The Most Important Study Hack I Learned in Law School

One fact that a law student could never get away with in law school -- running out of time.  It is particularly so when you need to cram for an upcoming exam, time is on fastforward mode so how do you make the most out of it will make or break your chances of graduating.

I wasn't an honor student all throughout my years in law school except during my 'trying to impress the SO phase' in freshman year, so you better take these tips with a grain of salt.

Here is what I did;

I prioritized the law codals because you need to have a basic grasp of the laws and this allows you to zero in on the real issue in the exams questions. Now, I am not for memorization, it rarely works for me but I admit it helped at some point. I remember way back in first year, I was forced to memorize in verbatim the provisions in the Revised Penal Code. To this day, most of the provisions still stuck in my head (thank you Judge P.).

When I still had extra time, then I get to read my text book twice.  I would often read it once or twice before so during exams week, reading it once, or a second time (again) will be a lot easier.  Some people love to use highlighters, but whenever pressed for time, highlighting slows my reading pace. Later on, I ditched my highlighters.

IF I still had extra time left, I browsed my outline or digests. Great, still have time left? I would go over concepts and if I had written an outline, that would be great (I didn't, taking down notes is just such a pain for me)  that you are still not clear about. Then would  review the whole subject in my head just so you know, make a mental map of how the concepts are connected to the greater picture.


The Blogger is a senior law student (on indefinite leave) from Manila, Philippines, a digital marketer and former beauty pageant finalist.  Aside from this blog, she is passionate about content creation  and writes mostly about beauty, travel, dating and fitness --her articles achieving a total of over 1 million views from her featured hubs in HubPages.com. She also manages a number of social media communities on issues concerning environmental conservation, beauty, travel, and personal development.  On her free time, she dabbles as a judge for beauty pageants and manages a beauty & fitness startup and gobble a lots of cakes..  For collaborations, shoot her an email thru gmmurgirl@gmail.com

When I Take the Bar Exams I Need a Million

Coz you gotta look good while studying :P

Hola! So, it is bar exams months once again.  Hurray for those taking the bar this year 2016! I salute you guys. As for me, no, I'm not one of the barristers yet.  I just hurdled a beauty pageant, thank you.

Kidding aside, the bar exams is a baptism of hellfire, and I am not ready to take it this year.  I would often tell myself that I would need to have a million in my bank account first before I take the bar. Why?


Seriously, taking the bar is no laughing matter.  It requires preparedness in mind, heart, soul and body altogether.  Anything less will just not do.  For me, I need serious breaks, my goodness what will happen if you breakdown due to too much stress.  I have a high level of stress tolerance mind-wise but my physical state might betray me.

I am talking about falling hair, major skin breakouts,  patchy skin, delayed periods and all kinds of unimaginable physically-damaging horrors that would make me run to the nearest spa in no time! Also, since I will stay in some 3-star hotel for four full weekends,  most probably my bill for room service, massages, spa, etc, will rack up to tens of thou!

In addition, I need to literally live in Starbucks for the 4 months or drink coffee intravenously because that's the best way for my brain to work.   With the toil of cramming those last-minute bar tips, some serious R&R is in order.

A budget for some weekend escapade to a remote paradise beach when the going gets too tough for my fragile brain.  Then I need to have lots of moolahs for a night out or party with the gang after completing the 1 month bar exams. I have to celebrate being alive after 4 weekends of the grueling, life-changing exam of my life, right?

Finally,  think about the following 4 months of waiting for the results. That would take another million to survive I guess.  Now you know why my condition to have at least a million free to spend whenever I please.  When I take the bar,  you can bet I already have a million tucked somewhere. I'm just kidding.

Best of luck to you guys!


This Blogger is a senior law student (on indefinite leave) from Manila, Philippines,  digital marketer and former beauty pageant finalist.  Aside from this blog,  she is passionate about content creation  and writes mostly about beauty, travel, dating and fitness --her articles achieving a total of over 1 million views from her featured hubs in HubPages.com. She also manages a number of social media communities on issues concerning environmental conservation, beauty, travel, and personal development.  On her free time, she dabbles as a judge for beauty pageants and manages a beauty & fitness startup.  For collaborations, shoot her an email thru gmmurgirl@gmail.com

I Haven't Blogged Much, Here's Why

Busy but same old cray me #lawsandfoundblog

Hey it's summer in the Philippines!  This is the time of the year when I ought to be spending my days in a hammock by some perfect beach. But WAIT!  I haven't blogged for years, or was it errrr weeks? That can only mean one thing -- that my life has been so exciting that I didn't find time to sit down and write something. Well, let's just leave it at that, ahem.  Let me just update you on some harmless happenings for the past weeks. Oftentimes, I forget I am a blogger.

