How School Experiences shaped my Life

John Dewey, a famous American philosopher, psychologist and educational reformer, once said: “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.”

I believe that's true. Education goes far beyond tests, books, and school activities. It's how we embrace life.

Thinking back on my school experiences made me realize that everything I went through helped me become who I am today, influenced the choices I made and helped me decide the kind of life that I would like to have.

Keeping the faith

My parents enrolled me in a private school from kindergarten to highschool even though we didn’t have funds. But they had strong faith that our God provides.

My mother is a teacher and my father is an electronic technician. When I was young, my mother had to teach in three schools to keep me and my two other siblings in private school. As a teacher, my mother knew that a good education is a priority.

Since gradeschool, I've dreaded periodical exams. I wasn't scared to take the test and fail. I was worried we won't have money to pay for my monthly tuition fee. I've had years of experiences sitting beside the Cashier's office crying because I wasn't allowed to take the test. I couldn't blame the school. It was policy.

I should have been happy because I was given more time to review and study. But at that time, I just felt ashamed that I wasn't able to take the test together with my classmates.

I remember being angry at my parents. Whenever I asked them if they would be able to pay the tuition fee before the test, they would ask me to pray and ask God for help. I couldn't understand it then. But later on, I began to see and understand how God provides, how after a week I was able to take the test anyway. Since then, I believed that I have a prayer-answering God.

It may not be the answer or timing I was hoping for. But it's enough for me to know that He's listening and in His time, He'll answer.

You don't have to be rich to become an achiever

Attending a private school means being around rich kids. I remember being jealous of whatever my classmates have that I didn't. I was jealous I didn't have the pencil case that had lots of buttons to push and drawers to put things in. I was jealous I didn't have a beeper or braces. But eventually, I began to accept what I have and what I did not have.

Being a daughter of a teacher means I was expected to excel. And that's where my mom and I focused on. During summer vacation, she would have me and my siblings read our school books in advance. She'd also prepare reviewers for us to help us during the exams. At home, we're made to choose between helping with house chores or reading books. But when we got older, my parents ensured that we also help around the house.

I was usually an honor student, especially in grade school. I joined school contests, directed class plays and I was often part of the class officers. I never let our lack of money or material things get in the way of excelling in school.

Keep trying even when you fail

I joined our school's declamation contest from Grade 3 until high school. I won only once and I was in third place. The experience helped train me to become persistent, to fail forward, to keep trying even if I keep losing. More importantly, it trained me not to be scared to lose.

That mindset helped me when I was looking for a job. I wasn't hired in the companies I was interested in. Of course, I was devastated at one point. But I did not quit trying. 

At one time, there was a company I wanted to apply to in Ortigas. Instead of just going to that one company, I brought extra resumes and applied to other nearby companies.

My mother told me that applying to companies I'm not interested in will help me prepare for the firm I'd like to work for. In the end, I got confident during interviews and exams until I was hired.

Embrace independence

When I applied in UP, I placed UP Baguio as my second campus. I just thought it would be worth trying since most applicants from Manila would most likely choose nearby campuses. I was surprised when I found out that I passed in UP Baguio. I knew God has a plan.

On June 12, 1998, my family drove me to Baguio. It was my first time to be on my own for that long and I didn't know anyone there. Because of that experience, I learned how to become independent. And it prepared me for my 7 years work in Brunei.

School of Life

I've spent 16 years in formal school but I will enjoy every single day knowing that the school of life has exciting and amazing learning experiences prepared for me.