Pursuing higher education while working full-time requires discipline, dexterity and diligence, and studying law is no small feat.
For disc jockey Fabian ‘Fyahman’ Morris, earning his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from The University of the West Indies, Mona campus, represents the culmination of years of hard work and long hours spent hitting the books. Juggling his studies with the nightlife scene, he said, was difficult.
“I was balancing school with work in media and entertainment, teaching, coaching quiz teams, events and other responsibilities, so there were times when everything felt like it was happening at once,” Morris told THE STAR.
The experience forced him to focus on time management.
“There were days I would be working, coaching or doing an event and still have readings, assignments or exams to prepare for. It was not easy, but I think that is part of what makes finally completing the degree so meaningful to me.”
He noted that his academic journey was marked by several challenges that he had to overcome through persistence.
“There were financial challenges, personal issues, and times when the journey became much harder than I expected. There were moments when I honestly questioned how I was going to get through everything, but I always kept the end goal in mind. It was not a smooth journey at all, but I never wanted the setbacks to be the reason I stopped.”
Morris admitted that there were times when he had to re-ignite his own fire and remind himself why he started.
“I tried to take things one step at a time and deal with what was in front of me instead of getting overwhelmed by everything. I also had people around me who encouraged me along the way. I always believed that even if the journey changed, the goal did not have to change. So being able to finally put LLB behind my name means a lot,” he said.
Given his current career path, he already has an interest in entertainment law, media, contracts, intellectual property and sports law.
“I do intend to continue on the professional legal path, but I also do not see law as something separate from everything else I do. I see it as something that can add value to the work I am already doing.”
The next step for Morris is Norman Manley Law School, where he hopes to continue the professional training needed to practise law in Jamaica.
“I have a lot of interests and I do not think I will ever limit myself to just one field. I want to continue growing in law, media, entertainment, business and education. However, my heart really remains invested in youth development. Working with young people through teaching and quiz has always been something I care deeply about.”
Law, he emphasised, can be integrated into his daily life.
“A lot of the areas I already work in have some connection to law. Entertainment and events involve contracts, sponsorships, artiste agreements, intellectual property and negotiations. Media also has legal considerations, and education operates within policies and regulations. So, for me, the degree fits naturally into what I am already doing. It gives me another level of knowledge and another way to look at business, media, education and entertainment. I do not see the LLB as me becoming a completely different person or changing everything I do. I see it as adding another skill and another layer to the path I am already on.”
Later in life, he said, he would love to become a principal.
“I would want to be in a position where I can help shape young people not just academically, but also in terms of discipline, confidence, leadership, and how they see themselves. So even with law being part of my future, education will always be very important to me,” he said.
