5 Things I Love About My Law School

Studying in a law school of your own choosing is often not a choice given to many law students.  I took 4 exams in 4 different law schools.  The first one was with my undergrad university but unfortunately I did not make the cut.  Then I took the exam at a sectarian university,  I made the cut and was allowed to enroll bypassing the interview but I did not push through with my enrollment there.

The third is another sectarian law school which honestly was not my own choice but my boyfriend's. It is where I spent a considerable amount of time before I got to my current school which brings me to this discussion

The school that I am currently in is one that I am truly proud of for these apparent and unusual reasons:

1.  I choose it.
Yes, that is definitely one major important dealbreaker for me.  I chose my school and nobody did manhandle me to enrol there.   In my past life, I have been a very obedient and agreeable person and I often do not have to really think for myself, other people close to me have the habit of doing that for me, for free.  Unfortunately,  there came a point when I realize that I don't want anyone thinking for me.  I realize that I don't don't like orange but something else.

My current school is of my own choosing. That is why I am happy with my choice because it signifies something more important than the simple act of choosing my path without the unsolicited prodding from others.  So there.

2.  The faculty is just awesome great

Our dean and a majority of the members of the faculty in my school come from my Alma Mater (undergrad) so more or less the way of teaching is something that I can already relate to.  It is kinda comforting to be in that kind of environment.

3.  The school has the perfect learning environment

Despite the usual and expected pressure to study which is really a given if you are in law school,  my school provided the right mix of instruction and level of student participation in the whole learning process.  In fact,  I felt more pressure to study now than I was in my previous law school.  I am not saying that my school is better than the previous but here I felt like every class I need to be on my toes all the time. In my previous school I could not say the same.

4.  It is very accomodating to working people

If you study law and you also work at the same time, it is akin to being in smashed in from of 2 boulders especially if your boss or school do not meet head to head when it comes to the fact that you are a working law student.

Here in this school I never felt not even once that I would have to make special arrangement or accomodations in my work or that I would have to exert extra effort just to make things work between my previous work and my studies.   It is like my school undertands our plight as working people so I really have to thank this school for that.

5.  It is very accessible 

My previous school it takes me at least an hour to get there and that was years back before the hellish traffic sitch in Metro Manila right now.  I cannot imagine the gruelling daily commute I would have to do now, maybe it would take double that time to just attend my classes everyday!

My current school is about halfway and on good days, I can reach there in 15-20 minutes.

All in all, I feel very lucky to be in my school right now and I could not have chosen any other school if given another chance.  For most part , it is the school that chooses whether to admit you or not,  not for me, it is the other way around. And for that,  I feel so lucky and thankful..

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.

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.

RELATED POSTS

• Law Studies: Love and Hate
• Post-Exam Syndrome
• I'm Back to School, Oh Yeah!
• 5 Legal Ways to Earn Money While in Law School
• My Life Working While Studying Law
• I Got Myself a 'Drill Sergeant' aka Law Study Coach
• The Law Student's Guide to Getting More Sleep
• A Social Life While in Law School
• How Do You Prepare for Bar Exams?
• Top 10 Things A Law Student Really Needs
• Who's the Real Boss

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?

RELATED POSTS:
Law Studies: Love and Hate
Best Place to Study?
Post-Exam Syndrome
I'm Back to School, Oh Yeah!
5 Legal Ways to Earn Money While in Law School
My Life Working While Studying Law
I Got Myself a 'Drill Sergeant' aka Law Study Coach
Death and Wills
The Law Student's Guide to Getting More Sleep
A Social Life While in Law School
Of Law Students and Coffee Shops
How 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.  

Law School Burnout

I know I am not allowed  to even think of the possibility of a burnout but admittedly, last week and then this week put me into some dumps.

All the readings,  late nights and overnights, and pressure from the home front just got into my nerves and I need an escape.  There is no doubt that I love my studies but then I am only human.

This semester I tried to let go of some work duties to concentrate on my studies but then it backfired. I guess I miss the craziness of having different schedules though it seem chaotic at the same time.  I miss a lot of things.

I guess it goes with the territory.  It can be fun living a 'solitary' life but there are just times that you feel so down and worn out.  An escape is a must!

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.  

Dating a Law Student

This a post-Valentine post yes, but I really could not conform to this overly commercialized activity and chose to spent it with single friends.  No I am not bitter!

A few years back, I had law student boylet. There is nothing extraordinary about our relationship except for the late night meet ups, the irregular date schedule and the occasional date cancellations.  Quite tame compared to a time when I was dating this fraternity guy.  Apart from saving unintentionally saving him from a jail term, it was a great roller-coaster ride. Anyways, back to law student dating.

You see law students do not have much time in their hands and relationships need effort and time like plant needing TLC water sunlight, air to grow.  Having said that, our priority is surviving each semester so you gotta be prepared to take second priority.

Law school is a jealous lover in itself.  In case you are already dating one, being clingy will spell doom .  Yes, of course, some guys are clingy.  Law school is always top priority for us so if given the choice to chose between our anniversary and preparing an outline,  sorry, that's a no-brainer.   Love and law school do not just work well harmoniously for everybody.

