Nang unang marinig ni Sitti Shaimah Arip Sahid ang kursong respiratory therapy, aniya, “I found the program interesting after doing my research.”
Magkokolehiyo na siya noon at wala pang naiisip kung ano ang kukuning course.
“Since I was still undecided, I thought, ‘Maybe I should give it a try since it seemed promising.’"
Nag-enroll si Sitti ng Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy sa Our Lady of Fatima University-Valenzuela Campus.
Nagtapos siya noong sa July 7, 2024 bilang cum laude.
Top 3 naman siya sa February 2025 Respiratory Therapists Licensure Examination.
Nakakuha siya ng rating na 92.50 percent.
Nakapanayam si Sitti ng PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) last March 7, 2025 via Facebook Messenger.
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Sitti Sahid's DREAM waS TO BECOME A PILOT
Ang dream talaga ni Sitti, 22, ng San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, ay maging isang pilot.
“When I was younger, during the time when all five of us were still studying, it was really difficult for my parents to support us.
“There were many challenges, especially financial ones since I did not come from a wealthy family.
“I was young, but I was aware of how tough life was.”
Sinunod niya ang payo ng kanyang eldest sister na isang registered nurse.
Kumuha siya ng respiratory therapy.
“All I knew was that I should pursue a career in the medical field, just like my three older sisters.”
Ang kanyang ate ay isang nurse, ang isa niyang sister ay pharmacist, ang isa pa ay medical technologist.
Kasalukuyang kumukuha ng respiratory therapy course ang bunso niyang kapatid na lalaki.
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COLLEGE LIFE IS TOUGH FOR SITTI SAHID
Problemang pinansiyal ang pangunahing problema ni Sitti nang magkolehiyo.
“As I mentioned earlier, I did not come from a wealthy family.
“When I started my first year in college during the 2020 pandemic, we had online classes. It was an advantage because it reduced expenses since I was just at home. No need for transportation or dormitory costs.”
Tatlo pa silang magkakapatid na nag-aaral kaya problema pa rin ng kanilang parents ang tuition fees and other expenses.
Pagsapit niya ng third year, lalong nahirapan si Sitti.
“I had to commute daily from Bulacan to Valenzuela. No words can express how exhausting it was.
“I often attended classes with only two to three hours of sleep because after arriving home, I still had to study.
“Most of the time, my commute became my rest or nap time.”
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Sitti Sahid: CONSISTENT DEAN’S LISTER AND SCHOLAR
Sa sipag at tiyaga ni Sitti sa pag-aaral, naging consistent dean's lister at scholar siya.
“It was a big financial help for us.
“However, being known by others as ‘smart’ put so much pressure on me. I knew how high expectations were.”
Hindi naman niya hinayaang mahatak siyang pababa ng nararamdamang pressure.
“To me, pressure is good because it keeps me going. I used it as motivation to do better and give my best every single time.”
Nang nag-fourth year college na siya at nagsimula ng hospital internship, nag-stay siya sa isang dorm sa Valenzuela.
“This was when I learned how to be more independent—how to properly budget my allowance, manage my time between duty and studying, and take care of myself while living alone and far from my parents.”
Muli na naman siyang humarap sa panibagong pagsubok.
“One of the most notable challenges for me and my family during my final year in college was when our father fell ill.
“It was incredibly difficult because I was far from home, staying in the dorm and could rarely go back to Bulacan.
“It was really hard in the beginning, but eventually, our family was able to adapt.”
Hanggang ngayon ay kinakaharap pa rin ng pamilya ni Sitti ang pagsubok na ito.
“I am proud of my father and my mother for staying strong all this time.”
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SITTI SAHID’S DILEMMA WHILE PREPARING FOR THE BOARD EXAM
Nang maghanda na si Sitti sa pagkuha ng board exam, pinakamalaking challenge sa kanya ang aniya’y “extremely high expectations from the people around me.”
Ang kanyang mga professors, classmates, friends, at iba pang taong nakapaligid sa kanya ay naniniwalang magiging topnotcher siya.
“Sometimes, I couldn’t help but ask: ‘Why are they so sure?’
“Let’s say I do have potential. But I’m certain that among the many board-exam takers, there are plenty who are just as capable and even smarter.
“We all studied and prepared for months for the board exam, and we’re all on the same level. So how can they confidently say I’ll be a topnotcher?”
Ang pinakamalaking takot niya noon ay ma-disappoint ang mga taong lantay ang paniniwala sa kakayahan niya.
