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- A graduate of B.S. Tourism at the University of the Philippines Diliman shared the challenges she underwent as a working student.
- Geoselle Dela Cruz juggled various jobs to support her studies and to keep her UP dream alive.
Have you ever wondered how working students manage to maintain balance in their life?
Geoselle Dela Cruz, a graduate Bachelor of Science in Tourism at the Asian Institute of Tourism at the University of the Philippines Diliman, shared the challenges that working students go through just to get the highly-coveted diploma and “sablay”.
For five years, Dela Cruz juggled various jobs to make ends meet and support her studies. Calling herself a “Diskarte Queen”, Dela Cruz worked as a tutor, rappel instructor, dance choreographer, thesis transcriber, back-up dancer, research assistant, student assistant, host, emcee, dance contest judge and even food entrepreneur just to keep her UP dream alive.
Dela Cruz eventually managed to graduate cum laude.
“There are a lot of things I tried just to keep this UP dream going. Lahat ng raket na pwedeng gawin, I did. Tutor for three years, dance choreographer, rappel instructor, taga-transcribe ng thesis ng iba, pa-rummage sale ng own pre-loved clothes, R.A. dito, S.A. doon, sideline here, sideline there, back-up dancer, pati hosting at emcee rakets, judge ng mga pa-dance contests ni Mayor, benta ng pizza rolls, donuts, graham balls, oreo chenes at kung ano ano pang pwede ibenta,” Dela Cruz.
Despite having lots of job opportunities, Dela Cruz believes that all her “rackets” were just temporary. It was God who really provided for her.
“I’ve learned that when all my “diskartes” are tired, and when all the rakets are gone, there He is. The One who truly provided for all my needs since day 1—even when I do not ask, even when I do not deserve. And when I met Him, I lacked nothing,” Dela Cruz wrote.
Towards the end of her post, Dela Cruz advised students to do whatever it takes to achieve their seemingly impossible goal.
“Choose the narrow road. Choose the waiting, the tedious, messy process. CHOOSE TO ENDURE, ALWAYS. After all, He already won it all.”
PHOTO CREDIT: Facebook/Geoselle dela Cruz
