Minsan kapag nasa gitna na tayo ng paglalakbay tungo sa hangad nating tagumpay, nakararanas tayo ng lubak na nagpapabagal sa ating pag-usad at nawawalan tayo ng sigla na magpatuloy pa.
Ganito ang naging bahagi ng experience ni Christian John Paul L. Lijayan, 23, ng Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.
Bunso siya sa apat na magkakapatid.
Ang kanyang ina ay isang housewife, at ang kanyang ama naman ay isang waiter.
Nakakuwentuhan si Christian ng PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) noong March 24, 2024, via Facebook Messenger.
Pagbabahagi niya, nagtapos siya ng Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering sa Technological University of the Philippines Visayas (TUPV) noong July 21, 2023 bilang cum laude.
Top 6 naman si Christian sa February 2024 Mechanical Engineers Licensure Examination, at may rating na 91.10 percent.
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CHOOSING HIS COLLEGE COURSE
Kuwento ni Christian, bata pa lang siya ay pangarap na niyang makapagpatayo ng “grand, sprawling house.”
Aniya, “In my childhood fantasies, I always saw myself as a civil engineer, bringing those architectural dreams to life.”
Pero nang magtapos siya ng senior high school, pinayuhan siya ng kanyang kuya na nag-aral ng mechanical engineering na iyon na rin ang kuhanin niyang kurso.
“His advice, rooted in his own experiences, carried weight for me.
“So, I decided to follow in his footsteps and applied for the entrance exam at TUPV, trusting that this choice would open up a world of opportunities for me too.”
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CHALLENGES DURING COLLEGE
Kumpara sa ibang tulad niyang anak mahirap, hindi naging problema para kay Christian ang tuition fees at iba pang gastusin sa pag-aaral.
“Luckily, financial struggles weren't added to the mix for me during my college years, thanks to being a DOST-SEI Scholar.
“Securing a scholarship was a priority for me even before stepping into university life, mainly because I had experienced financial difficulties during my high school years.”
Ang pinakamabigat na challenge para sa kanyang college life ay nang magbalik na sila sa face-to-face classes sa kanilang final year.
“It posed a significant challenge because we had missed out on numerous lessons and hands-on activities that were crucial for grasping the subjects fully.”
Para makaagapay sa mga lessons and hands-on activities, dinoble ni Christian ang sipag sa pag-aaral.
Pagtatapat niya, “It wasn't a walk in the park, though, because alongside my academic commitments, I had additional responsibilities at school, notably serving as the Editor-in-Chief of our Yearbook.
“Balancing the demands of leading a team while striving to maintain excellent grades was no easy feat, especially with my goal of graduating with honors.”
Napagsabay naman niya ang mga ito sa pamamagitan ng effective time management at maingat na pag-a-align ng kanyang mga priorities.
“I found a way to navigate through it all. Ultimately, I not only managed to handle everything but also graduated with a Latin honor to boot.”
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STRUGGLES DURING REVIEW
Gayunpaman, nang magsimula na si Christian na maghanda para sa board exam ay saka dumating ang mas mabibigat na challenges sa kanya.
“I fell ill due to a viral infection. As a result, I was absent from our review center for a week.
“During that time, the board subject being taught was the one I considered the most difficult, as I knew I was lacking in that area.”
Bago siya nagkasakit ay nakagawa na si Christian ng productive study routine sa last two months niya sa pagre-review.
“However, due to that unforeseen event, nasira yung momentum ko sa pag-aaral, and I really thought that I was already behind.”
Tumambak ang kanyang materials for self-study at kailangan niyang mag-catch up sa napakaraming lessons.
Ang naging resulta, “I became depressed and eventually lost the motivation to continue my rigorous studying.
“I slacked off for a month because I thought I couldn't catch up anymore.”
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Kahit nasa ganoong state of mind si Christian, naging motivation niya ang isang kaibigan para magkaroon siyang muli ng sigla sa pagre-review.
“I watched how hard he worked, studying early in the morning and late into the night, driven by his strong desire to pass and even top the board exam.
“Seeing his dedication was a real eye-opener for me. Naisip ko na bakit ako nagiging tamad sa pag-aaral dahil sa nangyari na yun habang siya ay grabe ang pagpupursige?”
