It is during this time that the whole school is praying and wishing each Bar examinees all the best as they set to take one of the hardest licensure exams in the Philippines.
The Bar month is my favorite because aside from assisting bar examinees, there is a lot food and overflowing drinks during this time. (This is specially true if you join the Bar Operations of your school or you are affiliated to an organization/fraternity/sorority which conducts bar operations)
Let me share to you my story from the time of Faculty Deliberations up to my own experience in the Bar Month.
*caveat - this post is a long one*
*caveat - this post is a long one*
FACULTY DELIBERATIONS to GRADUATION DAY
May 19 was the date of the Faculty Deliberations ("Delibs")
The Delibs is conducted in order to determine who among the graduating students will be included in the coveted "List of Graduates for 2017".
It was nerve-wracking specially when it was already in the afternoon. The delibs is conducted during that time and the list is posted usually between 8-9 pm. I kept my mind busy by watching shows in iFlix and NetFlix alternatively but the pressure was just way too much to bear.
A lot of "what if" scenarios were playing in my head during that time.
"What if I did not make the list?, will I transfer to another law school just to be able to take the bar this year?" Actually I was hoping to at least make it to the removals list so that I still have a fighting chance to graduate.
A lot of "what if" scenarios were playing in my head during that time.
"What if I did not make the list?, will I transfer to another law school just to be able to take the bar this year?" Actually I was hoping to at least make it to the removals list so that I still have a fighting chance to graduate.
When the clock striked 6pm, I was constantly checking at San Beda College-Alabang School of Law's (SBCA) Facebook page and Twitter page for any updates. I was also chatting with my fellow graduating students, asking for updates.
The list of the graduates were posted online around 8:45 pm.
I muttered a silent prayer and took a deep breath before opening the link.
When I saw my name in the list, I became teary-eyed.
FINALLY!
After 6 years, 2 years in San Beda Mendiola and 4 years in Alabang, I was able to graduate in Law School.
The moments after seeing my name in the list was a blur.
Fast forward to the Graduation, I was number 159 out 161 graduates that day. It was the largest batch of graduates to date. We barely fit into the SBCA Chapel because aside from the graduates, families and well-wishers were also inside.
BAR REVIEW PERIOD
Fortunately, my boss allowed me to take a study leave starting the second week of June. She was generous and supportive that I was still able to receive salary despite not required to report to work during my entire bar review.
For my bar review center, I chose to enroll to the Legal Edge Bar Review Center because I like their scientific approach for preparing their reviewees for the Bar. Aside from giving us exercises which would make us memorize the codal provisions, they also give trivia and mini-quizzes before the start of every review session. The review classes are scheduled on weekends which is convenient for me because I will be able to prepare during the weekdays. They also scheduled their review classes in such a way that the subjects for the fourth and final week of the Bar exams will be reviewed first. This method is optimal because the last subjects to be discussed will the be the first ones to be discussed in the pre-week. It gives a sense that the discussions is still fresh.
It was hard for me to study during the month of June to August because law students are used to studying in preparation for the recitation or examination. However, the real examination is still 4-5 months away. Attending review classes without reviewing the coverage beforehand will only bore you and the discussion will not interest you because you're not prepared to listen.
The best case scenario is before you attend the review classes, you have already finished the coverage, which will be your first reading. Attending the review classes will reinforce what you read in the first reading which in turn will be your second reading.
Also, I find it hard to read the new books I bought for the review because it made my pace so slow.
Moreover, bar review notes from other review centers will come in bunches which makes it extra difficult which ones will you prioritize to read.
Rumors regarding Bar examiners will also surface throughout the review period.
This is also the period when most of the bar examinees will experience weight gain. Personally, I gained a lot because my daily meal consists of Frappucinos from Coffee shops and slices of cakes.
Not to mention, the occasional food trips that my co-bar reviewees in order to just "eat the stress" away so to speak.
PRE-WEEK PERIOD
This is the week is in preparation for the two subjects for the Sunday Exam.
During this time, Pre-week notes will be given. This is essential because this is where all the topics were streamlined and the favorite topics of the rumored examiners are highlighted.
During the first pre-week, my stress level is on a all-time high because of the fast approaching exams. It also doesn't help that our Bar Exam Chairman Justice Bersamin is notoriously strict with regard to academic examinations.
HOTEL OPERATIONS
SBCA held their bar operations at Makati Shangri-La. We realized that it is more convenient that SBCA did not join San Beda Mendiola in their bar operations at Diamond Hotel because aside from the fact that Diamond Hotel cannot accommodate the two schools, the elevators are not that too jam-packed which turned out to be very convenient for us examinees,and the volunteers as well.
It was weird for me that I was the one receiving the food in my room instead of the one delivering it. I was a BarOps runner for 5 years.
The Makati Shangri-la was great but I didn't enjoy my stay like I would want to. I didn't get to enjoy the pool nor at least use the bath tub because I was cramming to finish my pre-week notes.
