I’m a student. I’m a teacher. I’m a writer. I’m a daughter. I wear a lot of hats in a day but perhaps the one that surprises people the most is this: I teach English online every night after school.
People often ask, “How do you do it? Doesn’t it get exhausting?”
And the truth is, yes it does. But it also gives me a kind of fulfillment I can’t find anywhere else. Let me tell you what a typical day in my life looks like.
In The Morning
Once I arrive at school, everything moves fast—class after class, group works, quizzes, deadlines. It’s easy to get overwhelmed. But I try to stay focused. I remind myself that this is part of my bigger dream. I may not be in law school right now, but every lesson I learn, every skill I improve, brings me closer to it.
During free time or breaks I eat together with my siblings. While others scroll through TikTok or nap on their desks, I often sneak in a little time to prepare for my ESL classes later. I check my student notes, lesson plans, or sometimes even review a video I recorded to see what I can improve.
In The Afternoon (after I got home)
By the time I get home, I’m already feeling a bit tired but there’s no time to rest too long. After washing up and eating a late lunch (or early dinner), I switch gears. The classroom setup begins.😅 I tidy up my background, make sure the internet connection is stable, adjust my headset, and open my lesson materials.
I don’t just "log in and teach." Each student I handle is different—different personalities, different learning styles, different English levels. Some days I teach a beginner who struggles with phonics, other times it’s a confident teenager who struggled in grammar a bit. I have to be flexible, creative, and most of all, patient.
And yes, sometimes I feel sleepy even before the first class begins but the moment I started my class, I know it’s go time. My first class usually starts around 7:00 PM, and from there, it’s a three-class sprint until around 9:30 or 10:00 PM. Each session is about 40 minutes, but I give my all within those few minutes.
After my last class, I close my laptop, take a deep breath, and finally rest. My shoulders are a bit sore and my eyes are tired.
This is usually my quiet time. I pause, reflect on the day, and pray. I thank Jehovah God for giving me the strength to balance everything. I also ask for guidance—for tomorrow, and for the bigger dreams I still hold in my heart. I may not be able to afford law school yet, but I’m not giving up. I’m building my foundation. Step by step, day by day. (But I also love teaching 😁)
Sometimes, I write in my journal or blog—just like this. It helps me process the whirlwind of emotions and keep track of how far I’ve come. Other times, I simply lie in bed and let the silence lull me to sleep.
What I've Learned
Being a student and an ESL teacher at the same time has taught me more than just time management or communication skills. It taught me compassion. It taught me discipline. It taught me that even if you don’t have everything figured out yet, you can still move forward with purpose.
I’m not perfect. I still get overwhelmed, I still make mistakes. But every night, when I see my students smile, when I help them say a new word correctly, or when they tell me they had fun—I know I’m doing something that matters.
If you're in a season of life where you’re juggling multiple roles, just like I am, please know this: it’s okay to feel tired, but don’t forget why you started. Don’t forget who you’re doing it for. And never forget that God sees all your efforts—even the ones no one claps for.
This is my journey. Not always easy, but always worth it.
