The (Very Possibly) Over-Dramatic Fears of a Super 0L
It’s true. I freak out a lot. Maybe a little more than most people. Here are a few things I’m currently biting my manicured fingernails over:
Before Law School
1. I’m going to make a 120 on the LSAT.
2. Oh my god, my personal statement!!!! OH MY GOD MY PERSONAL STATEMENT!!!!
3. I’m going to get wait listed by all the schools to which I apply.
4. I’m not going to get into any of my top six schools.
5. I’m not going to get into any law schools, period.
During Law School
1. I will have no friends. Everyone hates me because I turn out to be a gunner?
2. I’m going to get mugged. or shot. or something violent will happen to me.
3. I’m not smart enough, sob. And I’ll drop out. or flunk. or shoot myself in the face.
4. My computer will crash on me at the last minute and my outlines and stuff are all erased/not accessible and I am stupid enough to not have a back-up?? (True story via yours truly. Only it was my thesis on Alexander the Great and his relationship with the women of Bactria.)
5. Being called on in class. And then ridiculed. Even though I studied. (really, relates to #3)
6. I will eat only Funyuns and tuna from the can while I study, holed up in a cubicle in the library… (True story via friend’s friend’s husband?)
7. All the supplements that are on my bookcase will miraculously topple over and I’ll die by the sheer weight of them falling on top of me.
Post-Law School
(This is only wishful thinking if I even get into law school and survive all 3 years.)
1. I don’t get a job?????
2. AND I’M RIDDLED WITH DEBT?????
This list may grow exponentially once I read and learn more from past and current law students, and of course, when I can think of some more… I do tend to think and over-think a lot. And yes, I did write this while laughing at the sheer ridiculousness of some of these. I just can’t help it :’(
Dude, you’ll get into law school. :) You will. No worries.
Also, everyone gets called on, everyone makes mistakes, everyone gets ridiculed, everyone gets over it. Promise. :)
And you’ll have friends. Even if you turn out to be a gunner…hide it. ;-)
As for notes and outlines, a valid concern. My advice is to back up your notes/outlines in either Google Docs or Evernote. Google automatically stores online for access from anywhere, duh, and even though Evernote is a program that you download, if you press Synchronize (which it does automatically too but it’s best to help it along sometimes) it will upload them online to your private account.
No worries. :) And you’ll be FINE!
so, hi, you know, you’re awesome. haha. thanks for the words of encouragement and advice! i could totally hug you right now! haha sigh
I agree with Huma. You’ll get into law school. Keep us posted. :)
Thank you! Will do! :D
Hey, only about half our worst fears are ever realized. ;-)
Huma’s right. You’ll make friends because everybody who wants them in law school finds them. You’ll get called on and you’ll panic, but then it will be over and you’ll realize you made it without dying. I got called on in Contracts while I was furiously typing notes on the previous topic – and I didn’t hear the question at all. The prof despised it when you asked him to repeat. So I just pulled out the old b.s. cannon and blasted away. (Of course, if there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s b.s….)
My gunner tendencies are tolerated because I usually ask questions on things I don’t understand rather than pontificate about what I “know.” ‘Cuz lemme tell you: 1Ls do not know shit. Period.
hehehe thank you! <3? :]
I hate to be the wet blanket, but you forgot “studying for an attempt to pass the bar exam is worse than any final you will ever take in law school” under Post-Law School.
I hate myself for telling you that, but its oh so very true.
Its not as *hard* but noticeably more dull and requires more commitment and will be more of a marathon ran at a sprint’s pace than any other class or final.
Don’t do it. Don’t go to law school. Unless you’re so passionate about it that you wouldn’t be able to breathe if you didn’t go. Then you should definitely go.
In one breath its worth it and its not. I’m both better and far worse off than when I started three years ago. Let’s just say I’m ecstatic to find out I don’t have any stress-related-baldness-genes that run in the family.
IF you are 100% decided that you’re going, don’t listen to a word I just said.
And read this:http://www.theclairemarie.com/2008/04/l-final-school-blawg_7361.html
I wrote it for people just like you :)
I finished reading your blog post, and I must say, it’s very daunting and intimidating. Yet I still want to do it. I’ve heard most of the horror stories. I know how much work and effort I’ll have to put into it, but isn’t everything worthwhile in the end always come with sacrifices?
Brick walls are there for a reason, right? ;) Thanks for your disclaimer.
This post actually made me laugh. Why? Because it sounds like something I would write. Had my last post had more humor, it probably would have looked just like this.
Remember Bob Marley – youtube Three Little Birds. It’ll make you feel like you’re at the beach, AND [bonus], it’s an encouraging song.