IN THE academe, finishing a master's and PhD degrees are the dream. It is not easy especially when one has to balance work with studies as well as family time.
As for me, I am still in the process of my dissertation completion. I’m almost there. But during the initial and middle phases, my energy is drained. I keep procrastinating tasks just so I can delay the research progress. Even now that I am in the recommendation and conclusion phase, there are still portions that I spot every now and then that need revision and further contemplation.
I know that this dissertation will represent who I am. It is something that I would be proud of after all the struggles. But certainly I have learned more about time management, have endured years of reading, and have calmly revised without complaining. I have become an obedient protégé.
Not to mention, my professors, some of them are nursing theorists, are great. They bridge my ignorance to cross towards bliss and knowledge. They’ve awakened me to appreciate meta-synthesis or metanalysis and see the beauty in the various types of research. Most importantly, I professionally grew by immersing myself in quantitative studies and in the process, loving numbers. On the other hand, I’ve captured people’s lived experiences because of qualitative studies. In all of these, I thank St. Paul University Philippines in Tuguegarao City, where I am enrolled in PhD in nursing, and Ateneo de Davao University for the faculty development opportunity.
But with all these struggles for further study, does this give us the permission to brag and tell everyone about our degree? Or will it be more pleasing to see a humble PhD that does not brag about his/her achievements to the students? Or rather, let me ask, is it hard for a PhD holder to not answer confused students with, “Huwag na kayong magtanong, kasi PhD ako, mas may alam ako sa inyo”?
This may not be true to all, for I know many brilliant PhD holders like Efren Sabado, PhD; Rozzano Locsin, PhD; Mark Renosa, PhD; Elizabeth Baua, PhD; and Josephine Lorica, PhD who are all humble and have the heart to teach neophytes in research like me. But I am so saddened for those who are possessed with the delusion of grandeur, having fixed false belief about one's greatness or skills.
I hope that students in research would not have research mentors who do not want to be asked for clarification. I hope that research mentors do not instill fear in students that would hinder them from learning more. And I hope that even if one has reached a high level of educational attainment, he/she remains approachable.
I think that as teachers, we should all indulge in that scientific spirit of being sure but sometimes accepting that we cannot be sure. Let us learn to be willing to surrender when students' ideas are correct and that we are wrong. Being humble is not thinking less of ourselves but it is thinking of ourselves less. So, if you wish people to think well of you -- do not speak well of yourself! Stay grounded -- remember that the substance of our attitudes can last eternally even if our fame and glory fade.