How to Survive Law School in 4 Years…
Aside from the laws and doctrines laid down by the Supreme Court which I learned in my almost 3-month stay in law school, there are other things that I learned which are not really related to law school but more to life in general. And I will try to inculcate these in my head because they’ll surely help me get through the zigzagging, thorny, bumpy roads and terrains of life.
Be more humble than you already are. If you’re not in possession of such value, learn to acquire it…because without it, the rate of your chance to survive and succeed in law school (and in life too) would be very minimal. Being too proud, arrogant and ambitious will certainly pave the way for your downfall. You’ll certainly find yourself pitted against the ground, your face buried in mud.
Do your best…and then leave the rest to God. This is another thing I’ve learned in law school. I’ve learned not to have any gargantuan expectations from myself because it would only lead to disappointment and discouragement. Law school is certainly different from high school and college. So for the past few months, I just study and read as much as I can…and whatever recitation or exam grade I get…I accept it…and yeah, I try to be satisfied and contented with it. I’m trying to be less grade-conscious (though it’s kinda hard sometimes, hahaha!). But yeah, it helps a lot not to expect so much from yourself in law school. Some senior students even say that failing a subject is a normal thing in law school…but as much as possible, I’ll try to prevent that from happening…with God’s help, of course.
Time is gold…no, more valuable than gold. Yeah, law school has sort of reminded me of that trite, hackneyed, cliche adage which I learned in my pre-elementary years. Law school has taught me the value of time…that it should be spent wisely…every minisecond of it matters…so much difference can be made in a matter of seconds. Law school has made me shed off "procrastinating clutters" that have been clinging on to me for a long, long time now! Hahaha! My Mom can attest to that! Back in high school, I would really cram for an exam…even in college…yeah, there were instances that I would do a last- minute review for a major exam. But it seemed to have worked for me though…haha, don’t know how or why. However, I can’t certainly do that anymore in law school. I’ll find myself in a lot of trouble. It’s a big no-no.
The value of friendship. Law school surely eats up a lot of my time…it has made me so busy since the school year started. But I don’t forward it as an alibi to forget my friends, especially those that I left behind in FEU. As much as possible, I try to keep my friendship with all my TRUE and GENUINE friends intact, solid…actually, law school has become a determinant factor for me to see who my real, true friends are…and yeah, now I know who they are. 
Patience. Law school has taught me how to be more patient. There are times that I just want to explode and shout at someone who irritates me…but then I think *karma*. I just close my eyes, whisper a prayer and try to suppress whatever evil thoughts are crowding my mind. Good things come to those who are patient, is it not?
Faith in Allah. I’m not saying that law school has turned me into a sanctimonious person or anything of that sort. But it has certainly strengthened my faith in Allah…like when the professor shuffles the index cards I always pray vehemently that I don’t get called! Hahaha! Kidding. I always pray for His permission to let things happen as I want them to. Everything depends on Him…everything lies in His hands. And I try to thank Him for all that. Alhamdullillah.
I have a long, long way to go. And I’m sure that in my journey, I’ll pick up bits of lessons in life that will add up to those aforementioned.
What’s new wit me? Nothing much, still ranting and raving!
I was late for 30 minutes for my Criminal law class. Gosh, it’s quite embarrassing especially that my professor is an RTC judge! Good thing he’s not so-so strict. Hehehe. I wasn’t able to get up early…I woke up at 7…my class is at 8 and I live worlds away from UST…*shoot I’m late!* that’s one of the things I’ve always dreaded. I took a quick shower and left. Still, I didn’t make it on time. Anyway, I’ll be off to the library to study.
I got the results of my prelim exams and I can’t thank Allah enough. I’m happy with the results and certainly I’ll try to be better this finals.
We have the bar ops coming next Saturday…I’m trying to imagine myself…like being one of those to take the bar exams…gosh, I think I might lost my sanity! That’s too much pressure, too much stress. Don’t know if I can handle such.
Well, it would be a privilege to be allowed to take the bar exams. I’ll work hard for that…and pray for it too for nothing’s possible without His permission.
It’s been four scores and seven years ago…since my last post…
"I am wounded, perhaps burnt by embolismic expectations from my family, friends and other relationships. Perhaps I am tired of trying to be the best. But when I come to think that I want to be a lawyer…it eliminates my frustrations…"
-Justice Malcom
Ahhh…some very enlightening (and very relevant) words from one of the most revered justices in the US judiciary.
I just finished my (first) prelim exams in law school. The last one was Persons and Family Relations…just had it last Monday. I’m totally drained. Mentally and physically. I thought that I’d have some time to rest and "recharge" myself…but no. We had recitation a day after our last exam.
What’s worse is…I had (and I still am, I think, till next week) to recite in my political law subject the whole cases under Judiciary plus the cases under Constitutional Commissions! Waah! That’s torture! I’ll just try to finish whatever I can. Sigh. Well, at least I got two days to read ‘em.
But I’m happy with the results of the exam…we didn’t get the results yet but I have a good feeling that I did fairly well. Of course, I’m not expecting to get a mark of 98% or something (like what I used to get back in elementary, high school or college)…law school is different. Way different. However, I’m not gonna use that to give myself an excuse not to try to perform well or something…I’ll just do my part, do my best…that’s it. And whatever happens…happens. It’s meant to happen.
I enjoy reciting in my poli subject. It’s actually fun. Our professor is really funny.
I’m excited about being a member of the Law Review. I hope I get to stay there til I graduate. And I’m looking forward to the bar ops! I think that would be a lotta fun!
I guess at the end of the day, if you enjoy doing something, no matter how stressful or debilitating it can get, it doesn’t really matter…what matters is that you know that you love what you’re doing…that you’re doing it out of your own willingness…with nobody coercing you to do it.
I’m happy I chose to go to law school. Contrary to what other students are saying…I think law school can be a lot of fun! Well, that is if you’ve not been coerced to be there…that your consent was not vitiated by fraud, force or undue influence…that neither disguise or craft was used to obtain your consent. Hahaha. I’m just bluffing.
Oh, I finally found it. The case, I mean. Gotta go! I miss doing this…posting and stuff…it used to be a legally vested right…now, it’s become a privilege, accorded only to bums and couch potatoes (like I was before I entered law school). Kidding.
Tata!
