learning chutzpah

as much as I hate to admit it, I wasn't a very studious person back in college. I don't read textbooks religiously (not unless it's a really, really interesting subject) and would usually cram for exams. I would only read my notes on the night of the exam or even the day itself, an hour before an exam is scheduled. It's a miracle that I've passed all my subjects. Math subjects were always a bit of a problem for me. It's always been my waterloo. I had to befriend the class geek just so I can be mentored on complicated formulas and the like. But I faired well enough in most of my subjects ~ even spanish. Although I eventually un-learn my spanish after I graduated. I couldn't practice the language simply because there's no one who speaks spanish in my circle. How was I to know that I would be able to use it in my current job? But anyway, I've enjoyed going to school, meeting up with schoolmates after or in-between classes. I've tried to stay away from campus politics ~ unsuccessfully I might add. I was forced by my adviser to run for a noted class position since no one wanted to challenge the other party. I eventually lost simply because my heart wasn't into it in the first place. I didn't have the reese witherspoon competitive complex that time (reese's character from the movie Election). But then again, most of my posse that time were active in campus politics. I even attended their meetings once or twice.

Anyway back to my story, I never considered myself a role model or a perfect student. I was merely trying to finish my education, coping with the day-to-day demands of professors, co-existing peacefully with my classmates ~ and of course just enjoying my carefree student life. Now that I'm finally on my feet, living independently away from family, I have come to realize the importance of learning and knowledge per se. Though it is true that you don't learn everything within the four corners of a classroom. When you graduate, you're on your own. Eventhough mentors provided you with the necessary tools~ and advise for surviving the real world, it's still up to you which direction you want to take. They can only do so much. Acquired knowledge gets you a decent job. Learned skills gets you promoted faster, although not in some cases.

I have come to realize that whatever knowledge you have gained from school will never prepare you for the real thing. The real deal is, other factors affect your advancement, professionally and personally. It dawned on me recently that however I keep myself up-to-date with the rest of the world and however I prepare myself from the onslaught of globalization, never-ending industrialization and creeping consumerism, I always find myself cramming to learn everything~ or at least know a little bit of something. But of course that cannot be done all in one day. Then again the next day, something new has developed and other matters would materialize and has to be learned again. And so the cycle goes on. Sometimes it's hard to keep up with the world that's forever rushing forward. Like I said, nothing will ever prepare you, you always have to keep your head above the water because the world will always evolve . . .