Congratulations!!!
You are about to embark on a new journey in your life. This journey will present new challenges which will test your will and determination. This path will lead you to your dream of becoming a lawyer.
You are about to embark on a new journey in your life. This journey will present new challenges which will test your will and determination. This path will lead you to your dream of becoming a lawyer.
WELCOME TO LAW SCHOOL!
So let's get down to business.
During the first week, more often than not, your professors will not come to class
(insert smiley face).
(insert smiley face).
HOWEVER,
If ever they come to class, the first thing the class should do is to stand-up when the professor is about to enter the room. This is a sign of courtesy and respect.
The professor will then check the attendance of the class and will distribute the class cards.
If ever they come to class, the first thing the class should do is to stand-up when the professor is about to enter the room. This is a sign of courtesy and respect.
The professor will then check the attendance of the class and will distribute the class cards.
Fill-up your classcard with the necessary information
If he/she hasn't introduced her name in your class, you have the option to ask him/her. If ever the said professor didn't divulge his/her name, you could ask the Dean's Office later (ask them nicely)
The professors will also select the student who will be the class beadle. The beadle is tasked to speak in behalf of the class and distribute any information pertinent to the class. The professor will contact the beadle in case he/she could not come to class or will give additional assignments etc.
Next is the professor will give their house rules.
Every professor has his/her own house rules so keep note of them. Some prohibit the use of gadgets in class, some only allow handwritten notes (no books allowed), some do not allow students going out of the room to pee once the class starts among others.
Always ask your professor of his/her preferred textbook. Ask him if he/she grants ceasefires (no recitation for the said meeting)
After introducing themselves and giving their house rules, some professors would like to know their students better so they will ask you to introduce yourself in class. You will recite your full name, undergrad course, undergrad school and hobbies. Also be prepared to answer the question, why did you pursue the study of law.
Next is the professor will give the first assignment for next meeting. The assignment will likely include chapters to be read and the corresponding cases.
In jotting down the list of cases, it is imperative for you to listen intently. It would be better for you to sit near the professor.
The professor will say the following in succeeding order.
CASE TITLE, SCRA NUMBER, DATE OF PROMULGATION OF JUDGEMENT
Example:
Next is the professor will give the first assignment for next meeting. The assignment will likely include chapters to be read and the corresponding cases.
In jotting down the list of cases, it is imperative for you to listen intently. It would be better for you to sit near the professor.
The professor will say the following in succeeding order.
CASE TITLE, SCRA NUMBER, DATE OF PROMULGATION OF JUDGEMENT
Example:
Tañada v. Tuvera, 136 SCRA 27, April 24, 1985
Don't fret if you missed the case title, the most important thing for you to know is the SCRA Number.
It would be better if the professor will give you a hardcopy of the list of cases he/she will assign the entire semester.Don't fret if you missed the case title, the most important thing for you to know is the SCRA Number.
If you have the list of cases, ask the beadle after the class to give the list to the photocopying services in the library. The person in charge of the photocopying service will be the one who will search for your cases and you will get your compiled full text of cases probably in just a couple of hours. (Pretty neat right?)
If you do not like bringing/holding piles of cases in school, you could search it online and save it to your gadget. Just make sure you have the right citations.
Going back,
After the professor gives the assignment, he/she will likely dismiss the class. Again, stand-up as a sign of courtesy and respect.
After the professor gives the assignment, he/she will likely dismiss the class. Again, stand-up as a sign of courtesy and respect.
Bear in mind that students are not allowed to leave the room until the professor leaves first.
NOW,
What if your professor did not arrive?
I want you to take this opportunity to get to know your blocmates.
Interact with them, introduce yourself and be charming as you can possibly be.
Interact with them, introduce yourself and be charming as you can possibly be.
As a rule of thumb, never assume that the professor will not go to class when he/she is one hour late. Always ask the advice of the dean's office before going home. There will be severe consequences when the professor arrives in class and more than 30% of the class is absent. This is called "boycott"
Before going home, bond with your blocmates by going to dinner together. Your blocmates will be your constant companions not only in the first semester but also in the 2nd semester.
The first week in law school will be ok, there will be less pressure BUT as the weeks go by, the pressure gradually increases.
You can do it! Good Luck! and remember the benedictine values of Ora Et Labora.
***PLEASE SHARE THIS POST IF YOU KNOW ANY INCOMING FIRST YEAR LAW STUDENT***
The first week in law school will be ok, there will be less pressure BUT as the weeks go by, the pressure gradually increases.
You can do it! Good Luck! and remember the benedictine values of Ora Et Labora.
***PLEASE SHARE THIS POST IF YOU KNOW ANY INCOMING FIRST YEAR LAW STUDENT***
Hey man, can you post the law school ranking based on the individual passing rates of schools in the recent bar exam like you did last year? Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteI will post that as soon as I get a copy. I'll post it this month.
DeleteHi kuya! May I ask how intense/stressful do recitations get? I am an aspiring lawyer but my fear of public speaking is getting in the way. I was not able to develop my comm skills back in college (I'm actually a fresh grad with a degree of BS Management Accounting) and this why I'm having second thoughts about going to law school. Also, if you have any tips for me, I would greatly appreciate it :)
ReplyDeleteThank you and God bless po!
Hi!
DeleteRecitations are stressful because the assigned readings usually include 1-2 chapters of the assigned book plus cases. usually 4 hours is not enough to study all of it.
The tricky part is that even if you have finished reading the entire reading assignment, it is not an assurance that you will have a great recitation.
There are some law professors who are very impatient, they want their students to answer their questions within 3-5 seconds. beyond that, you will be asked to take your seat.
One of the stressful feeling during recitations is when the law professor asks easy questions to other students but then when you are called, the most difficult question is asked.
Please remember this if ever you pursue studying in law school, "The harder you study, the luckier you will get"
As for your fear of public speaking,
I have friends and acquiantances who have similar fear but are nonetheless, thriving if not excelling in law school.
You know why?
Despite their fear of speaking in a room full of people, they have no choice but to speak when they are asked to recite. In addition, when they answer the question correctly, the confidence starts to grow. It snowballs and eventually their fear of public speaking actually diminish.
For the tips, just try to arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible be it in politics, sports, entertainment, history among others.
This will help you communicate with more people because you can confidently share your thoughts about any topic.
Moreover, if you are into podcast, try subscribing to The Quick and Dirty Tips: The Public Speaker. This podcast channel gives tips about how to become a great communicator/public speaker.
Pardon for the lenghty reply. Medyo loaded kasi ung mga tanong mo hehe
Thanks for reading my blog.
Hope you pursue law school.
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ReplyDelete