Go to Law School They Said
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
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| CTO photo from google |
2
weeks ago, the Supreme Court of the Philippines named over three thousand
new lawyers of the Philippine Bar
2016. It was one of the highest passing percentage
in history with 59% of the takers, passing the bar. Way to inspire an aspiring
lawyer like me! And to top that, Atty Justin Morilla was able to place Ateneo
de Davao University in spot number 5 among others who were also not from Manila
school. That raised brows from everywhere including cringe-worthy posts from
Imperial Manila undermining the capacity of "promdi" lawyers.
But that's not for me to discuss. This isn't going to be political at all.
Promise.
Wow! They passed the bar! Wow! They
topped the bar! How did those humanoids achieve all that? While I'm just here,
on break from my unending readings, trying to survive (read: barely surviving)
this semester. And while my heart, body and brain are all still elated from
that awe inspiring 2016 Philippine Bar Exam results, I want to look back on the
law school memes and mementos that mirrored the first years of my law school
life.
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| CTO photo from google |
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| CTO photo from google |
Elle Woods made it look so easy with her pink
everything number, cute smile, cuter dog and a truckload of confidence and
smart mouth. She even started the "Nagmahal, nasaktan, nag Law" 10
years ago before all the millennial hugots came to play.
Is law school really fun? Spoiler
Alert: It's no fun at all!
I enrolled in law school after a go signal from
my Dad (after 6 years of bugging him). I didn't even bother to inform him I
enrolled. I was adulting (or so I thought), paid everything and decided that
this is a good investment for my future. This is my most logical, adult,
sensible but subtle way of telling them to stop bothering me about working
abroad.
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| CTO photo from google |
I excitedly bought the codals. Lol. Codals. And that was when I
realized that English can seem elvish. And that everytime I read a provision,
it felt like I was summoning a demon or something.
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| CTO photo from google |
I
remember the very first day of law school. I felt very much welcome during the
Freshmen Orientation with a stem of rose from the "Keks Talionis".
The lawyer-professors looked fine (there were artistahins too) and the
upperclass men were cheering for them. So I thought "Siguro they are very
nice and supportive".lol
After the orientation, I was more than
excited to meet our professor. I felt like a kid in the candy store. But that
feeling didn't last long. As soon as I heard her killer heels on the platform
and the way she asked for our Class Cards, I felt my blood escaped from my
body. My soul went on vacation in no time. I thought I died for about 2
seconds. I was ice cold. I don't know why I felt so nervous. I heard thunders
from my heart. The room was entirely silent. My classmates were probably
feeling the same way. We all looked like we've been drenched in vinegar - pale
and cold. She gave us the syllabus for the 1st exams and some assignment
reading for the recits the next day. The moment she left, everyone rushed to
the library.
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| CTO photo from google |
I specifically remember after I got home and tried to
research all the assigned cases, I cried over the syllabus. I felt like giving
up. Each case was about a minimum of 20 pages font 10 Arial Narrow in a letter
sized paper. Huhu And I should read at least 10 of these cases for 1 subject. I
have 3 other subjects for recits the next day. Yes Wo, kaya pa?
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| CTO photo from google |
Nganong ni-enter?
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| CTO photo from google |
We're told the study of law is a jealous mistress. You can
only choose 2 of 3: study, social life, sleep. With 168 hours in a week, it
seems like a law student has all the time in the world to juggle all three. And
as you grind you'll realize how to manage your time wisely or not.
Don't cry. You'll
just get a headache and lesser time to study.
Don't eat. You
haven't memorized the first 5 provisions yet.
Don't sleep. You
did not finish your case digest (case brief) of the next 10 cases for recits.
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| CTO photo from google |
I'm trying my best to walk the
talk. Gaaahhhddd. I chose this life on my own. My dad would have imagined his
daughter to be eating up the law books, digesting every word effortlessly. If
he only knew. Huhu I was wishing for him to come knock at my door at 1 am and
offer me coffee or a shoulder to cry on. Dad!
Of coffee, tea, Starbucks, Redbull and
whatever palpitation-causing pill in hand. Any legal ways to get high (lisod na
basin ma-Tokhang), stay up and not sleep a wink because 24 hours a day is never
enough.
