Friday, July 9, 2010

The Reason Why I Joined the Achiever Scholar Program. :)

The Reason Why I Joined the Achiever Scholar Program. :)
Note: this is a long read. But please bear with me. The main points are at the last lines, although they are scattered all throughout this note (beginning, middle, etc.). My parents were from UP. My 3 kuyas were from UP. I wanted to be like them, a scholar. But during late elementary and high school, my dad lost his job. He was jobless for 2 years. It affected my schooling. I couldn't take exams because I couldn't pay any tuition. The school year ended with me not being able to take the exam. I was badly affected by our financial situation. I didn't perform well in school. However, my peers and professors always believed that I was a bright student, that I can perform. Only that I had a bad attitude, which I believe was the effect of my financial problems. I lost confidence in myself because we didn't have enough finances to support my academic endeavors. We had just enough for daily expenses like food and etc., but an excess was rare. I am a 7th of 8 children. So, not only was it a difficult thing that my dad lost his job. It was also difficult because he was supporting 8 children. Wala pang graduates that time. Nahihirapan na din mga kapatid ko who were in college. As said earlier, I wanted to be a scholar, yes. It was an aim -- I wanted to follow the good footsteps and example of my parents and my elder brothers. But due probably to our financial situation, I didn't have good high school records. I failed the UP exam (the only school I applied for) even though I had high exam results (grades won't be mentioned). I tried to apply for reconsideration because the results were considerably high. However, they couldn't because I applied for quota courses. I again tried for reconsideration at UPLB. I almost got in, but at the last part of the application/reconsideration process, I got rejected because I didn't apply for UPLB. It was the first lesson of the Lord to me. My mom insisted I apply for UPLB, but when the rain ruined my first application form, I filled up a new one, and changed my campus choice to UPM instead. Lesson: listen to your parents. I was rush-enrolled to DLSU-D. The start of my being a Lasallian. All the while I intended to transfer to a UP unit, specifically UPM, after a year. I had good school performance, the top in my BS-IT batch, all sections/blocks included. Guidance councilor has the records to prove so. I felt confident that my application would be a breeze. 1st year ended, and I convinced my parents that I'll apply for UPM. They insisted that I go DLSU-Manila. I didn't feel it because I am only a simple person. I don't know a thing about other universities, altough I'm starting to like Lasalle. And, I'm not an elitist, which I thought of Lasalistas. Not english-speaking, etc. It was too prestigious and intimidating. UPM didn't process my application. They didn't consider my TRED subjects as academic courses, and there was a misinterpretation. They informed me late and reconsideration was a mess because the slots for BS-Computer Science were gone. They will only accept incoming 2nd year students. I wasn't meant for UP at all. I got back to DLSU-D. After a more successful 2nd year (participated in a limited-slots, by-invitation leadership potential LTS, run for College President under an independent/non-popular political party, saw more what it is to be a Lasallian), I applied for DLSU. My reason for applying for DLSU was because I wanted to achieve something in my college life. I wanted to get the most out of my education. And it was the time that I was feeling more confident because the Lord was slowly and steadily blessing and providing for my needs. But, we aren't really rich. We just had good enough. My youngest brother (next to me) just graduated high school, and he was going to UST. I realized that I was the only one left in the province to study (Cavite), and I think I deserve a level-up (study in Manila) for my good academic performance. I was afraid I won't get accepted by DLSU because of my past experiences. But, when I learned how to give it all to the Lord, and trust in Him no matter what -- when I learned how to humble myself and not focus too much on my own plans, but to trust in the Lord's purpose -- I passed. :) My arrival here at DLSU, for me, was the start and go signal for me from the Lord. It was the start of my quest to achieve and attain my goals -- success. One of the goals I wanted to achieve was to be part of the Achiever Scholar Program. During my first year, I saw an advertisement about it, but I still wasn't eligible for it. I waited til I was. That was the first time spark I had that made me desire to apply for the program. It was a seed sown in my heart. Last year, 1st term, I went on LOA. I met an accident. It was an important term because SAN-DES (an important pre-requisite major course) was offered that time. I missed it and got delayed. But, I believed that the Lord has a plan for me, so I accepted that fact. Last year, 2nd term, I got good grades again. The rest I had from the LOA made me see who I was again. The Lord refreshed me about His plans for me. I had good success again all thanks to the Lord's grace. Last term, (3rd term) I was eligible for the Achiever Scholar Program. It was my chance. I wanted to join, and my friends were coaxing me to do so. But, nobody nominated for me, and I missed the chance. Last term was my only chance to graduate on time again and get back on track. But, to do that, I needed to enroll 4 major subjects all at the same time. I thought that it was my last chance to be qualified for the Achiever Scholar Program because it was impossible to get a good grade after the term. Even the honor students of my batch/course told me the same thing -- that I shouldn't take those subjects all at the same time. They strongly disapproved of my decisions. However, some of my friends encouraged my by saying that I can do it. I sided with them. A miracle, however, happened after that term. The Lord showed me that He can do the impossible. I got good grades in my last term. It was the term that I got the highest number of units earned. I also survived a course that I thought I'll fail. With God's grace, I got a 2.0 in a very difficult course that got a lot of students failing. It qualified me for a DL. For me, that term was one of my greatest academic achievements! I joined a lot of organizations the moment I stepped into the grounds of DLSU-Manila. I thought that it's just what I should to in order to reach my goals. But, I came to a point that I had to choose what I really want in life. I should look for what the Lord wants for me, and what I'm made for -- not just anything that I see and I know I can do. That for me was God's sign that He can do the impossible. It was also His go signal for me to apply for the Achiever Scholar Program. Now, I'm facing new challenges again, but this is just to prove that God has His ways that I do not know, but they for sure are for the good. Actually, by faith, He makes known to me what He is about to do. :) Now today and the rest of history is yet to be written. Although I know they already have been inked in His book -- and all of it is good. :)
PS
Those who supported me deserve to know. I thank all of you. Bukas na po ang interview and deliberation. The Lord bless us! :)
Minsan nakakahiya mag-share ng something about you because di mo naman alam how other people will take it, but this was a leap of faith. I think you gusy deserve to know a part of me, since a lot of you supported me. Salamat sa inyo! :D

1 comment:

  1. I'm having similar situation such as yours , right now. di lang halata. but i'm keepng my head up high :)

    ReplyDelete

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