Working as a full-time student is challenging in itself—but being a working student majoring in philosophy at UP Diliman is a different experience altogether. The type of work that I do is freelancing. It usually involves various sidelines like selling different merchandise, making video contents, liveselling, modelling gigs, and many more. Juggling both work and philosophy has its pros and cons, yet both provided me with indispensable lessons that surely helped in meaningful ways.
With the maximum load of 15-18 units per semester, working while studying philosophy has been fairly manageable for me. I do not follow a strict daily itinerary—given that my job is not fixed—but I make sure to complete both academic and work-related outputs on time. Typically, my mornings and afternoons are dedicated to studying while my evenings are reserved for work. Sometimes, I end up squeezing in work tasks during study hours; the key is to maximize your time efficiently.
One significant moment stood out: I had to skip a class for an important modeling gig and it was a class I really wouldn’t want to miss. I asked my professor if a classmate could record the lecture, and thankfully, he agreed! In UP Diliman, most philosophy professors are quite understanding and sympathetic (well, many do practice what they preach!). But perhaps, beyond doing the bare minimum in academics, another question remains—is it possible to excel and pursue philosophy profoundly while holding a job?
Colene modeling for Hair Asia 2024, a day which she needed to skip class for.
The answer is yes, but it requires the right strategy. If you are a working student, you should find the one that works best for you. As for me, I hold onto three things: motivation, intentionality, and luck.
Being a self-employed student requires towering diligence and discipline—not just to keep the income flowing but also to keep learning consistently. It is easy to advise people “to be disciplined” but what is often overlooked is the crucial action that makes discipline even more operable. That is, listening to your body, specifically, to what your heart desires the most. When I feel lazy or overwhelmed, I pause and ask my “whys.” I go back to the reasons I study and work. Thus, always remember your purpose for action—whether it is a goal to be a sustaining breadwinner or a passion for truth and wisdom. After all, fueled motivation precedes discipline. In his book, A Treatise of Human Nature, David Hume wrote about this similar idea, stating: “Reason is, and ought only to be the slave of the passions.” In this light, discipline becomes a tool that serves my motivations—not the other way around.
In studying philosophy, being a wide reader or an analytical thinker helps, but I am neither of those two—what takes others a single time to read a certain passage takes me at least three times to understand it. Thus, this brings me to my second strategy: being intentional. As mentioned, I am not fond of making strict itineraries, but that doesn’t mean that I do not plan ahead of time. Being intentional means being mindful of the external and internal factors that contribute to fulfillment. That is to say (but not limited to), being mindful of the time to finish academic and/or work-related tasks (external) while knowing one’s capabilities (internal). Once that has been grasped, a forward-looking plan can be attained. For instance, before the previous semester started I knew I needed to work more than usual. So I searched for professors known to give lighter requirements and enrolled in subjects with schedules that suited my availability.
Colene right after finishing packing parcels for her small reselling business.
But let’s be real—enlisting in your preferred subjects or professors in UP is no easy feat. The “CRS gods” and the legendary “lucky CRS Pepe” memes exist for a reason. As for me, I always get the subjects I desire. This kind of luck does not only apply in enlistment but also in other instances that necessitates arbitrariness like groupings. In retrospect, I have never grouped with a “pabigat” and often find myself grouped with the smartest students. This kind of good fortune persists even on my sidelines. Others might perceive this as luck but I would rather refer to it as being “favored.”
By whom, you might ask? Well, whenever I try to enlist or am about to partake in things out of my control, I pray not to the CRS gods, but to the God I know. Doing my best through motivation and intentionality is one thing, but being favored by God reassures me that I am on the right path.
Now, why do I need this reassurance? Well, two things—I am not smart and I am a working student. In a competitive environment like UP Diliman, if you are not inherently smart you must leverage as much time studying. But for me, that extra time often goes to work. There are countless times where I wanted to give up and countless nights where I slept under the weight of insecurities. And yet, I somehow managed, holding on to God’s promise.
Currently, I am running for Summa Cum Laude and my career is starting to take off. How? That is because I’ve come to discover and believe in a deeper truth. As it says in Ecclesiastes 9:11:
“I have observed something else under the sun. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time.”
Colene recently entered into an official partnership with Barbie.
Ultimately, the strength it requires to balance both worlds must come from a solid foundation. Whether it’s your passion, your purpose, or your faith—always return to your reason why.
About the Author
Colene Anne Santos is a BA Philosophy undergraduate senior from UP Diliman who has been working since her teenage years. Her advocacy centers on pursuing your dreams despite life’s obstacles.