More Than a Passing Grade: Conquering the MIT Comprehensive Exam

Hello, mga ka-dev at kapwa freelancers!

We often talk about milestones in our freelance journey in terms of projects landed, income goals hit, or businesses registered. These are the victories we usually post about. But today, I want to share a different, more personal kind of win—one that involved countless late nights of reading, academic rigor, and a whole lot of brainpower.

A few days ago, I received the results of one of the biggest academic hurdles I’ve faced so far. And I’m incredibly happy and relieved to share that I officially PASSED my Comprehensive Examination for my Master in Information Technology program at First City Providential College.

Sa totoo lang, para akong nabunutan ng malaking tinik. Seeing the words "PASSED" across all three components—Foundation, Cognate, and Major Courses—was a moment of pure joy and validation.

Bakit Pa Nag-Master's Kahit Freelancer Na?

Marami sigurong magtatanong, "Bakit pa kailangang mag-aral ulit kung kumikita ka na bilang developer?" For me, the answer is simple: growth.

Freelancing has taught me practical, real-world skills. It’s a battlefield where you learn by doing, by solving actual client problems, and by building real products. But formal education, like a Master's degree, provides something equally valuable: the "why" behind the "how." It deepens your understanding of the foundational theories, the structures, and the high-level concepts that govern the technology we use every day.

This journey was about:

• Validating My Knowledge: It was a personal challenge to see if the skills and knowledge I've gained through years of practice could stand up to academic standards. Passing this exam, on the first take, was a huge confidence booster.


• Bridging Theory and Practice: Learning the academic side of things gives me a more solid foundation for the solutions I build. It allows me to offer clients not just code, but a more strategic, well-reasoned, and holistic approach to their problems.


• Commitment to Lifelong Learning: The world of technology changes in a blink of an eye. Ang pag-enroll sa Master's ay pangako ko sa sarili ko at sa mga kliyente ko na hinding-hindi ako titigil sa pag-aaral at pag-level up.

This wasn't just about getting a degree; it was about investing in the most important asset I have: my own knowledge and expertise. Juggling work, client deadlines, and studying for this exam was one of the toughest balancing acts I've had to do. Maraming puyat na hindi lang para sa code, kundi para sa mga libro at research papers.

Kaya sa lahat ng kapwa ko freelancers, I encourage you to find your own way to keep growing. It doesn’t have to be a Master's degree. It could be a certification, an online course, or a deep dive into a new technology. Ang mahalaga ay 'yung hindi tayo tumitigil matuto.

Every project we finish is a win. Every happy client is a win. And sometimes, passing a grueling exam is a win, too. Let's celebrate all of them.

On to the next and final challenge: the thesis!

Tuloy lang sa pag-build at pag-aaral.