School!

I have been busy with school, what else is new?


Partying

Moreover, I took the partying part on a higher notch and even went out on some weekdays, so much for being a good law student, eh?  I know, right?  As I always say, life is short baby so let's make each and every moment count.

The rule before is that I have to do school on weekdays then party two nights on weekends.
I am quite sure that this partying phase will soon be over hence, I am still in control and it will never spiral into a long term thing.

Nevertheless, when I party, it has to be over the top.  It came to some point when I even party on a weekday and take this,  the best thing about it? I have an early, like early 8AM major class the day after!  Man,  it is not something for the weak-hearted.  Maybe I was just lucky that I manage to survive my 4 hour class being sleepless, having a hangover and yes, needing to read tons of pages.

When you have an 8am class and
you partied hard the night before

You meet a lot of awesome people when you got out and then some aweful creatures at the same time.  Good news,  I still manage to get good exams results that are way better than when I didn't party, so I am sure I am doing something awesome!  Don't do this my dear fellow law students, what works for me may not work for you, I'm warning you!

Yay, got the top marks!  So much for being a party gal, eh?

Weightlifting

What else?  I have been weightlifting lifting crazy these past weeks to the point where I convince myself that my day would never be complete if I am unable to do so.  I am kinda addicted to it right now.  It is like having a really nice new boyfriend or something. You could not get enough of it.  I am still gunning for my target body and will stick to this sort of routine until I get there.

My favorite rack #dumbells

All by ma self! #gym

Sometimes,  I make lifting a reward of sorts which I would look forward to after finishing a certain number of book chapters. I would read then do some reps. Awesome, right?

Ahh, makeup diva and nail polish stuff!

These days I am also into makeup and nail polish , like I am truly obsessed, literally.  Some days, no - make that everyday, it doesn't matter if I have class or not, if I go out of the house or not, I just have to fix my makeup, my hair first thing in the morning.  Thank you so much makeup for stealing my reading time, I really appreciate this development.

The only drama I can stand is in my lashes #eyemakeup #fleek

But you know what? I realize that since my limited time has now been reduced, then I get to be resourceful in studying so I make use of the little time I have.  For some reasons I feel like

I am sure girls would relate, you know how awful it is when your nail polish chips right?  So some days I get to change my nail color every 2 days or so, so where do I get the time to do this out of my law school reading schedule? Of course I lessen my sleep time, I get by with just 2 - 4 hours of sleep time on most days.

Nail polish 

Lost

Lost... but let me take a selfie first. :P

I've been lost (but not confused) these past weeks.  Lost under the weight of my readings and case backlogs, that is. Lost and sleepless.   Hey,  it has been 2 months of fabulous school time when my routine is basically school-house-and-school-house interrupted by a night out during the weekend. Well, I have to have that last one, otherwise I would have succumbed to burnout out so easily.

Many times I forget what is a definition of a 'bed'.  Is that a new contraption that I haven't heard about? What does it do?  You have to remind me how good it feels to sleep in a regular bed, not in my car, not slumped down in my study chair or tryin' to steal a few winks while I am waiting for something or someone.

Being lost is bad  You have be lost in something whether it be your studies,  your work, your life, or even with love cause that's how you know you are still alive.   That's how you know,  you are on the right track.  Whatever I do,  I have to give it all, all of my 100%.  So, that's why I'm lost.

I Don't Have an Option to Fail the Bar Exams

Hi,  everyone!!!  Best of luck to those taking the Philippine Bar Examinations this year.  A little bit of luck will help nudge you but hard work that you put into those earlier years in law school will be the greatest factor to determine if you make the cut or not.  I know. I should know. (Of course, I'm just kidding.)

I haven't been blogging much lately because I am trying (TRYINGGG HARD!) to read more books. Time is gold,  my dear fellow law students.  Another reason for my inactivity is again,  my awful internet connection.  By the way I am rescinding my contract with my internet provider before I suffer a heart attack. Okay, I gotta stay focused on this post, it has to be law school-related, right?

