It’s never too late to get a college degree and turn your life around

They say second chances are where the magical things happen. 

Don’t we all love the idea of being handed a reset button that allows us to do things differently the second time around? Having an opportunity to start a new chapter even after a series of setbacks is such a great feeling. Since we don’t always get second chances, it’s important not to let them pass—especially when they land right in front of us.

Carl Santos, for one, is living proof of the power of second chances in life.

He admittedly spent a huge chunk of his yesteryears on the temptations of youth, which led him to be a college dropout who turned to vices to cope with his problems. 

“Despite my parents’ hardships and hard work sa pagpapaaral sa amin, when I went to college, I wasted my potential. With my friends, I skipped classes, I was partying, I was drinking. At that age, hindi mo pa alam what you are stepping away from,” he told The Philippine STAR.

(Despite my parents’ hardships and hard work, I never truly understood the value of the opportunity they had given me. When I went to college, I wasted my potential. With my friends, I skipped classes, I was partying, I was drinking. At that age, I had no idea what I was stepping away from.) 

It all changed when he started a family of his own. Like everyone else who has hit rock bottom, Carl eventually reached a breaking point and got sick of feeling empty. With a renewed hope of getting better, he began picking up the pieces to turn his life around and took on a myriad jobs—from that of a call center agent to a fitness instructor. While his income increased, he still felt something was lacking and didn’t find the success he wanted to get out of his career. From there, he realized that gratification truly goes beyond money and material possessions. 

Thanks to his partner and children’s love and support, he was determined to step up and find his purpose in life no matter what. “Once you decide to step up, things just really fall into place,” mused Carl.

He confessed to having second thoughts about returning to college because of his insecurities about being “too old” to do so and falling behind his batchmates in terms of career. He also got scared of being overwhelmed with the demands of school, his family, and his work. 

The best option, however, presented itself to him when he was scrolling through Facebook. It was an advertisement for the Mapúa Malayan Digital College (MMDC), which he took as a sign for him to go back to school. “Sabi ko, ‘Ito na siguro talaga yun.’ Nag-enroll ako, nag-entrance exam ko, and luckily, I passed. Pagkapass, every day, nandoon pa rin yung fears, but I always think na I need to encounter this fear so I can overcome it.” 

(I told myself, ‘Maybe, this is it.’ I took an entrance exam, and luckily, I passed. Even after I did, my fears are still there every day but I always think that I need to encounter this fear so I can overcome it.) 

Mapua Malayan Digital College is a digital-first college with a collaborative curriculum of projects, problems, and cases aimed at preparing students for the modern workforce. The fully online college allows them to expand their knowledge through a mix of synchronous and asynchronous classes led by its professors. Only 7.5 hours of online meetings are required for full load and 4.5 hours for light load weekly, which is ideal for working students as they can manage the rest at their preferred pace and convenience using their own laptop and wireless network. 

With a focus on business and technology, MMDC offers courses such as BS Information Technology and BS Business Administration with modernized techniques that make learning flexible and accessible to its enrollees hoping to upskill or advance their careers.

Carl is currently taking up BS IT Major in Data Analytics to further his career. There, he has learned to welcome every opportunity that comes his way with pure enthusiasm. He continues to set an example—not just for his children, but also for the people around him—that they can start anew in life at any age. 

“Sabi nga nila, lahat ng pangarap, nagsisimula sa isang hakbang. So here I am, taking my first step to finally step up,” he said.

(They say every dream starts with a first step. So here I am, taking my first step to finally step up.)

“Life is all about second chances or in my case, even third. Kahit nagkakamali, nadadapa, importante, bumabangon,” he added.

(Life is all about second chances or in my case, even third. Even though we make mistakes, we fail, what’s important is that we make sure to get back up no matter what.) 

For those who are yet to finish college, Carl had this to say: “Give yourself this second chance to get a degree. I hope anyone who wants more for themselves at any change, in any situation, is able to dream big and not give up.” 

The MMDC is holding a virtual summit from May 10 to 12 with industry experts and entrepreneurs across the Philippines. The 3-day program aims to help working students take their careers to the next level, achieve work-life-school balance, and manage their finances through a movement “designed to empower people to take control of their destinies.” Interested participants may sign up or learn more about the event here. 

Mapua Malayan Digital College is under the Mapua Malayan Colleges Laguna, which offers world-class college education. For more information, check out its official website at www.mmdc.mcl.edu.ph.

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Editor’s Note: BrandedUp is designed to provide you with insightful, inspiring, and educational content created by PhilSTAR L!fe in collaboration with brands like Mapua Malayan Digital College.