Nicco B.

Acaylar, LLB II January 7, 2020

My Reflection

I wasn’t really expecting that this article “A Letter to a Young Student” by Corinne Cooper would actually
pierce my heart. After reading the last sentence “What happens now is up to you,” I got teary eyed because the
article was really defining my law journey.

First, the author reiterated the anxieties and fears that a first year student would have felt upon
entering law school. Basically, these surreal feelings are all true because studying law vis a vis finishing your
undergraduate studies are indeed, of two different spheres of education. The latter is akin to a lecture focused
classes while the former implies stricter and more serious study of law.

It was also embedded in the article that there are three spheres of education in law school, to wit: the
education that takes place within you, the education you share with your peers, and the education you
experience with the faculty. I really commend the author for highlighting these aspects.

To be candid, the Socratic method can draw you first blood in law school. Based on my experiences, I
was a victim of this kind of method in Ateneo de Davao University. I was trembling with fear of the unknown
following the shuffling of the cards during class recitations. Well, it has brought a positive effect on me because I
was compelled to read books and prepare beforehand. Suffice it to state that the teachers really possess a
magic pen that will predetermine your future whether you will take law school for four years or longer. Also, it is
better to study the manner and method of teaching of your teacher so that you will not be complacent all
throughout your journey.

Another significant subject of the article was your relationship with your classmates. I do believe this is
very important because your classmates can influence you whether to succeed or fail. Our classmates are there
helping us know the law through constant communication and socialization. A little competition is also helpful
because it encourages you to strive more to excel. Group studies and discussions with your classmates are
helpful in order to check whether you are on the same boat or not. Also, when you are down because of you
low scores, your classmates are there to comfort you and boost your self-worth.

Plagiarism was also discussed by the author. Of course, as law students we should learn not to
plagiarize. We should give credit to the real authors of the books and make correct citations. At this juncture, we
should learn how to give value to other person’s work and it behooves others to do the same.

The author also mentioned the essence of active learning compared to passive learning. He emphasized
that we should practice active learning in law school. In passive learning, you take in the information; you
memorize it, and use it during examinations. Hence, this learning does not prepare us for law school. In law
school, they expect us to do active learning. We are required to read the text, attend the lecture, take notes,
and reread them. I believe passive learning is just for short-term memory while active learning is for long ones.

The author’s view that law is a self-teaching discipline is highly laudable. He emphasized that we are not
primarily here to learn the substance of the law for future use; we are learning the skills of analysis and self-
instruction for future use. From the facts given, we should always prepare for the worst. If ever we will become
lawyers, we should know how to respond correctly to legal questions thrown to us.

Legal thinking should be practiced today. We should learn the meaning of the words and legal terms
with precision and not just memorize it endlessly. Law school is not a joke. It demands consistent legal reasoning
and legal analysis. We are not here to adduce hearsay pieces of evidence. We are here to be the vanguards of
justice with a little amount of self-interest and a higher dose of social conscience. We aid in the administration
of justice to the people, to the legal profession and to the community.

The IRAC method, as mentioned, is also a force that will guide us to solve problems of law. IRAC method
means issue, rule, analysis and conclusion. In using this method, we need to identify clearly and accurately the
elements of the rule, and go through the process of applying them to the facts.

We should always uphold the rule of law. In every social and moral issue we face, we need to be
reminded to observe the law and do not contribute to any miscarriage of justice.
 The author is persuading us to balance and harmonize our life with the legal profession. We should be
steadfast in maintaining a healthy mind and body. Let us not stress ourselves. However, we must remember
that the people in our life, family and friends, are more important than law school.

Taken altogether, the crux of the matter lies on our actions and own choices. Nevertheless, it is
immediately apparent that we are strong individuals now. We are already intelligent people because we have
come this far. Someday, God willing, we will all be full-fledged lawyers.