Make Time

[Commencement speech delivered for Senior High School graduates of STI College Novaliches batch 2019.]

Who among you wants to succeed in life? Doesn’t everyone yearn to be successful? We all do, right? Now, do you believe that time management is significantly relevant to success?

Simula pagkabata ko, masasabi kong talagang pala-aral ako. Pero katulad din ng mga normal na bata, naglalaro rin ako, nanonood ng TV, nakikipag-wrestling sa kapatid. Nung ako’y nasa elementary at high school pa, mayroon akong isang kakaibang habit na napansin ng Mama ko: yun ay yung kapag nagrereview ako para sa quiz o exam, nasa harap ako ng TV at nanonood rin. Di’ba? Multi-tasking! Awa ng Diyos, matataas naman yung naging grades ko.

Nung college student na ako, nag-iba naman ako ng istilo. Madalas focused ako talaga sa pagrereview sa bahay. Sinisikap ko na matapos na lahat habang nasa bahay pa; kung minsan, nirerecite ko pa sa harap ng salamin yung mga pinag-aralan ko. Kaya pagdating sa school, hindi na ako nagrereview. Nakikipagchikahan na lang ako o di kaya, nakikinig sa mga kaklaseng nagrereklamo at nagkakagulo sa pagsasaulo ng lessons. Katwiran ko noon, nagawa ko na yan sa bahay eh. Panahon naman para ipahinga ko ang utak ko upang maging handa sa pagsusulit. Time management.

Various areas of our lives demand for our time. But sometimes, we have the tendency to focus on only one. Career-people spend too much time in their jobs, working hard for their promotions. Some of them traverse the difficult journey of going abroad to earn big and provide for their families’ needs and future. Some stay-at-home parents would spend the entire day just to do all the chores. Students allot long hours of studying for their exams and sleepless nights working on their theses. Our roles take their toll on us. We tend to think that as we give most of our times on these things, we would be successful. Oftentimes, we forget that that’s not all that we are! Please don’t get me wrong; giving our best in our chosen professions is not a sin. However, my intention is to encourage everyone here that, we should be mindful on how we spend our time in order for us to be successful, not only in our studies and careers, but in life, as a whole. So this afternoon, I would like us to look at time management at a different perspective. I am sharing with you a few points to remember:

First, obviously, we need to make time for our studies or careers. Graduates, you would be spending a bulk of your time in your studies, might as well, choose a career path that you really love. You wouldn’t want yourself to be honed for a job you never want to pursue. Set aside time for you to review your lessons and work on your projects; and maximize those allotted hours. This might mean taking a break from your social media accounts and mobile games. You can always get back to those once you’re done with your designated time of studying. Take your studies seriously. When you’ve become professionals, make time to develop new skills. Attend seminars; enroll for short courses online; read books.

Next, we should make time for ourselves. Reality bites; studying and working are both exhausting. Our bodies and minds need rest. Each day, we need resetting in order for us to function well. Sisingilin tayo ng katawan natin kapag patuloy nating dini-deprive ang sarili natin ng pahinga. Aside from taking rest, we should do something that we enjoy and are passionate about; whether it be reading a good book, writing a poem, meeting with friends, or jogging around the subdivision, just do it.

Third, we need to remember this: we should make time for our families. Hindi ba, kapag sobrang abala tayo sa mga gawain natin sa eskwelahan at maging sa trabaho, napakadali nating naisasantabi ang ating pamilya. But it shouldn’t be the case. We study and work hard not only for ourselves, but also for our families. And more than the good grades or the financial help we could give them, we should provide them our precious time. Hindi kami mayaman na pamilya. We are not accustomed to going out for celebrations or occasions, but we make sure that we spend time together as a family. Kuntento kami sa simpleng kwentuhan at pag-uusap ng mga plano sa buhay. And until now, we still try to keep it simple as it has always been. My family has been my support system. I do know that without them, I wouldn’t be where I am right now. So, I encourage you to set aside time for your families.

Lastly, I have been dealing and counselling teens for quite a long time now. One of the basic pieces of advice I always give them is that they should make time for the Lord. That same advice is what I’m giving to everyone here. We encounter demands, distractions, and difficulties in a daily basis. Sometimes, these things cause us to get sidetracked from our goals. But as we seek Jesus for guidance, protection, and wisdom daily, we begin to see the path He has prepared for us. The Bible clearly says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” It’s a reminder for us to place the Lord first in our lives. Attached to it is a promise that all that we need and all that’s best for us will follow.

Time is relevant to a successful life. Though our studies and careers are worth our time, but our time with ourselves, our families, and the Lord also does matter. We should not focus on one and neglect the other. Graduates, as you prepare yourself for your degrees and professions, you should learn how to manage your time and priorities well as early as now. Time is a commodity; once consumed, it cannot be bought back. It is true that you only live once; and so it is awesome to spend your time and be spent for the things that truly matter.

There’s a bright future ahead of you. Once again, congratulations graduates! Have a good day, everyone!