1 2
1. Please describe I'm probably leaning
your learning style towards auditory than
(e.g., visual. I notice that the I
visual/auditory). respond better to
abstraction (it might be
because of my
background in
mathematics). So I
appreciate bodies of texts
better than seeing those
same concepts
summarized in charts,
tables, or graphs. I also
like attending and
listening to lectures.
2. Please share a. Memorization
your study techniques
techniques or best
review practices I'm terrible at
which you think memorizing. I'm the kind
helped you topped of person who tries to use
the 2019 Bar acronyms then fails to
examinations. remember what the
letters mean (more on
that later). Of course,
memorizing has its place
in the bar and I would
often force myself to
memorize. Whenever I
have to memorize, I find
that memorizing
keywords is more
effective than using
acronyms.
But I think the key to
memory work is
understanding the
3 4
I did combo. I read in I find both the visual and
the morning and in the auditory types of
studying effective, but in
afternoon. I practice
that order. I find it easier
writing and answering
to listen to lectures after
after eating dinner. I've already read the
Before I went to sleep, I material. So auditory
listen to audio lectures
helps with mastery. Also,
or scan pdf materials. listening to lectures can
be done anytime
anywhere. So I used to
listen to audio lectures
while driving in traffic, no
time wasted.
.a. I use mnemonics. I Memorization
take note of keywords. I techniques
don't memorize, I
familiarize. I don't like memorizing. I
b. Codals are so rarely memorized
important so these are verbatim because I think
to be prioritized. I it's a waste of precious
skipped textbooks. I time, and I forget those I
focused mainly on memorized after a short
materials given by the time!
review center then the
extra time will be spent I focused more on
for reading other understanding the legal
reviewers. concept, by reading
c. I have no fixed time different materials about
for reading. I slept when it, to the point that I
tired even during the could describe the
morning/afternoon.😅 concept using my own
d. Jurists and Chan words.
Robles
e. same Bar materials (i.e.,
codals, 1 reference book,
f. No specific training
chair's cases, memory
but the lectures that
5
Visual. I prefer I am a combination of a
reading review visual, auditory and experiential
materials rather than learner.
listening to audios. I When I read law books, I
am also guilty of coloring
do write a lot. So
whenever I study, I do (highlighting) the books. When I
scribble important encounter an interesting concept
or one worth noting, I write it
points on the syllabus
down. If I have the time, I would
or on my notebook.
write my own memory aid. If I
don’t, I would write notes on
prepared memory aids and
“color” them again. I do the same
thing in audio/video lectures.
Afterwards, I process my notes
by studying them and rlelecturing
them to myself while I walk.
Hence, I don't really study in
coffee shops.
a. Memorization Disclaimer and Basic
techniques Tips/Reminders
I can't really say that I had
When I read, I make a well-planned or optimal review.
sure that I I was just like most bar
understand. That's reviewees, anxious, scared, and
the best way to struggling. In fact, I am a bit ill-
prepared for the review. I was not
memorize. I don't use
also able to ask around that
memory aids; it's not
much as to how to prepare for the
effective to me. bar exams. I panicked and read
everything I could get my hands
b. Bar materials (i.e., on. One month before the bar
codals, 1 reference exams, I was not yet able to
book, chair's cases, finish reviewing Political law,
memory aid, personal Labor Law, Civil Law, some
notes.) concepts in Commercial Law,
Criminal Law and Legal Ethics.
I'm quite And, since I am based in
unstructured so I Palawan, the anxiety is coupled
don't follow a certain with homesickness and
pattern in studying. adjustment, since I enrolled in a
But, I'm making sure review center in Manila. Looking
that I read at least back, the following basic things
concept and logic behind
what you’re memorizing
instead of relying on rote
memory.
b. Bar materials (i.e.,
codals, 1 reference book,
chair's cases, memory aid,
personal notes.)
For the bar, my strategy
was "leave no stone
unturned."
