This is crazy. I think I’ve heard every story, heeded every warning, and jotted down every tip regarding law school, but still NOTHING could prepare me for my first trimester of law school. I even had the unique benefit of learning and seeing all this through my amazing fiancé, a 3L at Cal Western, and her law school friends. Yet, I still feel overwhelmed, stressed, and like there is never enough time. The only thing keeping me sane right now is my fiancé, Michelle, and a close group of friends in my section I know I can trust. And maybe a little bit of fantasy football.

For anyone planning on entering law school, I think it’s essential you immediately surround yourself with people who are ready to work hard, but can also have the proverbial “beer and chat” with you. In order to do this you need to make a good faith effort to meet these strangers in your class. If you do, you’ll quickly find out who is on the same level with you and who isn’t. The ones who are will be your life preservers. Staying true to your self is paramount and good friends bring that out in you. When you’re on the grind every day trying to figure out Civil Procedure, Contracts, Property, Criminal Law, and Legal Skills, you are not your self. There’s not a lot of time to be. So, you might as well spend those precious moments of free time at school with people who let you be you.

I got lucky landing in section 2. There are a lot of smart, quality students in my class who are willing to help others out with no ifs, ands, or buts. Of course, you’ll have some students who always seem to have their hands raised for every question, but that comes with the territory. Most people call them “gunners.” They are few and far between. I’ve heard from just about every upper classman that being a “gunner” doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to do well. What matters is how much work and effort you’re putting into each class and preparing for the exams at the end.

The best part of section 2 is having two legal legends, Dean Dessent and Professor Stiglitz, share their wisdom with you. As a striving lawyer, you cannot help but idolize these great men. Both are not only outstanding teachers of the law, but also proved their skills are among the best in practice. Don’t believe me? Look ‘em up. My Property, Criminal Law, and Legal Skills professors are no slouches either. Professors Arshagouni, Yeager, and Wallace, respectively, each have passionate teaching styles that blend seamlessly with the subject matter. I honestly believe that just listening to these brilliant legal minds spit their knowledge for three months has by itself made me smarter.

We officially have 23 days, 9 hours, and 7 minutes until our first final. I was really worried this blog post would get in the way of some valuable study time, but I’m glad I did it. It’s pretty rare I get to take a step back from what I’m doing and realize there is more to life than figuring the Rules Against Perpetuities (something no law student wants to learn about).