On Reflections and Insights

by Christian Uy

As soon as 4:30 struck in the clock, the confines of Escaler Hall were jam-packed by Ateneo Lex and non Ateneo-Lex Members alike to attend the yearly Law School Forum. All are on track to the same mission which was to listen to the valuable lectures of students and faculty from three of Philippines’ elite law schools: Ateneo, University of the Philippines (UP), and San Beda.

Seeing the myriad of people flocking around makes me wonder how deeply interested these people are. With all eyes on the speakers and their lectures about their experiences, the audience was quite participative with what they listened to. They even had their inquiries heard and answered by the speakers in the open forum. This was what they came for, and their getting the most out of utilizing the opportunity to voice out the aged questions about law school.

The lectures of the speakers focused mainly on the key questions: “What does it take to be successful in law school?” and “Can I survive law school given the stereotypes that are intertwined with it?” The main content of the lectures discussed revolved around passion. Most of the speakers talked about that in order to be successful in law school —one must love what he is doing.

It is true that the life we enjoyed in college may not be as slack as to when one enters law school. The sacrifices that we make can be enjoyed in the long run. Gelo Cunanan, a student from Ateneo Law School even said, “If you’re one of those people who enjoy hanging out at Cantina regularly, forget it in law school, lucky for you if you can go out once a week.”

Aside from that Tim Guanzon, who is the representative student of UP Law School said that, “Generally most people who quit law school leave during the freshman year. If you decided to go for sophomore year, then there are high chances that you will graduate.” Indeed, entering law school is mostly about the guts, the passion, self-confidence, and of course the heart since it takes 4 or 5 years in order to complete a Law degree.

Attending the Law School Forum gave me fresh insights about law school. It warded off the frightening stories and stereotypes. It also taught me lessons based on aspiring law school students and those who changed their minds of entering law school alike. Norge Patacsil, a mentor from UP Law School said that, “When you work in your group digests in law school, do your part. Don’t be a freeloader.” Yes, it’s true that this is an advice about law school, but in layman’s terms, it only means that one should strive as hard as the others whom he gains benefits and outputs from. It is unfair if he only benefits from them yet, does not contribute to others. That is absurd.

However, that crippling fear that struck me became a challenge not only for me, but also to all those listeners that wanted to be future lawyers. It is true that I am aware that Legal Management is not really meant to be a preparatory course for law, but giving me this kind of mindset makes my vision in life clearer. Visions will be visions and though how clear these visions may be, it’s still up to the individual on how he will work his way up: as the Next Top Lawyer.

Currently a junior taking up BS LM, he takes claim in being called G3 all around campus.

Blogged by the CC Mixed Media Mgt. Pool.