For the first reading, I
went back to the
textbooks. I stuck to one
material per subject,
maintaining the textbooks
I read in law school which
I was comfortable with
and changing the ones
that didn't work. Reading
the textbooks gave me
the confidence to deal
with questions regarding
concepts which were
overlooked in law school
(a specific example of this
would be "Assurance
Fund" question in Civil
Law). It also gave me
confidence that I would
be ready for any surprise
questions (like matters
not in the syllabus or
"unfair trivia questions".)
For the second reading, I
chose to read reviewers
that were not lengthy
(like Nachura for Poli,
Sundiang-Aquino for
were somehow stocked aid, personal notes.) one review material may have been among the
in my mind were so and codal. Of course, reasons why I topped the bar.
helpful to me in I studied smart. I had my personal notes are 1. Diligent law student
answering the only one major material my golden notes. I did The bar review is very short.
questions. for each subject. These bring all my You cannot learn everything in
g. I just made sure I review materials were notebooks during law your 6 month review. Yes, there
finish all materials for the same books I used on school in Manila. I may be special laws and certain
legal concepts which you can still
each subject before the my 4th year in law only brought 1 or 2
learn during your review, but if
mockbars in Jurists. school. I supplemented reference books.
you are going to start digging
h. Sleep a lot but utilize them with compilations deep only during your review, for
all the time you are of case digests/case c. Hours of reading - sure you will be overwhelmed. I
awake to read. notes. I ignored all other No fix hours. It was a diligent law student and I
Sometimes I read while notes because I didn't depends on the studied hard during law school.
taking a shower using a have time to read them subject I am studying. The review merely integrated
waterproof cellphone. and I thought they might Once I'm finished and/or filled in the gaps but the
Haha. just confuse me. During reading, I rest and foundation was already there.
the pre-week, I read as sleep. 2. Codal + Syllabus
much Pre-week Notes as I read so many references
I could. d. Review during the bar review (as I said,
Center/Coaching - my review was not optimal and I,
Hours of reading: Legal Edge Review honestly, panicked). But I always
Center, Chan Robles made sure that I covered the
During law school, I just Internet Bar Review, topics listed in the syllabus and
that, somehow, I was able to
read whenever I wasnt' Jurists
integrate what I read with the
doing anything. I am a
codal provisions. I think this
husband and a father I enrolled in these approach simplified the concepts
and we didn't have a three review centers and helped in my recall of things
helper, so I only had a but I self reviewed during the actual bar
few free hours everyday. during the months of examinations.
June to August. I only 3. Trust in Your Learning
During the bar went to Manila on Style
preparation, we hired a August 27 where I Even before the bar review, I
part-time helper, so I was attended some of the was already considering online/
able to read for 12 hours lectures of legal edge. self-review. I knew in my heart
(9am - 9pm) every day, that I really wanted to have
except Sundays (family 1. Legal edge (LE) - control of my review time.
day). Included in the 12 The mock bars are However, since I have not yet
hours are naps, meals exceptional because it met people who self-reviewed, I
enrolled in a review center in
and browsing my phone. is a simulation of the
Manila. Though the review center
actual bar exams. I
helped, I found it hard to follow
Review Center/Coaching learned to think fast
the schedule of the review center.
and write fast Also, after 4 hours of listening to
I enrolled in PUP Bar because of the mock lectures in a hall, my brain would
Commercial). This gave
me bird's eye view and
gave me a sense of what
were important for the
bar.
For pre-week, I used
those same reviewers
simply scanning through
everything and focusing
on problem areas.
The following are the
materials that I used. I'm
not sure how complete
this list is but this is what I
can remember for now.
First Reading
Constitutional Law: Cruz I
and II
Admin, Elections,
Pubcorp: Atty. Hilario
Morales Notes (My
teacher)
PIL: Nachura/Bernas
Labor: Poquiz I and II
Persons: Sta. Maria
Oblicon: De Leon
Property: Rabuya
Prescription: Paras (Book
IV)
Sales/Credit
Transactions/Lease: De
Leon
ATP/Estoppel: De Leon
Conflicts: Pe Benito
Tax: Dimaampao, Class
Notes
Nego: De Leon
Insurance: Aquino
Review Center. The fee
was definitely cheaper,
but the lecturers were
the same legal luminaries
you find in other more
expensive review
centers.
