Christine Joy De Leon from Guiguinto, Bulacan placed fifth in the Medical Technologist Licensure Examination conducted by the Professional Regulation Commission last September 2018.
A member of the Guiguinto Ward (Congregation) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Christine credited her academic success to prayer and scripture study.
| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
“Personally, studying in advance for my subjects really works… Reading the Book of Mormon also helps, and of course prayer before studying. Especially if there are subjects you are struggling with,” said Christine in Tagalog.
In addition, Christine, who graduated as Magna Cum Laude at the Far Eastern University-Manila Campus, attributed the Personal Progress program of the Young Women Organization of the Church to her success. She shared that the things she learned while in the program helped her progress not only spiritually but temporally as well.
Parental support also contributed to the academic success that Christine has achieved. “Di nila ako pinipressure kahit kelan. Never ko narinig sa kanila na ‘Tin, dapat mag Cum Laude ka; Tin, dapat mag top ka’ never. Sabi nila sakin…’gawin mo kung ano lang kaya mo’.” [They never pressured me. I never heard them say ‘Tin you should (graduate) Cum Laude; Tin, you should be the best in your class’. They told me… ‘just do what you can’.]
Just like any other student, Christine also had her fair share of challenges and disappointments before attaining this honor. One of them, she shared, was that she wanted to go to a reputable state university but didn’t. Nevertheless, she remained patient and trusted God in His plans. Eventually, she passed and was admitted into FEU. Not only that, she was granted a full scholarship.
She shared that growing up as a member of the Church taught her to be patient and faithful even in the midst of trials and challenges because God has a better timetable for His children.
To the youth who are striving to reach their academic goals, Christine recommends reading the scriptures and other Church-published magazines like the Liahona before studying. It also helps to listen to Church music, especially when commuting to school or home.
More importantly, Christine encourages the youth to take advantage of the Seminary and Institute programs of the Church as these will not only help them learn about Jesus Christ but also build effective study habits.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches the importance of secular and spiritual education, encouraging members to view education as an individual responsibility and pursue learning for their spiritual, mental, physical, emotional and economic benefit.
Just like how Christine puts it, “Yung Church natin di lang siya for spiritual progress pati rin dito sa temporal, like tinuturuan tayong maging self-reliant...” [Our Church is not just for spiritual progress but also for temporal. It teaches us how to be self-reliant.]