The other day I saw a statistics about the bar takers this year and one of the data indicated that around 500 or so people did not push thru taking the exam on the first week.  It made me wonder what could have made these people forego their seats this year?  There could be a myriad of reasons for any of them but if there is one possible reason in my case, it would only be one word and it starts with letter 'C'. 'C' for camel, because sometimes I just refuse do some things for the sake of not doing it.

Anyways,  I have a few classmates in my review class that are doing it as a refresher and some have taken the bar once or thrice or more.  After learning this bit of information,  I took the time to chat up with some of them.  I could not imagine how tiring it must be to review over and over to retake the bar more than once.   I really intended to get something out of their experiences and I was not disappointed.

One of them let's call her Ms. A, she is a graduate from my Alma Mater and she is also a working student.  I think she might have taken the bar twice or thrice to no avail. So I asked her a lot of questions, like how it was, what she thinks she did wrong or did right, etc.

She told me that taking the bar and then failing it could wreak havoc not only on one's emotional well-being but also on one's finances.  Unless you are on a scholarship or your parents are fully supporting you, you have to contend with the financial burden of the review and everything during those 4 or 5 months in preparation for the bar.  Imagine doing that twice or thrice.  If you have a little bit of savings, it would be wiped out in no time!

That's one of the reasons why I haven't really thought of the possibility of failing.  In my case, failure is not an option. Not that I have a choice,  I DON'T.  I have to fully support myself for this endeavour so I CANNOT fail.  I told myself that if I fail my exam when the time comes, I'd have a 360 degree career change --- become a skydiver,  a writer,  a dancer,  a chef,  makeup artist, fashion designer, cyber expert slash YouTuber, whatever. See, I don't have an option.

For all of us still hoping and waiting for our time to hurdle this exam, it would be not only to marvel at the successes of those who top it or passed it with flying colors,  but also to think about those who have failed it and gain insight why. To my refresher classmates,  just stay positive and fight, fight, fight!

Am I making sense?  I hope so.

Studying Law via Audio Books and Lectures

My faithful study partner, a long-running Nokia Bluetooth headphone

I know,  I know I am getting ahead of myself.  My bar review days is still far but I couldn't help but be excited and look forward to it.  If there is anything that law students don't have is TIME.   Hence,  as early as now,  I am already finding ways to make use of my time efficiently and effectively, like listening to audio law books and lectures.

These past days I have been addicted to listening to all kinds of audio lectures and law codal which you may also easily find online.   I am listening to these lectures almost 24/7.   I have this long-running Nokia bluetooth headphones that I got 4 years ago but still works on 8-10 battery on a single charge.  Listening to audio books with this gadget makes everything so easy.

Whenever I am doing my daily mundane activities like eating, cleaning, doing other household chores, sometimes when bathing (I put on a shower cap to protect my headphones), and yes even when sleeping so I don't have any downtime.

Torture that muscle called 'brain'

They say that the brain is a muscle and the more you use it, the more efficient that muscle becomes.  I am trying to make my brain process two tasks at the same time. That makes for a crazy multi-tasking exercise for my brain. I am thinking of how to finish this blog while my ear and some part of my brain is processing some other knowledge.  This makes it more exciting and challenging.

I know the key in being good in one thing is to FOCUS and keep going,  but what if you can focus on multiple things at one point in time?  What if your brain can actually do this thus increasing your productivity 2x or more. That is what I am trying to do, trying to discover the potential of my grey matter and let's see how it turns out.

I really cannot vouch for the effectivity of this learning style and I am still figuring out for myself.  One thing is for sure,  it allows me to use time in a more efficient manner since time otherwise spent on mundane daily tasks can now be fully utilized.   When I first listen to the audio codals,   it was hard to give my full attention to it.  However,   having these significant law concepts playing over and over inside my head keeps my brain busy and useful on most times of the day.  It is fun to let your brain do some minimal work while you sleep.

So of course while I was writing this post,  I was also listening to another audio specifically on effectively increasing my time-management and productivity skill by my favorite speaker Mr. B Tracy.  Let's see how the post turns out but more importantly, I look forward to measuring how this listening impacts my review.

Focus, Focus

I focus better when it involves food. :)

I noticed my dwindling interest in reading and find it hard to focus and motivate myself.  I only got a couple topics left but here I am needing a truckload of motivation.  This means I am in real deep trouble.

