The school of life
Published Jun 2, 2018 04:05 pm
By Sara Grace C. Fojas
WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS
Ryan knows how to make the best of what he has in life For Ryan Christopher Damayan Bucad, life is the most difficult exam. His inspiration in becoming one of the graduates with highest honors at Lemery Senior High School were the the hardships and the exams he went through outside the walls of his classroom. “When I was three years old, I remember feeling blessed to be with my family—sealed and surrounded by love and a strong devotion to God. As time passed by, the sweet relationship turned bitter. The living room once filled with happiness was suddenly filled with fiery arguments. After awhile, I saw my mother, carrying her bags, and leaving us with nothing except tears on our eyes,” says 18-year-old Ryan. Since then, it was Ryan’s father, Sonny, who strove hard and worked as a farmer and a construction worker in order to provide for a family of five. But making ends meet was hard, the family was financially struggling and had to make adjustments. “At the age of six, I enrolled at Payapa Ibaba Elementary School. We didn’t have enough money. My father couldn’t even prepare breakfast for us. My projects were often late. When I was supposed to enroll in Grade 3 in 2009, I had to stop because of financial needs,” Ryan shares. After two months, due to the efforts of Ryan’s relatives, he was able to go back to school. His aunts and uncles volunteered to support his studies. He may have been late for two months in the class discussion but it never became a hindrance for him to become a consistent honor student. But when he entered high school, expenses slowly got bigger and Ryan had to move to his uncle’s house which was near his school. In order to support his studies, he decided to tutor other students. He also joined the Journalism Club in school, writing feature stories in Filipino. After a year, Ryan went back home to his family and became a beneficiary of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. His school expenses were provided by the department. But he later had to transfer again to his aunt’s house because his school was far from home. “My family became my driving force to strive harder in life. They are my inspiration to do my best, finish a college degree, and be a professional someday. I want to become a licensed teacher. I dream of building a house for my dad and my guardian. I want to support them with their needs. My family is my ‘shelter from the storm, school for life, and station to enjoy,’” says Ryan. All of his hardships didn’t go to waste when he graduated as one of the students with highest honors in his batch last April 6. He got good grades all the time because he knew that his education will help his family get out of the situation they are in right now. He wanted to help his siblings study again and get back on their feet. It is a responsibility he is willing to take over. “I think the student life is one of the most crucial period of life. It requires so much hard work, discipline, and dedication to fulfill the duties and obligation of a student. After all the struggles, those sweat and tears will be rewarded by medals, certificates, and diplomas. Let me remind you that as students we should not be limited in reading books, memorizing facts, and answering tests, but rather let us apply what we learned in real life situations. Because at the end of the day, attitude and personality is the most important thing that will bring you to the peak of success,” says Ryan in his speech. Right now, he is applying for various scholarships so that he could enroll in college and be a professional teacher someday. “Always do your best so that you won’t have any regrets at the end of the day. Study hard but always remember that the real battle is not inside the classroom but in the society. It is not in answering the exam correctly but in the struggles of reality. Life is the most difficult exam,” ends Ryan.
Study tips from Ryan:
WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONSRyan knows how to make the best of what he has in life For Ryan Christopher Damayan Bucad, life is the most difficult exam. His inspiration in becoming one of the graduates with highest honors at Lemery Senior High School were the the hardships and the exams he went through outside the walls of his classroom. “When I was three years old, I remember feeling blessed to be with my family—sealed and surrounded by love and a strong devotion to God. As time passed by, the sweet relationship turned bitter. The living room once filled with happiness was suddenly filled with fiery arguments. After awhile, I saw my mother, carrying her bags, and leaving us with nothing except tears on our eyes,” says 18-year-old Ryan. Since then, it was Ryan’s father, Sonny, who strove hard and worked as a farmer and a construction worker in order to provide for a family of five. But making ends meet was hard, the family was financially struggling and had to make adjustments. “At the age of six, I enrolled at Payapa Ibaba Elementary School. We didn’t have enough money. My father couldn’t even prepare breakfast for us. My projects were often late. When I was supposed to enroll in Grade 3 in 2009, I had to stop because of financial needs,” Ryan shares. After two months, due to the efforts of Ryan’s relatives, he was able to go back to school. His aunts and uncles volunteered to support his studies. He may have been late for two months in the class discussion but it never became a hindrance for him to become a consistent honor student. But when he entered high school, expenses slowly got bigger and Ryan had to move to his uncle’s house which was near his school. In order to support his studies, he decided to tutor other students. He also joined the Journalism Club in school, writing feature stories in Filipino. After a year, Ryan went back home to his family and became a beneficiary of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. His school expenses were provided by the department. But he later had to transfer again to his aunt’s house because his school was far from home. “My family became my driving force to strive harder in life. They are my inspiration to do my best, finish a college degree, and be a professional someday. I want to become a licensed teacher. I dream of building a house for my dad and my guardian. I want to support them with their needs. My family is my ‘shelter from the storm, school for life, and station to enjoy,’” says Ryan. All of his hardships didn’t go to waste when he graduated as one of the students with highest honors in his batch last April 6. He got good grades all the time because he knew that his education will help his family get out of the situation they are in right now. He wanted to help his siblings study again and get back on their feet. It is a responsibility he is willing to take over. “I think the student life is one of the most crucial period of life. It requires so much hard work, discipline, and dedication to fulfill the duties and obligation of a student. After all the struggles, those sweat and tears will be rewarded by medals, certificates, and diplomas. Let me remind you that as students we should not be limited in reading books, memorizing facts, and answering tests, but rather let us apply what we learned in real life situations. Because at the end of the day, attitude and personality is the most important thing that will bring you to the peak of success,” says Ryan in his speech. Right now, he is applying for various scholarships so that he could enroll in college and be a professional teacher someday. “Always do your best so that you won’t have any regrets at the end of the day. Study hard but always remember that the real battle is not inside the classroom but in the society. It is not in answering the exam correctly but in the struggles of reality. Life is the most difficult exam,” ends Ryan.
Study tips from Ryan:
- Have a positive mindset.
- Refrain from comparing yourself to others.
- Focus on your skills and abilities.
- Use your free period wisely.
- Always be prepared for a surprise recitation.
- Review your notes every day.
- Write your own reviewer. You would memorize facts easily if you write them down.
- Write your target grade goal in frontof your notebook.
- Pray