Rest.
As a fresh grad, I realize that thesis is really not the most stressful thing to handle. It is not the homeworks and exams. Or the defenses and recits. Because the most stressful and challenging thing you need to consider is.. “What’s next?” “Ano nang plano ko sa buhay?” “Kelangan ko na bang magwork kaagad?”
It’s scary. It really is. I can still remember the time that I would cry because I have loads of things to do. Quizzes here, recits there. I used to hate it. But now, I just wish I could go back to those days because entering the real world is terrifying. As an adult, you are now responsible for yourself. By this time, you need to be independent. You need to earn money for yourself and for your future.
But the question is.. are you ready?
The moment I graduated, I admit, I pressured myself. After receiving my diploma, I used to think “Kelangan ko na ng trabaho.” “Si ganto meron na. Si ganto nag aapply na” That mindset was ridiculous. I would cry because I was so pressured. My mom wasn’t even pressuring me, it was myself. I pressured myself because my classmates already have a job, so I need to have a job as well. I was that pathetic. And fortunately, after a month of job hunting, I was hired by an Accounting firm.
At first, I thought “Bakit parang ang hirap?” “Ganto lang siguro sa simula talaga” because I was crying everyday. Before going to sleep and after waking up in the morning, I would cry because I was so stressed and depressed. Bakit parang ang hirap ng ginagawa ko? Sa una lang ba talaga to? Is it normal to cry everyday because of my job?
Not until I realized, I was not doing what I love. I’m an HR graduate and my position was for an Accountant. I was so challenged. I doubted my skills. I thought I was a disappointment. But the truth is, I am not. I realized that that job really wasn’t for me to begin with. It was not my passion. As difficult as it might seem, I resigned. People might tell me, “Swerte mo nga may trabaho ka na.” “Buti ka pa nga makakatulong agad sa pamilya.” For awhile I also taught I was lucky. Yes, I was fortunate to have a job after a month of graduating, but not doing what you love to do sucks. Being at work when in fact you are not physically, emotionally and mentally ready sucks. Having a job for the sake of “having a job” sucks. Hindi pa ako handa noon, pero sumabak agad ako. Telling myself that I NEED to have a job as soon as possible because that is what my mind tells me.. but my heart tells otherwise.
I studied all my life.. rest is vital because you would work all your life after that.
What I realized is, you need to rest first. Don’t be pressured by the people around you because they are not the ones controlling your life but you. Being successful is not a race. Knowing that your classmates have a job and you have not doesn’t mean you’re a failure because trust me when I say that God have plans for you. Everyone has a different story and I believe that God’s story for us is the best.
