Diary of a ksl student…

Part two…

I can’t believe am just about to begin the last learning semester at the School of Law. Time, I have noted with age seems to be less of a big deal... A year now goes by faster than I ever recall. I remember thinking in high school especially that Jesus had to come before I graduated…that is how long four years felt like to me back then. Anyhow I digress… So this is what my ksl journey has been thus far.

The long anticipated and overly hyped oral exams came and went last term. I am happy to report that no one died during this process. I am not sure why the school or their administration is so secretive about this process. Till the morning of the exam day, I was not too sure what the expectations were to ace that exam. The marking outline is not shared with the student prior to, during or after the exam and the examination scope is not well defined either. Reading for an exam covering anything and everything in law is definitely a bit tasking and almost impossible to adequately prepare for. Why you should be standing during the 5-20 minute exercise is another mind boggling think I can’t really wrap my head around. I am particular keen to see how the examiners will justify scores to students especially when the duration, complexity of the question and circumstances are not constant factors in every panel! My best advice to myself in hindsight or to future examinees would be to dress like a real lawyer going to court and not for arbitration…be confident but not corky…and just be you. Trying to be different on that day based on others advice will just make you more nervous that you already need to be. No writing material is required for this exam and there will be a safe place to deposit your handbag for the lasses. (I wish someone shared this insight with me before then.)Not knowing what the examiners are really testing is a challenge but the best advice I can give is to actively listen to the question. It could be something as easy as singing the National Anthem (true story) or something along the lines of explaining what a derivative suit is (yours truly was asked this).

I am happy to report that almost all project work is in. Working with ten other people on the same write-up is not only extremely exhausting but also really difficult. When done well, this process can be tremendously rewarding and the output very comprehensive with the appreciation of multiple views on the subject matter. Project work is unsurprisingly where individuals’ true characters are unleashed. It will take you a week tops on working on these exams to appreciate the group busy bees, the downright lazy and the absurd folks. I am constantly in bewilderment at how self-righteous some members can be and let others slave for a shared grade! The excuses you will here for this unacceptable behavior can make any genuinely industrious member blow a gasket but this process just reaffirms why and how every profession, law included, has a pyramid with the exceptional folks (not unexpected the fewest) at the apex and the majority of the rest at the base. If you are keen to start a law firm after graduation, perhaps you may want to consider and reflect on an individual’ contributions during their course work…this may be a good indication of their work ethics and most importantly on their team spirit/work capabilities!

Here’s to third term…to less drama and more work in preparation for the final exam!