So, I'm in law school now. I actually have been for two weeks, plus three days of orientation. I have been told 6 billion times that I should be proud to be there, that the people I've met are going to be my life long best friends, that I should not forget my life exists despite how much work I have to do, and that stare decisis means we follow precedent, which I already knew. Anyway, here are my top 5 fave things so far.
5. Wearing shorts to class. I realize this isn't law-school specific, but it is for me. At one point, I had decided I wouldn't ever wear shorts on campus out of loyalty for my BYU-I roots. But then I got here and it was 6 billion degrees, and I thought of all those times I hiked it up to the Ricks snugly in my jeans and close-toed shoes and sweated profusely, and I thought to myself...well, it doesn't mean I don't love BYUI less if I wear shorts. And now I get to enjoy a cool breeze without worrying about the wind taking my skirt away like a paper bag.
Downside: The law building is freezing. Walking to class feels nice, but I run the risk of hypothermia for the 9 or so hours I'm inside.
4. The nerd aspect. All my life, I've had a tendency to be the nerdiest person in any given room. I've been submitted to blank stares (at best) when I bring up logical fallacies and open hostility when I use facts to prove others wrong. But suddenly I came to law school and almost everyone is nerdy! When I express my doubt over the soundness of someone's logic, I get a logical argument back. It makes my nerd heart squeal with glee.
Downside: I am getting nerdier by the day.
3. It makes sense to me. I'm not going to lie, I was incredibly intimidated and frustrated after orientation. I felt inadequate and stupid. Then classes started and my teachers talked and I read and...it was school. Sure, there's more reading, and the fact that my teachers use the Socratic method incites me to actually do said reading, but it's the same basic principles. Read. Write. Go to class. I happen to be a very proficient reader, so I'm doing fine.
Downside: I'm worried I'm going to find out I'm not doing as fine as I think I am.
2. Being done with all my responsibilities by about 6:00 every night. I've never not had a job while going to school, so I've always had work contending with my classes and homework, meaning I often neglected my homework in favor of socializing or sleeping. The American Bar Association doesn't allow 1L's (first year law students) to hold jobs (or take classes outside the law classes, such as biological anthropology, not that I'm bitter) so they can focus on law school. It's kind of awesome doing all my homework after class and then going home and doing whatever I want. So far, this has meant vegging on my butt in front of the TV. Turns out "Friends" is on every day at 6.
Downside: I am poor and owe the government money.
And my number one all time favorite...
I get my own study carrel! BYU Law gives every student a key to their very own (rented) cubicle in the library, with drawers and cupboards that lock and is especially assigned to one student and one student only. I LOVE IT. I am super nerdy; this has been established. (See fave #4 above.) Having my own space, set aside especially for me and especially for studying, is practically heaven. I get to leave my books there and any other study tools I use. I seriously love it way too much.
Downside: All 3 people in the carrels immediately surrounding me are married men. We do not socialize. I do my work and that's that. I ignore the laughter and happiness coming from other sections of the study carrels.
