5 Tips in Dealing with Case Assignments

 Case list

We law students know the drill.  Every waking hour while we are in law school we will always be bombarded with tons of cases. These cases breathe life to all those laws that we read, they make everything come to life in full color to help us appreciate and learn how the law is applied in real life.

The case assignments come in all shapes and lengths.  Like you,  I dread those long cases.  Who could ever forget that plunder case against an ex-President which ran for hundreds of pages.  Did you read it?  Even if seeing how thick it was almost gave me a minor heart attack,  I attempted to read it somehow! Finishing it is another story though.

Fact is, there is simply no substitute to reading the full text of a case.  I know, I post digests of some cases here but that's because I've read the full version.  Here are a few strategies I use when it comes to reading and tackling those gazillions of cases.

1.  My first rule is to always read the full text of cases.  At least make an attempt to do just that.  This is quite a struggle for most people (like me) but there are ways you can improve your reading speed and still understand what the content is all about.  I have written a post before on speed reading please click here or on the link below.

2. If I have no time left,  as it usually happens during those semesters that I work and study,  I would get to my class earlier and ask a friend (who's good at summarizing) to give me a brief about a case.  I would always ask first what's the issue, then the details will just follow.  Knowing the ISSUE will guide you on what to look for and what to ask.

3.  I know you have had those cases that are just cray and hard to understand.  I am talking about those that contain multiple issues.  If it is a long case and it is possible for me to get a rough outline or digest about the issue, then that's when I would resort to a digest just to give me an idea of what it's all about. But still I would, if I could TRY to read (somehow) the full text of that case.

4. On digests,  I use them sparingly and only as a last resort.   I know some people live on digests, some CAN survive on digests and I have nothing to say bad about them.   Based on my own experience,  I always get this nagging voice in my head reminding me that if it is some big, significant or landmark case, then I owe it to myself to at least put an effort to read its full text.  That is the only way for me to really understand how the case progressed and how it was resolved.

5.  Finally, you should be able to recognize which long cases you should read because there are those cases you will encounter that run for pages but actually tackles a really simple issue.  Sometimes you get drowned in the details of the case that you actually get lost and lose time reading it.  Be aware of these kinds of cases.

There was a time when I wished I had a secretary or case reader who can simply digest all my cases for me to save on time (haha, wishful thinking).  After my first year in law school, I learned better. Always strive to read your full texts my dears.

My Life While Working and Studying Law

Original photo by Richard Lawrence Cohen in this Flicker link
Image use is in accordance with Creative Commons License 2.0

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.  

The 'Accidental' Law Student

I always thought of myself as an accidental law student. I never dreamed of studying law when I was young but I remember wanting to become a doctor way back in high school. I took an interest only after college when most of my classmates entered law school. A few years after, a number of women managed to top the bar exams. In fact, one of them was a classmate and orgmate.  Not that I dreamed of repeating that feat. Perhaps, my interest was piqued with this perception that it's primarily a male-dominated profession.

And so I was able to convinced myself,  fueled with the challenge and belief that becoming a lawyer would be a good platform for other endeavours. I never really thought of it as an end, because I prefer an open-ended journey. I have so many interests that confining myself to one area would kill the others.

The first two years in law school is what I often call my 'survival mode', even if I managed to snatch that honor of being in the Dean's list in my previous school. Many times I thought of running away from law school. I would often be the last student to enroll every semester. Law school became my prison and I naturally resisted it.

My restlessness ended when I decided to transfer to another school of my own choosing. This move somehow signaled a liberation of sorts. It also became the start of my 'falling' in love with the study of law. Suddenly, my attitude shifted. Studying is now easier and not done merely for the sake of surviving. I now have this belief that I owe it to my self to be truly knowledgeable about the subject. There are still days  when I come to class unprepared and get a 'beating' for it, but I no longer curse under my breathe. I even feel that I'm cheating myself,  after all, the law professors are just there to facilitate our learning process. You have to ultimately account to yourself after four years in law school.

I am positive that with this new frame of mind, the remaining years of my studies will be a breeze. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Hopefully, law students out there share this perspective. It will not only ease the burden, it will make studying law bearable.

The Value of Speed Reading in Law School

Speed reading should be one of the basic weapons in your arsenal as a law student. It significantly reduces time spent on studying. Law school means tackling voluminous reading materials on a regular basis and this is where speed reading becomes handy.

Learning how to speed read is pretty easy when you know the basics. First thing, you need to learn to put yourself under some sort of stress by setting a definite time to finish a specific number of pages. I do this by, say, I need to finish 300 pages of textbook in 2 hours.

Then, you have to train your eye to spot on words that are relevant, while merely skimming over the not-so relevant mumbo-jumbo of (articles, conjunctions, etc.), and simultaneously making a mental note of important points in what you are reading. In goes like this, it is akin to jotting important ideas and notes in your head and mentally highlighting them, in you mind that is. In short, teach your brain to multi-task. I do a mental bulleted version or mental highlighting of those phrases and words that are worthy of remembering.