My routine for the four Sundays is to get up at 3:00 AM, take a bath and eat breakfast at 4:00 am and take the bus to UST at 4:30 am.
BAR EXAMS PROPER
My examination room is located at the Main Building of UST. Usually I would arrive at our designated room at 5:00 am. The travel from Makati to UST is quite quick and easy because we have traffic police escorting our bus.
The first exam starts at 8:00 am to 12 nn.
First bell rings at 7:30 am. During this time, we are no longer allowed to read our review materials or LMTs. We are only allowed to bring water and light snacks inside the room. The booklets and the questionnaires will be distributed during this time.
Second bells rings at 8:00 am. This signals the start of the exam.
Third bell rings at 11:30 am
Fourth bell rings at 11:45 am
Fifth bell rings at 12:00 nn
Second exam starts at 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
For the first two weeks of the Bar Exams, the afternoon subjects were very hard. I am not saying that the Morning subjects were easy but I'd say those exams were fair.
The Labor Exam was hard because the exam consists a lot of sub-questions. It was very long! I'm sure a lot of us who took the exams had tired hands after the exam.
The Difficulty of the Tax Exam is unimaginable. From 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm I had nothing to write in either my test booklet nor my test paper. I was just stunned at the magnitude of the questions.
The exam was so hard, Justice Japar Dimaampao told us at the Pre-Week of our Commercial Law Review that his Associates also find the exam hard and that when he read the test questions, he muttered a short prayer for us. IT WAS THAT HARD
THE THIRD SUNDAY CONSISTING OF MERCANTILE/COMMERCIAL LAW AND CRIMINAL LAW IS SO HARD IT DESERVES TO BE WRITTEN IN ALL CAPS, BOLD AND UNDERLINED
For the fourth and last Sunday, I felt like Justice Bersamin gave us a fighting chance to bounce back from that disastrous 2nd and 3rd week.
Remedial Law is 20% of the entire Bar score so it is imperative to get a high score on that exam to pull-up the sad scores from the early exams hoping that it would be enough to get to the passing mark.
BAR SALUBONG
After the exams, I was mentally, physically and emotionally drained and tired. It came to a point where I think I can't drink alcohol to celebrate the end of the exams just because I was so tired.
I became emotional during the mass celebrating the end of the Bar Exams in San Beda Mendiola.
Father Rembert told us that our job or task is done, we have reviewed and finished the Bar Exams; the result of the exams is no longer in our hands, but it is now with the Lord.
Right after the mass, I went to the Bar Salubong party together with my fellow bar examinees; the party was organized by my org in San Beda, Alliance for Alternative Action (AAA).
We drank and played music until the wee hours of Monday.
I kid you not if I told you that the morning after the last exam of the bar is so serene. For the first time since entering law school, I had never think about my backlogs after waking up in the morning. I felt so free. I loved that feeling.
Maybe 2 weeks before the release of the results of the Bar, I will feel the pressure again mounting in my chest but for now.
Hoping and praying that when the time of the results will be released, I will be one of the successful passers.
The list of the graduates were posted online around 8:45 pm.
I muttered a silent prayer and took a deep breath before opening the link.
When I saw my name in the list, I became teary-eyed.
FINALLY!
After 6 years, 2 years in San Beda Mendiola and 4 years in Alabang, I was able to graduate in Law School.
The moments after seeing my name in the list was a blur.
Fast forward to the Graduation, I was number 159 out 161 graduates that day. It was the largest batch of graduates to date. We barely fit into the SBCA Chapel because aside from the graduates, families and well-wishers were also inside.
BAR REVIEW PERIOD
Fortunately, my boss allowed me to take a study leave starting the second week of June. She was generous and supportive that I was still able to receive salary despite not required to report to work during my entire bar review.
For my bar review center, I chose to enroll to the Legal Edge Bar Review Center because I like their scientific approach for preparing their reviewees for the Bar. Aside from giving us exercises which would make us memorize the codal provisions, they also give trivia and mini-quizzes before the start of every review session. The review classes are scheduled on weekends which is convenient for me because I will be able to prepare during the weekdays. They also scheduled their review classes in such a way that the subjects for the fourth and final week of the Bar exams will be reviewed first. This method is optimal because the last subjects to be discussed will the be the first ones to be discussed in the pre-week. It gives a sense that the discussions is still fresh.
It was hard for me to study during the month of June to August because law students are used to studying in preparation for the recitation or examination. However, the real examination is still 4-5 months away. Attending review classes without reviewing the coverage beforehand will only bore you and the discussion will not interest you because you're not prepared to listen.
The best case scenario is before you attend the review classes, you have already finished the coverage, which will be your first reading. Attending the review classes will reinforce what you read in the first reading which in turn will be your second reading.
Also, I find it hard to read the new books I bought for the review because it made my pace so slow.
