2nd blog of my New Journey
I remembered, vividly, one of the hardest periods of my
life. During high school, I experienced something I had never
expected—being scammed by a classmate. Someone I trusted had taken advantage of
me, and that betrayal cut deep. The situation didn’t just affect me
emotionally; it escalated into a legal case that forced me to go to court twice
a month. Imagine trying to balance school with court hearings—it felt
overwhelming. I tried to focus on my studies, but no matter how hard I tried,
it wasn’t always enough. Some of my subjects suffered, and it became harder to
keep up with everything.
Looking back now, I can see that this experience, as
difficult as it was, taught me some of the most valuable lessons I’ve ever
learned. First, it showed me the importance of resilience. I could have given
up then, dropped out of school, or let the situation define me, but something
inside me told me to keep going. I didn’t know it at the time, but pushing
through those moments was teaching me how to handle adversity.
Second, it reminded me that sometimes, help comes from the most unexpected places. During that difficult time, one of my professors called me in for a meeting. He taught Advanced Technopreneurship, and he had noticed that I was using a different name on Facebook. He thought I might not be who I said I was, so he wanted to talk to me about it. I was nervous—actually, I was scared. I had never opened up to anyone about the problems I was facing outside of school, and now, I had to explain myself to a professor. But as soon as we started talking, something unexpected happened. He listened. He didn’t just brush me off or judge me for using a fake name. Instead, he showed understanding. He allowed me to explain why I had to do what I did, and when I told him about the court case and the toll it was taking on my studies, he didn’t just offer words of sympathy. He gave me a solution. He suggested that I talk to the dean and ask for permission to miss some classes when necessary.
I will never forget that day. It was a turning point for me.
Up until that moment, I had felt completely alone in my struggles, like no one
really cared about what I was going through. But my professor’s simple act of
kindness changed that. It made me realize that there were people around me who
did care, even if I hadn’t noticed it before. Following his advice, I met with
the dean, and she was just as understanding. She allowed me to adjust my
schedule to accommodate the court hearings. That moment was both heartwarming
and heart-wrenching. Heartwarming because I realized I wasn’t alone, and
heart-wrenching because I had gone so long feeling like I was.
Now, here I am, years later, in graduate school, and that
same professor who helped me during my undergraduate years is once again
teaching me. He’s now my professor in Advanced Project Management. It feels
like I’ve come full circle, and having him as a mentor again reminds me of how
far I’ve come and how much further I still want to go.
As I continued reflecting on my journey, the question my
professor asked during our first meeting in graduate school resurfaced in my
mind: “Why did you choose to study at USeP for your graduate degree?” At first,
I didn’t really know how to answer it. I could have easily said it was because
of the affordable tuition fees or the proximity to my home, but deep down, I
knew that wasn’t the real reason.
After spending some time thinking about it, I realized that
the true reason I chose USeP wasn’t about the cost or the convenience—it was
about the professors. I learned so much from them during my undergraduate
years, not just academically but in ways that went beyond the classroom. My
professors were more than just instructors; they were mentors who genuinely
cared about their students’ growth. No other school could have offered me the
same experience. That’s why, even though there are many other graduate schools
in the city, none of them felt right for me. I wanted to continue learning from
the same professors who had guided me through some of the most challenging
times in my life.
I remember that feeling of comfort every time I stepped into
a classroom at USeP. There was something about being in the presence of these
professors that made me feel secure like I was exactly where I needed to be.
It wasn’t just about the knowledge they shared—it was about how they shared it.
They didn’t just teach us facts and figures; they taught us how to think
critically, how to approach problems, and how to keep pushing forward when
things got tough.
This particular day in graduate school brought back a lot of
those memories. I met with my classmates and my professor, and we dove into new
topics for our course. As we discussed these new ideas, I couldn’t help but
feel a sense of nostalgia. The way the discussions flowed, the way we all
shared our insights—it reminded me so much of my undergraduate days. But there
was something different now. The atmosphere in a graduate class feels more
mature. My classmates come from diverse backgrounds, each bringing their own
unique perspectives to the table, and I find myself learning not just from the
professor, but from everyone around me.
One of the activities we did that day was the 9-dot puzzle—a challenge where you have to connect all the dots using only four straight lines. I had encountered this puzzle before during my undergraduate studies, and back then, it stumped all of us. No matter how much we tried, we couldn’t figure out the solution. What’s funny is that even now, as graduate students, many of us still couldn’t solve it right away. But this time, instead of focusing on solving the puzzle, I found myself paying attention to something else—my classmates. I watched how they reacted to the challenge, how some of them furrowed their brows in concentration while others leaned back in their chairs, staring at the ceiling as if hoping inspiration would strike from above. I noticed the different ways people approached the task, and it made me think about how we all handle challenges in our own unique ways.