“I had so many doubts about myself along the way. I’m my own number one hater. I often felt like I wasn’t ready to take the exam.
“Whenever I encountered a question I didn’t know the answer to or answered incorrectly, I would feel anxious and think maybe I wasn’t prepared enough or still had a lot more to study.”
Pero pinaalalahanan din niya ang sarili na: “No one is ever truly ready to take the board exam.
“You just have to do your best during the exam and trust in everything you’ve learned.
“Moreover, I prepared for two months for the boards and even enrolled in a review center, so I kept reminding myself that all my preparation should be enough.”
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SITTI SAHID TENDS TO BE A “CHILL” REVIEWER
Ang isa pang challenge para kay Sitti noong nagre-review siya ay nahihirapan siyang mag-focus.
“I wasn’t the type to follow a fixed schedule for reviewing. I used a freestyle approach, reading whatever I felt like on a given day.
“I often found myself on TikTok, YouTube, or playing Roblox instead of studying.
“However, I believe that being chill during the review actually contributed to my successful results. I didn’t force or strain myself.”
Humataw naman siya ng review last two weeks before the board exam.
“I started waking up early, studying all day, and training myself to answer 1,000 questions a day.
“Those last two weeks were the most crucial for me. I set the momentum and put myself in the game as the board exam approached.”
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SITTI SAHID's experiences during BOARD EXAMs
Unang araw pa lang ng board exam at unang subject pa lang, natuklasan ni Sitti na may kahirapan iyon.
“I already thought, ‘It seems like I won’t be able to be a topnotcher.’
“By the second day, during the last subject, I struggled the most and lost all hope of making it to the Top 10.
“They said it [last subject] was supposed to be easy, but for me, it was the hardest and took me the longest time to finish.
“Since it was the last subject, my overthinking got even worse because I kept thinking that my chances of becoming a topnotcher depended on that subject.”
Nang matapos ang exam, nagpunta si Sitti sa restroom para umiyak—dahil board exam is over at na-relieve na siya.
Tinanggap din niya sa sariling hindi siya magiging topnotcher.
“At that moment, my only prayer was to be able to wholeheartedly accept whatever the result of the board exam would be.”
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SITTI SAHID’S GOAL was TO BE A TOPNOTCHER
Aminado si Sitti na pangarap niyang maging topnotcher.
“I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t. It had been my goal ever since I was a student.
“Back in my first year of college, I would daydream about what it would be like to become a topnotcher.”
Kaya hindi siya makapaniwalang nangyari iyon sa reyalidad.
“When I saw my name on the list of topnotchers, I cried for 10 minutes straight because I felt so relieved. It felt like all the hard work had finally paid off.
“I knew how much I gave to top the boards, which is why I couldn’t help but be emotional after seeing the results.
“All the missed gala, the constant self-doubt, and the sleepless nights, it all paid off in the end.”
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TAGUMPAY INIALAY RIN SA KANYANG YOUNGER SELF
Inialay ni Sitti ang tagumpay sa kanyang parents, mga kapatid, closest friends, at iba pang mahal sa buhay.
Nagpaabot din siya ng pagbati sa iba pang kasabay niyang nakapasa sa kanilang board exam.
Labis din ang kanyang pasasalamat sa kanyang mga propesor, at sa mga lecturers ng TopRank Review Academy.
Higit sa lahat, inihandog niya ang tagumpay sa kanyang younger self: “Who believed in endless possibilities.
“The teenager who stayed up late chasing goals, and the young adult who faced doubts but pushed through anyway.”
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SITTI SAHID’S FUTURE PLANS
Sa kasalukuyan ay hindi pa nagtatrabaho si Sitti.
Dugtong ng dalaga, “However, in the coming months, I plan to work in a clinical setting as a respiratory therapist.
“I aspire to be part of a medical team treating patients while enriching my knowledge and skills in the field of respiratory care through hands-on clinical practice.”
Plano rin niyang mag-join sa academe.
“Whether as a college professor or as a lecturer in review centers.
“I aim to share my knowledge with students and inspire them to become the best versions of themselves.
“By imparting what I have learned in the past, I hope to help shape and guide aspiring respiratory therapists."
Hinihikayat naman ni Sitti ang mga kabataang estudyante ng kumuha ng kursong respiratory therapy.
“It is more than just a program; it is a calling to serve, heal, and contribute to a healthier future.
“The challenges are immense, but the fulfillment of knowing you’ve touched lives makes every sacrifice worthwhile.”