Of the Bar exam and law school

Congratulations to the fresh lawyers who passed the September 2006 Bar Exam! Special congratulations to the two lawyers from Cebu who made it to the top ten, fellow Carolinian Karen Gaviola at 7th place and Al Shawid Ishmael from the University of Cebu at the 8th. A record 6,344 law graduates - the most in the 106 years the Bar exam has been held - took the September examinations last year.

Law school is a challenge; the Bar exam is an even greater one. Having taken about a year of law studies, I saw for myself the rigorous study load and amazing discipline it takes to hurdle law school. You''ll know you''re a true law student when you wouldn''t mind skipping a few weekend outings to study cases and when you go to a coffee shop, you think of it as a great study place. You''ll go to that coffee shop because you''ll need the coffee anyway. Your books are miles high from cover to cover and the photocopies come in piles. Law school isn''t a walk in the park. It''ll test your persistence. But it''s enlightening, enlivening and interesting - fulfilling even.

I know many people out there dream of becoming a lawyer. With the power suits, the brisk walk, an unfazed sense of idealism and an undeniable level of intelligence, lawyers are a distinguished group. Many observe the legal profession through a looking glass - from watching Legally Blonde to Law and Order to the actual courtroom at Capitol. And they are fascinated. I''d strongly encourage anyone to go for it! Give law school a try and most likely, you''ll find yourself. Those with a lifelong dream to become a lawyer surely have an advantage in tackling law studies and the Bar exam. I remember my one professor once telling our class that to be lawyer, it just takes a few years of effort and sacrifice. As worthy rewards, however, the knowledge and the title given to you after those years will last your whole life.

Personally, after that one year of law, I started to look at things a little differently, with a sharper eye for legalities. I learned a lot and I''m thankful for having had the chance to be with awesome professors. I imagine the real challenge though is taking the Bar exam! It is reputed to be the most grueling government-administered test. Then there''s the agonizing six-month wait period for the results. With the 2006 national passing percentage at about 30.6 percent, one has a glimpse of how it must be like. But I also imagine that the fulfillment for those who do pass the bar is…overwhelming. I''ll leave that to the bar takers to describe. For those who didn''t pass the 2006 Bar exam, don''t get discouraged just yet. You still have up to your fifth try. As a positive thought, keep in mind that we''re judged not by what we start but by what we finish.

Once again, heartfelt salutations to all the new lawyers! May you always uphold justice and truth throughout your legal careers.

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The University of San Carlos - College of Law is celebrating its Grand Alumni Homecoming and 70th Founding Anniversary on April 28, 2007 at the Cebu Country Club, with the fitting theme Go for Diamond. The attire is white, gray or silver smart casual while gold, ruby, pearl and silver jubilarians are requested to wear their respective colors. For further inquiries, alumni may call (032) 253-1000 local 170 or 317.

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Email: [email protected]