Rainy Days Come and Go

The rain was pouring. I stepped outside the house to the constant drops of water and gentle breeze of occasional wind; and for a while I stood there conscious of the cold. Tempted to go back inside the house to the warm sheets of my comfortable bed, I shook my head and started going farther from the house. The cold trickled down my spine. A few meters later, I was already soaking wet that I started to tremble. Goosebumps. I started jumping with great force hoping to ease the trembles from the cold. It did not produce any heat as I expected; but I found myself laughing at the thought of myself jumping up and down alone in the rain.

Looking back, I realized that was also how my law school journey started. No one forced me to enter law school, but I did, like how I chose to experience the rain. In my first week, I badly wanted to quit. Without any idea of what I have gotten myself into, and without any friends in the community to confide in, I was close to giving up and going back to living my normal life; like how I was tempted to go back into the house when I felt the cold. Being alone in law school feels cold. Walking farther away to wander, I looked back at our house and realized it represented my comfort zone. It represented safety and normalcy, and all things pleasant and calm. But standing here in the rain, I tried to not flinch, just like when I entered law school, I stood my ground. I did not quit. I did not give myself the option to quit; for me, it was too early to fail. And I am not a fan of failure. It did not get better, if you were wondering. I was gobsmacked with all the readings and the pressure, and the need to always be your best self. I was not used to reading several materials at a time. I was not used to not having time for myself or for my family, or for my friends. It was the hardest year – the adjustment period.

I don’t think any law student ever got used to the law school life like how we got used to high school or college. It was just entirely different. Esoteric. Just like being in the rain; it’s so unpredictable and so brutal if you don’t enjoy it. For rain, unpredictable because just when you thought it could not get worse, it pours harder. Brutal because oftentimes, thunder and lightning will occur shaking you to your core. And for law school, unpredictable because just when you thought you had it all figured out, you come crashing down physically, emotionally, or mentally. Just when you thought you’re doing fine, suddenly, you feel lost again. Brutal again because law school was meant for the brave and the strong. Sermons of professors and the constant pressure to always be present and be the best will beat you to the ground. It is not an easy battle.

Examination days are by far one of the most worrisome times. It’s like the thunderstorms pouring upon law students. Cold. Lonely. Dark. In law school, these are the moments of sleepless nights and restless days. It calls for bottomless coffee, and undefined routine. Reading materials are scattered on the table. Ballpens are running out. And patience is thinning. Bigger efforts need to be exerted. More things need to be retained. Mnemonics usually flood the notes. It is unforgiving, and it usually leaves law students craving for comforting things and foods. Its rumbling causes panic. But if one finds joy in the cold and being alone, even when he is in the dark, one will not have a problem. It will not be as bad as it really is. Oftentimes, it’s a matter of perception.

After an hour of the pouring rain, it decided to stop. Watching as the last few raindrops hit the ground, I smiled. It is still a good life. Law school is like the rain which few people choose to experience. It will sometimes pour like crazy. And it is up to you to jump around and enjoy; or you could stay still, feel the cold, and complain. It sometimes pours like a thunderstorm, with all the thundering announcements of examination and score cutoffs or lightning quick passing of days. But it is part of it all. May it be a quiz, a preliminary examination, midterms, or finals, it is just like the rain; but being us, we will conquer it. And you know the best thing about the rain? It ends. It will not rain forever; and your rainbow will come.

The midterms passed by like a light swoosh of air, and final exams are here. It may be hard, and it will feel cold and lonely. But remember, it’s just raining again. Do your best to stay calm and comfortable as much as you can. Read and understand, and embrace the loneliness that goes with it. Remember that you chose this – this type of rain to pour upon you. And just like in life and in law, rainy days come and go.

You got this, future lawyers!