I bring you greetings in the name of the law. I know for a fact that while some people are overcome by excitement because they got their desired law school posting, others are sad and disheartened because they did not get their schools of choice, and are at a loss as to the next step to take.
The first good news I would love to transmit to you is that a place is as good as what you make of it. Whether it is Yola, Enugu, Lagos, Yenogoa, Kano or Abuja, I would like you to know that everything necessary for you to have a reasonably enjoyable year in the hands of the Council of Legal Education is within your reach.
The second good news is that you are starting on a clean slate. Your previous 2.2 cannot stop you from making a 2.1 or a first class. Law School is a sprint, and if you are quick and smart, you can remedy for the sad cumulative average you obtained from your university, which was largely a marathon.
One year goes by so fast, so fast that today you may be having drinks at Lovitos to celebrate your first night in NLS, and the next thing you know is, MCQs!
This brings me to the title of this post “COMMENCE AT DAWN!”
I don’t have to define “dawn”, do I? Anyway, some people who ought to know have defined dawn as the first appearance of light in the sky before sunrise. Therefore commencing at dawn would mean to commence operations at the first appearance of light in the sky. Relating this to the law school experience, one must initiate full spirited action to succeed in the bar right from the first light of lectures.
How?
All bar aspirants are given a curriculum at the beginning of the first term. Do all within your power to complete all lesson outcomes at the end of each day. As a matter of fact, you should prepare for your lectures by going through the course content, cases, and scenarios before the class. If you failed to do so, at the end of the day do not fail to tackle the learning outcomes and truly convince yourself that you have understood the lesson for the day. Have a notepad for each course. Have a notepad for each course. Have a notepad for each course. Do not trust your memory to the extent of not writing things down. If you can afford it, buy all your textbooks. If you cannot, use the library, or befriend someone who has textbooks.
DO YOUR DRAFTS!
Away from all the bookish stuff, law school is not all about examinations, so make friends and have fun. If you do not make a conscious effort to enjoy your time, you will go with the flow, and you might miss out on fun stuff while carrying Adaeze’s notes upandan.
Please try to make friends with your roommate, or better still devise a workable system so that both of you do not become enemies, it is just for one year. Also, be wary of entering a certain relationships during this period; but be dependable, and have dependable colleagues you can always call on. Emotional imbalances can prove fatal during law school year. PROTECT YOUR PEACE WITH ALL DILIGENCE!
Develop a routine that works for you, and do not fail to do a periodic assessment of yourself.
To conclude all my DOs, be sure to be a person of faith. Pray without ceasing.
And oh, bring lots of money along! But if you don’t have a deep pocket, commence with declaration of Austerity Measures and you’ll do just fine!
Remember to commence at dawn!
Please accept my best wishes for a memorable year ahead!
Aw, this was a really nice post. Finding the time and actual effort to make a top notch article… but what can I say… I hesitate a lot and don’t seem to get nearly anything done.