I got my first feedback regarding PSD Convocation on Career Guidance from my brother. He said, inspire them by our own stories! How I became a Medical Doctor and how you became a Computer Engineer.
Both our college life are rich of different stories in both end of extremes. From those stories, I’m sure students will learn from our mistakes and success.
According to him, originally he wanted to be a Mechanical Engineer, but as he was in the queue for the admission registration, the line for the Engineering was quiet long compare to the B.S. Biology which was only few in line. He then decided to enroll B.S. Biology and plan to change course in the following semester. In the following sem, he realized that he like now Biology more than machines and engines... and now... he is now a Doctor!
Sounds peculiar because we expect most of the students pursue what they dream of. In the case of my brother he didn't dream of being a Doctor. He called it now as his destiny and calling. Thanks anyway for being lazy in the queue.
Oh, I just remembered one thing, one time after his graduation and passing the licensure exam; I was still studying college by that time and in one of my tough times - for sure the reason he said this was to inspired me and for me not to do same mistakes as he did - he said to me with sincerity, “If I just studied properly back in college, if I didn’t spent most of my college days just drinking and having fun, I'm a better Doctor than what I am right now”.
Lessons learned! Those words are so powerful; it is painful to him because it’s too late, college days already gone for him! But no, guess what? After those moments of realization, daily I’m seeing my brother waking up as early as 2am everyday, studying as if he was re-studying college again, learning new things in medicine especially from the Internet; and most of all he really changed himself, living now with purpose and setting goals. Now, he is the President of Philippine Academy of Family Physicians in Pangasinan. Thanks to Ate Ams, I’m sure she’s one of the reasons why my brother changed.
And for me, those words are my savior by that time! Without those words, without his advice, I might say also same words of advice to the upcoming college students of Philippine School Doha based from my very own mistakes.
Manoy, I really hope you can personally share your experiences and wisdoms in life by writing more here. I know you got tons of it. You know that every time we interact, there’s always a moment or a word that I can take and learned from you. Thanks Manoy for guiding me always up to now!
I have my own stories as well to tell, but I’ll keep it for now and reserve it to the graduating high school students of Philippine School to hear it first, hehehe.
The next college experience that I will share with you here is my wife. She got a very colorful, full of excitement and learning college life too. I hope she will allow me to write it here :)
How about your college life? Can you share it with us?
Comments
Being happy
Hi Sandro,
I wish I had some inspirational stories, but my experience with college was mostly frustrating. I left school without qualifications at age 18, I had done my mock exams and got good enough marks that I felt that I didn't have anything else to prove to myself so instead I left school and decided to experience some of what life had to offer me. I spent the next few years either on the dole (social security benefits), or making money in slightly 'wrong' ways, or travelling in Europe and Australia. I had an amazing time and I learnt a lot about myself, invaluable lessons that I wouldn't trade for all the education in the world. All through this time I kept up my childhood interests in drawing and designs as well as my fixation with computers. I taught myself Photoshop and 3D Studio Max, learnt whatever I could from sources on the internet or from books. Whatever took my interest.
Due to certain family circustances I decided to stay put for a couple of years to look after my father who was terminally ill. I also decided to enroll in a university course in Multimedia at the local uni. This course was a mixture of different disciplines and areas and I definitely learnt a lot from it. But there was nothing I couldn't have learnt from the Internet or through self study. The main advantage of going to an organised (I use the word organised very loosely) institution was that I was forced to learn things I wasn't necessarily interested in but were nevertheless advantageous for me to know.
The most frustrating aspect of university life was the hindrance of the organisation structure of the university administration. It was really hard to get good feedback from the teachers, or to find out how well or badly I had done on projects until long after I'd forgotton about it. Although the teachers themselves were mostly of a good standard and the course material was also high quality, I felt the structure was very poorly implemented and much of our student's time was wasted chasing up teachers and trying to understand the administration.
Since then I've started my own business and created many web sites, but the most hapiness I've found in the past few years is in doing the job I'm doing now. Its not very well paid, its physically very demanding, but its just so much fun and after everyday my body is tired and satisfied, unlike spending hours in front of the computer. I'm currently working as a bicycle courier, delivering packages through the city. I ride on average about 60kms a day and deliver around 30-40 items. It is hard work but really very enjoyable. No education needed either.
So I guess its all up to the individual and also, sadly, due to circustances of birth. There is a chance in some countries to live on a job like this, but this would be very poorly paid elsewhere. I think education is important, but I also think it doesn't have to come from institutions. It is good to have mentors in life, people who can teach you. But in some countries, an education means a lot more, a chance to step out of poverty, a chance to better oneself financially, emotionally and even spiritually.
Hmm... I've run out of time, I have to go to work now. Anyway, I think what you are doing is great Sandro, I wish you all the best in your presentation and I am sure you will inspire people with your stories. I loved your brother's method of reaching his calling and I look forward to hearing Dimpz's stories too.
I'm same with you
I love your story too Tanc, and I can relate personally. Here in Egypt we have many great universities and one considered here in the Middle East as one of the best as far as being educated is concerned.
Since I started school, I always challenge the system and ask myself why I need to learn this way.
I can learn most of the things thru direct education.
I personally believed University and Colleges is a waste of time and money.
All you need to do is open your mind, accept the challenge of life and take all the opportunities life offers.
Life itself is full of learning. Most of the real valuable lessons are taught in life.
Live in full. Take responsibility and opportunity. Maintain honesty and integrity. Do your best in each opportunity, in each service you are giving to others.
In the end, people having diplomas and certificates but failed to understand and cope with the real life, doesn't know how to sacrifice and value each opportunities, and doesn't know how to make service to others - will surely lives in vain. While those people who lives in full and highest potentials, although "uneducated academically", tried to learn all the life's lesson and apply it all aspects of life - will surely have a better life.
To Sandro, and to the graduating students; college education alone is not your ticket to success. In fact, in my opinion it doesn't matter at all! Life's lesson is more important for all of us to learn.
Thanks.
Eman@Egypt
Quit school once you are ready!
Thanks Tanc. I was really moved by your story and I agree with you. If you reach to the point that going to school is just a waste of time, if you are really really really sure about your vision and goal in life and if you think further education from the university is not required, then I believed too that organised education (as you use that word) is not required anymore. Other than you, look at Bill Gates, Steve Jobs; they are all college drop-outs and look at them, they are ruling the world.
I will do the same, to what you did, if I was in your situation and already in the same level of your thinking and awareness. In fact, after graduation, I got an offer of further education from my University (for Masters Degree) while teaching there, but I turned it down. Even before graduation, realization of my ultimate goal was already cleared with me, including how to achieve it. Yet, I still finished my degree because its part of my master plan. I required my college degree to accomplish my goals easier. In order to find the right connections, the right people that can share with me my goals; while still working in the environment that can nurture me, and develop me while they are paying me, hehehe. And now, I’m nearing to the stage of shifting and changing my course, to really pursue my dream. Now that I found people like you, and other friends that share same objectives and beliefs; I’m almost ready!
Hey! We’re not recommending here students to quit or not to go to school. If you are not sure yet about your life, about your goal, what to pursue in life – you still need school to realize and hopefully learn many things in life. To give confidence and will-power that you can really stand by your own. To develop patience and mental toughness as you need lot of it in the later part of your life.
Well, on the contrary, I know also some people using school as excuse for them not to start living. So don’t overstay as well in school. Make sure while studying in school, you know exactly why you are studying it and when to finish it.
Thanks Tanc for sharing your life with us.