[Tattletale] Murmurs of a working student

Education is, without a doubt, of high importance. Having an education means fulfilling the basic needs in life, which is why almost everyone works hard to have it. Being a student involves long and grueling hours of studying and doing school work. That is why for a working student, it is even more challenging. It requires commitment and sacrifice. After tiring days at work during a workweek, you still have to sit at your desk and study. Being a working student means you have to sacrifice many things, and this sacrifice may include spending time with family and friends.

Having one full-time responsibility is already challenging; what more if you juggle two full-time responsibilities? A full-time worker and a full-time student. While this may seem an impossible feat, some were able to survive it, and some are still in the pursuit of survival. Sometime in January, I was listening to my niece, who was having her online classes then. She’s in grade one. And as I was listening, something about the discussion caught my attention and kept me thinking for a short while. “Every child is entitled to have basic education,” the teacher said. And it kept me thinking: If everyone is entitled to education, why are there kids dwelling on the streets instead of studying in a classroom? Why are there so many people who can’t afford to go to school if it is their right in the first place? Education may be for everyone, but not everyone has access to it. And by not having access to it, I don’t only mean those in the rural areas. For instance, a student who lives in a big city, though surrounded by different schools, her access to education is still constrained by her financial situation.

Getting a diploma is a dream, and for most of us who were not born with privileges that allow us to have easy access to education, we still need to work hard and sacrifice for it. Right after high school, getting to college was hard. I was a minor, and I couldn’t work to support myself. So no matter how strong my will to get into college back then, it was hard. When I turned 18, I started working as a call center agent, and I am still working until now. I pay for my tuition fee and other school-related expenses. Until now, it is still tiring. With my years of experience working and studying, it is not easy. I had a lot of crying moments, but my will to finish my studies overpowered all the uncertainties I feel.

Having to face struggles in life as a working student made me a firm believer that everything is achievable, not all at once, but one step at a time. Being a working student feels like you are always chasing things. You are always in a rush. The moment you’re done with an activity, you need to start the next one right away. Procrastinating is something you can never afford.

But despite everything, I am still thankful for this experience. This made me the person that I am today. To my fellow working student, don’t forget to pat yourself on the back. Acknowledge how far you’ve come. Don’t be too hard on yourself. You will make it! Just take it one step at a time.

One day we'll look back, and as we reminisce the struggles, we can finally say we made it, and every sweat and tear shed was worth it.