In spite of the many advantages that the internet and laptop bring to students, there are still some who find themselves at a disadvantage. This was the case for Jayshey, a mechanical engineering student who didn’t have access to an internet connection or a laptop while he was studying for his board exams. Despite this, he still managed to be a topnotcher on the exam. John is proof that with enough determination and hard work, anyone can succeed.
Internet and laptop are a few of the things necessary for learning nowadays.
However, not every student has access to technology due to the social status of their families.
Engr. Jayshey W. Baguidudol knows exactly what it feels like to have no adequate access to devices and an internet connection.
He himself struggled when he was taking up a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.
Nevertheless, he was able to graduate and even reached the Top 3 in the August 2021 Mechanical Engineering licensure exam with a rating of 89.7%.
In his interview with GineersNow, he shared what happened behind the scenes of his success.
Summary Highlights
- Course: Mechanical Engineering
- Rank: Top 3
- Score: 89.7%
- School: Saint Louis University
- Review Center: Prime Review Center
- Challenges: no access to laptop and internet connection, difficulty in chemistry, shifted to mechanical engineering
Deciding His Course
When he was about to enter college, Jayshey’s focus was not on what type of engineering course he will take but on the DOST-SEI scholarship.
His first priority was to be one of the DOST scholars, as he knew it would greatly help his studies.
Fortunately, he secured a spot on the list of passers.
The only thing that’s left for him to do is to choose a college course.
However, it took him a long time to decide what engineering course to take, solely because he initially didn’t have a specific career path.
All he wanted was to finish his studies to help his family.
The enrollment day eventually came, and Jayshey still had no particular engineering course in mind.
As a result, he just picked the first course on the list, which was Chemical Engineering.
But then, he ended up shifting to Mechanical Engineering at the same school, Saint Louis University in Baguio.
Shifting Courses
During his time as a Chemical Engineering student, Jayshey didn’t enjoy learning every subject.
While he liked mathematics-related subjects, he was not very fond of subjects that involved writing essays.
Additionally, he admitted to having a hard time learning chemistry.
In fact, he had his first 70+ grade in the first semester in the subject Chemistry 1.
He then decided to prepare hard for the upcoming chemistry subjects.
However, he eventually realized that he still wasn’t doing well in Chemistry simply because he had difficulties understanding electron bonds, memorizing the periodic table, and the like.
So he needed to be honest with himself that chemistry-related subjects weren’t for him.
In the end, he shifted to Mechanical Engineering.
And things seemed to have gone pretty well for him, except for the part where he needed to use a laptop and have an internet connection.
Jayshey didn’t have access to both, significantly hindering his studies.
Still, he was able to manage his situation until he successfully graduated in May 2020.
Adjustments
To prepare for the 2021 Mechanical Engineering Board Exam, Jayshey enrolled in a review center to obtain the latest materials and lectures, as well as to have proper guidance throughout his review.
Also, he decided to rent a room in the city to have stable access to the internet, which was required for his online review.
Being away from home was a bit of an adjustment for him as it was the first time he had to be far from his family for a long period.
Another adjustment he had while reviewing was not the lessons but the duration.
He was not mentally prepared for such a long study session.
He didn’t have enough practice and was unable to develop a good habit of reviewing during college, and this made him feel regretful.
But that’s not all that he went through while preparing for the board exam.
The multiple postponements of the examination were another thing he had to endure.
Having an uncertain exam date made Jayshey lose motivation.
To overcome it, he kept reminding himself that he had nothing to lose if he continued reviewing and just ignored the possibility of the board exam being suspended once more.
After several suspensions, the final schedule of the exam was set for August 2021.
Feeling Confident
On his way to the exam room, Jayshey felt confident as he knew he did his best during the review.
But after seeing the questions, he found the board exam difficult.
Among the subjects, his worry was the last one since there were a lot of objective questions that required no solution, and that’s the topic to which he paid the least attention while reviewing.
But no matter what the outcome is, he thinks that he won’t have any regrets.
Best Birthday Gift
After the board exam, being one of the topnotchers never crossed his mind.