I admit,  I like to do many things all at the same time.  The variety fuels me and keeps me from getting bored.  Law school however is like a jealous and demanding lover.  It wants my undivided attention, unwavering commitment, dedication, and my loyalty.  If you are a restless soul like me,  being in law school is akin to being tied down in chains for the equivalent of four or five years.  It is like being married to someone not your soul-partner, or something like that, maybe.

These days,  I am addicted to everything fitness: cardio, strength-training, weight loss, fat-burning, the whole works.  I am so consumed with it that I become voracious for learning new things, new exercises,  weightlifting stuff and all of these take a huge chunk of my time.

Focus will lead to positive results and I am losing weight slowly but surely.  I am seeing amazing changes in my physique that I never imagined possible, I mean not even in my wildest dreams.

When you see results  in a matter of weeks,  it is addicting and pushes you to do more of it because you know that your efforts are effective.   I am not saying that law school will not lead me somewhere but it just takes a little more time for me to get there. There's the graduation,  the review, the bar exams itself and then the waiting.

On days that I miss my jogs, walks or gym workout I become restless.  I wish I could say the same when I miss my readings.  Actually I made a reading plan to serve as my guide so that I can review systematically.  Unfortunately,   right now that plan remained a plan,  the execution is just not happening.

Despite this, I am fully aware of the consequences if I don't straighten up.  I know that I'll be 'forced' to seriously do skydiving this year (I wish!) and work also on my digital marketing endeavors.

The thing is,  I have this obsession that if I do something then I have to excel in it.  For me, the worst thing one can do is to waste time and effort on something and end up with a mediocre product.

Focus. Focus on reading. Focus on everything law.  God help me.

Law Student-hood and Digital Marketing

Busy digital marketer

I have not blogged a single post for 3 weeks here and it is very unfortunate thing but quite expected. Did you know that it is also finals week in law school and as much as I want to update and post, I would welcome a clone to do all my blog posts.  I am also in the process of redesigning most of my blogs, tweaking up the code can be a real headache and since I am doing it single-handedly at this time, it can be a major time drain.

More than this, a recent independent project has taken what is left of my free time. I am starting a digital marketing group and it is taking off real great in terms of engagement virtual and actual.  I know it is off from my law studies however, no one is immune from the reach of social media and it is something that I have been doing previously in the corporate set up but only recently decided to strike on my own. Good news is that, from the looks of it, I might have found a niche!

It is an exciting project and my social media platforms have been abuzz with activity. In fact, I grew my Twitter followers from 30 to close to 500 as of time of writing in just 10 days or so.  I was even invited by a blog I truly admire for an interview which I politely declined because I think it is too early.

Law school will definitely be taking most of my time this year but, social media managing and my new digital marketing arm will definitely bring more action to my already crazy schedule.  Oh well, keepin the fire burning!

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 Reluctant Lawyer-To-Be

I was trying to decide on what title to put on this post.  I could have chosen 'Reluctant Law Student' but for the purpose of my future world-domination plans,  I chose the 'Reluctant Lawyer.'  I have this weird feeling that I have already lived the life of a lawyer just by the experiences of family and those close to me who are members of the profession.

I never wanted to be a lawyer, now that is offically out hehe.  I actually dreamt of becoming a doctor.  I even applied for a medical scholarship and was given one after graduating from high school.  I could read voraciously all those Health and Home subscriptions that my mother collected and the idea of being able to diagnose and treat diseases appealed more to me.  This despite the fact that there was no doctor from my family.

To this day,  I am still interested in all things medical except blood although I love watching those crime investigation shows on cable. I still get a kick hanging out in hospitals though I avoided the mortuary.  I get transfixed looking at medical people wearing their impeccable white gowns and wonder if they have these coats in many cuts or is there a need to wear them fresh every single day.

I cannot say the same for generic barongs (a native Filipino outfit) and suits for court appearances really do not leave much of an impression on me.  A lawyer needs to look respectable and imposing in court, I know but there is something about white coats that draw me.

Yeah, you could say I am reluctant to become a lawyer.  I remember that sickening feeling during the start of enrolment during my first semesters in law school.  It was weird having that feeling.  At that time, it felt that I was signing up to be in some jail for another semester.  A few months into law school I felt a strange enjoyment out of the 'torture' that I get from the barrage of reading materials.  That's when I started enjoying it.