Mock bar
I did a lot of mock bars. I
did PUP, I also answered
those from Jurists. I also
answered those
questions from previous
bar exams.
Scheduling
During pre-bar, I
followed the schedule of
the 4 Sundays, and made
sure I read my material
twice before pre-week. I
did not "mirror" like
what others usually do.
Text-to-speech app so
you can listen to review
materials even while
eating or before
sleeping)
I didn't like text to
speech apps because
they sound robotic. I
prefered pre-recorded
audio lectures by legal
luminaries. I also made
extensive handwritten
notes on my notebooks
and marginal notes on
my books. I read them
bars of LE. I usually fly already shut down. Mid- review, I
in and out during stopped attending the lectures. I
mock bars. read and read all day and
listened/watched audio/video
2. Chan Robles - Labor lectures at night. I used a VLC
Material pre-week is a app which increased the speed of
must read. Also, there the lectures.
When I decided to stop
are other good review
attending the lectures, I felt guilty
materials from Chan.
that maybe I was doing the wrong
thing and that maybe I was
3. Jurists - Riguera's missing out on a lot. However, all
REM is good. that went away when the results
of the bar examinations were
e. Mock bar - Enrol in released.
the Mock Bar of LE. It 4. Never stop studying
will really help you to During my review, I
know your self and to encountered a lot of roadblocks.
prepare for the actual The area where I was staying in
battle. was so noisy, early morning and
late at night. My room had no
f. Law school training windows. I felt like I was going
- Most of the things crazy. I was homesick. I
that you will not learn transferred to a different unit mid-
review. I had eye spasms after 10
during review, you
minutes of reading. I got severe
will get it from your
flu during the third week of the
stock knowledge. bar exams.
Better to prepare on However, all that did not stop
day 1 and develop the me from reading and studying. I
discipline of studying. read while lying down when I got
I do write my notes the flu and flooded my body with
on my notebooks Vitamin C. I stopped reading
that's why I didn't every after 10 minutes and rested
bother to read my my eyes for 2 minutes to
reference book during minimize the eye spasms. I made
review because I sure that I covered the lectures
know that all which I missed when I transferred
important details of to a different unit.
the books are in my Detailed Tips
notes.
1. Memorization
Techniques
g.Scheduling - No
Mnemonic devices are not
specific schedule. It that effective for me. I tend to
depends on the forget them and mix them up. I
Banking: Aquino and
Aquino next subject, like a wrap
Corpo: Aquino up.
IPL: Salao
Crim: Reyes I and II
CivPro: Riano
Provi and SCA: Riano
Crim Pro: Riano
Evidence: Riano
Spec Pro: Festin
Second Reading:
Poli: Nachura
Labor: Chan Pre-week
Civil: Aquino Reviewer
Tax: Class Notes
Commercial: Sundiang-
Aquino Reviewer
Crim: Boado and Codal
Remedial: Same as above
Ethics/Forms: UST Golden
Notes
Pre-week: Same materials
used in Second Reading
Of course, I also used my
personal notes (which
were terribly
unorganized) along with
the notes from Albano
Review, Chan-Robles Pre-
week notes, and
QUAMTOs.
c. Hours of reading
I would say that on a good
day, I could read for an
average of eight hours.
On a really good day, I
could go up to 12 or 13,
before moving to the subject. I just set a instead use logic more than a
number of days for mnemonic device. For example,
each subject there is an enumeration. I try to
depending on the understand why such is included
level of its difficulty in the enumeration. I think this
based on my works for me because even if you
assessment. I don't can’t exactly write the item in the
enumeration, you can, at least,
even look at the
write something of the same
weight of the subject
import. I also sometimes use
in the BAR. I treat association. However, such takes
every subject as a lot of time because you have to
having the same think of things to which you
weight. So for associate that which you are
instance, I will set 10 trying to memorize.
