Board exams establish a kind of fear and frenzy among new graduates. As a crucial point in deciding one’s future, thousands of examinees push themselves to the limit in preparation for that fateful day. Others try even harder in order to climb atop the heap. It was the same story for two Thomasians who, after many sleepless review sessions and caffeine-laced study groups, bested the rest of hopefuls, ranking number one in their respective licensure exams. Physical therapist Katherine Uy and Architect John Patrick Buensalido share with the Varsitarian their recipe for success.
Prepping up
Katherine did not take the board exams right after her graduation last year. Problems with her birth certificate left her no choice but to take it last February. Being left behind by her batch mates disheartened her but constant encouragement from family and friends kept her going.
She started to review only in November and panic somehow drove her to realize that she had to double her study efforts. “Nung undergraduate pa lang ako, I just studied to pass exams. But now it was different because I had more time. I really studied to learn, and when you study to learn, you do learn a lot more.”
John, on the other hand, immediately readied himself for the exams after graduating in 2003. Since he was already working for Archion Architects during his first month of review, John would go to work an hour earlier than everybody else so he could leave early and rush to the review center near UST. The stress eventually made him decide to take a leave from work to focus on his review. Shortly after, he stayed in a condominium unit to form a study group with three other block mates.
“Aral lang kami nang aral noon. There was even a point where we put our notes on Manila paper and used them as wallpapers para pagkagising namin we have no other choice but to study,” he said.
With their exams approaching, both Katherine and John found ways to get all things done and ease out the jitters. Katherine did last minute reviewing then finally settled for a long-needed sleep while John, three days prior the big day, treated himself to a nice massage. “I think that’s the trick: prepare way ahead then relax,” he said.
Savoring triumph
If there is a more nerve-wracking experience than taking the exams, it is waiting for the inevitable. With prayers said and tests done, there’s no other thing to do but wait for the results. For both Katherine and John, the outcome was surely unexpected.
As student achievers, (Katherine was a straight-A student while John won the Nayong Pilipino Master Development Plan Competition in 2002), they hoped to land at the top but neither expected it to happen.
John was awakened by a phone call at 3 a.m. His friend announced that they both passed and that John, in fact, topped the exams. “Nung sinabi niya yun, napatayo talaga ako and I ran straight to my computer downstairs, tripping all the way,” he narrates. When he saw his name, he was very skeptical about it, but when it all sank in he was filled joy. “I banged on my parent’s door and they first thought somebody died, but when I started screaming ‘number one ako! number one ako!’ they became ecstatic too.”
Katherine rejoiced more because she found out the results on Chinese Christmas eve itself. “There was a get-together and my whole family was so festive but I was sulking kasi hindi pa lumalabas yung results,” she said. But when she received a phone call confirming that she passed with top marks, she was dumbfounded with happiness. “It was an unbelievable experience at tuwang-tuwa talaga ako,” she said.
Katherine was supposed to study Medical Technology in college but due to an uncle’s prodding, she took up Physical Therapy (PT) in the UST College of Rehabilitation Science instead. “Nung nag-internship ako, enjoy na enjoy ako. PT is very rewarding and in the internship ko nakita kung bakit ako nag-aral ng four difficult years—in order to help people,” she said. As for John, the sheer feeling of fulfillment is enough.
“What most people don’t understand is that architecture is a service to people. They say that if doctors could heal lives, architects can make a way of life for some. I was attracted to that kind of responsibility,” he said.
Now with more pressure on their backs, they handle things a bit more cautiously and have put things in better perspectives. Although Katherine has overcome her insecurities and regained self-confidence, she still feels a bit worried that she may not live up to people’s expectations. However, life after UST opened up a new world for her and she is too excited with all the possibilities so she promises to do her best.
“Everyone is capable of doing great things, even impossible things, as long as you believe in yourself. Just stay focused and have faith,” she said.
John admitted that he too, is scared but he loves the challenge and the surprise of tomorrow. He considers his achievements gifts from God, and he plans to repay it soon. The key to his victory? “Do not persist in your disbelief but believe in your persistence, love your work and work hard”. Glaiza Marie A. Seguia
