Random Thoughts

Law Student

In chorus, let us all say "Failing the Bar is not a choice."

While it may be common to most law students to brag about their status as one, it is still inappropriate to look down on those who flunked the bar and to make unnecessary (and invalid) opinions towards them.

The study of law is and will always be a culmination of several factors. The general rule is that the journey towards the legal profession is harder than you think. However, the details of the same tell a very rigid story-- it's harder than it looks.

Being a law student, you should know the same to be true. Aside from the kilometric annotations, laws, and jurisprudence that we need to study, we all have to deal with other factors as well. From personal dilemmas to social and economic status, one's journey eventually becomes harder before finally claiming that elusive degree.

Narratives pertaining to the study differ from one another. Believe it or not, the journey of others is made harder because of their respective situations. To deprive them of decency and understanding is criminal in itself-- what more if you tell them that failing the Bar is a choice.

Failing the Bar is not a choice.

It is a story of a man who juggles his work and his review for the Bar while providing for and taking care of his family. It is a story of a woman who just lost a loved one. It is a story of a son who felt an immense pressure from his family all inclined towards the legal profession. It is a story of a daughter who is suffering depression. It is a story of a candidate who is not able to have the luck of the world in her favor while the examiner was checking his or her booklet.

Being weak in certain subjects is not a choice. There is a reason on why that particular person graduated law school. Having time for yourself is not a choice. It is a necessity in order to avoid breaking down and hitting rock bottom.

Failing the Bar is not a choice.

It is safe to say that we personally know someone who flunked the Bar. Can we say as well that they didn't work hard enough? NO. They are victims of situations which we cannot fully explain. But one thing is for sure--we know that they are hard-workers and are personifications of bouncing back, better and stronger.

Law students should be reminded that there is always another side to a story. To impute that one's failure is a choice is a sweeping opinion which we could not tolerate. We must be reminded by the wise words of Dean Riano: "It's not failure. It's just delayed success."

Again, in chorus, let us all say "Failing the Bar is not a choice."