With the anxiety of exams now behind, I’ve decided to reduce to writing, 7 Things I Wish I Knew Sooner about being a 1st year student at Norman Manley Law School.
Without further ado, here’s my submission:
#1: Life Outside of Law School is Priceless
If you are a prospective law student at this level or even a first year, who has not yet completed exams, this might be hard to comprehend, or even believe. In my first year, I worked full time and as you may know, the program at Norman Manley Law School is also full time. I was always occupied and eventually started to feel overwhelmed, anxious and burnt-out.
I always felt that I was racing against time to strike a balance between school and work. Until one day, I decided, I wouldn’t. I decided I wouldn’t strike a balance between being a teacher and studying the law, because there was no balance – for me at least.
Now, some might gasp at this. Or even wonder if I’ve lost my sensibilities and logic. Truth be told, I had started to loose them, in a bid to find balance, and only retrieved them when I stuck out that notion!
Instead, I started to embrace the innate knowing of my body, mind, and soul. I turned to life outside of those two hard places, and it was then that I felt like I was able to pull through.
I agreed to host wedding receptions, two to be exact. Something I’ve always wanted to do. The very first reception – I was paid. The second, I had an exam the next morning. I volunteered during Christmas in a vulnerable community; I gave speeches; went out with family. Prior to me deciding to live outside the rigid expectations of a “law student” I would not have considered. I would have had excuses. It would cut into my time to study. It would be a distraction. In hindsight, these activities kept me sane.
At the beginning of the school year, I recall there was a memorial for a student who had died before I was enrolled. It dawned on me, that living is truly a beautiful thing. We shouldn’t put off life or become so consumed with any particular thing. Especially when they are the source of anxiety and overwhelm. It helps to choose moments, people, places and experiences that help to make the journey more bearable.
This by no means extend to loosing sight of the goal (s) or seizing to be disciplined. Discipline I find, is the guide rail, the measure that helps to bring us right back to do what needs to be done, even in the midst of truly living.
So if there is any regret, it would be not doing more things outside of law school.
#2: Evening Stream of Law School isn’t so bad
Prior to the start of school, I was unsure how this “evening stream” looked in practicality. On paper, classes would end at 8/9 pm. The blessing was this – classes alternated weekly between being face-to-face and online. I soon realized that I only had one class ending at 8pm. With the majority ending by about 6pm. It wasn’t until second semester, that another course went up until about 9pm and it ran online.
Although this wasn’t all good, for example, those days when there were three consecutive classes (with no time to breathe or even prepare in between) there would be a huge relief after.
The evening stream helped me with what I knew all along… I grasped content better in the evenings/at night.
I was also worried I’d be super tired from work in the A.M. however, it wasn’t as bad as I initially thought – attending school in the evening that is. It felt like a whole new experience, and I looked forward to it. Perhaps it was the fact that I’ve never quite attended school on a stream basis, let alone have all classes in the P.M. that daunted me. I managed on the days I managed and it made my job possible.
#3: Not having a Printer in Law School was a Disadvantage
There were so many cases; manuals; legislations; guidelines; forms etc. to have in my physical possession. While I managed to get some things printed, and kept others soft copy, it was a serious disadvantage.
Even those forms I needed for court attendance, which are to be signed by the judge/clerk/senior counsel, I’ve had to visit internet cafes to get them printed. The time take to do that, could have been conveniently done at home.
Related Post: 5 Ways I’m Preparing for Law School
Similarly, some evenings after classes, it would have come to my attention that I needed to take in something, or otherwise have a physical copy for ease of access, and not being able to print at home delayed the process.
While I survived without it in my 1st year of law school, I certainly would have thrived better having one.
#4: Group/Peer Activities are Plenty in Law School
I’m not complaining. It helps. But I wasn’t ready for it – given my schedule and the type of day job I had. When my peers were planning on taking an early lunch break to meet or meeting during their down time, it was a bit harder for me considering my time was already scheduled as a teacher. There were specific slots in the day that I would have been available.
Outside of that, there were days when I’d prefer to just complete a task alone. Group assignments tend to bring out these feelings in a lot of people. At one point I felt as though I was being a burden to the other members – you know, unavailability, overwhelm from work on particular days, varying life circumstances etc.
My first year was a disaster where group/peer meetings were concerned. Even though I managed to communicate for the most part, knowing me and my standard when it comes on to support and teamwork, I fell short.
Knowing then, what I know now about the constant group/peer assignments I would have concocted a strategy before the start of school.
#5: There’s a LOT of emphasis on Theory instead of Practicality at Law School
A major expectation for any student who have completed reading for their law degree at the undergraduate level – its that, when they get to the ‘law school’ which is to be the training ground before becoming certified, there will be a lot of practical exposure and less theory.
Quite frankly, I was disappointed. Although there were course like Criminal Practice and Procedure/Civil Practice and Procedure, which sounds like practical courses, they were heavily academic. In the sense that there was still this undergraduate approach to the teaching of the courses. Lectures (which were recorded and disseminated) as well as tutorials. Little to no practicality.
Thank goodness for the course of Advocacy, which was most practical and lived up to the ‘law school’ expectation. This course required students to practice and hone skills in examining witnesses; cross-examining, conducting bail applications or otherwise presenting arguments.
I think, a reformation of the way the curriculum is brought across is urgent. There is this heavy reliance on the students completing court attendance (which, in my estimation is a beneficial part of the curriculum), so much so that it should be incorporated in the time allotted for the teaching of courses and not just some extra-curricular activity basically.
All in all, most days were a drag with reading cases, rules, judgements, reading about procedures etc. with little to no practicality. It made the experience rigid, test centered and mundane.
#6: There’s Always some Resources passed down from Previous years
Get your hands on them as soon as possible. It helps save time and also humiliation. What do I mean? Many students in class, reading their case briefs ands judgement excerpts didn’t stay up all night briefing those cases. They’ve gotten a hold on some google drive or a list of materials that have been in quiet circulation.
The sooner you can get these in your possession, the sooner you will feel more confident and even smiling when your tutor picks on you.
Ask friends or associates who have graduated or matriculated to second year for the relevant materials and assignment presedents.
This does not mean there aren’t students burning the midnight oil to read 40+ cases a week. Who knows, they have their strategies. as a matter of fact, there should be moments when you sit to create your own notes and briefs.
Regardless, work smart my friend. Even your lecturers and tutors are using notes and briefs passed down from their colleagues to sustain their lessons. and at law school, your lecturers and tutors are lawyers and judges. Do the math… I mean, the law.
#7: 1st Year of Law School Flies by Really Quickly
I can hardly believe that the first year of two years at Norman Manley Law School is down already.
I still remember how worried I was that I wouldn’t survive the upcoming semesters; how overwhelmed I felt; how far away the summer days were.
Just like that, its almost time for year two.
looking back, I learnt a lot and am still very grateful I took the time and effort to endure. Not only that, but also grateful for the people who stood by me every step of the way to see me through year 1.
Take the leap, and be of good courage. If you are contemplating going to law school or even if you are enrolled as you read this – persevere. This too shall pass.
Law School is not as dread as people make it out to be.
Honestly. It isn’t.
Another truth though, is that it isn’t a walk in the park either. With your head properly intact with your shoulders, with discipline and determination; with resilience amidst the challenges – just like anything worthwhile in life – you’ll be okay.
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