Like Jon Snow, we know
In 2013, I finished my 5-year bachelors degree. It felt great, seems like I have achieved so much coming from a prominent and excellent university in the Philippines. But wait until reality sinks in..
We all wish to get in a very good university. And I was one of the lucky few who got in one, center of excellence in architecture. And I anticipated that it would be a great addition to my resume.... But the truth is, nobody really cares what university you came from. I have been connected to so many companies and none of them cared about your school because it only comes down to two things: can do the work or can't fucking do the work. You don't need a good school, you only need to be a good student.
I have lived 21 years inside a campus where teachers have been protecting me.....us: giving us chances to re-take failed quizzes, make-up exams because we were sick, award us exemptions, giving us chance to talk in front of the class to build up our confidence, letting us skip lecture because they know we have major submissions for our other subjects, giving us additional points from our extra curricular activities, etc.
At school, we got frustrated for having very competitive classmates that sometimes end in a bitter-sweet childish argument. We were so obsessed in getting perfect grade because judgmental people exist. Of course, we used to hear hell week during Finals... And I thought to myself that I am a strong person now after experiencing all of it. But no, those things we have experienced inside the campus is not even half of what we will experience outside.
In real life, you don't have any teachers to protect you or give you multiple chances. Now, you don't compete with your classmates, you compete with the whole world. You have to perpetually upgrade yourself to keep up with the fast-paced life that we are living. Career is a constant struggle of proving to your clients and boss that you are worth your position and salary. It's not only about passing the exams but creating the best project and building good relationship with your clients so they'd keep coming back to you.
As a student, everything was provided to us; allowance, tuition fee, books, pens etc. As an independent person, you have to work your butt off for everything you need. You learn how to save and give importance to things that you bought from your own sweat.
Behind the walls of the school, lies a jungle and everyone of us should learn how to survive on our own...because all those years we thought we knew everything, we actually knew nothing.
