My Life While Working and Studying Law

Original photo by Richard Lawrence Cohen in this Flicker link
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Law study needs full attention but for some of us, it is just not possible because there are other commitments like work and family. While working and studying law is possible, it is a feat that requires more effort and unwavering determination.

I experienced studying full time during my first 2 semesters in law school. During the first semester there were a lot of adjustments to be made. For one, I came from a university where uniforms are non-existent, so going to a law school requiring me to don one takes a lot of adjustment. I have no problem with it impeding my budding fashion sense, but my issue has more to do with having to think about preparing the outfit each day. I think I worry more about making my uniform crease-free than going to class prepared.

School is about an hour's travel time away from my home but I never have to worry about the commute and weaving through the metro's worst traffic because I used to lived an easier life with someone driving for me. That must have been such a boring task for him, imagine having to wait for me 3-4 hours in the school's parking lot with nothing else to do! So I breezed through those first two semesters and managed to be on the Dean's List, yay! A feat which I never even dreamed of accomplishing in law school.

It was in my second year when I decided to work. My boss was kind enough to allow me to leave earlier than everybody so I can attend to my evening classes. All is good since the driver would be waiting in the office and would whisk me off to school braving rush hour traffic, but still manage to bring me to school in 30 minutes or so. I would be late sometimes and some law professors would make a fuss about that fact, while others don't.

Working while studying is very challenging. Since I have to leave early, I would often go to the office ahead of everyone, take a working lunch, forego my snack breaks so I can make time for work and read for class. My boss had been very kind and didn't ask me to do that but I took it upon myself to return the kindness.

My work-study schedule took a turn for the worst when the driver resigned (perhaps out of boredom?). I didn't know how to drive that time so I had to endure riding cabs or taking public mass transport (MRT) just so I won't be late for class! I remember getting smashed and squashed having to fight for space in the train every time I had only about 45 minutes for travel time so the mass rail transport (MRT) is the fastest way to go.

After my second year, I dropped down from the Dean's List though still managed to pass my subjects. It didn't matter anymore because I just wanted to be able to shoot 2 birds with one stone. I prodded on.

In my following year, study had to take a back seat. I often end up enrolling only one semester per year. Then, tired of the MRT and cabs I learned how to drive by taking driving classes somewhere in Bicutan. The funny thing is, I hired another driver to take me to my 20-hour driving class which lasted for about 2 weeks. I never finished nor passed that class by the way. My instructor failed me on my second to the last module after I almost wrecked the gate. :) I still consider myself a safe defensive driver thank's to my drive instructor.

The commute time has taken it's toll on me. I would often get home at 10 or 11 in the evening with no time left to do other things. Then I would have to wake up at 3 or 4am to do my readings and outlines. That's when I decided to move to another law school near my work. From almost an hour of commute, I managed to cut it down to 20 minutes. That decision saved me a lot of time (and sanity) even if it meant having to leave my comfort zone and start again in a new school environment.

Working and studying law is stressful and challenging but with determination, nothing will be impossible. It means having to answer to a lot of people, namely your boss, family, self, work schedule, rest time, etc. etc. In my final year, I plan to support myself fully that's why I took a leave to prepare. I plan to study full time again by next year on my own terms with lesser stress. For that, preparation is key.

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The Blogger

Hi! I'm a law student from Manila, Philippines.  I did Political Science, then Industrial Relations major in H.R. (postgrad) studies from UP.  I vlog, weightlift, experiment with new makeup looks, try Bollywood and bellydance steps, and rant about my cray life in my YouTube channel.  Once in a blue moon, I create content for another YT channel,  10+ blogs,  20+ FB pages and in HubPages.  Check out my official site.