A month ago, during one of the social events I attended,  I met this person who said that both his parents are lawyers but never practiced the profession.  I thought wow,  I really thought he was joking but he was not!  I also have a friend who's now a lawyer but did not practice and instead learned about being a professional make-up artist while doing non-law related business on the side.

I look forward to finishing law school but it is still more of a faroff goal for me,  I cannot put a thumb to it, it is a weird feeling.  There are more pressing and nagging priorities for me.  I get distracted easily by work and other responsibilities.

Do you have similar or opposing thoughts on the subject? Do share in the comments section below.

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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.  

Tried Studying While on Vacation?

Beautiful Coron, Palawan (2015)

Really?! Oh yes my dears,  I actually attempted to study while on vacation.  Unfortunately,  this time I have to admit, the vacay mode wins over my love for law books.  You cannot really blame me because Coron in Palawan is simply too irresistible so I told myself, law school can wait.  I wish.

I have tried studying while on my dream trip to India and boy, oh boy was it hard!  I ended up paying more for extra luggage to accommodate books and codals!  Mind you,  extra luggage ain't cheap because that's how some airlines profit more.  Apart from this,  I had to rebook my flight three times resulting to forfeiture and rebooking (also) of luggage allowance.

During my trip to Coron,  I bought a couple of books with me and attempted to read.  I did read a few pages but ended giving up trying.  Reading took a back seat but who am I really to resist this paradise called Coron?!  What was I thinking?  I am just a frail human.   Who can study while the white, white-sand beaches of Coron waves in a distance? No, no, no.

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Law Studies: Love and HateBest Place to Study?Post-Exam SyndromeI'm Back to School, Oh Yeah!My Life Working While Studying LawI Got Myself a 'Drill Sergeant' aka Law Study CoachThe Law Student's Guide to Getting More SleepA Social Life While in Law SchoolOf Law Students and Coffee ShopsHow Do You Prepare for Bar Exams?Top 10 Things A Law Student Really Needs

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.  

Cooler Law School Rooms to Beat Summer Months

This blogger spent 5 days lazing in these white sands.

The heat in Metro Manila has amped up a couple of days since a few days earlier but since I was in some paradise island,  I was not able to experience the sudden shift.  I also heard from the news that even before the 1st day of the Fire-prevention month (March), fires have raged in the metro a few days ago.  In fact,  one even threatened to gut my neighborhood to the ground while I was lazing in the pure white sands of Palawan!

So what has cooler roomer and airconditioning got to do with my studies?  Well, I really cannot read or study properly while sweating buckets.  I would be too distracted by the temperature and it either lead to me sleeping or find other mundane things to do instead of reading.  It also means that it is harder to be out of the house unless you are in reading in some air-conditioned library room or classrooms.

Talking about cooler rooms,  I really do not think there are still law school classrooms in Metro Manila that do not have aircondition. I could be wrong but so far, I have been to two law schools and yes,  airconditioning is as common as wearing eyeliner (for me at least).  I am glad that my whole building has centralized cooling system even if it means I often freeze and bring a cardigan just to survive a class.

I know it is a slow day to be talking about cooler rooms but it would really make a big difference especially during summer months to have cooler classrooms.  Being in school and studying for recitation in a boiler-type of room is enough pressure so it is a relief to have this extra perk in your law school building!

In case your school does not provide cooler rooms, I think there still ways to beat the summer heat.  More fans and better air circulation could help.  Wearing lighter clothing could also help but this would not be possible if your school requires uniforms and blazers.

Does the heat bother you while you study?

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Top 10 Things A Law Student Really Needs

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.  

Why Law School Made My Everyday a 'Cheat' Day

I am not really a hardcore fitness person, as you can see from this pic!  Although I have stock knowledge on what one needs to do or eat to achieve an illegally bodacious body,  I have a hippie-style approach to fitness.  This means I exercise when I feel I need to, I eat when I'm hungry, and I allow myself 'cheat days' to gorge on rich, sugary food,  but lately it has become a daily habit.

I would often stay up way after midnight to catch up on my readings, so as expected I need to have more meals than a normal human being.  Come to think of it,  if you are awake on regular hours, the least number of regular meals you have is 3, plus snack breaks.

For me however,  you need to count in an additional coffee break at 10 pm,  a midnight lunch and another dawn snack at about 3 m, before I sleep.  Snacks can mean anything I found inside the fridge and it can be as rich as a superchocolatey ice cream treat or these JCO donuts last night.

