UdM barrister shares tips on how to prepare for the bar

BY HANNAH GRACE M. VILLARONTE

In the height of the salubong’s emotions, Jessa Brillantes, a bar examinee

herself, emphasized her three important preparations in taking the bar, namely: to be
physically fit, to be mentally prepared, and to become spiritually whole.

“Your knowledge does not matter if you are physically weak,” she began.

She narrated that on her 1st Sunday, she was nauseous to the point that she
almost fainted prompting medics to send her immediately to the clinic. At that time all
she was thinking, “I have to go back at all cost and finish my exam, she said. Given
her condition, she was forced to take the exam under observation.

It is when she realized the wisdom of “health is wealth.” She explained that even
if the barrister knew the answers very well, he cannot write it all down if he is not
physically fit.

She underscored that the bar is not just a test of knowledge about the law, but
more importantly, a test of endurance.

She also mentioned that the barrister’s confidence lies on the quality of study
that he had. She demonstrated her gratefulness to people surrounding her for being
her support group.

Overall, she believed that she was mentally prepared during the bar exams
because of her family and friends. She conveyed that, “if there is something you should
learn, that is to never punish yourself.”

“In contrast to what most people would say that the loneliest time of a lawyer is
during bar exam, I felt that I am not alone. My family and friends are always with me.
They are believing in me and that did not pressure me at all, rather, it gave me more
reasons not to be afraid,” she said.

Last but not the least, being spiritually whole is also an aspect she highlighted.
In fact, she considered it as the most essential of all. She knew that her family and
friends’ prayers fueled her throughout the battle.

“I strongly believed that having a big God leaves you no reason to fear,” she
emotionally said. She comprehended through the struggle she experienced on her first
day that God will always be her refuge.

When asked about the sacrifices she did for the bar preparation, the first thing
that came to her mind is her work. According to Brillantes, she tendered her resignation
from work on her fourth in law school.

On the other hand, Ems Potenciano, also an examinee, shared that she
attempted to set aside her work but her work leave was not granted.
 However, for Potenciano, work has not prevented her to review for the bar
exam. Instead, it served as a challenge for her to double the effort because sacrificing
her job is not a practical option. She explained that her work is needed to support
herself and her family.

At the end, Potenciano highlighted the importance of the time management to

compensate her being a working student. Balancing time and having an effective study
habit helped her to recoup during her review.