An Open Letter to All Working Students Out There

Wake up around 6:00 am. Prepare for duty hours. Commute. Start of duty. Receive documents. Deliver files. Answering calls with a smile, “Good morning! Thank you for calling the Academics Office! How may I help you?” End of duty. Commute. Online class. Online class. Online Class. Requirements. Requirements. Requirements. Quizzes. Quizzes. Quizzes. Sleep? Maybe. Then repeat.  

This is the life of a working student and it is not easy– mind you that other factors are still not yet included such as household responsibilities, extracurricular involvements, social life, family, etc. The college itself is already difficult and challenging. With the gravity of the lessons, the number of workloads, the classes that we need to attend, the pressure of having grade quotas, and the academic standard that we need to meet, we can all agree that 24 hours a day will never be enough just for academic responsibilities. What more for us, working students? 

Time. Being a working student entails great control and discipline to manage time wisely and efficiently because we need to be responsible and accountable for our tasks as a student and as a worker at the same time. And I repeat, it is not easy. Trying to divide that 24 hours a day is like trying to fit an extra small size diaper to a baby that needs an extra extra large diaper that whenever you try to lock it, it won’t close, not even nearly or if you magically manage to close it, it won’t last. The diaper may burst or the baby would have a hard time breathing. This represents the time that we unintentionally sacrifice, the time that we forego— the time to sleep or to eat, the time to help with household chores, the time to accomplish tasks for your organization or publication, the time to socialize with your friends especially when they need a shoulder to cry on, the time to bond with your family especially when they miss you and want to be with you. I am guilty of all these things and a lot more. 

Energy. Alongside time is our capability to get things done in a timely manner. No matter how tired or drained we are, we can’t just stop and choose to not do things because it will have dire consequences, might it be for work or academics. Once again, it is not easy. It’s tough to maintain full energy when you can’t have a proper rest to recharge and have your 100% to keep going but that’s what we need to do. Hence, we often feel weary, and fatigued to the point that we sometimes have a hard time socializing or connecting with our friends or family because there’s this guilt that no matter how we want to interact and have quality time with them, we can’t always reciprocate the same energy that they are giving off. We can’t be the way we used to be when we were only just  “students”. 

Breakdowns. Due to the lack of time, drained energy, and a lot of things piling up, there are nights when we feel like hitting the rock bottom. That no matter how we try to be firm and keep things in our control, it is not just working out. It’s so hard to climb up the ladder again to reach the top when you just feel numb and can’t grasp anything at all.  Some have a hard time trying to fit their schedule between their exams, quizzes, and duty hours. Some are being left out with friends or family’s hangout– something that is heartbreaking because as much as you want to enjoy with them, you just can’t. Some feel envy of other students being able to accomplish their tasks early, being able to manage their time in a way that we, working students can’t control. Some question themselves a lot of “why’s” and “what ifs” of having this kind of situation.  Some even feel anxiety or doubt themselves if we’ll ever make it.  Lots of negative thoughts and frustrations consume us and these are our greatest enemies in this journey. So to those of you who know a working student, please be gentle, and have patience. Offering hugs, encouragement, understanding, or even lending a hand to other things will be of great help and will lift up the heavy feeling.

Time. Energy. Breakdowns. These are the three key factors that us working students need to live by as we go along in this opportunity that we chose– three mandatory factors that we need to abide by.  These three are the key factors that we need to efficiently and effectively overcome for us to survive and I believe that each and every one of us will. I believe that we all have the guts, dedication, passion, and strength that will push us to reach the end of the tunnel because being a working student is never easy and will never be easy but one thing that I’m sure of is that it is worth it.  Beyond the struggles that we are experiencing are the people as well as the growth and development that we earn on this path. Our bosses and supervisors who take care of us and never get tired of guiding us in our workplace. Our colleagues at work who helped us to get through and made us feel that we are not alone. Our friends and family who never stopped understanding our situation and continue to support us as we dwell on the challenges. Moreover, the training and the experience in the working environment that we have is surely a great advantage to us once we officially enter the professional field.   Being a working student will surely hone us to become a better version of ourselves. 

To all of the working students in the present and had been working students, hands down to all of you! Salute to all of your sacrifices and hardships to achieve all of your dreams. Whenever you feel like giving up, look back and acknowledge all the things that you have surpassed. You are already one step ahead of this journey.  Keep that blazing fire inside you burning and shining. Remember that you are all strong and excellent for going through this bumpy yet worthy ride that leads to the destination of your own choice. You’re all appreciated and respected. Accepting this kind of challenge already makes you brave and surpassing the challenges will surely make you great. You’re the kind of role model that society must look up to. I’m proud of you so you should also be proud of yourselves. Cheers to us, working students!