Sunday, January 29, 2012
Sometimes being brave really is inconsistent with being careful.
In law school these past years, I always tried to veer away from taking on roles which require responsibility beyond the classroom.
There are those who frown upon this type of strategy in the law school reasoning that the extra curricular also needs attention or that the professors when they inevitably deliberate on the student's performance, will consider the added baggage the student took on during the semester.
However, there are those like me who believe that the law school is a place to study and the application of the law can be done within the classroom as well. This is to all those who say that the knowledge needs to be applied. I am currently taking up legal aid and handling a case and also in another class, devising a lesson plan to teach children's rights to high school students. I think, at least on a personal level, I know what I'm talking about. As said, I think knowledge and application are found within the law school.
However, it is not accurate to say that I only study in the law school. Three years in the human rights center and 3 semesters in the Ateneo Bar operations (also add some sidelines here and there) comprise my extra curriculars. They aren't at par with the activities of the really busy people but they aren't negligible. I'd like to think I choose my activities according to the academic load I've got. One could even say it's being a reasonable and responsible student at the same time.
Next, I try to veer away from issues. Org politics, the daily mill of gossip, affiliations aren't really my thing. It comes with my personality as well. Never one to be the center of attention, I never really cared nor do I prefer to. I'd rather read and panic for class. Other things are extraneous.
So I presented two things:
I choose my responsibilities so I can study.
I do not meddle with issues so I can study.
Such a typical nerd.
Recently however, I've been getting many cajoling to run for the council of interns in the human rights center. To run would diametrically oppose my set academic strategy. As for the issues, they always follow the people in position. I'm rather attached to what I have going for me.
What's completely apparent in this post is that I am a self absorbed student. I think law students should be to some extent self absorbed if they want to pass. It doesn't mean that I don't care. It means I don't want to bite more than what I can chew.
The problem is (and here, only Ger would believe me) is that I think I've made for myself an image of a competent person. Don't get me wrong. I think I'm doing fine or at least I'm managing (even though I really need a thesis topic right now but that is for another post).
Here is my equation:
Study + some HR + some bar ops + some filed work classes = managing Ju
And this equation is what people see. I agree that it is the game plan of a student trying to get by. This equation works because it is reasonable and feasible.
Ergo, if I should disturb he balance and it becomes:
Study + a lot of HR + things related to HR but are not completely HR + some bar ops + some filed work classes = not so much managing Ju
I always tell the poeple who asked me if I'm going to run that I only have a semblance of being "matino." I really appreciate the trust you people repose in me. I don't think I can get through people even if I say it over and over again that I think there more competent people. In this post I will clarify my thought on this: Perhaps I am competent, but for lack of a backbone which can carry on the additional load, I think I'll be a support system to the incoming council. There are others more willing to risk their study time, braver than I.
Ergo my press release (it also pains me to say this): only an absolute need will compell me to run. There are only 5 positions and if those positions aren't filled on the last day of candidacy, I will RELUCTANTLY hand over my candidacy form.
Julianne blogged at 12:11 PM
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Dec 18 - Jan 3
This is how the "vacation" will feel like:
Evidence:
Memorize 40 pages of codal
Memorize the rules on electronic evidence
Read two books
Study for midterms
Study the cases assigned for when we get back
Transportation:
Study the Codal provisions
Study the cases for when we get back
Study for midterms
For Conflicts of law:
Study for midterms
Study more than a hundred American Cases
For Labor:
Read two books
Study the Codal
Study for midterms
Special Proceeding:
Read one book
Study the codal
Make 124 digests
Study the cases for when we get back
Study for midterms
Legal forms:
7 pleadings
two memoranda for midterms
Thesis:
Still topic-less
Still adviser-less
Hopeless
Therefore: FIND TOPIC
Special Penal Laws:
Study for midterms
BarOps:
Make that expanded outline for criminal law reviewer.
SO... It seems Dec 18 - Jan 3 is not enough afterall.
Julianne blogged at 9:25 PM
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
I couldn't care less for all the GRINCH moves. TULOY ANG PASKO!
Julianne blogged at 9:10 PM
Wednesday, December 07, 2011
THIS BLOG
RANT SESSION
JU
plaintiff
v.
