as on marriage and building a family,attitudinal and human relation skills primarily needed to attain success in life are lacking in our educational system. Even those who are taking Finance and Accounting are not "financially intelligent",and do not have any idea how money can work for them. Still we all believed that landing a good job is the answer.When i read the life of successful people like Robert Kiyosaki,Warren Buffet,Bill Gates,and other rich people,they too have the same conclusion-financial intelligence and human relation skills should be part of the school's curriculum. That is, we should be learning how to earn,save,and invest in people and money,so that we will not work for money but that money will work for us!
One of the great authors who wrote a book entitled "Think and Grow Rich said," Much of what is taught in school is of no value whatsoever in connection with the business of earning a living or accumulating riches.If only financial management and human relation skills are taught in school,it would revolutionize the entire educational system and the time spent in school could be reduced to less than half."(Napolen Hill)
I started to open my mind to wisdom and knowledge about self-improvement and desire to achieve for excellence in all aspects of my life because i found a great mentor. St. Josemaria Escriva,Founder of Opus Dei has taught me that everything from physical appearance,academic performance,study habits,professional dealings,human relations, and all aspects of life are venue to practice my Christian faith with utmost desire for excellence. I was exposed to a different ways of thinking and has a broader perspective when it comes to life in general as i struggle to improve myself to keep up with the competitive environment. In the process, i become a stronger person,getting up every time I fall and start all over again.Because of the mentoring system that i have, despite the lack of skills and ability, i continue to search for an answer and never give up that one day i will find the path i am looking for.
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| St.Josemaria Escriva,Founder of Opus Dei |
My life is uneasy and restless when i am not in the state of discovering and learning. There were periods when I was stuck in a sinkhole for almost 7 years, not knowing what to do. But I continued to search for an answer through prayer and meditation.My vision and goal in life is so strong that eventually I was rescued, however, that experience taught me to be humble,courageous, tough and more daring in dealing with different kinds of people. Always,there is a reason for everything!!
I am sure all people can relate to my story for it is not something out-of-this world. Everybody goes through the same journey,however,in different levels and phases. But what will bring us joy is not the thickness of our resume(i don't discourage and devalue further studies if this is your path) but the attitude in life and how we interpret every signpost we encounter in the road. Even the lowest moment has its meaning,and even how dark is the sinkhole,there is that guarantee,if one continues to seek and do("seek and you shall find,knock and the door will be opened to you")something, there will be an answer.
Likewise,the most important lesson i learned is, it is not how well-educated you are,but it is how you make good use of the information around you that will help you become successful. If one continues to seek for wisdom and knowledge, one will find it. The key is seeking for knowledge through reading books that are testimonies of successful people,the key is constant self-improvement and learning,and your eyes fixed in your goal and dream, the key is knowing where your direction is.The key is in your thought and that the power of dreams,the power of goals,the power of visualizing your goals which is so strong that your thoughts will create the reality for you.
"The gold of my land is good,i live in a world of lavish abundances." This saying i was reciting since college i learned from someone. I don't know who said that but it becomes my guiding principle as i continue to seek for that abundance.Little by little,the wisdom is pouring in, in different directions and i am happy to where i am now. But it doesn't mean i stopped learning. I continue to discover new ways to enjoy life and i wanted to share that joy with other people,then i can tell you,i am successful!!
No wonder,being at UP was a path for me to take for i was provided with the right mindset.That in order to survive,one has to do research and seek knowledge wherever you can find it. Spoon feeding and asking others what to do is not the proper attitude to take."Tell me what to do" are five very scary words. Don't blindly take action.Educate yourself."(Robert Kiyosaki) Each has to do his job and learn from mistakes,learn from successful people and take it according to one's circumstances. Understanding this wisdom is liberating and it makes a person more open to different ideas,perspectives,learning and adventure. Being smart in school is not like being smart in the street.And it doesn't matter where school you are from,but it is the matter of how you think you can handle life because you believe you can and your positive thoughts will crystallize into positive actions that will bring you to where you want to go! Action is the number one secret to success.So what are you waiting for?Take action now to transform your life!!
" Tempest-tossed soul, wherever you may be, under whatever conditions you may live,know this: In the ocean of life the isles of blessedness are smiling and the sunny shore of your ideal awaits your coming.Keep your hands firmly upon the helm of thought. In the core of you soul reclines the commanding Master. He does but sleep;wake him. Self-control is strength.Right thought is mastery.Calmness is power.Say unto your heart,"Peace.Be still."
(As A Man Thinketh,James Aleen)
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