Okay. So I’m 2 days into real classes and I see where law school gets its reputation for intensity. The reading is SERIOUS. The only reason I have time to type this is that I spent the 3 of the 4hrs I had as breaks between classes, in the library. And I today I went straight to the library instead of chatting with my friends (I was up until 11 last night doing torts, and I had a class at 8:30am this morning. No bueno.) and then moseying over to a study carrel.
It will get better. Even though it’s only been a couple days, I’ve briefed 20 cases already and I can see how issue spotting is just a little bit easier than in was last week in my intro class. Contracts is the only class where I’ve found myself confused as to what the professor was trying to get at. Of course, I’m not getting comfortable because I see how an 8-9hr day, when you waste time, can very quickly turn into a 12 hr day. And the cases build on each other, so as you get farther along you spot issues based on the previous cases that you wouldn’t otherwise get.
I also see how you can get easily freaked out by the competition aspect. Monday morning I got to school 2 hours before class started to study, and half my section was already in the library. But I know when I’m most productive, and if I get to school before 8am I won’t do anything but fall asleep on top of my books. I’ve read around the blawgosphere that law school is a marathon, not a sprint, and I’m seeing that they were right! And really, as long as I have the grades necessary to keep my scholarship and stay in school I will not have failed, which is the really important thing. My school has a 95% bar passage rate, so even people in the bottom half of the class get to be lawyers when it’s all said and done.
Anyway, time to do a workout DVD before dinner. I want all my pants to fit at the end of the semester!
Carla
August 24, 2010 at 7:10 pm
And here I was complaining about doing 10 case briefs over a 4 month period..
You’re absolutely right about school not being a marathon rather than a race. I’ve been told that constantly and now, I really believe that such is true. You have come a long way and at this point, all that matters is that you don’t stop. I have to remind myself of that often because there are times when I get discouraged as an undergrad single parent of two. A lot of my peers have graduated and even a few that came behind me are passing me up. I’ve realized that my circumstances and my situation is different.
Comparing yourself to others is sometimes discouraging depending on the situation. Take your time. You’ll get there. =)
Brownbelle
August 24, 2010 at 8:02 pm
Thanks, and good luck to you! You’re completely right though. About half of my college friends are starting their 5th or 6th year. My big sis took 6 years for undergrad because she did a double major & decided not take classes year-round, but now she’s doing what she loves now with a substantial side hustle. I know that that can–WILL–be me, one day
Brittany
August 29, 2010 at 10:05 pm
Try not to compare your library time to the library time of others. First of all, half those people won’t be there two weeks from now. Second of all, a lot of them are just wasting a surprising amount of time on the internet while they pretend to read every thing ever related to the law. You’ll be OK. Your sleep is important, believe it or not!
Good luck!
Brownbelle
August 29, 2010 at 11:06 pm
Hahaha! I appreciate the reassurance. I put up a good front mostly but some days I’m freaking out with everyone else!
Dustin Sanchez
September 1, 2010 at 9:51 am
getting the pants to fit at the end of the semester was a challenge for me. i never paid much attn to the competition aspect, just run your race.