Dahil sa magandang halimbawa ng kanyang kaibigan, “I pushed myself to study harder again, using it as my motivation.”
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HARDEST PART DURING BOARD EXAM
Kampante naman si Christian na bago siya kumuha ng board exam ay nakapaghanda siyang mabuti at nararamdaman niyang makakapasa siya.
“Pero siyempre, yung uncertainty na hindi rin namin alam kung ano ang lalabas ang nakakapagpakaba rin sa akin.
“Noong first day namin, which was our Power and Industrial Plant Engineering subject, medyo confident ako sa mga sagot ko nun.
“Noong second day, which was our Mathematics, Economics, Sciences and Laws subject, dun talaga ako nahirapan.
“Kahit na gustung-gusto ko ang subject na math, nahirapan talaga ako dun at naisip ko na lang na baka hindi ko na kayang makapasok sa Top 10.”
Aniya, malaki ang epekto sa kanya ng second day ng exam.
“Pagkatapos nun, parang nawalan na ako ng gana na seryosohin pa or taasan yung marka ko sa panghuling subject namin sa ikatlong araw na Machine Design and Shop Practice.
“Pero kahit ganun, sinubukan ko pa ring sagutan yun nang maigi sa abot ng aking makakaya.”
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THE RESULT: CHRISTIAN WAS AMONG THE TOPNOTCHERS
Hindi itinanggi ni Christian na nangarap siyang maging topnotcher.
“Oo, nangarap talaga akong maging topnotcher bago pa lang nagsimula ang pagre-review namin.
“Talagang pinaghandaan ko yun dati. Nanonood ako ng videos sa YouTube ng mga previous topnotchers kung ano yung mga ginawa nila, paano sila nag-prepare, at yung mga dos and don'ts sa paghahanda sa board exam.”
At gaya ng ibang nangarap maging topnotcher, nagkaroon din siya ng doubts kung kakayanin ba niya.
“Noong kumuha na kami ng exam sa Mathematics namin, di na ako umasa na makakapasok pa ako sa Top 10 dahil sa hirap nun.
“Nagdasal na lang ako na kahit makapasa na lang, okey na ako.”
Inilarawan ni Christian sa kanyang moment nang lumabas na ang resulta ng board exam.
“Dahil di na ako nag-expect na nakapasok pa, pagkakita ko ng results na nakasama ako sa Top 10, umiyak na lang talaga kami ni Mama!
“Parang nag-flashback lahat ng paghihirap ko sa loob ng anim na buwan, at naisip ko na nasuklian talaga yun.
“Napakasaya ko at that time kasi nakuha ko yung gusto ko talaga, at yung pinagtrabahuhan ko mula simula.”
Inialay ni Christian ang tagumpay niya sa kanyang pamilya.
“I owe this achievement to my family. Throughout my university journey, they've been my rock. I've witnessed firsthand the immense effort my parents put in to ensure that my siblings and I could complete our degrees.
“They taught us the value of education and how it shapes our future. Despite facing challenges and financial difficulties, they instilled in us the belief that with determination and a clear goal, we can overcome any obstacle.
“Their unwavering support and sacrifices have been the driving force behind my success. This achievement isn't just mine; it's a testament to the love and dedication of my family.”
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Sa ngayon, ang plano ni Christian ay mag-focus sa Power/Industrial Plant Industry at mapalawak pa ang kanyang kaalaman bilang mechanical engineer.
“In addition to this, I'm also aiming to set aside funds with the goal of eventually launching my own business.”
Payo niya sa mga kabataan na gusto ring maging mechanical engineer, manatiling determinado at focused sa goal.
“When you're chasing your dreams, always keep hope alive and never lose sight of your goals.”
Naranasan umano niya kung gaano kabigat ang pagdadaanan bago makatapos ng engineering degree, at napakaraming pagsubok ang kailangang harapin.
“But with unwavering determination and perseverance, you can overcome any obstacle that comes your way.”
Paalala pa niya, “Each hurdle you conquer brings you closer to your dreams. So keep pushing forward, and remember that your dreams are within reach if you stay committed and work hard.
“Just like the words of Henry Ford, ‘Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you are right!’ So always keep that positive mindset.”
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