For many, a college degree ‘should’ only be completed within 4 years but this many students find it difficult to do so, especially because there are certain cutoffs that need to be attained for the course as well as other factors, including finances and even getting pregnant as many students have experienced.
In reality, there are no fixed deadlines in life but people tend to judge those who couldn’t finish their course on time, anyway.
Wynona Pauline Catapang was among those who were unfairly judged by others after learning she’s into her fifth year in college. She was called ‘bobo’ (dull minded) and ‘ambisyosa’ (negative form of being too ambitious) by people.
What they did not know is that she had to spend 5 years in college because she’s actually taking 3 courses at once! Can you believe that? This girl is not ‘bobo’, she’s definitely a genius!
In a lengthy post on Facebook, she detailed the story of her 5-year college triple degree program. She admitted that there were times when she was ready to give up yet she persevered and was able to reap the rewards of her sacrifices.
Can you guess the courses she completed?
Catapang graduated from St. Scholastica’s College in Manila, Philippines with degrees in Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication minor in Development Communication, Bachelor of Science in Psychology, and Bachelor of Arts in Guidance and Counseling in the school’s 5-year LIA/LIA program.
Here’s Catapang’s post:
“Ay bobo 5 years na sa college”
“Wala ka pang napapatunayan”
“Masyadong ambisyosa”
5 years. 5 years of hardships, stress, and tears. I remembered the days na nagkasabay ang thesis ng psych at masscom. Psych classes sa morning, production sa hapon hanggang gabi. Thesis pagkauwi. Shoot sa mga delikadong lugar while writing Psychological report. Thesis defense sa Masscom tapos thesis proposal naman sa Psych. Di magkanda ugaga every first day of sem kasi laging overlapping yung subjects sa given sched. Pabalik balik kay Dean at sa Reg para lang maayos yung sched. Different faces for every subject. Haha. Parang irreg ang peg. 😂 Laging nahuhuli sa mga announcement kasi wala sariling classrep. Kapagod.
Then I was then questioning myself, worth it pa ba lahat? I was about to give up and drop my other course. It was so hard to maintain a cut-off grade especially that both of my courses have quota grade of B minus. Ang taas beshie. Both courses pa. There was a time na na-on probation na ko kasi naleleft behind ko na yung isang course. Tapos this Feb, I was so stressed sa thesis because of the deadline tapos my lola died pa.
But then I guess God took me to this path and I had to deal with it. Kahit sabi ng iba wala pa kong napapatunayan sa mundo, na ambisyosa ako, I believe this would have been my greatest achievement in life as of now- to receive 3 degrees at the age of 21. And our secret? Diskarte. Haha. Kaya I would like to thank my partner Chantal for being there since day 1. You taught me how to be wise lalo na pag kailangan haha! We may have conflicts during thesis times, pero our friendship never changed at all. Thank you sa lahat as in. Sobrang mamimiss kita.
To my college friends Jusel, Karen, Darah, Joyce Dino, Alyanna. To my highschool besties forever Raina, Toni, Sasa, Thank you guys for believing in us! Nawitness nyo paghihirap namin ni Chanty and you girls kept on giving us strength. And to my bestfriend since grade 1, Aika Landicho, thank you for protecting me always. You’re my forever supporter since bata pa tayo. I love you all! ❤
To my parents, this would never happen because of you. Daddy, though nasa U.S ka ever since Grade 1, you never failed to support my education. Thank you kasi kahit physically absent ka lagi, you still did your part on providing us what we need. Mommy Joyce Fe, you’ve been my support system since I was born. Thank you for guiding me all throughout. Thank you sa pagsugod sa school kapag may concerns ako na di ko kayang harapin. Thank you sa lahat lahat! My dearest sister Wyonna Patrice, thank you kasi you’ve been my food buddy everytime we’re stressed out. Thank you for patiently listening to my rants and for giving me hope na kaya ko lahat. I love you all so much and these degrees are for you.
CATAPANG, WYNONA PAULINE MAGBANUA
Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication minor in Development Communication
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Bachelor of Arts in Guidance and Counseling
5-YEAR LIA/LIA PROGRAM
Isn’t she amazing? Congratulations, Wynona!
Source: Facebook / Wynona Pauline Catapang