It’s been more than a month since we were officially welcomed to “hell.” Since then, I discovered that what they say is true. Law school isn’t like undergrad. Even if you graduated from a difficult course like engineering and accountancy, the amount of work you must do in law school is worlds beyond what you did in college. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. It is one of the most difficult courses you could find in our university. I had spent hours of studying in other people’s houses, and I had taken tests without taking a bath and without a single minute of sleep multiple times. But only in law school was I compelled to spend a fifteen-hour study session not for a major exam, but for an ordinary class day. With so many books to read and cases to digest, I had to make use of every available time I have. I read in buses and in jeepneys while the drivers are still waiting for passengers. Sometimes, I’d read even when the vehicle is moving. It’s tough. I’m always hungry (but that’s just me). I don’t help around the house anymore. I can’t wash the dishes because I have to write a lot, and doing so would make my hands shake. Maybe this is just me being paranoid of not doing well, but as I’m still adjusting, the first few weeks, in my opinion, are very crucial. This is when you learn how to budget your time and energy to keep your sanity intact.
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| We were required to watch a basketball game, but seeing that we all brought our study materials with us, we ended up studying at the gym. We still cheered every now and then, though. |
Before going to law school, I did a lot of research about what life will be like once I start. One of the tips I got was that you have to study every day. In my mind, I thought this would be just around two to four hours each day. However, during the first day, my professor particularly emphasized that we need to study six to eight hours a day to keep up with all the classes. He was not kidding. At least for me, I need that much time to prepare for classes and keep up. You could get by just by scanning the books and reading ready-made case digests sometimes, but you won’t really get the most out of the classes if you do this. Instead of strengthening well-established knowledge by reading the books and cases prior to class, you’ll end up writing everything the professor says and getting distracted and confused.
The books explain the material well, and the lectures are supposed to be there to reinforce the learning. But without reading prior to the lectures, everything will be new, and you’ll end up absorbing so much new information all at once. And that is very exhausting!
I admit I don’t always prepare for every class. Sometimes, the force of the bed is too strong, and my willpower becomes really weak. But I stand by what I’ve learned— reading before classes is important.
As for my health, I had learned the importance of exercise. When I’m studying, I would spend hours just sitting down. If I do this every day, I would be sedentary for the next four years. I was fairly active during college, exercising almost every day. But when I got to law school, I felt like spending even as short as thirty minutes for exercise would cost me a lot. But I had learned that it would cost more if I don’t take care of myself. I learned this the hard way. I was absent for my first Constitutional Law class because I got sick from being overly stressed, trying to prepare for class. We formed a study group, and we spent the whole day sitting down and eating unhealthy food while trying to cram every information in. Because of the stress, lack of rest, and lack of physical activity, I was bedridden for a whole day. Big price to pay for not taking care of myself.
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| The scene after our group study session |
There’s also the issue with my eyes. Because I’m always reading (or watching funny videos on YouTube), my eyes could barely catch a break. That’s why since day 1, I had been drinking Eye Berry, this eye vitamin my friend recommended. I hope it really does help in the long run. I feel envious of law students who don’t wear glasses or contacts. I mean, how’d ya’ll do it? There are even times, especially during the first two weeks, when I would literally vomit because I was so dizzy from reading. My professor assured us that it was normal, but I was really worried. I really hope the vitamins work. Haha!
As for my mood, I have definitely become more irritable. I was not the most patient person before studying law, and it got worse now. I became more sensitive to noise and clutter. I can’t concentrate on studying if the conditions are not right. Law is not easy. It’s not as enjoyable as reading a novel, and some provisions of the law are quite hard to understand. I had to read some three times before I could say I really got it, only to find out later that my interpretation was wrong. Hard materials are meant to be studied well in the right setting, and with the right mind-set.
I would observe law students back in Iligan before, when I was still in college. They would spend the whole day in coffee shops, and if their friends or relatives would call them, they’d get so angry that the whole shop would know what their problems are. It’s better to irritate an inebriated person than one who just woke up, but it’s worse if you disturb a law student cramming for a major exam. That’s why I am learning more and more every day that it’s better to just voice out what you feel than keep it to yourself because there’s no room for drama when you’re studying law. Maybe that’s why lawyers are so straightforward. Instead of saying bad things about other people behind their backs, it’s better to tell them right then and there.
What’s good about this time is that I’m still not working after resigning from my previous job. I couldn’t imagine what life would be like if I’d have to deal with school and work. I will definitely be working again next year, but I need this whole semester to adjust accordingly. That’s why I salute all my classmates and all law students who have full-time jobs and are still able to make it through. Tell me your secrets, masters!
To summarize, I’m doing all right for now. It’s been a struggle adjusting, but I’m surviving. There are still lots to learn and lots of reading to be done, though. Exam weeks are coming, and I am bracing myself for the worst.
Are you in law school? How is the experience so far? Share it in the comments section below.
It's a Ping Thing 