Juggling Life: Work, School, and Everything In Between
Written by: Margarita De Jesus
Pubmat by: Andrea Fresnoza
Before continuing, please take a moment to reflect and ask yourself these questions:
- How are you feeling?
- Are you genuinely happy and content with your current state?
- Do you ever feel like giving up?
If you have positive answers to these questions, I am proud of you for maintaining a positive outlook. However, if you find yourself struggling or feeling unsure, I hope that before you leave this page, you will feel much better.
Oh, to go back to those innocent days of our childhood and youthful crushes
Do you ever catch yourself daydreaming about the simpler days of your childhood? Those days when your only concern was whether you'd be able to sleep in the afternoon, because otherwise, there would be no "merienda." Or perhaps those days when you were contemplating whether to tell your parents that you were the one who broke a glass at home, knowing they would get mad at you for sure. And what about those childhood days when you were only thinking about how to get home without your parents noticing the wound on your knee and elbow after running around outside with your friends?
It's funny how, back then, our biggest worries were whether our crush would notice us in the hallway and finding out the "Friends" or "Enemies" result after doing FLAMES with our crush’s name. It's a nostalgic memory that brings beautiful moments. Those were the days, weren't they?. The days when responsibilities were minimal, and the weight of the world hadn't yet settled on our shoulders.
“I wish I could grow up quickly’—wanna bet, was this your childhood wish too? Don’t say it wasn’t because I’ll admit, those were my exact words during the innocence of my childhood, during the time when the weight of adult responsibilities was still a distant concept.
In those early years, I once believed that aging would somehow simplify life, thinking that as an adult, I would have the magic to effortlessly solve problems. It was a naive assumption because little did I know that life’s challenges also evolve over time and even multiply in complexity with age. If only a genie really existed in a bottle who could grant my wish to have my childhood days back, or a time machine that could transport me momentarily back to my carefree days. Who wouldn't want that, right? Because I can say that the longing to turn back time, to shed the weight of adulthood, is a sentiment shared by many and not just me.
As I type these words, my gaze shifts between the glowing title of this article on my laptop screen, "Juggling Life: Work, School, and Everything in Between." I can't help but wonder why I chose to write a piece that advocates for life balance and aims to inspire readers, especially when I find myself also grappling with the challenges of managing life effectively. It's a bit ironic, isn't it? But maybe, just maybe, I’ll find the purpose of this before I even finish it. Nevertheless, as I sit here, I can't help but reflect, feeling the weight of responsibility pressing down upon me. Managing academics, work, and maintaining relationships with friends and loved ones often feels like an online game challenge. It's as if I must press 'start game' without the option to “pause” and to “retry” if it didn’t work well.
Sometimes, I can’t help myself longing for the simplicity of life where school was the sole concern—a time when the only worry was acing quizzes and memorizing lessons. But reality really has its way of reminding me that life isn't just about academics. It's about survival, about finding time for study amidst the hustle of earning a living. It can indeed be challenging not to give up, especially when you feel overwhelmed by everything on your plate. When you have a lot going on, it's easy to feel discouraged or exhausted, making you think of giving up. However, it is important to remember that everyone faces moments like these at some point. It’s normal to think that you can’t handle all at once. But what's important is how you will try to overcome it and the lessons that comes along with it.
To those of you who feels like giving up because problems always seem to be tapping you on the shoulder, let me share with you three of my favorite reminders to myself whenever I feel so.
- It’s just a phase. If things aren’t going the way you want, know that this too shall pass, much like how the night's darkness fades with the rising sun. Another day will come offering a chance to get back on track. Who knows? Maybe what you're enduring now is just preparing you for something better. As the song by Bring Me the Horizon and Sigrid goes, "It's just a bad day, not a bad life."
- Life will always work out. It's a reminder that you've already overcome so much, so why quit now?. That problem that once made you feel like your world was falling apart—you now look back at it with a smile because you've conquered it. Always remind yourself that you're stronger than you think, and you are more than who you know you are.
- Don’t be too harsh on yourself. Be kind to yourself; you don't have to figure everything out right away. It's okay to feel lost, to want to give up, or to feel like you're failing. Just don't stay there. Keep trying, even if it's not your best effort. What matters is that you're making an effort.
How can you find solace in the moments of solitude?
Sometimes, when we find ourselves on the verge of giving up, it's also the time that we discover the true value of companionship. It's important to find joy in the journey, embracing the challenges that come our way, and cherishing the moments we share with those who make it all worthwhile—the kind that stands by us through the highs and lows, offering solace when the weight of the world becomes too much to bear.
That’s why knowing that I am not alone keeps me grounded. It is helpful to know that you have other people who are also in the same shoes as you and that they have overcome it and continue to overcome life's countless challenges.
So, I reached out to my fellow JPMAPers about their experiences as working students ad as someone who still manages to be a consistent dean’s lister despite the demands of their work, academics, and personal life. Here are words from Apple Joy Villaespen, Ma. Cristina Marzan, and Katrina Ysabelle Torres, consistent dean’s listers and working students majoring in Human Resource Management, to remind you that you are not alone with your journey and to give you a glimpse of hope and motivation virtually.
