5 Things I Learned From A Bad Recitation In Law School

MAR. 13, 2014

By SYBIL TROPICALES
Recitation is a common activity in law school. It may seem petty but it is a big
deal for law students. And boom, I just had my worst recitation ever in law school. It
feels so bad that it felt like Ive been dumped. I felt so ashamed. Not because most of my
answers are BS and fabricated, but that I felt ashamed for my professor who has been
brilliantly teaching us and diligently doing his job and there I stood, dumbfounded and
failing to do my part as a student.
I had several reasons: Essentially, I got really unlucky. I have always been ready
except on the very fateful day I was called to recite. I was really busy with extra-
curricular activities from the past few days (including the weekend) that my brain got a
little too tired to accommodate the rules on Pledge and Mortgage in Credit Transactions. I
was able to read the lesson a week in advance but I forgot to review it all that I can only
recall few tidbits of information. Plus I had some other personal issues which Ive been
difficultly trying to deal with and fix.
But all of my reasons are invalid and untenable and devoid of merit. So I had to
learn the hard way. Nonetheless, here are the lessons (my silver lining) from the mistakes
I have committed which resulted to the worst recitation I just had.
1. You cant compensate for being prepared
Nothing beats preparation. Surprises will always come around in life. There will
always be good and bad surprises. But there are surprises which we can anticipate, like
being surprised by your friends at 12 midnight on your birthday or being surprised to be
called for the recitation. Work on the things that you can predict or control. Be ready for
them every single time. Wit or intelligence will never be enough if youre not prepared.
2. Always make time
There are 24 hours every day. Not having enough time is simply an unacceptable reason.
There are no excuses if you badly want to achieve something. If youre running on a
really busy schedule, devote at the very least a concentrated hour for your priority, which
is law school in my case. I learned that its better to lack sleep or skip a meal or look like
a zombie sometimes if youre really serious on your priorities and goals.
3. Nemo dat quod non habet
Literally means, you cannot give what you do not have. In my case, I dont have
the correct answers thats why I couldnt give them. Like love, if you dont have that
love for the person, theres nothing you can do because theres nothing at all you can
give. The point is, whether its in school or relationships or career, if you really dont
have it, dont force on pushing for it. Youre simply wasting your time and effort as well
as that of others for something thats inexistent in the first place. If you genuinely want to
give something, acquire it, learn it, earn it and work your ass out on it out first.
4. Take one day at a time
Read one page at a time, accomplish one task at a time, do one thing at a time.
Nowadays, multitasking is really prevalent. It has been viewed as a common and even a
positive practice. But I think its the contrary multitasking is counterproductive. What
usually happens is you start doing several things and not accomplish anything at the end
of the day. In my case, I have that tendency to start to read several subjects sometimes
that I dont finish anything at all. And of course, thats not a good thing. This applies
even to the simplest things we do throughout the day. So before you start checking your
Facebook, finish eating your food first. As for me, before I study Post-Judgment
Remedies of Civil Procedure, I have to finish the chapter on Pledge in Credit
Transactions first so as not to repeat the BS recitation I just had.
5. Move on
Stoicism works best during these frustrating times. There is no such thing as
retroactive effect in real life. After all is said and done, you cant do anything about it.
Just be stoic. So whatever it is that happened, it is what it is. You dont always have to go
through the process of denial-anger-negotiation-depression. It will only take much of
your time and energy which you should be allocating on better things. Simply accept it
head on and move forward. Work your best on the chances that you still have. Law
school, just like life and love, is a constant test of faith, strength, perseverance and
fighting spirit.
After my bad recitation, I texted some of my friends. The reply of one of them is
exceptionally inspiring, Tell yourself that it doesnt kill you (even if it feels like it).
Youll still be a hotshot lawyer. A single recitation will not define your career. So a note
to myself: this is my last bad recitation and I will fight again