It has been a month already when classes ended. Everyone is now enjoying the vacation. For my part, it is only now that I’m starting my vacation because of some commitments in school. I’ve been working for the student council, academics committee of the Bar Operations and Law Review. Though I’m having my vacation here in Pampanga, I still do some works for law rev and acads.

Time flies so fast. I cannot believe that I will be in second year this school year. (God-willing, I passed all my subjects!) My first year in law school was a tough one. I entered law school carrying several problems and worries with me. It was too difficult for me then to adjust with the environment. But with God’s grace and help, I was able to surpass them.

As I journey in law school, I had a lot of realizations. It was indeed true that law school life is far different from college life. You have to persevere a lot in order to pass. You have to trust and believe in yourself in order to achieve things easily. Most of all, you need to have faith in the Lord. It is only Him who can turn the impossible into reality. It is Him who can turn away one’s frustrations and disappointments.

As I look back on my experiences in first year, I cannot help but thank the Lord for everything. Though I have traveled a rocky road, I am still grateful for his guidance and blessings.

As I’ve said, my journey was a tough one. I experienced a lot of ups and downs. There were sleepless nights and anxieties which took most of my energy. There were times where I just found myself crying and getting tired of my life. There were times where all I wanted was to quit. Despite of these, I still managed to finish first year.

Though my journey was not a smooth one, there are still things I have to be thankful. First, I managed to finish first year first semester with flying colors. I was able to make it in the Dean’s List. Second, I was accepted to be a member of the UST Law Review, the official student publication of the UST Faculty of Civil Law. It’s not easy to be a member of the said organization. One needs to undergo with its rigid and difficult examination and interview. I consider it a miracle for me to be accepted. Third, I am thankful that I passed the initiation rites of Libertas et Iusticia. Fourth, I gained new friends. And fifth, I am now a stronger and better person.

Without my journey’s ups and downs, I will never be the kind of person I am right now. They honed me to be the best person I can be. They made me appreciate the beauty of life. They helped me recognize God’s presence in my life.

After classes have ended, I was appointed to be the Associate Case Law Editor of the UST Law Review. I was also appointed to be the Executive Staff of the President of the Student Council. I can never explain how I felt about these things. The trust given to me will always be appreciated. I therefore promise to do my best so as not to fail everyone.

Given my new responsibilities, I have another reason to love law school. There’s a reason to look forward to a new journey. I know my next journey will be tougher and more challenging. But I remain positive that with hard work and God’s help, I will again be victorious.