Last Friday, Grades finally came out. And life got real. It is official I am a 2L. Though it was a happy moment for me, it was very bittersweet for some around me. For me, I have been blessed with the gift of another year, and another chance to reach my dreams. For others they have been just been told that this dream just was not meant to be. This process is so humbling. When I stop and think about all the great people I have met over this past year that will not be continuing on with me I am reminded how competitive this field is. To those that will not be continuing on, just know that you will be missed but not forgotten. To those that are staying, just remember the worst is over but we still have two more years to go.

Even though I am fully knee deep in my work load as a 2L, it does not get any easier waiting for grades. For most 1Ls after the haze of finals and the glow of post finals partying is gone we are left with that small pit in our stomachs. Grades ! Most upperclassmen I’ve spoken to say that once the first year is over you don’t worry so much about grades. Of course you want to pass but at that point its not so cut throat. As a new 2L I won’t feel any better about it until Spring Grades comes out. It’s hard not to dwell on what cannot be changed, but it will be good to know that it is all worth it. The crazy hours, gallons of coffee, not seeing friends and family, not having anything better to talk about than what quirky comments Gudel said in class.

Waiting is painful. Forgetting is painful. But not knowing which to do is the worse kind of suffering. 
Paulo Coelho

It’s the second week of summer term. For those of you that have followed this blog must be thinking, “Summer term ! finals for spring term just ended” And of course you would be right. But, I like a few other have decided to jump back on the horse so to speak and take classes this summer. It’s only the second week in and as of now it still seems like a good idea, but check back with me later in the summer.

Its the eve before the start of my second set of finals, to round out my first year in law school. I am still nervous and anxious to get this done but i think less so than last semester. I know what to expect this time around. The incessant “tap tap tapping” of my classmates all around me, the elderly proctors making sure that we have all filled out our forms the right way. The look of pure exhaustion on the faces of my classmates as the fastest 3 hours of our lives whizzes by.

To 1Ls everywhere, just remember we can only do our best , and don’t forget your “silver tongue” at home because you will need it. : )

“but for the advent of finals would (place your finals induced injury here) have been avoided?” ha ha… happy finals everyone.

Finally, I feel like I can breathe. I turned in my Appellate Brief for legal Skills. I can focus on studying for everything else now. For a class that is only worth 2 credits it takes up so much of my time.

I can’t believe that finals are in a little over a week. But I will be glad when its over.

Saturday was the first Preview Day of 2010. It was strange to be sitting on the opposite side. This year I was on the panel on students discussing their experiences in law school. After that discussion, I realized how far I have come since this time last year. The way I think, speak, and act has changed so much since that first day here at CWSL.

For all the prospective students out there I would recommend highly that you go and visit the campus that you are considering, if you can. Actually getting a feel for the campus and possibly speaking to current students about their experiences is beneficial. These visits could change your mind on which school you decide on. Maybe that one school that looked great on paper, is actually all wrong for you when you get there. It would be better to know that now than to spend $40k + a year and realize that you hate the campus you are on.

This week all of the second semester 1L’s have to compete in the Legal Skills Appellate competition. For those of you not privy to scene here on campus, let me shed some light. This week you will see the stress and fear of public speaking written across the face of most second semester 1Ls. Normal fear of public speaking is fine, but this is on a whole new level. I like most people get some degree of nervousness at the idea of standing in front of a group of people and give a speech. But in this competition we are paired up and pitted against a partner on a First Amendment issue. One side represents a high school student that feels that her school violated her First Amendment right to free speech when they prohibited her from wearing a t-shirt with the message ” a bong hit a day keeps the doctor away” and “o.b. supports medical marijuana” to a school sponsored charity event. The other side represents the School Board.

So, not only does each side have to argue their respective sides there are 3 judges that interrupt and throw question after question at you. For those students that can barely make it through a rehearsed speech, this can be down right terrifying, and plain torture. I’ve been asked recently why this form of torture is being bestowed upon us. ha ha. Thankfully I am one of the lucky ones that presented last night. I can breathe and refocus my attention on the bigger matter at hand….. FINALS.

To my fellow second trimester 1Ls, Breathe and 7 minutes goes by a lot quicker than you think.

There are always three speeches, for every one you actually gave. The one you practiced, the one you gave, and the one you wish you gave. ~Dale Carnegie

Yes, it is that time again. Finals season is upon us. Finals start again a month from now. Starting now, each day the tension amongst the spring semester 1L’s will grow thicker. Each day there will be more and more students make their home in the library.

As a second semester 1L I’m going into this finals season with a different game plan than last semester. I think that can be said for most of my classmates as well. The stress and the worry is still there but in a different form.

Most second semester 1L’s fall into one of 3 categories. Either they are comfortable with how they did last trimester and are continuing with whatever was their strategy from last time. Or, they are not comfortable with how they did last time and are working twice as hard to improve. Or, lastly they could be one of the few that sits back and wonders why did they come to law school to begin with.

I saw a movie recently (A lawyer walks into a bar) that reminded me that at times like these the only people that understand what law students go through during finals are other people that have done it. Non law school friends and family have no real grasp on what this is like. For all you perspective law students out there, embrace the idea now that when finals come around all the non law school people in your life just won’t get it. They won’t get why you spend your weekends and or nights at the library. But don’t worry once it’s over and you have celebrated with classmates and caught up on your sleep you will be back to your normal self.

When I stop and think that in a month my first year in law school will be complete. From the first day in intro to legal skills with Cato/Cox, until now seems like a world away.

I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances.
Martha Washington (1732 – 1802)

Saturday was what most of us joke and call “the law school prom” also known as Barrister’s Ball. As one of the few 1L’s lucky enough to get the much sought after tickets, I can say it was a good time. It was nice to see my classmates all dressed up and in something more than sweats, hoodies and jeans. Awesome job to the SBA for selecting a great venue. Great job to David for planning the post- Barrister’s event for everyone to enjoy. Congrats to Professors Lynch and Symthe on their wins. I hope all the 3L’s in attendance had a great last Barrister’s. P.S. Campbell gets a thumbs up for wearing a kilt.

While speaking with another Gill competitor tonight, I was reminded of something that rings true now more than ever. That “something” is a comment made by an upperclassmen during last year’s Preview Day. Each year at Preview Day there is a panel of current students there to share their experiences and to answer questions of newly admitted students.

Well last year there was one panel, forgive me for forgetting which one, said in response to the question, “Which song best describes your first year in law school”, they said, “Jamiroqui’s Virtual Insanity”.

At the time, I thought this kid must be crazy, there is no way its that bad. Well now having made it through a semester and a half I completely agree with that panelist.

There is a reason why fewer people go to law school than other graduate programs….take a moment and embrace the insanity Virtual insanity