Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with getting yourself into law school right after graduating college. However, there are a few things you need to know before you head start to becoming a law student.
Here are 10 useful tips you wish to know before entering law school:
1. Your classmates aren't really old.
1. Your classmates aren't really old.
You might hear young law students say they're sitting beside old people in law school. Well, they're exaggerating. Most of your classmates, if not new graduates, are significantly young. So, you won't really feel intimidated neither relieved.
2. Reading digests before the full text SCRA is actually more strategic.
There are professors who would bombard you with too many cases (especially in Consti Law) as reading assignments as if their's is the only subject you are taking. As a freshman, you would diligently read every case assigned; however, you are no robot.
To be able to read all the assigned cases, it would be of great advantage if you seek help from the available reliable case digest sources online. Reading the digests before reading the actual cases will make you more focused on the issues that are being sought. Also, in case you weren't able to read all the SCRA (Supreme Court Reports Annotated), at least you were able to read the case digests. That shall give you the minimum idea you need for oral recitations.
3. Codals are repetitions.
Those 'codals' as law students call it contain the codal provisions of Philippine law (Civil Code of the Philippines, The Revised Penal Code, etc.) , without any annotations. The books your professors require you in law school contain those codal provisions with explanations and examples to every article.
Sure, the codals can be a good reviewer before exams; however, you can't assure yourself that you won't meet any confusion with regard to the articles in your last minute scanning. So, you'll find yourself looking up for the article in your law book.
Instead of wasting your money in buying codals, better yet, use paper markers and paste it in your book so it would be easier to open the right page for the article you need.
4. It's okay to bring food in class.
Most if not all of your law professors will allow you to bring food in class. It is even advisable. Lectures in law school lasts for long hours, there usually is a break between lessons. During breaks, it would be better if you stay seated in your classroom and eat the food you brought for yourself. Going to the school cafeteria, or worse, outside the campus would be time consuming. You would only be missing your chance to talk to your professor.
Take this time to ask your professor anything you wanted to clarify about what he/she discussed.
5. A notebook is a must.
In law school, highlighters are more familiar than notebooks. Law students depend on highlighters and pencils as tools for jotting notes. To students, it is common to highlight important and key phrases in the book and write some side comments beside topics.
However, this strategy won't serve you any good in the future. Some professors, and they are fond of this, won't let you open your book during oral recitations. If you were prepared enough, this won't matter, but if you aren't, glancing at your notebook won't hurt.
6. Your bf/gf won't be of any help.
Unless if your boyfriend or girlfriend is a lawyer or a law student, your partner's only help to you is as an inspiration or motivator. If your partner neither inspires nor motivates you, then he/she doesn't support you. Law school is very demanding. It requires a lot of attention and dedication.
If your partner doesn't understand that, and even competes with your schooling, then get rid of them. Your partner should be supportive in your dreams.
7. Professors can't answer all your questions after class.
You might get confused in the middle of your professor's lecture. Don't wait until the end of the class to raise your question privately to your professor. Law classes are scheduled at night, your professors have families to attend to too.
Raise your question as soon as you realize your confusion. Law professors would love students that frequently ask questions because it gives birth to an interactive class participation.
Don't be ashamed to raise your concerns. Your classmates might be thinking the same way as you do too. If you ask your question while in class, you can be everybody's hero.
8. Competition is zero.
Being in law school is never easy. You might think of the extreme competition inside the classroom setting and you would feel scared thinking of all the brilliant minds your classmates have. You shouldn't be miserable thinking of all the struggle you expect to be facing. In law school, competition is rare.
Because of the complexities in law school, you will find yourselves coordinating with each other. In law school, you would belong to one or more study groups. Law students help each other, not pull one another. Mind you, you might even notice you will have more friends in law school than in college.
9. Rumors are common.
Beware: gossiping is common in law school. Why? It is because law students, especially those who think they're really good at something, tend to say their opinions on every little things.
10. Failing is normal.
Again, your mere enrolling in law school itself is never easy. So even if you graduate with Latin Honors, don't be too hard on yourself because failing is normal in law school. It's okay to fail, just don't give up.