days to Political Law, I 2. Bar Materials ( I will also
will ensure that I recommend certain
finish political law in materials which I hope I
10 days. had used for the bar)
What I Used
h. Anything you wish In General: Lex Pareto,
to focus on or Previous Bar Questions,
strongly wanted to Chairman/woman’s Cases,
share to law students Landmark and Recent Cases,
Codals. I will no longer include
and reviewees (E.g.
these in the enumeration)
Text-to-speech app so
you can listen to Approach: Always link
review materials even what you read with your
while eating or before codal provisions so that
sleeping) one month before the
bar examinations you
Always review based can just review your
on your syllabus. So, I codals. Also, check your
select materials that syllabus so that you
is syllabus based. would be able to cover
everything that’s listed
UST Golden Notes or there.
Bedan Red Notes are Political Law
syllabus-based so you 1. General Principles:
Constitutional Law
may use these notes.
Primer by Bernas
2. Constitution:
Nachura/ Cruz (to
clarify some
concepts)
but nothing more than 3. PIL: Old Nachura
that. Of course there are 4. Admin/Election
days that one can read Laws/Law on
only for 2 or 3 hours, if Public
none at all. Life indeed Officers/Local
has its way of disturbing Government
you in reviewing and in Code/PIL: San
Beda Memory Aid
only in hindsight you
5. Lecturers: Prof.
realize that it was a much
Sandoval,
needed break. Loanzon
6. Notes: Candelaria
I divide my day by reading and Sandoval
the morning exam in the 7. Recommended
morning and the Lecturers: Cruz,
afternoon exam in the Sandoval,
afternoon. So in my Loanzon
Political Law/Labor Law Approach: For the
scheduled reading, I constitutional provisions,
would read Political Law make sure to read the
in the morning and Labor references for the
Law in the afternoon. purpose of understanding
the codal provisions.
Adjustments were made Understand why they are
there and their interplay.
when I felt that I was
Labor Law
behind schedule in a
1. Chan
subject or I simply wanted 2. For law school
to focus more on a recall and
subject that particular simplified
day. concepts, Azucena
and Poquiz
d. Review 3. San Beda Memory
Center/Coaching Aid
4. Lecturers: Prof.
My main consideration in Manuel, Dean
enrolling for review Duka
proper was convenience. 5. Recommended
As much as possible, I Lecturers: Manuel,
wanted to focus on the Duka
6. Recommended
bar during the review
Books: Azucena
proper. I didn’t want to
and Poquiz
worry about food,
Civil Law (So Long!)- I
laundry, lodging, money, really just wanted to use
and every other thing that Jurado for civil law but I
would distract me from
studying. Since Albano Bar
Review Center (ABRC)
came to Baguio, it was a
logical choice.
ABRC’s classes were on
the weekends so I had the
weekdays to focus on
study and do a little work.
Being in the comforts of
my home, I got everything
I needed and the only
thing I had to do was
read.
I also found the Chan-
Robles Pre-week quite
helpful. Their pre-week
lectures and notes were
released a month before
the bar. The schedule
gave me time to get the
best of both worlds by
"attending" "pre-week"
classes for a month and
read on my own at during
the actual pre-week,
which are usually,
mutually exclusive choices
for the bar-taker.
e. Mock bar
I did not participate in any
Mock Bar except for the
required mock bar from
my law school. I would
have wanted to, but time
did not permit me to do
so.
f. Law school training
thought I couldn’t finish it.
That’s why I have a lot of
sources in civil law. I
couldn’t shift midway
through the review
anymore. But Jurado
would have been great
1. Aquino in General
(When I can’tfind a
good reference for
a Civil Law topic)
2. Persons and
Property: Rabuya
(Tip: You have to
partner this with
the Rabuya lecture
and read the book
with the codal
provisions for
faster
understanding)
3. Paras for Wills and
Succession
4. Jurado and Aquino
for Oblicon, Sales,
Lease,
Partnership,
Agency
5. San Beda Memory
Aid for Credit
Transactions,
General Principles
6. San Beda Red
Book for Torts and
Conflict of Laws
7. Lecturers: Rabuya
8. Recommended:
Jurado and
lectures of Rabuya
9. For Land Titles:
Lectures of
Riguera
Tax (Try the codal
approach for tax)
1. Ingles
2. San Beda Memory
 Aid
The age old wisdom is 3. Lecturers:
that there is no better Lumbera; Prof.
