Call to Bar Chronicles: The Side You Never Get to See

“Bestie, why haven’t you sent me your call pictures?” A close friend asked in surprise especially since it was just 6 days to the call to bar ceremony. He was referring to the photos that as an unspoken rule are taken before the call to bar ceremony and then posted on social media on the actual date.

My response? “lol, because I haven’t taken them yet.” It’s all I would say about the matter but behind that sentence laid the heaviness of some realities. Earlier that day, I had sat in a room with my law school roommates as we discussed the expenses that came with the ceremony. 6 days to go with no sign of any funds and I was still hopeful but one of them had totally given up instead conceding that she would take her photos after the ceremony and when she had the money. The rest of us teased ourselves about finding the cheapest photographer but still with the hope that our photos would turn out great.

The truth is that becoming a lawyer is expensive and this time I mean literally. The transportation price to get to the nation’s capital where the event would hold, money for accommodation, money for the actual screening process, money to purchase the mandatory wig and gown we would later put on, money for photoshoot, money for suit (or a dress for the photoshoot) and for we ladies, money for hair and makeup. It’s a long list and while it is such an exciting time in our lives, it gets a little stressful too. So how do we handle it? We make the most of our situation by remembering that this is such a joyous time in our lives and we make compromises where we can. From foregoing the photoshoot till a more convenient time like my roommate to borrowing a wig and gown from a colleague, we do the best we can because we know that this moment is bigger than all the limitations we may face.

We celebrate with those who never have these struggles but for most of us, it’s a reality. A classmate of mine had to solicit for funds from the entire class to make the necessary payments. And so, this is the less glamorous side that you never get to see and nobody really talks about. On our call to bar ceremony, you will see our pictures all around social media and our bright smiles and truly our hearts are filled with joy because we know the price we have had to pay.

Becoming a lawyer is too exciting for words and let it be known that we do not consider lightly the path we have had to take to get here. Our appreciation goes to family, friends and well wishers who have contributed tremendously to us. It goes beyond money; it is the prayers and encouragements when the pressure attempted to get too much for us. Thank you for everything you did to get us here and most importantly thank you to God almighty.

In the now infamous song lyrics by Mercy Chinwo “Amazing God, Amazing God, You always come through for me, Amazing God.”