From a Lost Student to a Grateful One
I'm posting this to acknowledge some of the teachers who became part of my journey especially one of them whose birthday happens to be today MARCH 9. I will never forget her because she made me realized that I was not really a bad student. I was simply a lazy and unmotivated one who needed someone to believe in me and push me to do better. Her words, her story, and the way she encouraged us moved me to take my studies more seriously. She may not know it, but she helped change the direction of a student who once felt lost in the classroom and for that, I will always be grateful. There is no such thing as a dumb student. Sometimes a student is simply unmotivated, tired, or feels that going to school will not make any difference in life. I know this because I was once that student. I was one of those who did not want to go to school and did not find studying interesting and I tend to always feel bored like everything is boring. When I reached first year high school, I slowly started losing my interest in attending classes and studying. It reached the point where I stopped going to school. Thankfully, my adviser and a few of my subject teachers were concerned enough to visit my grandparents just to encourage me to return to school. Because of their effort and concern, I eventually came back. At that time, I had already missed many classes and I thought I would surely fail. I had stopped attending during the third grading period, so my only chance was the fourth grading period. I focused on studying hard, completed all the requirements, and made sure I did not miss another day of school. Honestly, I was already preparing myself to repeat first year high school because I thought there was no way I could pass. But to my surprise, the passing grade at that time was around 70, and somehow I managed to pass. Looking back now, it felt like destiny favored me in that moment, and until today I still cannot believe that I made it through. When I reached second year high school, something changed in me. I had a science teacher in biology who became a great source of motivation. She was not my adviser, just a subject teacher, but the way she taught and the stories she shared about her life inspired me deeply. She once shared how she finished her studies and graduated from college despite the extreme poverty her family experienced. Hearing her story made me realize how blessed I was that I still had my mother and my grandparents supporting my education. Because of her influence, I became more motivated to study, and by the end of that school year I only had about two absences and got an award best in science. That teacher truly changed my perspective. When I reached third year high school, life became very difficult. It was the time when my mother passed away. That loss almost made me lose my motivation again. But the same teacher who inspired me before continued to support me, along with my friends who stayed by my side. Despite the pain of losing my mother, I managed to continue studying. During those days, going to the library and reading literature became my escape. Books helped me forget the pain even for a while, and somehow they gave me strength to keep going. By fourth year high school, I had another struggle I was always late. My adviser noticed this and came up with a clever solution. She gave me the key to the classroom and assigned me to open it early every morning. If I came late, my classmates would not be able to enter the room. Because of that responsibility, I was forced to wake up earlier and arrive on time. It was such a simple but effective idea. In the end, everything worked out. Despite all the struggles, the absences, the doubts, and the hardships, I managed to graduate from high school. Even though I know I did not always give my best, I can say that I truly enjoyed the journey and learned many lessons along the way. Looking back at my story, I realized that sometimes students are not lazy or incapable they simply need someone who believes in them. A teacher’s encouragement, a friend’s support, or a family’s love can make a huge difference in a student’s life. Sometimes all a struggling student needs is one person who sees their potential and reminds them that they are capable of more than they think. I will always be grateful for the teachers and people who helped me continue when I almost gave up. Sometimes the difference between a student who succeeds and a student who quietly gives up is not intelligence, talent, or opportunity it is simply one teacher who notices. In a classroom full of students, it is easy for a struggling child to disappear in silence. Some stop raising their hands, some stop submitting their work, and eventually some stop coming to school at all. To others they may simply appear lazy, uninterested, or unmotivated. But behind that silence there may be confusion, grief, personal struggles, or the painful belief that studying will never change their life anyway. This is why a teacher’s awareness and genuine concern can be life-changing. A teacher who pays attention does more than teach lessons from a book. They notice the empty seat, the sudden absences, the fading interest, and the quiet student who seems to be slowly drifting away. When a teacher chooses to ask, to check on a student, or even to visit a student’s home, they send a powerful message: “You matter. Your future matters.” For some students, that small act of concern becomes the moment that pulls them back from giving up completely. Sometimes the most unforgettable lessons in school are not the ones written on the board, but the compassion shown by a teacher who refused to ignore a struggling student. “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9 📖