SUCCESS, as I comprehend it.

KAI BOGO MAN KO PAG EXTEMPO, NAGHIMO KOG SPEECH. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAH

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Success starts with a dream, an ambition. A longing for something that will complete oneself in the future. It entails an endless trail of trials, victory, confusion, betrayal, temptation, greed, pride mediocrity, lies, honesty and deception. To make it simpler, choices. Success is the fruit of good, sometimes unthought-of, recklessly outrageous but practical decision-making.

PHASE I - The Real Score

Schools may force you to memorize a billion terms and information, but it is your choice whether to submit yourself to total and high-standard learning OR to be a useless, dependent, good-for-nothing douche bag. It may be funny, but school, serious schooling that is, is your ticket to stay off the streets. Now, you may think it is a tiresome and bugging thing to do, or that school is just the Making Friends Avenue, or you may think of it only as a status. "Heeyy, I'm in school". But it is more than that. Four years in high school, I endured. Amid painstaking and near-death experiences, I graduated with colors. I didn't do that by being such a show-off in corridors during breaks or being "Hey, I own this school, punk." or "Hey, wanna enjoy the night?" or "Hey, I have cold hard cash.". I was typical, like any other, but I stood out. Not being a bighead here but I want to show people that simplicity is a trademark in its own. You don't necessarily need to be a somebody in terms of friends, money, authority or approval. That's the real score, if you ask me. Not being somebody else and not trying hard or pushing yourself to your limits. Being yourself, and bringing a brain and particular resources, is enough. More than enough, actually. Try it, it'll blow your mind.

PHASE II - The Real Deal (College)

I'm currently a freshman taking up Information Technology, an unthought-of choice, in a university here in our place. Well, not many things changed. Schedule, classmates, teachers, grading system, environment, study habits, choices, more choices and much severe headaches, OK, so quite a few changes. It was not until late midterms, when my prelim grades were given to me, that I asked myself, "Where the hell am I?" College is not hard, not that much of a bother but certainly you need to be serious about it. Studying JUST before exams is not that effective anymore, losing its juice if you ask me. Cheating is a lot more rampant, heard of making homework in the class where the homework is currently being checked? You haven't, have you? Uhm, useless and good-for-nothing classmates? Oh, they're still there but they come in more packages in college. Ugh, college is not my thing. It once shot in my mind to stop, but I didn't. I once told myself to withdraw 2 months after first day, but I didn't. I plan to shift in the second semester, but I think I won't. I thought of just working in some random company after a couple of semesters, but I forced myself to forget that. Finish what is started. Another principle, guys. It may be a good thing or maybe a bad thing, but a job started is a job to be done. In college, heavier responsibilities are forced on you. You can't do it? No one'd would force you to, professors are a little less supportive than your used-to-have sweet and considerate teachers. A degree in college gives you a so-so chance at achieving your deepest desires, a greater chance lies on your attitude and hardwork which you would then be tested in:

PHASE III - The Real World

Hooray! School's over, no more sem breaks or summer vacations because you are entirely free! Or are you? It's showtime, and its time prove your worth in the real world where there would be no formulas, no expected solutions, no coaching from classmates in the back row, no goofing around with employers and no readily available books and references. At this phase, there are several options, get a wife, decide to be useless 'til forever, get a decent job, get underemployed, venture into the business field, and a lot more. Well, until here, you're alone, friends may help you, yes, but hardwork, attitude and perseverance are measured in this phase. You just can't stop after being disdainfully rejected from some fancy company you applied to. Its not time for brooding over spilt milk, you have to act every second, if possible, to make your education worth the wait and the sacrifice. You may be downhearted for a day or two, but after such time, stand up, be a man, stand up to the challenges of the harsh world. Believe that it is not for you to last shortly, believe that you can have something done even if others doubt, even if it seems the tables are turned, even if there seems to be no hope at all. Yes, I am OA and exaggerating the situation, but the thing is, we draw strength when we are inspired.

Success may still be unattainable after all my blabbing but it is the self that knows the way, not some internet guide or How-to or some 'Dummies' book. Overlook your imperfections and improve what can be improved, perfect what you can perfect and be what you were destined to be.