I watched the movie High Fidelity just the other week (yes, it’s a 2000 movie, but that’s relatively updated considering that I haven’t watched E.T. yet). Among the things I noticed is the characters’ penchant for blurting out Top 5s. Then I remembered having written a Top 5 (on BP 22), so I thought of doing that for the fast-approaching bar exams (September 2006). Here are my Top 5 tips on the day of the Bar Exams:
1. Bring a jacket, sweatshirt or anything that will keep you warm. The aircon in La Salle Taft (the bar exams venue) is damn cold, plus you’re nervous so it’s going to be colder. Worse, when you don’t have a clue upon reading the first few questions, you’ll really freeze to death. On second thought, I guess I’m not helping - just bring a jacket and forget the rest of this paragraph (by the way, remember your Building assignment and make sure you know which entrance is nearest that Building).
2. Bring extra pens. During our time, one examinee got so tense, she broke at least two pens. It’s better having the extra pen without needing it, than having only one pen when you need the extra one.
3. Bring a bottle of water (or Gatorade or Powerade; a power drink like Lipovitan or Red Bull is optional), but don’t drink too much. The few minutes you need to take a pee could have been used to answer one or two questions.
4. Unless you have BarOps, bring lunch (preferrably something you can eat while reading, and some power bar for snacks). If you plan to go out for lunch, just consider these: (a) you have to wrestle with the jampacked crowed surrounding LaSalle in order to get out; (b) in all probability, the restaurants are also crowded; and (c) you’re wasting time and energy.
5. At the end of the day, forget your answers. Don’t figure out if your answers are right or wrong; it’s out of your hands. There are three more Sundays to go, so focus on the next coverage.
great. to take the bar is not that easy, considering all the financial, emotional, and mental preparations that one must prepare..
it’s like a war that a soldier must have a complete arsenal!
i’d like to make a comment re: “karma” thing..it’s not true..i’ve proven it..there’s this one law book which has sort of “curse” thing, that if you photocopy that book, you will not pass the bar or will not be successful or happy in your life..well obviously that was done by the author so that you will buy his book..what did i do then? well somebody photocopied that book for me and i read that book..i passed the bar, i am happy with my life and my career..
you are most welcome atty. fred…
my two cents worth of advice.. (it worked for me)
go to the extremes..
1) go back to the basics.. textbook, textbook, textbook; and
2) indulge yourself in trivia.. read tidbits and principles in recent decisions.. (as recent as March 27, 2008 decisions.. the latest available in the SC website)…
‘hope it helps.
Disheartened, reviewing for the bar exams is a very difficult task and only you could decide if you still have the fire in you to go on. Nobody could tell you whether to continue or cease pursuing your dreams. Remember that if (or should I use “when”?) you become a lawyer, people will rely on you for advice. You can’t fight for your clients if you can’t even fight for what you believe in. You pursue your cause vigorously. God bless.
jna, webster, EJ, m . . . thanks for stepping up and helping him out.
agree except no.1… i remember di malamig ang aircon sa san miguel hall… medyo warm… pero syempre just in case na malamig magdala na rin kayo…
to those who will take the 2008 bar:
take care of your health… the immune system might be down due to sleeping late, fast eating, thinking, etc… take vitamins… i had sore eyes on the first sunday… my eyes were blood-red and i was separated from the rest of the examinees na sa clinic daw ako ilalagay pero sa corridor lang pala hehehe… and i had flu on the second sunday and i was really sick… and yes i made it through…thank God…
to shallowhal:
karma is a complicated thing… for those who put them on memo aids, they MAY be the one who will be subject to karma… anything you say has corresponding effect to you, to the source, and NOT to those for whom the statement is made… yung mga nakalagay sa memo aid na babagsak ang unauthorized users e nagsusumpa yun…sorry sila e nakakuha ka eh… always remember that you should believe in yourself… dont allow others to put you down… you need strength during the entire bar season… i read the memo aids during my review then e nakapasa naman ako… just believe ok… do not be afraid… dont rely also to memo aid… rely on what you learned in your studies….
to disheartened:
go for it… if you really wanted something, reach for it and grab it.. go for it… sabi nga… if you wanna go somewhere, you better wake up and pay attention… focus and believe…. pray pray pray…
try to stick to the basics and remember logic…
oo nga pala…. parang wala naman talagang prepared sa bar… pero just prepare anyway… hehe
this message is for disheartened, FIGHT! you are still young. remove the negative thoughts in you. if you want to succeed, SURRENDER is not an option.