Placido Villanueva Abuan III, 23, of Baguio City, has achieved his dream of becoming a topnotcher in the April 2023 Criminology Licensure Examination (CLE).
A graduate of the University of the Cordilleras, Placido had been studying for the exam since his freshman year in college, and he even made sure to incorporate the Table of Specification from the Professional Regulation Commission in his studies.
"I was studying my subjects as if I were already reviewing for the boards," he said when asked if he aspired to be a topnotcher.
When the calendar of the board exam was moved from June 2023 to April, Placido was disappointed and pressured. He knew that he had to double his study hours if he wanted to pass. So, he started reading from morning to dawn, and he even gave up his social life.
But Placido's hard work paid off. He passed the CLE with a rating of 87.60%, and he was ranked 8th out of the 4,139 examinees who passed.
Placido's story is an inspiration to anyone who is aspiring to be a topnotcher. It shows that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible. He cited that one needs to set one's mind for the review and that one needs to follow a study plan or timeline.
"In short, you have to strategize," he said.
But Placido's story is also more than just a story about academic success. It is also a story about faith, family, and friendship.
Placido's faith in God gave him the strength to persevere through his long hours of studying. His family and friends were always there to support him, and they helped him to stay motivated.
"Topping the board exam was just the icing on the cake. My ultimate goal was to see them [loved ones] happy and proud of me. Then, of course, God. I always believed in His words to the point that I even have Bible verses as the source of my strength and will," he said.
Placido's story is a reminder that we are not alone in our journey to achieve our goals. We have the support of our loved ones, and we have the power of faith to help us through the tough times.
Here are some of the things that helped Placido achieve his goal:
- He had a plan. Placido created a study schedule and stuck to it. He knew that he had to be disciplined in order to succeed.
- He balanced diligence and rest. Placido knew that it was important to study hard, but he also knew that it was important to take breaks. He would take a few hours off each day to relax and recharge.
- He used the resources available to him. Placido took advantage of the resources available to him, such as his professors, the library, and online resources. He also joined a study group with other students who were also preparing for the exam. He also emphasized the importance of college notes and reading extensively.
- He never gave up. Placido faced many challenges along the way, but he never gave up on his dream. He kept working hard, and he eventually achieved his goal.
Placido who graduated from college in August 2022 now plans to take his Master's Degree before embarking on his next journey.
Placido's story is an inspiration to us all. It shows us that anything is possible if we set our minds to it. So, if you have a dream, don't give up on it. Keep working hard, and you will eventually achieve your goal.
