This week we welcome back guest writer Stephanie Gregoire to discuss what she’s looking forward to this semester.
The first semester of 1L is officially in the books so as I take the next few weeks to get some well-deserved rest, I’m also looking toward the next semester. This semester has been a challenge, but I’m still very excited about next semester. Here are some of the many reasons, hopefully they give you something to look forward to as well!
1. Seeing my Section again
Okay yes, it’s corny and kind of dorky but my section really bonded over the fall semester. That’s true of all of the sections at my school, and I imagine it’s the same at all law schools, but that doesn’t change the fact that I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again.
The first semester of law school is ideal bonding time, and we bonded. We’ve had people come through to help change suddenly flat tires, venting sessions on the “loud” floor of the library (aka the floor that you don’t get glared at for unzipping your bag), and whenever someone has missed class for some reason, offers of notes from people who didn’t miss class. We’re all here for each other and incredibly supportive, which is why I’m excited to see everyone in the new year!
2. A fresh(ish) Start
Four new subjects (plus a second semester of legal writing which will cover new material), four new professors, a clean slate – there really is very little better in the academic world than a new semester. It won’t be new classmates, but basically everything else is new. I see that newness as an opportunity to start over, and do better. It’s like when you move into a new place and the possibilities are endless for how you want to set up and decorate. Plus I have a new planner for 2023 that I’m really looking forward to breaking into.
3. Learning more about the Law
I’ll be taking criminal law, constitutional law, property, and statutory interpretation for my doctrinal courses next semester. Yes, some of those have certain reputations regarding complexity, and I imagine my professors also have certain reputations about teaching styles as well, but that doesn’t change the fact that I’ll be learning more about the law. And that’s exciting – that’s the whole point of law school after all! It’ll also hopefully help me narrow down my interests further, because the next thing on my list is…
4. Getting a Summer Job
The 1L summer job search officially started in November, but it really began in earnest in December, and it’s full-on now that exams are done. Like many (many) law students, I have a little Type A in me. Okay, I have a lot of Type A in me. So when I have something on my list of things to do, it needs to get done sooner rather than later. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to rush through this process. It’s important to me to find a place that will get me some actual legal work experience that I can leverage for future career opportunities but is also a good fit for me culturally. The search is like a puzzle or a Rubik’s cube, which is exactly the type of challenge I enjoy. Plus I’m a nerd that actually kind of likes writing cover letters. After working in human resources for five years, there’s bound to be some weird quirks that stick around. Not to mention the awesome resources available at CareerDicta to help me through this process.
5. The Grind
This is weirdly the thing I’m the most excited about. True, I’m so relaxed now that the semester is done that I was having a full on dance party while driving this morning (yes, I got weird looks from other drivers, no, I don’t care), and I really slept well for the first time in weeks the night after my last final ended. The stress and pressure are definitely lighter. But like I said, I’m very much a Type A person, and I hate not having things to do. Am I going to stand by this in about 10 weeks? Most likely not. Am I still excited for the grind? Definitely. It’s a huge accomplishment and privilege to be in law school, and I enjoy the work that has to be put in to succeed. At least that is what I tell myself when I’m struggling to get through a reading. But really, I am excited for the grind. There’s a sense of accomplishment that can’t quite be matched when you finish your reading for the week with time to get other things done. And that makes my Type A soul very, very happy.
There are other things that I’m looking forward to – seeing the city come to life from the library in the morning, meeting new people in the legal community, watching my friends succeed, being in a solid routine again, and a bunch of other smaller things. But those pale in comparison to everything else I mentioned. I’m really looking forward to having the next four weeks off from academics (like, really looking forward to it), but the spring semester is right around the corner, and I’m happy to say I have a lot to be excited about.
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