preparation for the bar Noel Ortega,
than being prepared Capuno
everyday in law school. 4. Notes: Lumbera,
This is definitely true, but Gruba,
Dimaampao
I believe not everyone has
5. Recommended:
the privilege of being fully
Lumbera; Prof.
prepared for law school Noel Ortega, Prof.
everyday. This is Eric Recalde
especially true for those (Local Taxation)
with full-time jobs and Commercial Law
those who are supporting 1. Sundiang- Aquino
their families. 2. Miravite (but
check/verify the
Whatever your answers)
experience in law school, 3. San Beda Memory
you still have one final Aid and Red Book
chance to prepare for the 4. Lecturers:
bar during the review Villanueva- Castro
proper. If you can, take a 5. Recommended
leave from work or seek Lecturers; Ceniza,
Villanueva-Castro
the understanding of your
Criminal Law
family during this time to
1. Campanilla
focus on the singular goal 2. San Beda Memory
of passing the bar. Aid
3. Notes: Campanilla,
g.Scheduling Ticman
4. Lecturer: Prof.
I did the "mirror" method. Ticman
For the first reading, I Remedial Law
would read Political Law 1. Riano
and Labor first, then Civil 2. Riguera
and Tax, Commercial and 3. San Beda Memory
Criminal Law, then Aid
Remedial Law and Ethics. 4. Lecturers:
For the second reading, I Brondial, Villasis
5. Recommended:
would do the reverse.
Brondial, Salvador
Rem and Ethics first,
Legal Ethics
Commercial and Criminal
1. San Beda Memory
Law, etc. I made my Aid and Red Book
schedule in such a way 2. Notes: Prof.
that I would finish my Loanzon
second reading just c. Hours of reading
before pre-week. Then for During the first few
the pre-week, I would months of my bar review, I read
spot-check everything. from 8 in the morning until lunch
time and then from 8 in the
I dedicated 3 weeks each evening until the wee hours of the
morning since I still attended the
pair of subjects for the
afternoon lectures of my review
First Reading, and two
center. Mid-review, when I
weeks for Second stopped attending the live
Reading, and of course, 1 lectures, I started reading from 5
week for pre-week. in the morning until 7 in the
evening, with rests in between. I
Within those periods listened/watched audio/video
during the day, I would lectures at night.
read the morning exam in By the way, I damaged
the morning and the my muscle which absorbs and
afternoon exam in the prevents eye strain. So I don’t
afternoon. Meaning, I really recommend reading too
would read Constitutional much. You should rest your eyes
Law in the morning and after 10 minutes of reading.
Labor in the afternoon. d. Review Center/Coaching/
Mock Bars
I enrolled in the San
I really spent some time
Sebastian Recoletos Law Review
planning the review
Center because I was a fan of
period, planning the Dean Riano and I liked their
week, and planning the mirror approach wherein the last
day, up to the last day of bar subjects were being taught
pre-week. Obsessively first. However, mid-review, I
planning gave me some stopped attending the live
confidence that I was in lectures because I felt that I was
control over my studies. lagging behind and because the
lectures ran from 1 in the
h. Anything you wish to afternoon until 9 in the evening.
focus on or strongly Like what I said earlier, if
wanted to share to law you feel that online review is
students and reviewees effective for you, then, don’t
(E.g. Text-to-speech app hesitate to enrol.
I took mock bars which
so you can listen to
my review center offered.
review materials even
However, in my case, the mock
while eating or before
bars scared me more than
sleeping) increase my confidence. My pace
in studying is sometimes different
Take time to sharpen your
axe. There is this analogy
of a woodcutter
constantly cutting trees
with his axe. While his
hard work gets the job
done, he could cut more
trees faster and more
efficiently if he took time
and sharpened his axe
once in a while.
