If there’s one word to describe 2024 for me, it’s lessons. The year began in a whirlwind of busyness as I raced to meet my target of graduating in January. I had moments of doubt—Can I really do this?—especially as I faced a crossroad between two big decisions that would shape where I stand today.
My heart told me to push forward, but my mind and ego whispered, Stop. Take a break. Chill out—what’s the rush? The choice was clear yet heavy: should I work twice as hard to graduate early, or take it slow and graduate on time? Deep down, graduating early had always been part of my plan. After all, I had already “taken it slow” by deciding to take a gap year after high school. That decision wasn’t well-received by my extended family. As the grandchild in my grandmother’s family, I was criticized for “wasting time.” I grew up in an environment where everything was expected to move fast—success, achievements, milestones—all aligned with societal standards. Education was no exception. In my family, graduating in 3.5 years was the norm, with “on time” being the latest acceptable option. And then there was me—choosing to take a gap year, enrolling in English Literature, and attending a private university.
You can imagine the remarks I’d get:
"Why waste a whole year?" "English Literature? What about something with better job prospects, like Industrial Engineering, Mining, or at least Management?" Even my grandmother said, “At least graduate in 3.5 years.” So, I had no choice but to double my efforts.
But then, I’d look at my friends. They were living their lives at their own pace—enjoying the ride, taking things slow. A part of me feared how others would perceive me if I chose to graduate early. Would they think I was too ambitious? Would they ask, What’s the rush? Why the hurry? At that moment, I felt overwhelmed by the weight of expectations—both from others and from myself. Honestly, it felt like I just wanted to disappear. Poof! In the end, I chose to follow my heart. I’ve always been someone who sticks to the rules I set for myself each year, and I didn’t want to look back and regret taking a step I wasn’t fully confident about. So, I went all in and finally, I completed my university journey in February.
After finishing my university life, I finally breathed a little easier—no more commuting by train or obsessing over drafts. But I forgot that another “adulting” chapter awaited me: finding a job.
Two days before my graduation exams, I was offered a job. However, my dad, without hesitation, turned it down because it didn’t meet the family’s standards. Honestly, I had a plan that completely fell apart because of this decision. If I could turn back time, I’d take the offer without asking anyone’s opinion—because this is my life! (Cue the dramatic tone here).
After that, I started applying for jobs again and received several offers—an internship for business development in Singapore, a secretary position for a university director, and roles in IT start-ups. But I had to decline them all. Partly because my parents didn’t approve, but also because I had lingering doubts: Can I do this? Is this worth it? Am I sure about this?
Eventually, I tried applying for government jobs. Unsurprisingly, I got rejected. For the first one, I wasn’t focused, and my laptop decided to lag like crazy. For the second, I just winged it because my brain was too drained. At that point, I started feeling like I didn’t deserve anything. Four months had passed since graduation, and I still hadn’t landed a job.
So, I took a break. I went “healing” to three cities in two provinces over three days. I spent quality time with my family, played with my younger siblings, and even met one of my favorite Korean actors. In June, I finally graduated. But let me tell you, my graduation photos? Ugh, the makeup was so thick I can’t even look at them.
Fast forward eight months after graduation, I finally started working remotely. My dad gave me the green light because he saw how hard it was to find a job in the current economy with all the political and supply-demand chaos.
The second quarter of 2024 was a whirlwind. Waking up at 5 AM every day to work—even remotely—felt like too much. By November, I was juggling responsibilities as a trainer for new employees and managing three clients at once. My head? Definitely on the verge of exploding. But it all paid off when I was named Employee of the Month in November.
That month wasn’t without storms, though. I had to face unexpected challenges while learning to let go of some people and welcome new ones. Finally, in December, I wrapped up the year spending quality time with my siblings—something I truly cherished.
So how was your 2024 so far?
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