The story behind a BUTC alumna who clinched

After finishing with a 100% passing rate in the September 2022 Social Work licensure examination and having claimed the Top 1 Performing school across the country, Bicol University Tabaco Campus (BUTC) has once again proven its prowess as a key player in board exams.

Not only that 129 newlylicensed Social Workers were produced by the university, but most importantly, a topnotcher was produced, who finished in the 9th Place of the exams with a remarkable 86.40% grade.

The ‘Placer Friend’

She is Jonna Mae B. Bogñalbal, 22, from barangay San Ramon, Tabaco City. She graduated top of her peers with a Magna Cum Laude Latin award. Despite the pressure she felt, Jonna Mae shared in an interview that her professors and friends were already manifesting her placement in the top 10 of the exams, which gave her motivation to aim higher.

“My friends sometimes call me as their ‘Placer Friend’ even prior the exams. Sometimes I just shrug it off and tell them that my only goal was to pass the board exam but at the end of the day, I could not deny the fact that I am also affected by the expectations of the people around me.”

According to her, one’s ability to top the boards will rely on the amount of hard work and dedication they put in preparation since college.

“I can say that my efforts to excel academically during my four years in college helped a lot to top the board exam because it was easier for me to recall concepts and theories related to the social work profession, given that I have already studied them way back in college.”

She also mentioned that she doesn’t memorize concepts based on how it is defined in the book but her thorough understanding of it and its applications has helped her tackle challenging questions in the boards. Additionally, she also invested in reading and review materials from different authors and sources to further her knowledge.

“Time management and discipline were also crucial in my journey. I was enrolled in an enhancement class organized by BUCSSP Social Work Department. It was almost a month-long review; it was draining since I have to attend to the daily review sessions. But when I went home, I still made sure to read more materials so that I can cover all the areas for the examination.”