Finally, after you put down that volume of material, review and recall the important points. If some ideas are still unclear or you miss out some pertinent stuff in the reading material, go over it fast, of course.

So there, that's how speed reading saves me time. It is very helpful when you try to read voluminous books before a class or before your exam. I often do two readings in order to reinforce what was read the first time, and for better results and retention.

I once had to finish a 500-600 page Prof. Balane book in 4-5 hours, I didn't have much time left since my exam is the day after. With speed reading I was able to do a second reading of that same book all in one day. Isn't that great?

For more help in training yourself how to speed read, the Extreme Speed Reading E-Book might be a good idea for you to try. There are also online accelerated reading training courses that you could try like SpeedReaderX.

10 Tips to Survive Work and Law School

You must be crazy to be in law school and work all at the same time. But yes, I did it for two years, stopped, then again, now in my final years (hopefully), and boy it is crazy -- suicidal even. The first few months are difficult but soon you will get the hang of it.

It has its own perks, yes, but everyday is a total adrenaline-pumping and stress-juice producing ride. I love the earning part of it. That means I don't have to ask for dole outs from generous benefactors (kinda) but I admit, it eats me up little by little. I have to trade money for sleep, time, sanity and beauty!

Contrary to popular belief a full time law student doesn't always have the upper hand when it comes to study time, so hurray for us working law students! When one has the luxury of time, there is a tendency to be complacent, right? I even have time to do this blog, plus 5 more others, still have time to do freelance work online, roam and be fabulous all at the same time. :)

So how do you survive being in-between two equally-demanding responsibilities of work and law study?

1.  A Cool Boss
First, you must have a really cool, understanding and supportive boss. One who allows you to leave work in time for you not to be late for your class. It is hard when there is a deadline or meeting you need to attend and you need to rush off to class without missing a beat. I'm glad I can say I'm one of the lucky few.

2. Understanding Boyfriend, Girlfriend, or Spouse
Oh I almost forgot, you are also a living human capable of having a relationship. Well, your loved one must be understanding enough to take 2nd priority, period. Law school is demanding enough, but add work, oh well, you do the math, because a day consist only of 24 hours.

3. Manageable Law Professors
You are lucky if your law professor is not so nit-picky when it comes to lates and absences, otherwise, it's another reason to add to your woes.

4. Your Own Transportation (a.k.a. car)
There are days when you would simply want to teleport from the office to your classroom in order to save time and energy. A car would be good to make that last minute dash from the office to law school or vice-versa, on rush hour. Having your own mode of transport is also great when you need to catch that much-needed 10-minute power nap. But hey, don't sleep and drive, or drive and sleep -- both two dangerous combo that could cause you limb and life.

5. Location, location, matters
Choose a school that is accessible from your work, or workplace which is accessible to school, whenever possible. I traded schools solely on this consideration. It would be great if all three (school, work and home) are close to each other for you to save on commute time.

6. Get a good task scheduler app
If you are like some people, a task scheduler to help you manage your little time might help. In my case, I have all this Android apps which supposedly help me budget my time - which I don't have much really. If you are not so techy, then your good ol' notepad will do. Just jot down what you need to accomplish on a weekly and daily basis. Make sure you stick to those tasks somehow ( I don't most of the time!). My list would often go like this...

Day 1
                   -  9pm-11 pm, Digest case for (subject), edit/proofread, 
                                           then post to blog (haha!)
                   - 11pm-12 mn, Do house stuff
                   - 12mn -3 or 4am, Sleep (on my study chair most of the time).
                   - 4am-5am, Read codal for 30mins, then attempt to read 
                                      corresponding book
                   - 5am - 7:30 am, Prepare for work, do house stuff, etc
                   - 7:30am - 8:30am, Commute time, Mad rush
                   -  9am-5pm, W-O-R-K
                   - 5pm-5:30 pm, Commute time
                   - 6pm-9pm, LAW SCHOOL

Oh well, you get what I mean.

7. Schedule your leaves at work nicely
It is good to reserve your work leaves for exam periods in law school. It helps to maintain your sanity during those gruelling days when you have to review for that exam.

8. Limit and manage your social network time
Facebook and other social media are great time-stealers. It is easy to forget time when you are sharing stories and photos or chatting with your friends online, but really, you don't have to update everyday (unless your a social media practitioner). On most days, I would allot 10 minutes per visit, and more than that, I would already feel guilty.

9. Get a massage every payday
Yeah, why not! It is one of those guilt-free pleasures that you can allow yourself to indulge in. After all, you deserve to destress you body. Get a massage twice every month, or more.

10. Eat heartily.
Those sleepless nights can definitely take a toll on your body but its always good to counterbalance this health-adverse activity (law school, I mean) with the consumption of good and healthy food. It's alright to gain some healthy weight when you are in law school. If you are working and studying law, dieting should be the least of your worries, staying up 20 hours a day will m=be more than enough exercise for you, believe me.

All in all, pursuing a law degree and working for another master (your employer) is not for the weak. I bade you to have a strong heart, mind, and body to withstand all the challenges. Your success in both largely depends on how bad you want to be a lawyer, so there! Goodluck!