Discipline Over Doubt: How Engr. Godfrey Q. Correa Became CELE Top 1 last November 2024
Who would have thought that a simple guy who loves video games, billiards, and fishing would one day become the Top 1 in the November 2023 Civil Engineers Licensure Examination? Engr. Godfrey Q. Correa, a proud graduate of Palawan State University, didn’t have a perfect academic journey. During the pandemic years, he struggled to study — but everything changed when Francis Luz (Top 1, May 2015 CELE) encouraged him to join advance reviews at a Review Center. It opened his eyes to the many lessons he had yet to learn and sparked his determination to aim high.
Engr. Godfrey Q. Correa
Top 1 November 2023 Civil Engineer Licensure Exam
Palawan State University
Instructor 1, Palawan State University
Who would have thought that a simple guy who loves video games, billiards, and fishing would one day become the Top 1 in the November 2023 Civil Engineers Licensure Examination?
Engr. Godfrey Q. Correa, a proud graduate of Palawan State University, didn’t have a perfect academic journey. During the pandemic years, he struggled to study — but everything changed when Francis Luz (Top 1, May 2015 CELE) encouraged him to join advance reviews at a Review Center. It opened his eyes to the many lessons he had yet to learn and sparked his determination to aim high.
Personal Journey
1.Can you tell us a little about yourself and where you studied?
Ako ay isang simpleng tao na hilig ay maglaro ng video games, magbilyar, at fishing. Nagtapos ako ng kolehiyo sa Palawan State University.
2.When did you start preparing for the board exams?
Noong January 2023, last semester bago ako grumaduate ang nagsimula na akong magreview para sa board exam since kailangan din naming pumasa sa Correl. Inimbitahan ako ni Engr. Francis Luz (Top 1 of May 2015 CELE) na mag advance review noon sa isang Review Center dito sa Palawan dahil nasabi niya na may potential daw ako. Malaki ang naitulong sa akin dahil marami-raming topic ang bago ko lang natutunan since noong pandemic (I was in 2nd year to 4th year) ay hindi ako nakapag-aral nang maayos.
3.What motivated you to pursue civil engineering and to aim for the top?
My father forced me to take Civil Engineering since he is a Civil Engineer. Ang 1st choice ko Talaga noon ay kunin ang BS Mathematics sa UP Diliman ngunit nais niya talaga na sumunod ako sa kanyang yapak.
Study Habits and Strategies
1.How did you structure your review (daily routine, schedule, or approach)?
Noong matapos ang aming graduation, July 2023, nagpaManila kami ng mga tropa ko at doon nagreview para sa Nov 2023 CELE. Sabi ko noon sa sarili ko na gusto ko ng I-aim ang pagtop sa Board Exam. Ang baon ko lamang noon ay Mathematics dahil pagdating sa HPGE at PSAD ay marami-rami akong hindi pa alam. Sinabihan din ako ng mga mentor ko noon na kung aim ko Talaga magtop, by next year (April 2024) na lang daw ako magtake para mas Maganda ang preparation. Ngunit, sinabi ng aking mother na nandoon na rin ako at itake na lang kahit anong maging resulta.
Ang naging routine ko noong Review days ay pumasok sa lecture, makinig. Then kapag walang lecture, sagot ng CE Ref. Maaga ako natutulog, 10pm pa lang ay nakahiga na at nagigising mga 7am. Kapag wala ako sa mood magreview, hindi ko pinipilit ang sarili ko kaya ginagawa ko ay maglaro ng bilyar. Noong Refresher naman, ang naging routine ko magsasagot na lang ng module then ichecheck ang sagot based doon sa discussion. Nakaka 200-400 problems a day ako noon kaya masasabi ko na Maganda Talaga ang naging preparation ko. Bandang September noon, 2 months before board exam ay naramdaman ko na kaya kongi top ang boards dahil sa mga evaluation exams ay nagagawa kong magtop.
2.What review materials or techniques worked best for you?
Review Materials from review centers and CE Ref.
3.How did you handle subjects or topics you found difficult?
Ang nifocusan ko Talaga noong review is HPGE at PSAD dahil maliban sa kalakasan ko na ang Mathematics ay napakaraming topic ang hindi naituro sa amin noong undergrad pa ako.
Mindset and Challenges
1.What were the biggest challenges you faced during your review journey?
Ang pinakamatinding challenge Talaga is yong health. Ilang beses ako nagkasakit noon. Bandang August halos 4 days akong kain at higa lang ang ginagawa Talaga hindi kaya ng katawan ko ang magreview. Madalas ding sumasakit ang aking tiyan dahil nga siguro sa pagkain at tubig sa Manila.
2.How did you stay motivated and focused despite burnout, pressure, or self-doubt?
Ang iniisip ko na lamang dito ay marami akong pangarap sa buhay. Na kapag nagawa kong pumasa or mag Top, ay magiging maginhawa ang buhay ko. Lalo na noong nagrereview ako sa Manila ay ako ang gumagastos sa sarili ko noon. Lahat ng ipon ko, since noong pandemic ay may online job ako, ay yon ang ginamit ko sa 5 months na review sa Manila.
Advice to Future Takers
1.What are your top 3 review tips for future board exam takers?
Number 1 talaga isa disiplina. Kahit anong talino mo kung wala kang disiplina sa review, wala rin. Number 2, balance lang. Balance na kung saan hindi ka mabuburnout dapat may araw na kung saan makakapagchillax ka at lalo na tuwing linggo ay magpapahinga at ilalaan ang oras sa Diyos. Number 3, kilalanin mo ang Examiner. Ito yong isa sa hindi ginagawa ng mga nag-iaim magtop sa Boards. Dapat kilalanin mo ang inyong examiner kung paano ba sila magpaexam para hindi na ganoon karami yong topic na need mo pang aralin.