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Law School Depression and Anxiety

November 8, 2022 by Leave a Comment

Law School Depression and AnxietyThis week we welcome back guest writer Zoila Sanchez to discuss dealing with mental health issues as a law student.

Late and long nights of reading confusing case law. Preparing for being called on during the dreaded cold calls. Feeling like you are faking it until you make it. Competition to make it onto prestigious journals and into extracurricular activities. Is law school supposed to feel miserable? Is it normal to feel like you are a failure? Do you experience muscle tension, mood swings, feelings of sadness?

These experiences may be shared across law students and are somewhat normalized. After all, we all voluntarily signed up for this difficult endeavor.

How do you know when your mental health needs attention during law school?

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First Few Weeks of 1L as a “Non-Traditional” Student

September 27, 2022 by Leave a Comment

First Few Weeks of 1L as a "Non-Traditional" StudentThis week we welcome back new 1L Stephanie Gregoire to discuss what it’s been like transitioning from a career to starting law school.

The first few weeks of 1L can be a lot. If you’re someone who, like me, had a career before law school and wonder what those first few weeks are like from that perspective, look no further!

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Coping with Divorce in Law School

September 13, 2022 by Leave a Comment

Coping with Divorce in Law SchoolThis week we welcome law tutor Sara Beller to talk about what it was like getting divorced in law school.

I started my 1L year newly engaged and ready to conquer law school. I could already see it – I was going to finish the year with a Law Review invitation and one of the top rankings in my class, all while planning the wedding of my dreams. Check, check, and check!

Next it was time to master being a 2L. No big deal, right? I mean my “to-do” list for the year was relatively short … just finish the year in the top 10%, make Law Review editor, land a summer internship, oh and did I mention get married?!

I crushed my 2L “to-do” list and was ready to tackle my last year of law school as a newlywed and newly minted Law Review editor. I had 3L year in the bag, or so I thought. Right before midterms of my Fall semester, life happened. I got divorced. Instead of studying for midterms, I was moving out of the apartment I shared with my now-ex-husband, figuring out where I was going to live, and getting further and further behind in my classes.

That year, I went from wondering if I would even pass my classes to *spoiler alert* graduating with honors. Here’s how I survived getting divorced in law school and the lessons I learned along the way:

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Losing Friends in Law School

June 21, 2022 by Leave a Comment

Losing Friends in Law SchoolThis week we welcome back guest writer Hannah Myers to talk about navigating friendships in law school.

Perhaps one of the best, yet worst, aspects of law school is the social component. Suddenly, you feel like you’re back in high school at times, with all of the friend politics and occasional drama that rivals that of Homecoming, Sadie Hawkins, and the prom. In fact, there actually is a prom.

During orientation and that first grueling semester of 1L, everyone seems to be in the same boat. Finding their footing academically, bonding over how little everyone knows, making small talk between classes and in the library. But once those first few weeks (or months) pass, it’s natural for everyone to settle into something of a groove. You start to develop real friendships outside of class, seeing people on the weekends and during school breaks. But as friendships form, it is inevitable that some may drift apart as well. [Read more…]

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What Law School Didn’t Prepare Me For As A Prosecutor

May 24, 2022 by Leave a Comment

What Law School Didn’t Prepare Me For As A ProsecutorThis week we welcome back guest writer and tutor Sara Beller to discuss what she’s learned as a prosecutor.

I’ll never forget my first day as a brand-new prosecutor. My new boss showed me around the office and made introductions along the way. I shook hands, tried to remember everyone’s name and role within the office, and repeatedly questioned what in the world gave me the confidence to think I could flawlessly walk around in 4-inch heels.

The last stop on the grand tour was my very own office. That’s when it hit me. This was the moment I’d been waiting for. I was officially a prosecutor and all my hard work paid off. [Read more…]

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Law School Affinity Groups – What They Do And Why You Should Join

April 26, 2022 by Leave a Comment

Law School Affinity Groups - What They Do And Why You Should JoinThis week we welcome back guest writer and 3L Tiffany Lo to talk about what affinity groups are and why you may want to participate!

Law school affinity groups are created around a common identity and allow their members to connect and learn from each other. Some of these groups are Outlaw, Black Law Students Association, Asian Pacific Islander Law Students Association, Latinx Law Students Association, Native American Law Students Association, Jewish Law Students Association, Women of Color Collective, First Generation Law Students, Middle Eastern Law Students Association, and many more.

So why should you join one or multiple? Here are some things to think about:

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Experiential Learning in Law School: Presenting to a Tribal Council

February 1, 2022 by Leave a Comment

Experiential Learning in Law School: Presenting to a Tribal CouncilThis week we welcome back guest writer Tiffany Lo to talk about experiential learning in law school.

Before I was in law school, I remember hearing about stories of law students making a difference in the world, whether through exonerating death row prisoners, assisting small businesses, or working on immigration and deportation cases. Inspired and motivated, I wanted to do that myself someday.

Flash forward to law school now, and I finally got my chance. This fall, I joined a policy practicum where I had the chance to assist the Yurok Tribe’s Office of the Tribal Council with some of their current legal issues. The Yurok Tribe’s reservation is located in Del Norte and Humboldt counties in North California, sitting on a stretch of the Klamath River. I worked on two different projects: one, advising on a potential discrimination suit and two, preparing a whitepaper to describe the process of tribes contracting with the federal government in order to gain funding and coordinate in wildfire prevention and management. [Read more…]

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Tips And Ideas For Commuter Law Students

December 21, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Tips And Ideas For Commuter Law StudentsThis week we welcome back guest writer Tiffany Lo to talk about life as a commuter law student.

I am a law student who commutes to school, and I know a few students who do so as well. While commuting can be challenging at times, it is also manageable. Having commuted both by car and public transit, I have picked up some tips and tricks along the way, which will be helpful for any student in the same boat, or who may be considering living off-campus in the future.

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The Do’s and Don’ts of Getting Involved Around Campus

August 17, 2021 by Leave a Comment

The Do’s and Don’ts of Getting Involved Around CampusThis week we’re welcoming back guest writer Aleena Ijaz to talk about why you may want to get involved around campus and what are some best practices.

You’ve probably found out by now that “law school” is more than just school. It’s a lifestyle. To ensure that your lifestyle is as balanced as humanly possible, you may choose to get involved around your law school campus. You may want to fill your days with something more than reading and briefing cases. But while getting involved is a great way to make the most of your law school experience, extracurricular involvements (or the lack thereof) can quickly snowball into your biggest regrets. Before you pay another membership fee or sign up for another journal, keep the following in mind: [Read more…]

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How To Have A Social Life That Doesn’t Interfere With Your Studies

July 20, 2021 by Leave a Comment

How To Have A Social Life That Doesn’t Interfere With Your StudiesWe’re welcoming back guest writer Hillary Vaillancourt to discuss keeping a social life going, even when you’re busy in law school.

While getting to know your law school classmates is not only socially beneficial but also good for networking, socializing can easily and quickly get out of hand.

My first year of law school, I had just turned 21, and I was enjoying being legally able to join friends at local bars. However, it didn’t take long for me to realize that I was spending too much time out on the town and not nearly enough time in the library.

I also joined study groups that spent an abundance of time chit chatting. When I was ready to get down to business, my study partners were rehashing school gossip or discussing other personal matters.

It can be challenging to find a balance between hanging out with your new law school friends while also ensuring you’re getting the most out of your tuition.

Here are a few tips to help you find that balance.

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