I’ve been quite distraught the past days over my academic standing in Law. I’m in the brink of being kicked out because of my grades. Kicked out temporarily, at least. Since I was already on probation during the second semester of my freshman year, I am not allowed to get any more failing marks, but after enrollment two weeks ago, our Criminal Law 2 grades came out and unfortunately, I got my first 5.0 ever. That should effectively dismiss me from UP Law. The anomaly and the confusion, however, is that I’ve already enrolled before the grade came out and that classes have already started, and I’ve signed my class cards and all the first-day shiz. Another thing is that the cause of my probationary status last semester, a 4.0 in Persons & Family Relations, is still unresolved. Now I don’t know if my enrollment is voided, if I can remain enrolled conditionally pending the resolution of my unremoved 4.0, or what? I still have to talk with our College Secretary to clarify my status and negotiate something.
Over the past days I’ve been thinking of my choices whatever the outcome will be. Perhaps I can start working? Some of my friends don’t like this attitude of mine, always thinking of the worst scenario in order to be emotionally and psychologically prepared for it. True, I do have the tendency to dwell on the worst scenario. Nakakabaliw nga siya. But it really is just my way of coping up with the stress. I always seek security from preparing for the worst. If the outcome is anything but the worst, then all the better. I wish I could just say this is just school, but somehow there’s always a big social price with being in a law school. All the family and societal expectations from aspiring lawyers can be stressful. It’s crazy. It’s not as easy to say to people I failed law school than say I failed… I don’t know, film school? Why? I don’t quite get it.
How I miss being in undergrad. Is the law profession worth it? I know it is, I just don’t know how to answer the why.
law student, national democracy activist, film school graduate, photography hobbyist
Im sorry to hear that… hope everything will be alright.
Failing law school is a bigger deal than failing film school because there are no societal expectations of going to film school. This country isn’t even aware how excellent films are made from film schools and not from our lousy film industry, but that’s beside the point. You fail film school, it’s fine, you could still have an art career without finishing school. You fail law school, you can’t take the Bar, you can’t be a lawyer.
Well, I say “school” in a general sense because UP is not the only law school. You could always consider attending another law school if you really want to be a lawyer. I hope you get to stay thou’. You might have your expectations down to accept the worst-case scenario but don’t forget to exhaust all remedies before giving up the fight (what???). Feeling ko gets mo na yung sinasabi mo. Good luck!
[BTW, your worst case is being out-of-law-school and unemployed, since you're competing with a slew of new graduates. I know, not helping. I hope it doesn't happen.]
and I hate the google ad that displays right next to this blog entry. “you’re not that talented” “give up!” kaasar.
shux! x.x i hope you get things cleared up to your favor…
i have the same dilemma: “Is the law profession worth it? I know it is, I just don’t know how to answer the why.”
when i graduate i think i wanna study Chinese or go take up masters abroad when i decide not to go to law..
It’s better to be failed in law school than be failed in love. aytsss… hehe
Now I get why you’re Mr. Pessimistic. But still I’d be happy to see you get rid of the attitude.
Now one more hurdle then happy happy joy joy again! We love Ma’am Beth
I have only one word for you. FOCUS.
Law school is not an undergraduate undertaking. Whether law school, medical school, etc etc. this is a crucial time for you, and you have to decide many times: will the activity I am about to do help me master my lessons?
Being a student rep is a good thing, being a member of a frat is perhaps a good thing, being helpful to a lot of people is a good thing. Marching in the streets for this cause and that cause is a good thing.
In the end though, when exam time comes around, there is no one left but you.
So, FOCUS. For the longest time I had wondered where you get all that energy. Spreading yourself thin has showed, and this is it.
build yourself up in a way that no one can copy you. be yourself, be a unique lawyer. this is just the beginning of everything. every little thing you’ve done, whether it negatively affected your studies or not, would nevertheless produce good fruits to your career in the future.
it’s a good thing you’d still take up law (i read your other blog entry). it will definitely help you get focused on the things you’re dealing with. just be MORE FOCUSED on law studies though and LESS on other stuff.
if it’s possible, maybe you can correlate every national/local issue with your legal studies so one won’t interfere with the other. i remember one up law prof said: “read the newspapers. it will be easier to study when you do so.”