The National Festival of Talents 2024 was an extraordinary platform to put my skills to the test and showcase the elements of unity. Education and talent management constitute a competitive world, hence my being an SSLG officer was uniquely spectacular.
It was a week full of excitement, anxiety, pride, and prestige as I attended to my duty. I spent weeks preparing for it by attending rehearsal meetings and coordinating department meetings for the success of the activity.
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Through the course of NFOT 2024, I volunteered for the afternoon duty. The schedule suggested that a half-day would be sufficient, but there was also an option to stay for the full day. The first day was amazingly fun, especially because of newcomers from Davao region. They were a wonderful bunch, and helping them was a joy.
We started our day by checking all the restrooms to make sure they are clean and product is full. We arranged tables in front of the registration table and filled water in water bottles. After completing our work, we lay down for a while and went home having good wishes for days to come.
On the second day, we still stuck to the same routine, though the team became more friendly. The third day was one of the brightest, as the backyard was even messier than the salevage. We were truly exhausted by the end of the day, but the team playing made such work fun. When we were finished, we headed to Jollibee to eat something and have a break. The day was over, with all of us on their way home. This day was no different from all the others to some extent, except for the specific work, lunch, and play with friends.
The most remarkable event from the NFOT 2024 opening evening is the heavy rain. It is not an ordinary event but a core one because I have not been completely wet for a long time. We spent time at the ice cream shop, playing jigsaw, then unexpectedly saw the fireworks which were due to take place in the evening. Besides, our friend took part in the opening program, so we met him and once again realized that the world is small.
Sorting out the programs was daunting, and the duty had no specific time or task, only my attendance to the committee and the daily administration address. It involved coordination of the daily programs such as presentations, competitions, meals, and performances. I drastically learnt to organize events and skills to transfer and communicate information to the team effectively. The platform developed a sense of whole management part of which included discipline, seriousness, and alertness. It indeed enhanced my administrative abilities with practical experiences fostered for managing future activities.
Being a part of NFOT 2024 has taught me numerous life lessons, which will, perhaps, stay with me throughout my entire life. Notably, over the week, I learned that flexibility, teamwork, and dedication are the cornerstones of every success. The ability to switch between tasks, namely, helping the invited guests and cleaning up the room, taught me that it is important to make sure that you are prepared for any changes, no matter how sudden.
Along with my fellow peers, I realized that teamwork is an essential element for achieving success in a team. We had to work together, support one another, share responsibilities, and celebrate the results of our work together. The feeling of unity and camaraderie inside our team promoted the idea that collaboration is important to achieve success. As a student leader, I learned that working together could allow us to achieve common goals. In particular, I realized that it is important to create a friendly environment and to take into account specifics and individualities of every member of the team.
During the work, I was able to realize that we could accomplish nearly everything on condition that we did everything with caution and confidence, overcame challenges while trying not to give up. Additionally, the work allowed me to understand that difficulties would emerge regardless of the way we act. Thus, everything we need is to cope with all challenges and derive benefits from these achievements. I can also say that we were able to manage our physical exhaustion and many unexpected instances.
Additionally, the lunchtime was the moment of relaxation and informal communication with friends that served as a reminder to me: I should not forget to take breaks and build relationships with people around me. As a student leader, I may become overwhelmed with tasks and responsibilities; however, social interaction and relaxation nurturing my physical and psychological state play a considerable role in work-life balance.
The first evening of NFOT 2024, rainy and full of surprises, has taught me the crucial value of not being discouraged by spontaneity and finding fun in the times of uncertainty. Playing jigsaw games in an ice cream shop, firework in the face, and meeting with a friend again only reminder of how much joy we are missing living in the moments and enjoying the simple things.
When I take a look at my experience of NFOT 2024, I’m glad for what I learned and what I’ve remembered. It’s fair to say that not only my leadership skills but also my personal development have undoubtedly developed. The event took place on the reminder that no matter how hard or pleasant each experience is, it’s still part of our growth in our lives, forming us who we are appropriate to be in.
In conclusion, NFOT 2024 has been a transformative experience that had a profound impact on me as a student leader. This week was full of valuable lessons and connections, which are hard to underestimate for my leadership path. As I keep on balancing responsibilities and opportunities that come with being a student leader, the lessons will be embedded in my heart to remind me how much I can achieve. The ability to share with the variety of experiences as the strength of the is my continuous learning and growing.