There’s no secret to
passing the bar. Do the
hard work, take needed
breaks, and pray hard.
from the schedule of my review
center. Hence, there are times
when I take the mock bar even if I
have not yet finished studying the
bar subject.
Later during the review,
when I got to talk to some
lawyers, they told us that the key
in mock bars is to just take the
exam and not look at your score.
The mindset is more of exposure
more than assessment of how
well you are doing.
e. Mentoring
It was during the review
when I encountered lecturers
who were mentoring specific bar
reviewees. Such concept was
new to me but if your professors
would offer this approach, then, I
think, you should accept it as this
would be beneficial for the bar
reviewee.
f. Scheduling
For my review, I followed
the schedule of the Recoletos
Law Review Center. However,
there were times when I reviewed
too much for a bar subject and
failed to give enough time for
another bar subject. During our
time, the Review Center allotted
one week for criminal law, which
was my weakest bar subject.
Looking back, I should
have first self-assessed as to
what was my weakest bar subject
then allotted more time for such
subject. I should have also stuck
with my schedule as I was always
lagging behind. One month
before the bar examinations, I
was still cramming.
Mid-review, we were
advised to follow this schedule:
* Average of two weeks

3. Please share I was working under the
your tips on how to premise that I should
answer Bar exam make the examiners want
questions. (Both in to read my answers. In
form--- how you essence, you don't want
write print or the examiners to have a
cursive, pen used, hard time reading your
blocking, margins, answers. So here are a
and content etc. ) few things that worked
for me:
-I used print because I
have bad penmanship. I
would say that though my
print is not beautiful, it is
legible and readable.
-I used black ink (Energel
0.5 Ballpoint). I'm a
fountain pen fan but
there are just too many
factors to consider in
using a fountain pen. A
pen was something I
didn't want to worry
about during the bar.
-In sum and using a
Microsoft Word analogy,
my blocking was "align
left" rather than
"justified." My left
margins were not perfect
but quite defined. My
right margins were not
straight. When I ran out of
space for a word, I would
per subject for the first 3 to 4
months, then memory aid/codals
for the month before the bar
exams. I wasn’t really able to
follow this schedule anymore as I
was already in the middle of a
messed up schedule.
. I used 0.7 mm black a. FORM--- how you The manner to In General: I think the
pens. I wrote in cursive write, whether print or answer the BAR examiners were not that much
trying to enlarge every cursive, pen used, depends on the concerned about form because I
letters as much as I can. blocking, margins, and question: had a lot of erasures and my
I used 1 inch margin in paragraphs were a bit slanted.For
each side. I put a space I used Pilot High- 1. Definition - answer Tax, my first page was a whole
before the next Techpoint V7RT, blue. On directly in one par. paragraph of erasures.
Content
paragraph the left margin, I 2. Enumeration -
I had short answers. My
consistently followed a 1- direct answer, no
first sentence contained my
inch margin. On the need to repeat the answer to the question including
right, around 3/4 inch question. Use a short and direct reason for the
margin. I wrote in print, numbers or letters to answer. And then I expounded a
leaning to the right. I enumerate your little bit, with sentences
practiced my handwriting answers. containing both the facts and the
using Arial/Tahoma 3. Case based - Four law.
prints in italics as Par rule but make Form
reference. sure that it is short I wrote in print and used
and concise. One Pentel Energel 0.5 in Black. (I
b. CONTENT---- ex. sentence per par will tried to use 0.7 during the first
Classic 3 to 4 paragraph do. Only one page per week of the bar examinations but
answer, Categorical-Legal case. Start with the my handwriting looked messy,
Basis-Application- direct answer (yes or hence, I shifted to 0.5 during the
Conclusion no). Then, legal basis. second week.) I don’t really have
a good and neat handwriting but,
Then, connect the
I believe, my handwriting is big
When applicable, I used facts to the legal
and readable (legible).
the 3 paragraph rule. The basis. Lastly,
2019 Bar exam was very conclude.
long, so I gave very
concise answers. I did I write in print. I use
not use introduction for energel pen, blue
the law, I went straight color, .7. I'm not
to the legal basis. After particular with
all, it is understood that margins but I make
we are asked for our sure that my answers
legal basis to support our are in the center.
 rather write the whole answers.
word in the next line than
hyphenating it.
