"Diba estudyante ka?"
(Aren't you a student?)
Yes, I am. But I am not just a student—I am also a dreamer. I dream not only for myself but for my parents as well. I find myself caught between wanting to pass every exam and wanting to have enough sleep. But as a student, I always choose to study, even when it’s exhausting.
https://ph.pinterest.com/pin/25966135347428862/
Every morning, I wake up early to study if there’s an exam the next day, then prepare for a full day at school. After taking a bath, my parents have already prepared breakfast for me and my siblings. Once we finish eating, they drop us off at school.
By lunchtime, I am already half-drained after covering four subjects in the morning. After eating, I brace myself for the last four subjects of the day.
And these routines is a continuous cycle.
What is a “student” to you?
People define the word "student" in different ways. Some believe that a student must excel academically to achieve success, while others see it as a journey of growth. Regardless of how it is defined, one thing is certain: a student’s life is tough.
But despite the hardships, we push through for our parents. Not all students feel the same way, but for me, my current journey is anchored in my parents’ dream of seeing me succeed. I often hear people say that I should maintain high grades and academic standing, and I have felt pressured to meet their expectations.
For a long time, I struggled against these expectations. I blamed myself whenever I failed to achieve what others expected. The truth is, I am not only doing this for my own future but also for my parents'. I want to give them the life they deserve, to make them proud. That’s why I push myself to survive and keep going, even when student life is challenging.
It’s funny how much I care about my parents’ future, but deep down, I want them to succeed with me. That is my way of expressing my deepest gratitude to them.
I know that a student’s path is tough and steep,
But still, I push on—laugh, dream, and leap.
The urge to quit is always there,
Yet in my heart, I hold a dream so rare.
The weight of expectations grows,
A constant battle no one knows.
Sleep, once a comfort, now feels so far,
Yet my ambitions still burn like a star.
More than just books, it's a journey of art,
With highs and lows that shape my heart.
Through failures and wins, bitter and sweet,
My story as a student is not yet complete.
Oops, did I just compose a poem? Haha in addition, writing poetry has always been my outlet for expressing emotions, especially during difficult times. I wanted to capture the struggles students face, and in doing so, I reflected on my own journey.
There was a time when I feared stepping out of my comfort zone, pushing myself too hard just to meet expectations. But then my parents told me something that changed my perspective:
"Mama and I know that you always do your best in school. But please, make sure you get enough sleep. As you grow older, you’ll realize how valuable rest is. It’s okay not to be the best—just do your best. We don’t expect perfection, we just want you to enjoy what you’re doing because this is for your future. Don’t let others’ expectations control you, because in the end, they don’t truly care about you. The only people who will always care about you are us."
Their words hit me hard. I realized how competitive I had been, especially during junior high. They were right. As I grew older, my health started to suffer from sleepless nights and an irregular sleep cycle. I had been too harsh on myself.
I had defined "student" the wrong way. I saw it only as a competition to excel over others. But now, I strive not to be the best, but to do my best. Though I still hear comments about excelling in academics, I’ve learned that success is not measured by grades alone.
Success is about growth, balance, and learning—not just for school, but for life.
That was all for this blog. Keep your head up for more blog updates. ☺