But he was certain that if he achieved a good score in the last subject, he would get a passing rate.
Two weeks passed before the results came out.
Jayshey and his family were in the middle of celebrating his father’s birthday when his friend messaged him that he had made it to the list of passers.
Out of joy, he hugged his mother, who was already in tears at that time, as well as his father, who told him that it was the best birthday gift he could give.
It was a priceless moment for him and his family.
My Student Life
1. Why did you choose this course? Who or what was your inspiration?
Engineering was not my priority course before college, but passing the DOST-SEI scholarship was the deciding factor, knowing that it would greatly help my studies.
Before that, I didn’t have any specific career path that I wanted.
All I want is to finish my studies to have better opportunities to help my family.
It took me a long time to decide what engineering course to take, and still undecided until enrollment day.
So, I did pick the first course on the list, which was Chemical engineering, then eventually, I shifted to Mechanical engineering.
2. What are your favorite subjects in your entire engineering study? How about least liked subjects?
I always like mathematics-related subjects because of their endless real-life applications.
I like how you can come up with different solutions to a single problem and develop logical reasoning and problem-solving ability.
Meanwhile, the subjects that require writing essays are my least favorite.
3. Have you had any subject failures or disappointing academic performance? What did you do about it?
I had my first 70+ grade in my first semester, which was Chemistry 1, so I tried to prepare better for the upcoming chemistry subjects.
Still, I realized that I’m not doing well merely because I can’t appreciate learning about electron bonds, memorizing the periodic table, and the like.
I need to be honest that I can’t do chemistry-related subjects for the next five years, so I decided to shift to mechanical from chemical engineering.
4. What were your greatest struggles while in college?
As much as possible, I tried to separate my personal problems from school, but having no access to an internet connection and a laptop was a bit of a struggle but manageable.
My DOST scholarship was a big help financially, so I just need to focus on my studies.
5. Any topnotcher study tips or tricks that you think others should emulate from you?
During the review, I prefer scanning all my notes and then rewriting them every morning for me to familiarize all topics before starting a new lecture.
It helps because it’s easier to retain the topics without memorizing them.
I don’t have any specific study techniques; mine was plain and simple—to learn, write, and read what I wrote and then repeat.
Days will come when you feel tired and lazy and start doubting yourself.
Just remember how far you’ve come and contemplate the reasons why you started this journey.
6. What is the best engineering school advice that you can give to other students?
During college, I was one of those students who didn’t bring anything (just my calculator) in going to my class and barely took notes.
The idea is as long as I reach the maintaining grade for my scholarship, I’m good.
Ang sabi nga “Saan mo gagamitin ang sobrang grades?.”
A practice that I later regretted doing because when the review for the boards came, I had a hard time adjusting.
I was not mentally prepared for such a long study session because I did not have that good practice and didn’t develop good habits.
As early as now, it would be best if you built a good foundation for yourself and never settle for less when you can do better.
Also, enjoy college and surround yourself with good people, those friends who encourage you to do better, yung tatawagin ka hindi lang sa inuman pero pati sa pagrereview.
Lastly, remember that you may not be the best, but you should always do your best.
What you need is consistency, consistency in complying with school work, expanding your knowledge, and recognizing that there is more that you’re capable of.
Board Exam Experience
1. What were the greatest struggles that you experienced while preparing for the board exam? What did you do to overcome them?
I rented a room in our city to have stable access to the internet while having our online review, and that was the first time I was away from home for that long.
That was a bit of an adjustment.
The multiple suspension of the boards was also a struggle.
The uncertainty of the boards leads to low morale.
I kept reminding myself that I had nothing to lose when I continued to review and ignored the possibility of it being suspended again.
2. Did you enroll in a center for your review? Do you recommend doing so? Which one did you go to?
I did enroll in Prime Review Center for my review.
I recommend having one when taking the board exam because review centers give the latest materials and lectures and will guide you throughout the study, but it will be worthless if you don’t put the effort.
3. How did you find the board exam? Easy, average, or difficult?
The board exam is difficult but going to the exam, I am confident that I did my best during the review, and there will be no regrets regardless of the outcome.
