Category: Law School Journey

A Practical Guide Before Entering Law School

Law school can be a challenging and demanding experience, but with the right preparation and mindset, you can set yourself up for success. If you are reading this, you are probably considering going to, reading for a friend, or curious about law school. Whether you are just starting your law school journey or are looking to enhance your experience, it is important to know about it to make the most of your time and achieve your goals.

To begin with, law school is a professional program that prepares students for a career in the legal field. It provides a solid foundation in the legal principles, theories, and practices that are essential for success as a lawyer. The curriculum typically covers areas such as contracts, torts, property law, criminal law, and constitutional law, among others. 

Schools vary in terms of admission requirements, length of study, and teaching methods, but applicants are required to have a bachelor’s degree. Law students typically spend the first year of law school learning fundamental legal concepts and techniques, while the following two years allow for more specialized study and practical training through internships and clinical programs.

If you are considering law school, it is important to research different programs and carefully consider your career goals and interests. With hard work and dedication, law school can provide a fulfilling and successful path in the legal field. Nothing beats preparation.

1. Determine if you meet the admission requirements:To enroll in law school in the Philippines, you must have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution. Your bachelor’s degree can be anything as long as it is a 4-year program. Others call this pre-law course. Most of the law students took Accountancy, Political Science, Philosophy, Psychology, Legal Management, Engineering, AB English, Education, and even Nursing. Is the pre-law required to be like these? NO. Again, any 4-year course would do. Each Course has its own edge, but you will all be equal after the first two weeks in law school.

2. Choose a law school: Research and compare law schools in the Philippines to determine which one fits your needs and goals. Consider factors such as location, curriculum, faculty, and resources. Choose the law school that will help you achieve your dream of being a lawyer. Just remember that the best law school is the school that you will eventually enroll in.

3. Apply to law schools: The first step in becoming a lawyer is really to enroll. While it is true that we need to be ready first, the truth is, nobody will be ready for law school except those who will be bold enough to take the risk. So take the risk! Submit your application and other required documents to the law school you have chosen. Be proactive that you will get in, but leave a bit of a doubt in order to build your faith and humility. Apply to various law schools, so that you can have options whenever you are not accepted in one. Nothing is certain in life, but a heart that thirsts for a dream will do everything to make that dream a reality. Just do your part, Someone up there discerns the desires of your heart.

4. Know Yourself: Knowing yourself is an important aspect of success in law school and beyond. By understanding your strengths, weaknesses, values, and priorities, you can make informed decisions and develop effective strategies to achieve your goals. This would be helpful in understanding what study habits will be effective for you.

5. Read. Read. Read.: Other law students would tell you that you should enjoy your happy days before going to law school because you are entering a Calvary. They would even tell you to watch all the movies that you want and go travel. There is an ounce of truth in that. However, there is a greater truth in the idea that habits will make you succeed in law school. So as early as college or even high school, build good habits. That habit is reading. You should be reading law related subjects such as structure of government, basic principles of law, and even some criminal law topics as early as possible. This is not a guarantee that you can understand them, but it is a good way of conditioning your mind to the terms that you would eventually spend hours with. Also read novels, news, and whatever books under the sun, even erotic books. If that would widen your vocabulary and increase your focus, so be it! The sky’s the limit. Oh! There’s no limit actually.

6. Bid Farewell: This may sound melancholic, but this is the truth. Before law school, inform all your loved ones and other people that would need your time that you are going to be with a jealous mistress–law school. That you would not be as available often. That doesn’t mean that you will not have time for them. Instead, you are telling them that you are in a team and that you need understanding from them. It’s just a couple of years. After that, all of you will reap the fruits of this endeavor.

Will our social life vanish? NO. There is social life in law school! It is just moderated. It is not true that you will be isolating yourself in reading and studying. In fact, we will even develop our social skills by helping each other in law school. There will be students from higher years that would be sharing their pdfs, notes, and even rumors about the teachers (but be selective in who to believe).

7. Pray: Law School is one religious walk. It would require one to seek a Higher being. It is important that you should not be depending on yourself as there are circumstances that we cannot control. There will be times that you would feel doubts and even question your worth and intellect. In those days, your faith can carry you through.

Being prepared for law school requires a combination of academic knowledge, practical skills, and personal characteristics. It is not luck nor other people who would determine your success. It is your faith and hardwork. Carry on future pañero/pañera!