-Don’t assume examiners
know what they are
checking. Spell it out for
them. For example,
suppose the questions is:
Is x correct in saying that
the RTC has jurisdiction
over the case? My answer
would be: X is correct in
saying that the RTC has
jurisdiction over the case
(instead of: Yes, X is
correct.).
-I prioritized
completeness over brevity
but the answers must still
be as concise as possible.
-Technical definitions are
always better than stating
the law in your own
words.

4. What was your For most of the bar
lowest moment preparations, the bar
during the Bar examinees are mostly in
season, if there is control of their fate. The
any? And how did bar examinees can build
you overcome it? on their strengths and
work on their
weaknesses. The Monday
after Remedial Law is truly
the first day when the
results are out of the
hands of the examinees.
For me, I felt that lack of
control sometime around
April.
I was mostly distracted
. During burnouts were My lowest point was the 3rd week, number 5 I had a lot of setbacks
my lowest moments. I Civil Law exam. I was of Mercantile law, during the bar review, which,
went home to Bicol 7 confident prior to the because I can no collectively, lowered my morale.
times I guess during the 2nd Sunday, because, longer move my The area where I was staying in
review and the last was after all, I topped the hands. My was very noisy. I could hear my
on September. Those Civil Law Review subject. penmanship is neighbors early morning and late
flights were either due When I encountered 2 to becoming smaller and at night. I tried waking up at 4 in
the morning and sleeping at
to work or due to 3 questions which I smaller and I find it
around that time. The noise was
separation anxiety. After wasn't quite sure of the hard to control the
all day. Our units were separated
that it was all upto me answer, I almost movement of my right by plywood. My apartment had
so whenever I felt panicked. So, I skipped hand. no window. Such, coupled with
hopeless I would just answering them (which I homesickness, made me feeI like
pray at the condo and in never experienced in any I just prayed hard to I was going crazy.
the church and then, I other subject). First, I the Lord. I calmed I had to look for a new
would cry my heart out completed the answers down and pray; pray unit mid-review and transfer all
to release all the for questions I knew the for help and my books and stuff mid-review.
frustration and worries. answer to, and went sustenance. My first apartment was also a
back to those skipped bare unit. Hence, I had to arrange
after the bar because I
was planning for my time run out.
wedding in January of
2020. After the wedding,
The bar was the last thing
on my mind after my
wedding as I was
beginning and enjoying
the married life.
The panic started around
April. It's common
knowledge that bar
results are released after
the Supreme Court
Justices meet en banc,
sometime around April or
May. But the lockdown
made the en banc
sessions physically
impossible. So the first
time the Supreme Court
announced that they
were meeting en banc
virtually, I started
spiralling. I had two
breakdowns all witnessed
and suffered by my poor
wife. I thank her for her
patience during those
times.
question just before my I finished Merc and I for my other stuff in my old
prayed during lunch apartment to be shipped out.
break that I can make Come August, I started
it through in Crim Law having eye spasms whenever I
because my right would read. The spasms weren’t
hand is really painful. just dry eyes. They were intense
tingling sensations at the back of
my eyes, which prevents me from
After BAR, at night,
reading. When I had my eyes
when I consulted my
checked up, the doctor said that I
doctor classmate, I had worn out the muscle which
found out that I had prevents eye strain. I bought new
carpal tunnel glasses and I had to take a rest
syndrome. every 10 minutes of reading to
prevent the spasms from
He gave me series of worsening.
pain killers and meds. To overcome all of the
I was in a hand splint challenges, I just kept on moving
for a week before the forward. I kept on reading and
4th bar sun. studying.
During the bar month
My lowest moment was
the third week of the bar month.
