“Efforts should be appreciated and not neglected.”

Have you ever wonder how I got the said award and how it helped me in my employment? Does it only require intelligence? Are there any steps to know for you to have it as well? So to answer all the questions lingering in your mind, this is the story behind everything and what happened after.

It has been four years since I graduated, but the hardships and sacrifices are still crystal clear in my mind. Will you believe me if I say that getting a Latin honor is not really my goal when I was in college? Probably nobody. But actually that’s a fact.

The first and the only reason why I did good in academics is because of the high tuition fee of my course. In our university, we have this partial and full scholarship requirements that you need to have so you can avail discounts in your tuition fee. For partial scholarship you need to have an average of 1.75 and above (90-92) for you to have a 50% discount and for full scholarship you need to have an average of 1.50 and above (93-95) for you to get a 100% discount (meaning you don’t have to pay your tuition fee anymore).

So it all started in my hope to help my parents in paying my tuition fee.

In my first semester in my school, I actually don’t have any scholarship since I’m not part of our Top 10 when I was in highschool, and that’s one of their requirement for you to be an academic scholar before. So my parents ended up paying around PHP 30,000 for one semester only.

Take note that I’m not that academically active when I was in High school.

By that time, we’re getting financially drained already since three of us are in college, so it took a lot of sacrifices for my parent’s part just to pay for our tuition fees. Three of us really tried our best to help our parents, my sister became a working student to solely provide for her needs, my brother applied to be a swimming athlete in his school to have a discount on his tuition and for me what I just thought that time is to do my best in my academics.

Once the semester ended, we took our grades and I remember having a GPA of 1.59. It’s not bad for a freshmen, but I was a bit disappointed that time since my target is to have 100% discount. We proceed on applying for a partial scholarship and that day I promised to myself that I’ll surpass my GPA next semester and be a full scholar.

Time pass by and as three of us head on our college journey, our financial capability as well was having more conflict. I was well informed about our family’s financial position that time, and that made me so eager to be a consistent full scholar. There has been an option for me to stop but my parents stand their grounds that they can do it.

The environment that I am in that time push me to do something that I thought I’m not capable of doing.

That made me realize on how much a parent can sacrifices for their kids. Going to school and having that worries, made me stronger and more dedicated. I became more competitive in a way that I wanted always to be highest and above everyone else not because I want, but because I need.

God knows how many times I cried for not having enough money for my education. I remember the pain of paying extra fees and the struggle to say “it’s ok”, every time my parents ask forgiveness for not capable on providing return in any accomplishments we have. I was with my Mom every time she ask money from her friends once we’re running out of funds , I was with her when she cried her heart out because of stress on thinking where to get money for all of our expenses and I know every single challenges that our family face in that period.

Those time where we have our practical exam and I can’t practice at home since we don’t have the money to buy the equipment and even the ingredients, all I did was to practice everything in my mind. And I think all through out that journey, God is with me because regardless of what I lack that time, I still ended up having a high score. Nervousness always swallow me every time we have these kind of exams, because I know that I’m not confident enough unlike the written exams where you can review it anytime.

Starting my second year in college, I became a consistent full scholar and a silver dean’s lister. That’s how I gained my awards and medals all through out my college years. I remember how excited I am to tell to my parent’s every time we have our recognition, and the sense of being proud for what I’d done can see through their smiles. That time I realize that regardless of our financial status, there’s still something I can be forever be proud of.

As I graduated after four years in college, my hardships and sacrifices was gifted back by an award. Not knowing that the award which was given to me is the highest one in my course.

“Out of 2600 graduates of our school, I’m one of the 1453 students of my college. Out of 1453 students of my college, I’m one of the 17 magna cum laude awardees. Out of 17 magna cum laude awardees, I’m the only one who represent my course that consist of almost 150 students.”

Who would know that despite of being financially incapable, it will take you to something bigger than you can imagine? People tend to give up and lose hope once they face a challenge that they think they can’t surpass, but I think for me, it became my turning point. The challenges that we faced that time, became my motivation to reach my goals. I became more eager to do something, I took down all my limitations and just put my best effort in everything I do.

Having an award also built up expectations from the people around me. At first I felt pressured about it but like what I usually do, I just used it as my motivation. As I gained the award already, I took a chance to apply locally and overseas. I know that it’s always hard for a fresh graduate to find a job but I think having that award gave me an edge in applying for work. I saw a lot of requirements such as years of experience, trainings etc., but what I did is just apply even my credentials are not qualified yet.

Here I realized, trying is best the thing you can do every time you’re in doubt of yourself.

And thankfully I did that, because after tons of applications I did, I landed a job overseas. I know at that point my award has a big part of it and not setting my limits gave me a better options. So after five months upon graduating, I went overseas and start my first job there. Being a twenty year old girl is really too young to start, so mostly judgements and different perceptions are there.

Those who doesn’t know your story are those people who can easily judge you. And the only thing you need to do is not to please them. Learn to brush it off.

Starting alone in an unknown place, sculpted my whole being. I learned to be strong and not to please anyone just for the sake of their sympathy. Starting young is never been a disadvantage but you need to survive not only from your work and also from the negativity around you. I focused on my work and in just one year and eight months I was promoted. A very short period to be acknowledge, for them but not for me. And there I saw few people who congratulated me. I know from at that point I am really alone in this place.

Four years and counting in this field, three companies that I’d been, all of it I acquired through recommendations. Knowing that my credentials when I graduated helped me a lot in many ways, it won’t matter if I didn’t put my heart on my work. Truly this period is the test of your own self. Just because you have something that you’re already proud of, It’s still very important if your progress is consistent. Don’t feel at ease for something that you have, but use it as a stepping stone to achieve more.

For me being a Magna cum Laude is not only a mere accomplishment. It’s a reminder of my sacrifices before and the thing that will always motivate me not to give up. It’s the story that I will always bring no matter where I am.

And the story I will proudly tell to my future kids.