Finally,  law school is expensive, apart from gas, books, etc you really do not have time to splurge on expensive dates so if your guy is a law student,  do not expect any weekend out-of-town trips unless of course he is also at the same time a billionare, like Mr. Grey.

I would say that in this case, birds of the same feather seem to have a better chance of lasting.  If you are in law school, I guess it is better be in a light relationship with another law student.

So would you date a law student?

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.  

Law Studies: Love and Hate

Lovin'

I have a love and hate relationship with my law studies.   I love it for the challenge.  Finishing law would mean that I can start moving on to other pressing matters and journeys.

I love having to be on my feet and get pressed for time because everyday is like a huge deadline.  Each day I have to read at least 5 hours to get all the laws, the cases, and commentaries in my head although some days I'm not able to do that.

I love being forced to make every second count.  I love having to squeeze every hour for all its worth whether it be for reading 10 cases per hour (full text okay), trying to get a decent bath in less that 5 minutes, and skipping a workout or squeeze one within a 15-minute frame.  I love the stress but then I am only human so...

Some hatin'

Studying law as an irregular student due to work and other life responsibilities mean that you do not have a the permanent support group in law school.  It is good to have a study buddy who will kick you ass when you feel lazy.

It is not a joke being in law school when you have to think about all the things you have to finish and read before you become a lawyer.  Graduating from law school is like a huge cliff rift that I need to pass through before moving on to bigger things.

I have a millions things that I wanted to do and ideas to put into action but every time, my law studies just acts like medieval warden with a whip in hand reminding me that I got to finish law first, and that it's law or never.

Then there is the bar exams which to me right now seems like a huge 20-foot wall mainly because it another hurdle a law student needs to overcome.  It is not so much of an issue of studying for it, but more of this fear of what is waiting for me on the other side.

I am thinking will I be joining a law firm, will I be continuing with current line of work which is quite unrelated to law, will I be able to reconcile law practice with my other interests?  Will I take more specialize studies in law or in IT? I dream of writing or publishing law books one day when I am qualified enough to write one.  Finally, will be able to reconcile all these varied interests?

All these things are going through my mind and uncertainty can be exciting and daunting all at the same time.  All these things take time and prioritizing and strategy.   Nevertheless,  I have to be a responsible adult to plan my next strategy and make things work.

For now, I just have to boost the love part of this relationship, to tidy me up during the rough part.  Definitely, I will not be taking the bar this year, so that leaves me time to be productive and harmonize for the meantime my love and hate relationship with my law studies.

This is a bit of a rant but these posts do not get as much hits as my case digests, so I guess it's okay.  How about you, do you absolutely love or slightly hate being a law student? Let me know.

RELATED POSTS:

My Love and Hate Relationship with Stress
Working While Studying Law
I'm Back in School, Oh Yeah!

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.  

Studying for Midterms in India!

Learning a few phrases in Hindi for my India trip

(Late post)

India here I come.

I know a lot of crazy things started since I put into practice an absolutely wonderful tip from Mr. Bryan Tracy.  Earlier this year I wrote down one of my goals that I am going to India or Nepal before the year ends?  Well, the year is about to end and sure enough that goal is about to become a reality.

Crazy things indeed happen and doors open and India could be my midterms review location.  I obtained a special assignment in the Delhi-Agra-Rajasthan area this coming Christmas break and since this is my dream destination I decided to extend it few more days so I can explore the sites and then review during evenings for my midterms in January 2015.  I guess I have to figure out how to bring my books without exceeding my excess baggage allowance.

We'll see if my review will have a special India effect come midterms. Hoping!
Check out my India trip adventures from my Travel blog this January. I am sure going take a lot of great, great photos.

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'm Back in School, Oh Yeah!

'Hangin out' at my favorite coffee nook

Yes, I am back and hopefully with a vengeance.  It was not easy to enroll again,  to be honest.  Work-with-lots a stress has definitely fried my brains to perfection coupled with the fact that my bosses' are not too keen on me going back to school again but I persisted.

Going back to school is not a breeze this time.  I had to apply for readmission and since doing so takes a lot of paperwork and clearances done, I almost gave up.  A good Colonel friend of mine (whom I already thanked personally) gave me the final shove to just deal with it.  In my other school, senior students often have an immunity of sorts but in my new school, there is no such privilege.

I remember during interview when the Dean in my new school asked why I transferred and didn't believe my reason at first I suppose.  My justification was quite shallow I might say.  Then she looked at my grades and that's only when she believed me.

I have no regrets leaving my previous school as it was a personal decision and it felt so liberating to just do things on your own without some people checking your progress as if you are in grade school.

Anyways,  I have a few review subjects left but honestly I am quite struggling to be on top of the game again due to my multi-work duties.  Lack of sleep is my foremost enemy.  And no surprise,  half of the week I only get to sleep 2-3 hours.

I have to finish this time, by hook or by crook because after law school I am going to work towards my USPA A license in Dubai and that would take a month or more. More about this special license that I'm truly dying to have in my next posts.

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.  

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.

RELATED POSTS
5 Legal Ways to Earn While Studying Law
The Law Student's Guide to Getting More Sleep
A Social Life While in Law School
Of Law Students and Coffee Shops
How 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.