Even if I had flu shots, I still got
the flu. It wasn’t just any flu, but
one which really compels you to
lie down. To sit down and read
was a struggle. I read while lying
down and, whenever I would
study while sitting down, I would
rest after a few minutes. I
drowned myself with vitamin C
and I even took antibiotics (but
what I got was a virus). I wasn’t
able to fully study Criminal Law,
which was my weakest bar
subject. Come actual bar
examinations, I felt like I was just
sleeping during the Criminal Law
exam. I wasn’t really feeling well.
I asked to go to the restroom a lot
of times to keep myself awake. I
also religiously took paracetamol
to ease the fever. I felt like I failed
the bar subjects that week.
Nonetheless, I pushed on.
5. What words of I'm going to break taboo
encouragement and quote myself taken
can you share to from an interview. Haha.
the law students
and bar reviewees, The study of law is a daily
or to the public in battle against self-doubt.
general, amidst our Everything will work
battle against against you. You will get
Covid-19? called to recite cases you
didn't read, professors
will assign you readings
which you will not finish,
you will try to finish exam
that are impossibly long,
among a million other
things you have to deal
with in law school.
You will seldom go home
feeling good about
yourself.
Enjoy the struggle or at
least, appreciate it. Those
challenges will give you a
brave heart and nerves of
steel to face the bar
examinations and
ultimately, the practice of
law.
At the end of it all, you
will see a light shining
through the darkness.
I know I did.
Please share an Oh man! Ang dami nito!
instance which you Haha. Overlooked spelling
think is your and grammar in the bar
embarassing happens. But
moment during the substantively, this one is
Amidst these difficult If there is one common
times, the best that we truth about all the
can do is to cooperate. sufferings that we
Help each other and do experienced before, it is
our own way of sacrifice that they all came to a
to save everyone. To conclusion. It means that
law students, utilize all this too shall pass. In the
the available time to meantime, let us plan for
read and prepare for the the future, make amends
Bar Exam. It might be with the past and make
tedious and life-draining valuable use of the
but all the hardship will present.
be worth it in the end
once you attained that
dot.😉
In all Saturday
afternoons before each
bar Sunday, I had LBM
due to anxiety. So I
would take 2
Law students and To the law students: You
reviewees: Make this are in the best place to learn the
an opportunity to law in preparation for the bar
study and make up examinations.You have more
for your weak time. Make good use of it.
subjects. Invest your Believe in the learning process.
time in value adding Have faith in God and in yourself.
Also, the pandemic is really
activities. Unceasingly
changing the world, and, even,
pray for guidance,
the legal landscape as trial courts
help, fortitude, and start trying virtual hearings. Now
strength. is the best time to be aware/woke
and to be curious, resilient and
open to changes.
You can do it, future To the bar reviewees: So
lawyers! many online lectures have been
recently posted, make use of
Public: Let's do our them and study during this time
part to protect that we are required to stay
ourselves and others. home. Also, be aware of the
Always keep clean. issues during this time.
Stay at home except To everyone, stay healthy
for work or and stay safe. If you can, help out
necessities. Finally, even in littlest ways.
pray for God's
intervention. Only
God can heal us.
Maybe still in the 3rd The first question in Civil
week because I don't Law was a Torts question.
know if my Though I don’t really cite exact
penmanship is good provisions of the law, it was the
or bad but I know that only time that I cited an article in
Bar month. about how bad I am at Loperamides every I have lots of erasures the Civil Code. I cited the wrong
(Anything acronyms. During the bar, Saturday night to make because of my article. I wrote Art 2170 instead of
"funny"/humiliatin there was a question on sure I didn't make a mess trembling and painful Art 2176. Also in Tax, my first
g that will inform habitual delinquency and during the exam. hands. page was an erased paragraph.
many that we dont of course, every law
need to be student knows that the
"perfect" in order key here is to remember
to top or pass the FRETSL. I could not for the
bar, i.e. I spelled life of me remember one
15th as fiftinth) of the letters during the
bar. Total mental block. I
wrote the enumeration
for my legal basis in
paragraph form instead of
a numbered list. I guess I
got away with it?