From Pre-Med to Engineering Excellence: The Story of Engr. Jade Vanessa Ching

Choosing a career path is rarely a straight line, but few pivots are as bold as leaving the medical track for civil engineering.

For Engr. Jade Vanessa Ching, her academic journey began in a multidisciplinary BS Health Sciences pre-med program. She was on track to become a doctor, but an undeniable pull toward mathematics and structural problem-solving led her to make a life-changing decision: she transferred to DLSU’s accelerated BSMS Civil Engineering program.

That leap of faith culminated in an extraordinary milestone in the September 2026 Civil Engineers Licensure Examination (CELE), where she achieved an impressive score of 91.85%—falling just 0.1% short of the Top 10 cutoff, but earning a badge of absolute passion and mastery.

1. An Unconventional Path Driven by Calling

Since elementary school, Jade had always possessed an innate love for mathematics and analytical problem-solving, often being invited to advanced math classes. Even while pursuing health sciences, her inclination toward numbers never faded.

When she finally made the switch to civil engineering, the fit was immediate. Stepping into her first engineering classroom, she felt instantly at home. Despite being the first civil engineer in her family, studying the discipline felt, as she puts it, like "ecstasy."

Her academic run at DLSU-Manila was nothing short of stellar:

Graduated Magna Cum Laude with dual degrees (Bachelor's and Master's) completed simultaneously.
Awarded the Eduardo M. Cojuangco Jr. Excellence Award for Leadership and Research Innovation, the Jose Rizal Honors Award, and the Best Master’s Thesis Award.
Presented research at prestigious national and international conferences, including the 10th CECAR in Korea, the 7th ICCEA in Vietnam, and the 22nd ASEP International Convention.

2. A Strategic & Adaptive Mindset

For Jade, board exam preparation did not start on day one of review center classes—it began during her first year of college. By focusing on deep conceptual understanding early on, her formal review period became a systematic refinement of knowledge.

Her review strategy was rooted in adaptability and self-awareness:

Circadian Conditioning: To perform at her peak during exam hours, she aligned her sleep schedule strictly with the CELE schedule—waking up at 4:00 AM and sleeping at 8:30 PM.
Dynamic Study Methods: She didn't lock herself into one study habit. She used the Pomodoro Technique when struggling with focus, employed the Feynman Technique to break down difficult concepts into simple ideas, and shifted to continuous problem-solving when in the flow state.
Introspective Learning: As an analytical learner who liked digging deep, she trained herself to balance depth with breadth, tailoring her approach to match high-yield CELE trends.
Holistic Well-being: She kept burnout at bay by keeping variety in her routine—spending time with family, meeting friends, watching movies, singing, and playing badminton.

3. Finding Beauty Beyond the Margins

When the results came out, seeing a 91.85% average brought an initial sting—she was only 0.1% away from a topnotcher spot. But after sitting with the outcome, she saw the bigger picture.

It was painful at first, but I eventually learned to appreciate the beauty of my journey. I had finally pursued the field I had long dreamed of; my high board rating reaffirmed that decision." — Engr. Jade Vanessa Ching

Her 91.85% rating was not just a passing score; it was a testament to following her true calling and executing it with excellence.

4. Advice for Future Board Exam Takers

Engr. Jade offers three core insights for future examinees:

Build a Strong Foundation Early: Deeply understand concepts during college; a solid base makes board review far more manageable.
Adapt Your Study Methods: No single technique works all the time. Recognize when you need active recall, continuous problem-solving, or rest.
Study Strategically: Identify your weaknesses, focus on high-yield topics, and learn when to balance conceptual depth with exam breadth.

Final Words of Inspiration

Have the courage to pursue what genuinely inspires you. Your path may not always be straightforward, but when you find fulfillment in what you do, the challenges become part of the journey rather than reasons to give up." — Engr. Jade Vanessa Ching, BSMS Civil Engineering (DLSU-Manila)