Today is not a easy day.
I has been working very hard on my legal research homework. searching for the relevant precedents among the sea of cases in the Lexisnexis database, reading them, analyzing them and locating those of true value is really challenging and energy-consuming. However, this is something I have to experience as an old new law school student. Being old because I am in my forties. Being new because this is the first time I have contact with Common Law system. Quite often, I am told that it is hard for common law students to survive. However, I can't imagine how hard it is. Now, I eventually have sort of understanding what it would be to study in a law school in a common law country. Cases are their normal routine. As a non-natvie speaker, It adds difficulty to study in English. Understanding the cases are not easy, let alone analyzing them and making arguments in class. Anything standing in your way is something offers opportunity of your progress. That is something pushing you outside of your comfort zone and leading your way to the success. I know, I see. Therefore, I enjoy it, with pain, though.
It is time for me to take a break, I tell myself. Anyway, I manage to finish my case list by the end of my day. At that moment, the conversation with Nick, my online English speaking teacher, occurs to me. He talked a lot about his living, educational and working experience during our conversation which is extremely interesting as well as enlightening to me. He used to be a call center agent in Philippine, which makes him to have extensive access to native English speakers. In addition, it also offers him chances to gain skills of communication. I can tell how skillful he is in these two aspects. He is the best teacher among all teacher with whom I have had my online speaking class. He told me that he spent a large amount to time to get himself used to speaking and thinking in American way. I can hardly believe that English was his most hatred subject when he was college. I am encouraged by him that I can speak good English as long as I can invest my time in it since my level is relatively good. I agree. Time will see.