EVERY graduating students fear the world outside the school system: the real world.
The world of success and failure, expectations, and responsibilities. It is also the world where some dreams can be achieved and some are not.
No one knows what lies ahead after we finished our studies. I have seen successful people and those who are unfortunate. As a graduating student, I fear that someday I will become unfortunate and be jobless. I also fear shouldering all the responsibilities like paying all bills, taxes, tuition for my brother, and feeding my family, among others.
Moreover, I may or may not be able to achieve my dream because practicality is the most important thing in the adult world. I fear that I may not become who I dream of and end up the other way around. They say I will meet good people who will help me out during hard times. Yet I will also meet others who want to hurt and see my downfall.
There are lots of scary scenarios that made me wish to remain as a student. But when I think about it, all of these actually do not matter. After all, what I fear the most is failing and disappointing my parents. I am frightful that I cannot repay them for all their tears, sweats, sleepless nights, hard work and sacrifices.
In a few months, I will be graduating and finally leaving my University after four years. The real world that I am to enter is tough and sometimes harsh. A world wherein, for others, “giving up” is sometimes the next option. But no matter what circumstances I may encounter in the near future, I will never give up and never be crestfallen.
My resolve is clear. I will face the real world with full determination, courage, and passion. Yielding is never an option for me because my hard work is my payback for my family, especially my parents. I will do everything so that my parents’ efforts will not go to waste. (Michelle S. Bairulla, Usep intern)