4. What were your expectations after you took the board exam and before the results were out? Did you have a feeling that you would be at the top?
Being at the top never crossed my mind when I took the board exam.
After the exam, my exact thoughts were, “If I pass the last subject (Design), I will pass the board exam.”
My worry was the last subject since there were a lot of objective questions that required no solution, and that’s the least I reviewed.
5. What did you do the first minute you discovered you topped the board exam?
The board exam result was released after two weeks, so I was not really thinking about it that day.
We were celebrating my father’s birthday that night when a friend messaged me that the results were out and that I had made it.
The first thing I did was hug my mother, who was already in tears, and my father, who told me that it was the best birthday gift I could give.
That was a priceless moment.
6. Who do you owe your success to?
I owe my success to my parents, who always supported me and provided everything I needed, even if we were not privileged financially.
I am not the person I am now if not because of them; they are my constant source of guidance.
My girlfriend. I can say that she is a silent force in my success.
The one who always encourages me to do my best and reminds me that I can make it on the days when I feel I can’t.
Finally, thanks to the challenging experiences.
If it had been easier, I don’t think I would have been working as hard as I have been.
7. What incentives did you get from your university and review center after the board exam?
After the board exam, I was given financial incentives from my university and the review center.
8. Share your most effective study habits.
For me, my most effective study habits are:
Scan notes
Scanning my notes and rewriting essential details, including formulas, every morning. I do this to quickly recall the lessons and lessen my efforts in memorizing information.
Solving 100 problems daily
I also solve a minimum of 100 problems every day to a point wherein I can instantly point out what solution to be used in a problem since some of them already look familiar. The idea is to be familiar with the formulas and knows when and how to use them because knowing the formula alone is not enough.
Power naps
When tired, I take power naps to reduce fatigue and feel energized. Study wisely, and apply study habits that you think and feel suit you and are best for you.
9. Give some important tips for future board exam takers who aim to become topnotchers.
Get organized
Be organized in your review area to have a place that is conducive to learning
Set your goals
Set realistic goals and stay engaged during lectures. It’s normal not to understand everything at once and trust the process
Stay healthy
You can’t afford to get sick while preparing for the board exam so you should keep a healthy lifestyle
Test yourself
Do it regularly to help you recognize the gaps in your learning and recall the things you learned in the past
Take a break
It’s okay to have a pause when you feel tired and refresh your mind
Family & Love Life
1. Describe your family, parents, siblings (and children if applicable).
My family consists of my father, mother, my little brother, and sister.
Beginning with my father, he is my inspiration.
He is responsible for our family’s well-being.
I think we are proof that “the fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree” by being so loving, caring, and grumpy sometimes.
My mother is a loving and caring mother, the first person I look for when going home.
I consider myself and my brother as childhood friends since we were almost the same age.
Since then, we have been like best friends who do things together.
Lastly, the only rose among the thorns is our little sister.
We always call her baby because her being the last child.
She is sweet and loving and always gives sunshine to our family.
2. Did your parents encourage you to study engineering?
No, they always try to ask me what I want first and then guide me on my decisions.
They never pressured me to do something and to be someone they wanted me to be.
They try to suggest things when they think it is better to do so.
I appreciate their support and guidance.
3. Are you in a relationship? or it’s complicated?
Yes, I am blessed to have a patient partner who is always there for me during challenging days.
I’m so thankful to have someone who reminds me of my goal and helps me achieve them.
The Future
1. Describe engineering in one word.
Innovation.
2. Why is engineering important in our society?
Engineering plays a big role in our society’s development, building a sustainable world and a better future through technological advancements and innovations.
3. Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
Ten years from now is quite a long journey, so I picture myself having a stable career—acquired relevant experiences, training, and seminars to master my job and already gained promotions for the progress of my career path.
By that time, I believe I have already fulfilled the dreams that I want to achieve for my family—my parents and siblings.
I also see myself slowly reaching the goals I set for myself and my future and being stable and prepared for married life.