LIFE NASAN
defendant
COMPLAINT Collection for Some Life
JU, by imaginary counsel, respectfully submits to this blog:
1. That she is of legal age, Filipino, a resident of Poblacion Makati and a law student. Defendant is an evasive concept residing outside the confines of law school and averse to law students.
2. That sometime during November of the year 2011, JU enrolled herself for the second semester of her third year in law school. That JU is in block C which has the reputation of a suicide block for this semester.
3. That this statement, although not a prayer for moral damages, would just like to emphasize that ever since aforementioned enrollment, JU has suffered sleepless nights, severe anxiety, undue confusion and burden prejudicial to her well being.
4. That she was called for a subject meeting during Mondays and Thursdays (Exhibit 1). JU wrestled with the study load because of the Bar Operations and despite this, JU was able to meet the demands of Mondays and Thursdays. However, after a while, JU cowers in fear every class because she does not want to be called during the first twenty (20) minutes of the class.
5. That JU still has no thesis topic and adviser. That such realities are hindrances to her graduation and ultimately to being a lawyer. Attached is her topic deemed as policy paper (ANNEX 1)
6. That JU does not know how to go about a certain subject (Exhibit 2) whether to read green or red. That a copy of the green and red book are attached as ANNEX 2 and 2-A. Please note the difference in content and page numbers.
7. That JU experiences discomfort and dizziness in piles of cases related to a certain subject (Exhibit 3) containing the same doctrine but with wide array of facts. That JU would not prefer to be subjected to difficult and confusing questions after reciting on such cases to which the answer apparently happens to be "thesis topic."
8. That JU has another subject which subject (Exhibit 4) her hand to experience much trauma. Attached are hand written codals and cases related to that subject (ANNEX 3 and ANNEX 3-A)
9. That JU does not know how to go about a subject (Exhibit 5) without recitation. That because of all the workload, she is unable to meet the demands of said subject. Attached is a copy of a blank notebook for said subject (ANNEX 4)
10. That JU does not want to write multiple pleadings but is compelled to do so and therefore her consent is vitiated and she alleges involuntary servitude.
11. That JU rants more to her loved ones now and is merely a husk of her former law school self (who is a husk of her former non-law school self).
12. That JU demands from DEFENDANT that it injects into her life some sort of reprieve. That JU asserts that a Christmas Vacation is no vacation because it is situated a week before midterms.
WHEREFORE it respectfully prayed by plaintiff that Defendant gives her a "chill" environment every once in a while to spare Plaintiff from ultimately falling into a state of depression, anger and hostility. In the alternative, if Plaintiff cannot be given such relief, then at least, decent grades for all her subjects and understanding from all her neglected loved ones and friends.
All other equitable reliefs also prayed for.
Julianne blogged at 9:14 PM
Friday, November 25, 2011
I feel a little displaced. No, it's not about law school.
Julianne blogged at 7:53 AM
Sunday, November 13, 2011
2 points away. A GC post.
I know that grades should not define someone and how one is at school may be the total opposite of what one becomes in the work place.
Today, i've calculated my qpi. Something I've ignored doing for 3 semesters now because I've started to falter in law school. The thing which bothers me most in law school is how people think I'm all that like when Ricca says "yung one reading mo, memorize na sa kin" or when ana say "you're gonna be a bar bet" (yeah right. as if).
What I hate about it is how I find myself in a position where I do not deserve their academic respect. If any, I'm a wreck just waiting for that mistake which would totally send me off course. (hopefully not this particular law course). I cry when I don't meet my personal expectations and I have to cry a little bit more because people still think good of me and will not believe me even when I admit that things are not going well at all. I get replies of "sus... eh magaling ka naman" or "eh sabi ng iba matalino ka raw." I will make it clear. I hate getting that. I hate it when my reality is something less glossy than how others see it. It is harder to make mistakes this way. I feel more sad, more off track.
Honestly, this sem. I'll just add to my spiral downwards.
Julianne blogged at 4:55 PM
Saturday, November 12, 2011
if this ground could just open up and swallow me whole now. Or my profs. Or my reservations. Or this feeling of nausea that doesn't want to go away ever since this sem started. I'm in for the hardest sem of my life.
Julianne blogged at 2:19 AM
