It's normal for a person to feel self-doubt and pressure because of the people around them. But what matters most is how you can fight through it and achieve success.
Just like the summa cum laude graduate of Bachelor of Library and Information Science from University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, Mark Lester C. Estepa, 23 years old, from San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, who ranked Top 10 in the September 2024 Librarian Licensure Exam.
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| Photo courtesy: Mark Lester Estepa (Facebook) |
In an exclusive interview with The Summit Express, Estepa revealed that he never actually dreamed of pursuing the degree program he completed, and he didn't even know such a program existed.
However, when UP offered it to him after passing the UPCAT in 2019, he decided to take it because of the available slots. He mentioned that he planned to shift programs if he didn’t like it.
But eventually, he realized how important the chosen degree program was, especially during the height of the pandemic when misinformation, information censorship, and fake news were rampant. That's when he saw the relevance of his degree, so he stuck with it and eventually graduated, with flying colors!
“It was also during this time that I faced mental health challenges, which eventually helped shape my thesis topic about the information behavior of university students regarding mental health, which became my final requirement for the program,” he reiterated.
While studying, the challenge for him was the remote and online learning setup due to the pandemic. Although he understood that it was the alternative solution at the time, it negatively affected his mental health, compounded by frequent power interruptions in their provincial area.
“This took a toll on my mental health, leading to incomplete grades and eventually delaying my graduation. There’s no shame in that, though, as I learned that delays can be part of college life and life,” he said.
Eventually, Estepa overcame his studies despite experiencing self-doubts and pressure. He then faced the challenge of reviewing for the board exam. He made sure to organize his study schedule meticulously.
“I only began seriously reviewing for the exam the day I got my notice of admission, which meant I only had about more or less 3 weeks to study, so I planned every single day leading up to the exam.”
“I strategically organized my study days– some when I would study for 12 hours (with breaks in between of course), days for doing chores and errands, and, of course, days of rest or mental health breaks– in which I would spend time alone with myself or, sometimes, with my friends not thinking about anything related to the exam."
“I believe that it’s important to develop your own study habits, and for me, this system or schedule worked well. Another tip is to take as many mock exams as possible to identify which subjects or topics you need to focus more on,” he reiterated.
One of the challenges he faced during the review was the application process, as he encountered multiple issues while processing and getting his requirements for the board exam. But the biggest challenge for him was self-doubt and the pressure.
“Thankfully, the support from people at SLIS, including Dean Rhea and Sir Eli, helped me overcome these doubts. They reminded me to trust in myself and in what I had learned and prepared for,” he said.
He and those close to him were overjoyed when the board exam results were released on the same day they took it. For now, Estepa is taking a break and gathering momentum before starting to look for a job.
“For now, I want to rest a bit, maybe travel, go out with family and friends, catch up on TV shows I’ve missed, and read books I’ve bought but haven’t had time to read because I was busy finishing college and reviewing for the board exam. As for my career plans, I’ve decided to start looking for librarian jobs early next year after my break,” he said.
Message for all aspiring librarians like him, “A little bit of pressure and self-doubt can actually help push you to do better. But don’t be too hard on yourself. As my mentors told me, trust in yourself, your preparation, and everything you’ve learned. Be kind to yourself, do your best, and God will do the rest.”
Congratulations, Mark Lester!
— Noel Ed Richards, The Summit Express
