Support systems in place and Bar-ready

The first batch of DLSU College of Law (COL) graduates will take the Bar Exams this October at the University of Santo Tomas. Known to be the most difficult among all licensure examinations in the country, this year’s Bar exams will make or break the first batch of Lasallian lawyers.

How equipped and ready the graduates are for the Bar exams is dependent on each examinee’s personal preparations. All graduates are currently enrolled in review classes to supplement their preparations for the October exams. Some chose to enroll at Ateneo de Manila University Law School, San Beda College of Law, while others pursued their reviews at University of Sto. Tomas and other top tiered law schools.

Overflowing support

Bar Operations (BarOps) Chairperson Kikoy Ilagan shares that he and his team are having a difficult time getting a hold of the graduates since Bar exams takers are already too busy reviewing. The BarOps team has prepared several programs that could make the graduates’ journey to October more convenient.

Academics-wise, current COL students will help out in the College-wide Case Digest program. According to Ilagan, the 520 new cases released last year will be assigned to COL sophomores, juniors, and seniors. They are tasked to summarise the cases and compile them for the reviewers’ perusal. COL Vice Dean Atty. Antonio Jamon Jr. also shares that the college has scheduled a mock Bar exams this month. Special lectures will also be conducted to supplement the graduates’ reviews. The college also plans to offer its own review program starting next year.

Logistics-wise, each exam taker will be assigned a buddy that could help them with both Bar-related and rudimentary tasks come October. The BarOps team will also provide for accommodations, transportation, and transfers to and from the exams venue, and other examination needs. The Bar takers will stay at the College of Saint Benilde Hotel.

The college also boasts of faculty members who are top law practitioners in the country, says Rikki de la Paz, The Lasallian Advocate editor in chief. They also help not only in the review process of the Bar takers, but they are also keen in showing their support to the graduates. This helps improve the general well-being of the exams takers.

Mickey Celles, Law School Government (LSG) president, adds that although the LSG mainly caters to undergraduate law students, they will still be supplementing the initiatives provided by the BarOps team. The LSG requested the administration to still allow Bar takers to enter the University despite not being enrolled. Celles points out that Bar takers are more comfortable reviewing in the different study halls located at DLSU, therefore, it is important that they could still access these facilities.

On a personal note

Dino de Leon, a member of the COL pioneer batch, tells that there’s no alternative to proper studying and preparation for the October exams. “I have prepared my review schedule and enrolled in a review program. I am certain that it would take more than just knowledge to pass the bar exams. I have also ensured that I will be able to get adequate spiritual nourishment and my physical well-being is properly taken care of,” he shares.

De Leon also expounds on the different avenues available to COL students, highlighting the importance of grabbing all opportunities that could aid them in preparing for graduation and eventually, the Bar exams. “The LSG has a Sibling Program to help the students cope with law school stress. Juan, the premier leadership organization in the COL aims to serve as an alternative to fraternities and act as a support system to its members, both in the college and even after they graduate and become members of the Legal Profession. The College also has a Seminar on Study Techniques (SST) prior to the actual start of classes to enable the students to get ready and adjust to the life of being a law student,” he adds.

The future according to the experienced

The college’s vice dean has been with COL since May 2010, the year DLSU first offered its Law program. Atty. Jamon recounts the many times the pioneer batch was under his wing, when he taught them Constitutional Law and Elections Law, among others. “Ever since, I was already confident that they [pioneer batch] will do well in the Bar Exams,” he shares.

“Just focus on the fundamentals, not too much on the exceptions,” the vice dean advises. He adds that Bar takers should give it their all when reviewing for the exams, but they should still be weary of their physical needs. “Sleep well, eat well, play sports,” Atty. Jamon quips.

Atty. Jamon furthers that it would be astounding if there would be top notchers hailing from DLSU, but having a success rate comparable to established law institutions such as the University of the Philippines, and Ateneo de Manila University will be more than enough. “Deep in my heart, I know the results will be good,” he ends on a positive note.