Excelling at the Nigerian Law School

A first class is not easy to make but it’s not unattainable. Anyone can make a first class but not?everyone?does - Sopuruchi Rufus.

I was invited by NLS-Mind Check to share my experience and talk generally about how I made a first class at the Nigerian Law School; the ups, downs, and even sideways. It was a wonderful time walking down memory lane and sharing as much as I could.

One of the listeners, FAITH RIMAMCHATIN was able to jot these down so I thought to share to a larger community.

If you are prepping for Law School and aspiring to pass the Bar exams (with a 1st class), regardless of when you stumble across this article, here are some tips to help you excel – in no order.

??Don't have a favorite course: Pay the same level of attention to every course. In Law School, you don't get a first-class by scoring 90 in three of the courses and a ‘B’ in or C in the last two. You excel by getting all As in all your papers which is why it is important to give every course equal attention.

??Do not joke with your class notes: During the exam period everyone is a lecturer; from your coursemate to the person selling law textbooks everyone has an opinion. Your class notes will save you from confusion. Jot down things in your class notes. Pay strict attention to your class and the points made in class and write them down.

?? Deal with Fear: Bar finals is the easiest exam you’ll ever write. Someone told me this and I didn’t fully believe it till I saw my exam questions.

Work on your mindset. No one goes to battle afraid of losing. Say things like, “The bar exam is the easiest exam I will ever write” to deal with fear. Say it until you believe it, write it down in your notes, and paste it in your room. Keep saying it to yourself.

?? Don’t wish, Plan: Everybody has wishes, but in Law School, you don't excel by wishing but by making plans and goals. You can write your goals down on paper or even on your phone. Be intentional. Yes, the Bar Final exams are the easiest exams you will ever write not because the exams are cheap but because you will put in the work.

?? Research where you are posted: You might be posted to an entirely different Law School from what you had in mind. Quit whining and find out how to survive in that state so that when you see any challenge you can tackle it. If where you are has mosquitoes get a mosquito net and mosquito repellent cream. If it's cold make sure you are fully prepared for that or any other challenge so you don't get distracted.

?? Brace up for challenges: The environment you are posted to does not restrict you from achieving your goal. Law School is the same everywhere. There's no partiality in law school, everyone has equal opportunities.

Let me share a personal experience in Law School.

I was posted to a 10-man room that had no wardrobes and just two sockets..

Picture it.

9 people yammering and chatting at will at different times in one room and you’re trying to understand the difference between desirable and nominal party to a suit.

Terrible right?

I had to devise other means to study. I became a library rat. I knew I would come back to noise after classes so I usually spent my day at the library. Also, during the externship I didn’t go home because I knew I would not have the liberty to read at will so I opted to go to a state where I’ll have that freedom. You should consider this as well when choosing the state for your externship.d consider this as well when choosing the state for your externship.

Prepare for the challenges that will come and tell yourself it doesn’t matter. It is just for 9 months. You may not like your roommates; your hostel may not be conducive to reading (I had termites in my room consistently during the exam period and I couldn’t sleep so I begged a friend to read in her room at night and I did that for about a week. In the end, I took off against the wind).

So yes, there will be challenges, you must tell yourself that you have a goal and don't let these challenges stop you.

There is no second semester in law school, only resit.

?? Avoid wasting your externship period: During the externship, you might be tempted to just chill and rest and say you will read when you get back to school. Resist that temptation. Time passes differently in Law School. It is also very easy to get lost in the court procedure and trying to fill your logbook but please remember the big picture.

?? Be consistent: Consistency here does not mean giving a hundred percent every day like we think. It’s showing up every day and putting in the effort. I never let any day go by without practicing my drafts or MCQs. Neither did I go a day without studying. I also never failed to pray even if it meant reciting ‘the lord’s prayer’. You may not always meet your reading goals every day but don't beat yourself up. There were days when I couldn't read as much but I made sure I did something every day. If I wasn't studying, I was drafting or practicing MCQ. Don't let any day go to waste.

?? Find a coping mechanism: Things get rough and your mental, emotional, and physical state is tested. I coped with social media, music, church, and my friends. Choose good friends that have the same goal as you.

??Exam tips - Practice! Practice!! Practice!!! Practice your MCQs, your theory, and your drafts consistently. There is no 'one' study pattern.

Mine was very volatile. This week I may use a particular technique and the next week I’m using another.

The point is, that you can choose to take different routes but never lose sight of your destination.

There were times I focused on solving MCQs, whether or not I had read the topic extensively. I always wanted to challenge myself. Of course, initially, I was getting scores like 4/20, 12/40, 32/60 and I would feel bad for a little while but it made me feel much better when I did them again, days later, and the grades improved. I practiced a lot! I did them so much I could preempt the answers to new questions.

?? Don't spend most of your time trying to cram all the authorities, focus more on the principles instead: In the marking guide given to us there were more marks allotted to the principles than authorities.

The aim of Law School is to, among other things, prepare you to be able to apply the law to real life and give legal advice to your client and you're not going to be quoting authorities to your client, are you?

?? On Textbooks: If you can afford to buy them that's fine but if you can't make use of those provided in the library. When two or more authors have conflicting opinions on a matter, go with what is your class notes. That's why I emphasized the importance of class notes at the beginning. Your class notes will save you.

?? GOD: Ensure to pray and trust God. I cannot give my Law School testimony without mentioning God. However, it is important to put a balance to this. While you pray, don't forget to study. After you finish praying, go and read. The Holy Spirit cannot remind you if there's nothing in your head. Remember the story of David and Goliath. David did not go to the battlefield to start praying. He took the stones and his sling and used them to bring down Goliath.

?? NLS Mind Check: Grace Kalu was very helpful to me through NLS Mind Check. Her newsletters, constant encouragement, her kind words, and many more were invaluable. Whatever package you afford from NLS Mind Heck please do so.

I will leave you with this;

When you’re tired, rest.

When you’re hungry, eat.

When you feel overwhelmed, pray.

When you’re done, open your book and read.

Anybody can make a first class but there is a reason why not everyone does. Create the vision of what you want. Write it down and work towards it.

Law school can be tough but you are tougher.

Gods grace!