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| CTO photo from google |
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| CTO photo from google |
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| CTO photo from google |
Everything is important huhuhu
So you know what to give any law student on special occasions *coughs*
Highlighter, sticky notes, colored pens, 0.7 pen for exams and all sorts of
cute stuff from the bookstore. Yes we're hoarders. Huhuhu Mababaw lang po
happiness namin. *winks*
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| CTO photo from google |
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| CTO photo from google |
Nothing is predictable in law school. Study hard and study smart.
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| CTO photo from google |
Cliche as it may sound but no one has
survived law school alone (I'll do a separate blog on law school
frat/sor/orgs). No matter how you try to finish reading the book of amicus
curiae and memorize the provisions, you sometimes need a high five from
"Piolo Pastcual". No matter how smart you are, you will still flunk
coz you didn't study enough or you were assigned 20 cases and you were called for
recits on that 1 case you did not read. While some get lucky, volunteering for
recits with all confidence of a debate speaker the only case she read the night
before. And sometimes, the universe conspires to go against you.
That even if you did all the right thing, it's just aint enough.
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| CTO photo from google |
Law
professors have different styles in teaching and checking the exams. Some are
very particular with your qualified answers, some want to test your persuasive
writing skills. But all of them are very particular with legal basis. But one
thing they have in common, they hate blank papers. How can we argue and rebut
others' arguments if we can't even bullshit an answer.
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| CTO photo from google |
Breaks the fun most of the time.
And of course the discussion in class is more than awesome. Arguments, of the
excitement it brings! Sometimes it's humanly impossibly to read everything
cover to cover. But it's a God-given skill to know which ones to skip and which
ones to remember by heart.
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| CTO photo from google |
This one
is the most heartbreaking. I feel betrayed everytime this happens. It's like
you wasted a 5-case worth of readings for that 2 line provision in 1 lengthy
case!
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| CTO photo from google |
And to
top it off, the teacher of the class I skipped gave a surprise quiz! Wow!
Interesting!
Saklap di ba? It happened to me on that rainy evening days before Christmas. I probably summoned all the evils out of frustration that night. Anak ng ****
Oh, law school.There has been a lot of sacrifices. A lot of sleep I didn't take
or parties I couldn't attend. But that's how you know it's love. I almost got
kicked out of law school coz my average grade fell short by 0.765. That's how I
plastered my love to law school. Begging to get another chance at love. Gladly,
the school gave me another chance. Chance that I hope I won't blow again this
time.
Saklap di ba? It happened to me on that rainy evening days before Christmas. I probably summoned all the evils out of frustration that night. Anak ng ****
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| CTO photo from google |
Being a law student is a privilege.
It's a choice. So even if you may be forced by your lawyer parents to follow
their foot steps, it's your endeavor in school. You're privileged to enroll.
When everyone is against you and discourages you because law school can take
its toll on life, it's a choice.
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| CTO photo from google |
Of course it's not all pitiful and no, you don't have to feel sorry for me baby. There are far greater lessons that what my hard bound books have taught me. (oh,topic for another blog)
They don't happen often but sometimes law students get lucky.
Brave soldiers who never skip class and reads the remaining cases during the
lecture. Yes, it happens. 24 hours a day is too short to finish all the
readings unless you're a very fast reader and easily comprehends everything.
This is just a simple joy in school.
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| CTO photo from google |
The study of law is such a jealous mistress. You have to pursue it and
not become complacent. You always have to strive and do your best, give your
all.
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| CTO photo from google |
So
while the study of law seems an impossible feat, let me tell you, 3000 plus
lawyers made it this year. Yes, it can be very difficult but just because it's
difficult doesn't mean it can't be done. Law school is not fun at all. It was
an experience of life. Of sacrifices and gratifications. Of pursuing something
I love. I met with friends that I consider my brothers and sisters in law
school. I think I'll put off another blog for the fun times in law school too.
So to my fellow law students and to those who want to go to law school, go
ahead. So again, the struggle might be so real but...
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| CTO photo from google |
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