So yeah, law school made me have a daily 'cheat' day.  Ironically,  this crazy schedule also gave birth to another weird habit I have which incidentally, perfectly sets-off this same odd eating habit.  This could be a factor preventing me from ballooning into another planet but this will be the subject of my next post because now I have to do a 24-hour review for another exam coming up next week!

Mwah!

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.  

Post-Exam Traumatic Syndrome

I passed my exam booklet ahead of 15 or so classmates not because I aced it but because I simply could not figure out how,  after reviewing for days on end, the answers were as elusive as Mr. Right.

Exams are draining mentally and metaphorically.  I actually feel like my few ounces of blood was drained in a blink.  Some exams can drain one mentally and this is one of those exams.  The ironic thing is I don't think I have written a substantial amount of answers so I do not know where that 'knowledge' went.  I think it got stuck somewhere in the deep recesses of my brain.

I also realized that that exam is the best pain-numbing drug.  It definitely makes me forget I ever had emotions for someone.  I really am wishing I am heartbroken right now, just so I could make use of this numbness.  If I have a boyfriend today, I could have broken up with him,  just because and I couldn't care less even if it's our anniversary.

I half-wished my school is on the 45th floor, so I can practice my non-existent basejumping skills. No I am not suicidal but it would have offered me much relief to do basejump ala Roberta Mancino.  Worst, my hyperactive brain has got another excuse to be running like roadrunner despite only having 3 hours of sleep so now my plan to reunite with my pillow will remain...a plan,

Yes folks,  that's how bad it gets!

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.  

Incredible India Midterms Review...NOT!

India Gate

Back to law school, that is.  I badly wanted to do a bit of midterms review in India but when my friend saw the books and codals I bought with me, she just looked at me, rolled  her eyes and said  "Do you really think you can read while here?"

Seriously, I planned to do a bit of reading especially at night when all is calm and quite from the day's itinerary. Wrong!  The cold North India winter was harsh and I barely survived it.  For one, I didn't bring enough winter clothes because my codals and books took up considerable space.  Finally, I know I can be cold-blooded and can be an ice queen emotion-wise but I am not built for cold weather.  A 16C aircon temp will drive me out of the room already!

While roaming in India, my hands would freeze and become numb as soon as I venture outside (even with gloves on). The numbness would then slowly creep up to the upper arms and I'd often be left shivering within an hour outside.

India is indeed incredible but my nights would often mean huddling under layers of blankets to keep myself warm and I would often forgo dinner. So my plan to study for midterms actually flew out the window.  My bed gave me little comfort.  It was not fun but I am still thankful for those few days that the sun would take a peek to warm up my frozen knuckles.

Honestly, my codals weren't much of any use there except to make my luggage heavier.  I was only able to read for hours during my long wait at the airports in Kolkata and Kuala Lumpur.  At least, the will was there, but darn cold and the incredible sights in India were too much for me to resist.

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.  

Busy Bee Forgetting My Law?

I have been busy these past couple of weeks and I admit my unofficial reading and review is badly affected.  My study coach is truly mad at me for not doing any reading.  I mean,  I feel bad and I am guilty.  This is something I have to do for myself and here I am not holding up my end.

Work has been crazy and I have other commitments to myself that I have to fulfill.  One is that I should lose some weight,  not much weight,  just the right amount.  Then I have to do different jobs and as you can imagine there are only 24 hours in a day.  I really cannot waste time with task that are not important so I feel that sometimes I would cheat myself on sleeping time.

Despite all these,  I miss blogging,  law books,  my codals,  reading and studying.  I miss spending overnight in a coffee shop just reading all those cases.  I hope my work and schedule will allow me to go back to law school and finish my unfinished business.   I have spent a great deal of sacrifice and it will all go to waste if I don't finish my law.

Anyways,  right now, I am busy planning my activities and sked for this week.  I have deadlines to meet, results to deliver,  books to finish (hopefully), and a million other things but I really really hope to do more reading,  so good luck to me!  I hope you are also moving along with your reviews.

Ciao!

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.  

Typhoon Glenda and Codal Review

'Upside down'

Typhoon Glenda (International name 'Rammasun') is pummeling Metro Manila right this moment as I am writing this post. A portion of our ceiling narrowly missed me as it fell cascading down the staircase where I was standing earlier. With electricity cut off, there is nothing left to do but pray and wait out, and then pray some more.

