Inside the class of Socrates

It's been a year since I entered Law School. And here I am, still hanging with my classmates. If I remember it right we started a class of 36 students and now we're down to 8. frequently asked question for law students is "Is it really friggin' hard?" The answer would always be a yes but it's fun. more exciting than you think. Maybe you found this page because you're wondering what is it like to be in law school? what are the perfect study habits to get through? and will everything be worth it?

I believe that you got here because of SERENDIPITY. Maybe you're an incoming first year, already preparing to face eternal damnation or already a law student trying to climb and surpass mountains. If I'm just on my way to sophomore, maybe you wouldn't trust whatever I would write in this blog and look for advice of a those who already got their licenses and are already practicing lawyers. But believe me, it's either their too busy to answer you or their experiences will no longer apply to our time. hmmmmnnn Do I sound like I'm selling something? Don't worry nothing is for sale. I'm just trying to relax for my summer vacation and thought of writing before my brain cells run dry. I'm just trying to help and hope that good karma will find me and help me pass the bar exams. :p





What is it like to be inside the class?

You'll be nervous that's for sure. Even the top students of the class sitting beside you, are already calling for the saints name for guidance. Because once you are called to recite you are like a salami being sliced by your professors asking you questions you either don't understand or he asks questions you never read or heard before. --- tantananan tanan!!! Welcome to the class of Socrates.
The mode of teaching in law school is called the Socratic Method. the teachers asks you a series of questions that help you understand the law more and get away with ambiguity. The law is ambiguous you have to accept that. But don't worry professors understand what you're going through and they aren't as heartless as you think. In fact their humor will surprise you. the Philippines is full of humorous people. you'll find them on every corner of the country. Do not ever think that professors are like stones preparing to crush you. Of course they want you to learn They want you to become lawyers as well. You might wanna curse them but someday you'll thank them for embarrassing you inside the class.

Before the classes starts there are certain preparations you should do in order to lessen the work load, stress and anxiety. This is something I regret. If only I could turn back time, I’ll turn it back to summer of 2009, where I had all the time to prepare. So here are the things you should do while you have the time:

1. Learn to read with comprehension fast. 1 minute per page is slow. If you want to practice, practice reading landmark cases. Reading your first case is like reading a foreign language, you understand some words but you don’t understand the rest.

The following are landmark cases which are from the Philippine Jurisprudence. These are cases from different subjects you'll encounter in your first year. Practice reading as soon as you can.


• Tanada vs. Tuvera G.R. No. 63915
• Chi ming tsoi vs. Court of appeals G.R. No. 119190
• Francisco vs. house of representatives G.R. No. 160261
• In re: Laureta and Maravilla G.R. No. 68635
• Lorenzo vs. Posadas People vs. Ferrer 48 Scra 382, 395

2. Learn Spanish. This is a foreign language I always wanted to learn but never did because of lack of time. This tip is not a must. You’ll just encounter Spanish phrases in some cases (which are always ignored) because our civil code is based on Spanish civil code. Of course you also want to understand everything in a case.

3.Learn to memorize faster. Law school is law school. Memorizing the law is a must. But you’ll have to memorize mountains of codes, and your books and cases are waiting for you. You are always time constraint so learn to do everything faster.




4.Start collecting references from people you know who are in students law not only from your school but also those from other schools. They’ll be more useful than you think.

5. Surf the net. Other than this blog there are millions of sites that tells you what to do, how to be successful in school, do’s and don’ts and gives you a perfect idea of the life you are about to enter.