Time Flies Fast When You're in Law School

Have you ever had that feeling that time is spinning faster than usual?  I do, these days in particular. This might have been caused by a myriad of factors.  Perhaps I have become more organized and now preoccupied with lists (both daily & yearly) that accomplishing each item as much as I can made time whirl as if on fast forward.

In line with my countdown to projected future phases in my law school life,  I downloaded this application called 'Countdown' (see screengrab above) which literally counts down to the last second of any event you find worth remembering or preparing for.  That is on Blackberry by the way but I am sure you can also download the same app on Android phones.

Based on the application's calculation I realized that I have only a little bit more than 200 days to finish the current school year and double that number of days before the major bar exams next year, oh la la!

These just puts my brain on survival and countdown mode and made me frantic for a few days now.  I would review my list of daily tasks all leading to these two major events and each time feel that I am doing barely enough.  I realized that I need to up the pace if I want to be on track.

How I Make a Study Time Table

Making a time table a year ahead is easy of you are clear about your study goals.  I just think of what I need to accomplish at particular dates in the future and work from there backwards.  What I do on a daily basis is to do something all leading to that study goal.  This is my effective way of eating my 'frog' one chew at a time.  Start mapping out your time table if you intend to take the bar soon.

Since I have a very light load this time,  I intend to advance my readings into those subjects I will get the next semester to make use of the precious time I have.  If I stay on course and follow strictly my task list,  I would finish reading all my materials by 31 October 2015.   This leaves me with about 75 days more to go!  Then after this,  I would give myself a fresh round of 3 months to re-read the material and finish it by 31 January 2016.  Still pushing with the time schedule I have for the following semester I will finish my 3rd reading by 30 April 2016.

Tall order, eh?  It is better to put all these things in perspective as early as now.  Knowing and realizing the urgency will make you study efficiently.  How about you?

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.  

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.