Moreover, bar review notes from other review centers will come in bunches which makes it extra difficult which ones will you prioritize to read.
Rumors regarding Bar examiners will also surface throughout the review period.
This is also the period when most of the bar examinees will experience weight gain. Personally, I gained a lot because my daily meal consists of Frappucinos from Coffee shops and slices of cakes.
Not to mention, the occasional food trips that my co-bar reviewees in order to just "eat the stress" away so to speak.
PRE-WEEK PERIOD
This is the week is in preparation for the two subjects for the Sunday Exam.
During this time, Pre-week notes will be given. This is essential because this is where all the topics were streamlined and the favorite topics of the rumored examiners are highlighted.
During the first pre-week, my stress level is on a all-time high because of the fast approaching exams. It also doesn't help that our Bar Exam Chairman Justice Bersamin is notoriously strict with regard to academic examinations.
HOTEL OPERATIONS
SBCA held their bar operations at Makati Shangri-La. We realized that it is more convenient that SBCA did not join San Beda Mendiola in their bar operations at Diamond Hotel because aside from the fact that Diamond Hotel cannot accommodate the two schools, the elevators are not that too jam-packed which turned out to be very convenient for us examinees,and the volunteers as well.
It was weird for me that I was the one receiving the food in my room instead of the one delivering it. I was a BarOps runner for 5 years.
The Makati Shangri-la was great but I didn't enjoy my stay like I would want to. I didn't get to enjoy the pool nor at least use the bath tub because I was cramming to finish my pre-week notes.
My routine for the four Sundays is to get up at 3:00 AM, take a bath and eat breakfast at 4:00 am and take the bus to UST at 4:30 am.
BAR EXAMS PROPER
My examination room is located at the Main Building of UST. Usually I would arrive at our designated room at 5:00 am. The travel from Makati to UST is quite quick and easy because we have traffic police escorting our bus.
The first exam starts at 8:00 am to 12 nn.
First bell rings at 7:30 am. During this time, we are no longer allowed to read our review materials or LMTs. We are only allowed to bring water and light snacks inside the room. The booklets and the questionnaires will be distributed during this time.
Second bells rings at 8:00 am. This signals the start of the exam.
Third bell rings at 11:30 am
Fourth bell rings at 11:45 am
Fifth bell rings at 12:00 nn
Second exam starts at 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
For the first two weeks of the Bar Exams, the afternoon subjects were very hard. I am not saying that the Morning subjects were easy but I'd say those exams were fair.
The Labor Exam was hard because the exam consists a lot of sub-questions. It was very long! I'm sure a lot of us who took the exams had tired hands after the exam.
The Difficulty of the Tax Exam is unimaginable. From 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm I had nothing to write in either my test booklet nor my test paper. I was just stunned at the magnitude of the questions.
The exam was so hard, Justice Japar Dimaampao told us at the Pre-Week of our Commercial Law Review that his Associates also find the exam hard and that when he read the test questions, he muttered a short prayer for us. IT WAS THAT HARD
THE THIRD SUNDAY CONSISTING OF MERCANTILE/COMMERCIAL LAW AND CRIMINAL LAW IS SO HARD IT DESERVES TO BE WRITTEN IN ALL CAPS, BOLD AND UNDERLINED
For the fourth and last Sunday, I felt like Justice Bersamin gave us a fighting chance to bounce back from that disastrous 2nd and 3rd week.
Remedial Law is 20% of the entire Bar score so it is imperative to get a high score on that exam to pull-up the sad scores from the early exams hoping that it would be enough to get to the passing mark.
BAR SALUBONG
After the exams, I was mentally, physically and emotionally drained and tired. It came to a point where I think I can't drink alcohol to celebrate the end of the exams just because I was so tired.
I became emotional during the mass celebrating the end of the Bar Exams in San Beda Mendiola.
Father Rembert told us that our job or task is done, we have reviewed and finished the Bar Exams; the result of the exams is no longer in our hands, but it is now with the Lord.
Right after the mass, I went to the Bar Salubong party together with my fellow bar examinees; the party was organized by my org in San Beda, Alliance for Alternative Action (AAA).
We drank and played music until the wee hours of Monday.
I kid you not if I told you that the morning after the last exam of the bar is so serene. For the first time since entering law school, I had never think about my backlogs after waking up in the morning. I felt so free. I loved that feeling.
Maybe 2 weeks before the release of the results of the Bar, I will feel the pressure again mounting in my chest but for now.
Hoping and praying that when the time of the results will be released, I will be one of the successful passers.
I love reading your blog, its humorous, inspiring, informative, and helpful. I had already decided to take up law this coming semester, and like other aspirants I am also nervous and skeptical if I can survive even just the 1st year since I am working full time from 8 am to 5 pm. But knowing that many working students were able to make it and survived, it gives me hope that I can make it too. Thanks.
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