OH, YOU THINK YOU KNOW?
At an early age I already knew the value of education. Not because someone told me so. No because it has been imprinted in my thoughts by my parents. But because I have learned it the hard way. I was born in an average kind of family. Not rich. Not poor. Situated somewhere in the middle. Financially, I could well remember most of the times, there were hard times that we had to make both ends meet. Not all people knew about the financial problems we as family had to face back when we were still studying. I was a straight A student in school, from the time I started elementary up to the time I graduated from college. I was known to be a brainiac. So from the time I stepped my foot in school my status had already been written on my forehead, all caps, italicized, and bold. Yeah I belong to the group where most kids avoid from. THE CEREBRAL GROUP. Now for those who are not familiar with this group, this group is consists of people who are thought to be boring since their noses are always in front of a book, teacher’s pet because they are the favorites of the teachers whether they like it or not, and the most prevalent quality is being intelligent who always end up top 1 in class.
Though many people admired me as an achiever, it never ever crossed my mind to always strive to be on top. I was studious yes but aiming for As were not on top of my priority. It just so happened that in order for me to be able to acquire education I needed the assistance of scholarships. I know that even if I didn’t grab the opportunity of being a scholar, my parent would still find a way to give the best education. However, it was such less of a burden when I was helping them financially through scholarships. So it ended that way. Not because I wanted to be called on stage every recognition. Not because I wanted to be on top of the class. All I ever wanted was to graduate and land a good job.
Since elementary my mind was trained to maintain a certain grade for all subjects. From there, the pressures started to creep in. Why? Because aside from the fact that maintaining grades was already so hard, there were also expectations from people who thought that you could never fail. My brain has been working so hard since I was 7 years old it continued to be overused until college. I had been so hard with myself. I had to meet all the expectations coming from the people I know and even those whom I do not know.
Little did they know that I also wanted to belong in the popular group. Those students who stayed longer in the comfort room than in the classroom, putting lipstick and powder and gossiping with their group of friends. Those students who have the courage to cut classes and be absent whenever they want. Those who are patronized and idolized because they look good and cool, they talk cool and they belong in a cool group. Those who after class would immediately stroll around the mall with friends. Those who have the new gadgets and designers clothes to brag with. These students enjoy everything there is to be enjoyed in school because they have less pressure in their studies.
The road that I had taken was so different from theirs. HOME. SCHOOL. HOME. SCHOOL. But you know what, I still feel blessed for not getting the education the easy way. Because of the circumstances, I ended successful in my education. Now I know that it really pays to work hard and that the things that make you weird as a kid will make you great tomorrow. I have learned to persevere, to have patience, to be focused on reaching my goals and to have a never give up mindset. Yes it was never easy and if I had the choice I would never ever put myself in such pressure. If I had the choice I would have enjoyed my student life without even thinking about the pressures people put on me.
But everything that I have gone through made me who I am today. If not for the hard times I wouldn’t be able to be prepared on what the real world has for me. It has honed my skills to become a better and competitive person. I could land on any job I want since I know I have the qualifications. Now that I have proven everyone, I am now letting myself bask in the glory of making my parents proud for what I have achieved. In fact I want to pat my shoulder and say, “I am proud of you.”
Now, I don’t envy the popular group anymore. 30 years from now, it won’t matter what shoes you wore, how your hair looked, or the branded clothes you bought. What will matter is what you learned and how you used it.
