Nonetheless, here you are. The duration of your stay will be determined by how you treat these 9 months of school. The good news is this path has been walked by many before you and through this blog, we plan to pass on all that we wish we knew as we took our first steps.
1. Avoid falling in
love
If you’re lucky to
stay in Rongai as most KSL students do, have sex as often as possible. That
opportunity will never come again. If the ladies are disinterested use that
old, time-tested trick: just ply them with alcohol. But avoid falling in love
or showing romance at all costs, but you can fake it though.
Love and romance are a
waste of time and feelings as you prepare for your bar exams, and they will
just cloud your judgment. To make it through KSL you need a sharp, clear mind.
Guys, if you don’t tap
it somebody else will. Ladies, remember something called contraception. If
you’re in doubt, just wait till around June. You’ll see so many pregnant ladies
around KSL, you’ll think KSL has opened a prenatal class or something.
2. Don’t listen to
the losers, mediocrity is contagious:
Don’t listen to the
losers who say “KSL fails its students” or “that the CLE does not mark scripts,
they just dish marks at random even if it’s possibly true that they do that.
Ignore the naysayers.
Instead, think of how you can be among the few who pass all 9 units in their
first sitting (usually only about 20% of the students).
3. Have a spine,
avoid intimidation :
You’ll meet those guys
who went to I don’t know CUEA who’ll brag about their library at CUEA which had
a lift, a fountain, and a restaurant inside. The guys from CUEA might also brag
about their 1st class degrees. CUEA had like twelve 1st classes in law last
year, yaani since when were 1st class degrees dished out en
masse like cheap mutumba underwear?
Then again, many guys
from The University of Nairobi (UON) are too brash, they’ll brag that they were
taught by professors and you weren’t? ( & UON guys are often the loudest in
class discussions though they make little sense). Ignore the little buggers. In
fact, at UON’s Law school they sit on desks sometimes because of lack of
chairs.
Others who studied in
South Africa or The U.K. might also give the impression that Kenyan degrees are
sub-standard. If they brag don’t be impressed.
Ladies, if you’re from
the village don’t be intimidated by ladies with phony accents or fake eyelashes
and hair, or anyone showing off their parent’s car.
Don’t be bothered that
you went to Inoorero or Mount Kenya University (MKU) where on the ground floor
they sell shoes and 1st floor they have lecture halls (some guys from MKU are
actually quite bright but they’re too quiet and intimidated by the empty debes
from UON).
It’s not a big deal
that you studied in some remote university in India, or Moi University or
Kabarak.
If you’re intimidated
even one bit, you’re done. I promise you.
4. Step up, don’t
hide in the dark :
You must have seen
those loner types, who sit quietly at the back or spend all the time alone.
Most don’t make it far, when shit hits the fan they crack real quick. You ought
to make new friends at KSL and keep them close, and don’t forget the old ones.
Participate in class
and Moot contests in 2nd term. Don’t say you’re too busy to moot, or that it’s
not your thing. They give certificates during moot contests. As you hunt for
pupilage such certificates will make you stand out from the herd. If you’re familiar
with lecturers you’ll get a reference for your C.V. or they might refer you to
some career opportunity. Be a teacher's pet if you have to. Those advocates in
top-tier firms didn’t get where they are because of their smarts, but rather
because of knowing which asses to kiss.
Also, start looking
for pupilage early. Most firms are open to applications by June. If you start
looking for pupilage in October you’ll find it tough.
5. Try liking
fellow firm members even if they’re idiots:
Project work in firms
is equivalent to being forcibly married to a stranger you hate but whom you
can’t leave.
It’s as if KSL
conspires to put the most incompatible guys together in firms. Someone is
supposed to present but they forgot their flash-disk, another is busy going out
on dates.
You’ll work closely
with these strangers till around August. Please try and like them as unlikeable
as they might be.
If you let your
differences get to you, your coursework score might suffer.
Be careful who you
choose as a Firm leader, try getting someone mature. Don’t let just anyone be a firm leader.
6. Don’t be a
sitting duck, prepare early:
Ever heard of oral
exams? Apparently, it’s got nothing to do with oral sex. Remember that July
really isn’t far away, the day comes really fast. Don’t start preparing in
June, start now.
If you’re not ready,
those exams will come falling on you like a ton of bricks. Brush up on old
facts and get the oral sample questions from past years (but also think outside
those questions since they test practical applications). Learn to be audible
and develop confidence early.
Get the course
outlines, past papers, and old notes in soft copy as early as now. But don’t
just have them, use them. Don’t wait till October to start reading the past
papers.
7. Be punctual:
It seems obvious but
it’s not. Even if you hate the lecturer’s guts (as you most likely will), just
attend the bloody classes. These lecturers have experience and know what is set
in the exam and might give hints, even subconsciously.
8. Be organized,
KSL will throw a lot your way:
Keep a diary to
organize project work, assignments, and assigned readings. Towards the middle of the second term, many guys reach their cracking point. Don’t be one of them.
Relax, pray if you’re
religious, smoke sheesha, whatever that helps you calm down. The deadlines for
the projects become too many around June. At this point, many people give in
even before the November exams.
Don’t let stuff pile
up. Devote about 2 hours daily to read. The alternative is to start 3 weeks
before the exam at which point you’ll have like 400 pages of slides per unit
and numerous cases to read. If you’re given some case law to read, read it
before you forget.
Personalize your
notes. Don’t just photocopy notes blindly. Use such notes to make summaries of
your own.
9. Don’t let
work distract you: Most people who work part-time sometimes fail to
give enough attention to classes. If working organize yourself properly or
you’ll regret it in the end.
10. Network
silly: As a tactical maneuver be friendly even with those you despise.
Interact with them and build networks. (Real interaction, not the Fb and
Twitter crap).
Fake charm, warmth, and interest. Think long term, who knows? In the future, you might be
co-partners in a huge firm with those guys you find insufferable. Build
friendships step by step, don’t be a phony.
One last word. The
challenge in KSL is hardly about difficult topics, the challenge is in
maintaining one’s cool under immense pressure. Now go!