This small, simple activity taught me a lot about teamwork
and problem-solving. Even though each of us had our own way of thinking, it
became clear that working together, sharing ideas, and bouncing thoughts off
one another was the key to success. No matter how smart or knowledgeable
someone is, we can accomplish much more when we collaborate. That’s a lesson
that has stuck with me, not just in graduate school but in life in general.
As the activity went on, I realized that graduate school
wasn’t just about gaining more knowledge—it was about learning how to apply
that knowledge in real-world situations, and how to work effectively with
others. Teamwork is something that we sometimes overlook in our academic
journey, especially when we’re so focused on individual achievement. But here,
in this setting, it became more apparent than ever that no one succeeds alone.
That day’s activity, though simple on the surface, carried a
deeper meaning for me. As I watched my classmates and reflected on how we
worked through the puzzle together, I realized that this was symbolic of my
graduate school journey—and perhaps life itself. We don’t always know the
answers, and we don’t always get things right on the first try. But through
collaboration, persistence, and learning from others, we move closer to
solutions.
Graduate school, much like the puzzle, has its challenges.
At times, I’ve felt unsure of myself, especially since I’m surrounded by
classmates who are already established professionals in their fields. There are
moments when I feel like I’m the only one still figuring things out, the only
one without a job to fall back on. But then, I remind myself that this is part
of the journey. Just like in the 9-dot puzzle, the key is to think outside the
box—to step out of my comfort zone and embrace the process of learning, no
matter how difficult it might seem at times.
The support of my professors has been invaluable in this
process. They don’t just teach us the material; they challenge us to think
differently, to approach problems creatively, and to never settle for easy
answers. In many ways, they have become the anchors that keep me grounded when
things feel uncertain. I remember how much their guidance helped me during my
undergraduate years, and now, that same support is helping me navigate the more
complex world of graduate studies.
As we continued our class discussions, I couldn’t help but
feel grateful for the opportunity to be here. Graduate school wasn’t something
I had always planned on. In fact, there were moments during my undergraduate
years when I wasn’t even sure if I would make it through to graduation. But
life has a way of surprising us. Even when we think we’ve reached our limits,
we somehow find the strength to keep going. And here I am now, pursuing a
master’s degree, surrounded by people who inspire me every day.
There’s something special about the bond we form with our
professors. For me, it goes beyond the classroom. It’s about trust, respect,
and a shared commitment to growth. I’ve come to realize that the real value of
education lies not in the textbooks or the grades, but in the relationships we
build along the way. My professors have become mentors, guiding me not only in
academics but in life as well. Their belief in my potential has pushed me to
believe in myself, even when I’ve doubted my own abilities.
At the end of the day, what truly matters isn’t the degree
I’ll earn or the title I’ll hold. It’s the knowledge I’ve gained, the skills
I’ve developed, and the relationships I’ve nurtured. That’s what makes this
journey worthwhile. Graduate school isn’t just about advancing my career—it’s
about becoming the best version of myself, both personally and professionally.
As the class wrapped up, I found myself reflecting on how
much I’ve changed since the beginning of this journey. I used to think that
success was something that could be measured by accomplishments—by the number
of tasks completed or the grades earned. But now, I realize that true success
comes from growth, from pushing through the challenges, and from learning along
the way. It’s not about where we end up, but how far we’ve come.
Before leaving the classroom, I took a moment to look
around. I saw my classmates packing up, chatting with each other, and preparing
to head home. And I realized that, like me, they are all on their own journeys.
We may come from different backgrounds and have different goals, but we share
the same drive to learn, grow, and become better versions of ourselves.
That’s what makes graduate school such a unique experience—it's not just about
the destination, but the journey we take together.
As I conclude this reflection, I want to share a message to
anyone considering graduate school or any new challenge in life: Don’t choose a
school just because of its reputation or its cost. Choose it because of the
people who will guide you. Choose the professors who will challenge you,
inspire you, and push you to be your best. It’s not the school that makes the
difference—it’s the people. And if you find the right mentors, they will help
you navigate even the toughest moments.
Thank you for taking the time to read my reflection. I hope
that in sharing my story, I’ve been able to provide some insight into the
importance of learning not just from books, but from the people around us.
Education is a journey, and I’m grateful to have such incredible professors
guiding me along the way.
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