- What's the most challenging part of being a working student?
Apple Joy Villaespen: “Time management. There are times when instead of sleeping after ng shift sa work, ilalaan nalang sa pagre-review kasi if not, maco-compromise yung grades ko. Being a working student, you really need to compromise your health to accomplish what needs to be done.”
Ma. Cristina Marzan: “Managing time and aside from that, maintaining healthy life is also a challenge for me kasi ayoko namang hindi ko mapakinabangan yung pinaghirapan ko in the future so I am making sure na I am also physically healthy”
Katrina Ysabelle Torres: “For me, siguro yung most challenging part of being a working student is balancing your time while ofcourse, making sure na you still excel or you still get to have a good output in both school and work.”
- How do you cope with the demands of school, work, and life? How do you handle stress and avoid burnout?
Apple Joy Villaespen: “Actually, I also don’t know how, but one thing I always keep reminding myself is that I just need to survive this week so I can “somehow” rest after. Once I find time, I make sure that I am giving myself a break and do the things that makes me happy.”
Ma. Cristina Marzan: “Of course, I make sure to prioritize the most important task/thing to do. Also, I am grateful that I have my support system, thanks to my family and friends who always make thing much more bearable for me. Lastly, I make sure that I am taking a break from time to time to avoid being burnout”
Katrina Ysabelle Torres: “Actually, it is really hard to cope will all of that, kailangan talaga nang matinding time management. I always make sure na I have detailed calendars so I can track all my “to dos” everyday. With handling stress? I prioritize self-care, ensuring that I make time for exercise and relaxation. I also treat myself or matutulog ako as long as I want. Then in terms of bonding with others, maggagala somewhere, magfood trip, something like that.
- Have you experienced any moments of doubt about continuing your education while working, and if so, how did you overcome them?
Apple Joy Villaespen: “Given our financial status, of course, thoughts of giving up on my studies and solely focusing on my work often cross my mind. I think that I could help more if I didn’t have to worry about school, but thankfully, God keeps giving me strength and courage to continue my studies. Aside from that, I also don’t want to disappoint my parents since it was my initiative to help financially, and they didn’t force me to work while studying. So, I want to make sure that while I'm helping them, I won’t lose track of my studies and have promised myself to earn that degree as a reward for my parents' years of hard work.”
Ma. Cristina Marzan: “Actually no. When I chose to work, paulit ulit kong simasabi sa sarili ko na my studies should be my number one priority. And if there'll be a conflict and I need to choose between studies and work, I will always choose my studies. I am really grateful for the opportunity that my work has given me but I set one of my goals, and that is to finished studying.”
Katrina Ysabelle Torres: “Honestly, yes. Kasi sa position ko now na above minimum ang salary, parang mapapaisip ka sometimes na sapat naman na yung nae-earn ko, why not prioritize nalang ang work kaysa sa acads. Pero to overcome these, I always reflect on the value of education I am pursuing and the its long-term benefits. Kumukuha rin ako ng inspirations from legal and HR professionals who onced in my position but nakaya nila.”
- If given the option, would you still work while studying? Would you recommend being a working student?
Apple Joy Villaespen: “If I had the option, I probably wouldn't work while studying. Yes, you may learn how to be independent or how real life works, but it will also leave you drained. I believe that I am too young to be this tired, so I wouldn't recommend being a working student if you have the means.”
Ma. Cristina Marzan: “If I were not being practical, I would say no, because it is really tiring. And if not for my earnings and the friendships I have built at work and school, I wouldn’t withstand being a working student."
Katrina Ysabelle Torres: “Given the option, I would still choose to work while studying kasi yung practical experience gained in the legal field is honestly much more important from what is being taught sa mga school. However, for those considering a similar path, I highly suggest to really plan for it and have self-assessment because it really requires good time management, dedication and commitment.”
- What’s one thing you would like to say to your fellow working students out there?
Apple Joy Villaespen: “Celebrate even small wins because they will give you something to look forward to. And remind yourself that everything you’re working hard for will soon pay off”
Ma. Cristina Marzan: “Be kind to yourself and don’t drain yourself too much. Always take a break and enjoy life's smallest of moments.”
Katrina Ysabelle Torres: “To my fellow working students, I encourage maintaining a clear focus on the end goal, find good support system and seek guidance”
Now, as I try to compose how I will end this article, I realize that perhaps it's not a motivational reading. Maybe it's simply a gentle reminder that amidst all the challenges we are facing, it's okay to pause, reflect, and acknowledge the journey we're on.
So, to everyone out there who has their own version of 'Juggling Life,' remember that you're not alone in this journey. May we all succeed in everything that we do, whether it be with work, school, and everything in between. Let’s root for each other.
Written by: Margarita De Jesus
Pubmat by: Andrea Fresnoza