The wind is howling like an angry monster easily clearing anything on its path. With packed wind speed of 120 kph and gusts up to 165 kph, we are hoping it won't be as damaging as Yolanda. I hope it will not get any stronger, I hope the damage is not that great and more importantly, that there will be no casualty.

I am scared and living in a country lying in the typhoon belt never made me immune. It should have made me stone-faced dealing typhoons. Having narrowly escaped Ondoy's flash floods which submerged my home for a month should have made me a bit immune to floods but it didn't! I guess the only thing it left me is a lesson or two.

YET, No time to waste

There is nothing left to do but wait out, however, I'm not one who can sit still and do nothing. I've already packed some stuff for emergency evacuation if the water rises again. Being idle is not one activity I like hence, in between glancing outside my window and checking if the roof is still attached, I returned to my codal. Indeed, time is gold.

I hear some loud noises upstairs, I better check if the roof is still there.

Typhoon Glenda furiously slamming our glass panes

posted from Bloggeroid

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.  

I Got Myself a Drill Sergeant aka Study Coach

Image Source: Wikipedia.org
Original by John Kennicutt, U.S. Marine Corps

Whaaaat?!

I already imagine seeing a lot of brows raised.  People hire life coaches, so why not a law study coach? I study on my own but when you are on-leave, it is a totally different story.

I cannot study unsupervised when I'm out of school so in order to make each moment count, I enlisted the help of a dear 'friend-turned-study coach'. I hate that it sounds friggin' geeky but not anymore when the reward is a trip to the next World Cup, yey! I know that's four, long years away but I'll take any deal just to go somewhere, for FREE!

Mind you, no exchange of money for this. One thing I learn in law school is to negotiate at all times! I did a barter to give my friend a kick in his bum so he'll keep on track for his review for medical license.

The Rules

As part of our rules, I have to 'report' by posting seriously 'study' photos of what I'm doing for a given day (check out left sidebar). Think of this person as my personal Drill Sergeant who will make me do the impossible. Not only that, I have a timeline of what I'm supposed to cover for a 2-week period. It isn't foolproof I know but who am I kidding? Not myself, so I better get serious.

I have to admit, it is difficult but doable. I have a million things to do everyday that I often slump asleep in my working chair. Having a study coach will push me to move from point A to B, by force. As much as I like the idea of reading leisurely, being whipped and forced to do it will give greater results.

Let's see how this pans out but honestly, I'm stoked. To productivity! Ciao!

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 'Law School' Anthem

Law students, if you still haven't got a hold of this video, I'm warning you in advance, it will steal some minutes off your already precious time and leave you humming it inside your head. Law School is a parody of Maroon 5's Payphone which went viral a few months ago after bagging the top spot in video contest sponsored by Abovethelaw.com, a US-based legal blog. The said site invited law students to send in their comedy videos and the rest is history.

The video is hilarious (but oh so true) with lines like,
 "I'm spending my nights up making highlights,
 now read me my rights."

Check 2:16, it's epic, I know many fellow students can relate. Here it goes, watch it, sing it, dance it and enjoy! (I am thinking of doing my own version of this already.)
Ciao!

Do you really, really, want to be a Lawyer?

Are you really sure?
Kathryn Wahl image on Pinterest

"Are you sure? Are you really, really sure? Are you truly, super, really, really sure?"

I overheard from TV from a Spongebob Squarepants episode. Yes, that Spongebob and no, I was not watching it that time because I was reading my law books (me, defensive). But, yeah I have a love and hate relationship with that sponge guy. How in the world can a sponge be so famous?

Going back to that conversation between Spongebob and another character, I overheard not too long ago, nobody really asked me if I really, really, super wanted to be a lawyer.  For some reasons, this photo instantly caused that Spongebob deja vu moment out of my 'close to overload level' memory bank, just like that.

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Law School Meme of the Day

Sleep deprivation is a common affliction among law students
Image Source: memegenerator.net

Sleep deprivation is quite common among law students. How do you combat it? Do you have any suggestions and creative ideas on how you get sleep even while in law school? Send in your funny, crazy, creative sleeping ideas to lawsandfoundblog@gmail.com and a photo of you sleeping in any manner, who knows, your idea and photo could be chosen to get featured here in Laws and Found.

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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.