ADVICE: 14 Things Never to Say in Law School
1. "I think..."
The professor could not care less about what you think; what she wants to hear from you is what the law is and what the Supreme Court has said. Unless the professor asks you what your opinion is, stick to the facts and the law.
2. "I'm a full-time student."
When introducing yourself, unless asked, never mention that you are a full-time student (sometimes called "professional student"). This is due to the fact that it creates a lot of expectations in the mind of not only your professor but also your classmates.
3. "Uhm, uhmmmm..."
Try to sound confident and smart (not too boastful, not too shy) during recitations. Fillers like these can really bore the professor. Boring, annoying or making the professor angry should be the last thing in your to-do list.
4. "In my own opinion..."
See comments for Item 1.
5. "I believe..."
See comments for Item 1.
6. "Actually..."
This word does not seem to be anywhere similar to music to professors' ears. Just avoid it because it sounds arrogant.
7. "In my own understanding..."
See comments for Item 1. 8. "I'm SPO3 Juan dela Cruz."
Never mention your position in government or company while introducing yourself unless specifically asked. It may not sound very humble to your professor's ears. Remember, never try to outshine the master. You need grades, not claps.
9. "You may be wrong, Judge."
Never correct your professor in class even if he obviously makes a mistakes.
10. "The law is unreasonable, sir."
"Are you Congress? Can you amend the law?" This is the response you are likely to receive when you attack the law for being unreasonable. Remember, "Dura lex sed lex."
11. "Based on what I understand..."
See comments for Item 1.
12. "You bought a cavan of rice from me..."
When asked to give an example, never use "you." Better use the names of your classmates or other typical law school names like John Doe or AAA/BBB. Nobody knows why some professors get offended because of this.
13. "Next time, sir, babawi ako."
Never say this. This just makes the situation worse.
14. "I'm a CPA."
This is very different from Items 2 and 8. Item 2 creates expectation that you have all the time to read. Item 8 makes you look bossy. This item deserves a separate slot in this list because of two things. First, people expect Certified Public Accountants to be knowledgeable of the law because of their law subjects in undergraduate school. Second, professors who are not CPAs usually tend to (sometimes intentionally) ask very difficult questions from them during recitations.
The professor could not care less about what you think; what she wants to hear from you is what the law is and what the Supreme Court has said. Unless the professor asks you what your opinion is, stick to the facts and the law.
2. "I'm a full-time student."
When introducing yourself, unless asked, never mention that you are a full-time student (sometimes called "professional student"). This is due to the fact that it creates a lot of expectations in the mind of not only your professor but also your classmates.
3. "Uhm, uhmmmm..."
Try to sound confident and smart (not too boastful, not too shy) during recitations. Fillers like these can really bore the professor. Boring, annoying or making the professor angry should be the last thing in your to-do list.
4. "In my own opinion..."
See comments for Item 1.
5. "I believe..."
See comments for Item 1.
6. "Actually..."
This word does not seem to be anywhere similar to music to professors' ears. Just avoid it because it sounds arrogant.
7. "In my own understanding..."
See comments for Item 1. 8. "I'm SPO3 Juan dela Cruz."
Never mention your position in government or company while introducing yourself unless specifically asked. It may not sound very humble to your professor's ears. Remember, never try to outshine the master. You need grades, not claps.
9. "You may be wrong, Judge."
Never correct your professor in class even if he obviously makes a mistakes.
10. "The law is unreasonable, sir."
"Are you Congress? Can you amend the law?" This is the response you are likely to receive when you attack the law for being unreasonable. Remember, "Dura lex sed lex."
11. "Based on what I understand..."
See comments for Item 1.
12. "You bought a cavan of rice from me..."
When asked to give an example, never use "you." Better use the names of your classmates or other typical law school names like John Doe or AAA/BBB. Nobody knows why some professors get offended because of this.
13. "Next time, sir, babawi ako."
Never say this. This just makes the situation worse.
14. "I'm a CPA."
This is very different from Items 2 and 8. Item 2 creates expectation that you have all the time to read. Item 8 makes you look bossy. This item deserves a separate slot in this list because of two things. First, people expect Certified Public Accountants to be knowledgeable of the law because of their law subjects in undergraduate school. Second, professors who are not CPAs usually tend to (sometimes intentionally) ask very difficult questions from them during recitations.