*Disclaimer: there is no sugar-coating in this article. This is the real deal.
We don’t carry our experiences well in law school. Perhaps the good ones— yes— but the mediocre ones, not so much. Don’t worry, I’m not here to give you a depressing story about this three-year journey from a jaded 3L. Quite the contrary. I want to show you that law school can be an enjoyable experience (who would have thought!), once you know what to expect. Hear me out.
1L is a rite of passage. The 2Ls are too near the experience to even want to think about it while the 3Ls may entertain a quick conversation about 1L before moving on to more pressing matters. As it tends to happen, the whole experience gets shrouded in speculation and mystery. “How should I go about creating my summary?”; “Why does my schedule never work out?”; “Pub night, or an extra reading?” Some of you may know exactly what you are here to do, while others, like myself, may have felt out of place because law school did not match up to your expectations. Regardless of where you’re coming from, there are adjustments that you’ll likely have to make.
When I was in 1L, I was on a high from an exhilarating undergraduate experience. Bright-eyed, social justice-minded, and ready to take on whatever law school threw at me. That’s a good attitude to have, but it can get exhausting.
Don’t get me wrong. I met amazing people and learned a great deal about how our legal system works, but my mental wellbeing was on decline, and I caught on to this. As long as there’s something to do, there’s something to prove. But you are the only person who needs proof of your mental health. Take solace in that.
Now that I am in 3L, I find myself asking: is law school more than it has been boiled up to be? Frankly, no. That is not to say that you shouldn’t take your legal progression seriously and plan to realize your amazing goals, as I know you will. But you will be okay when obstacles come your way. Run for that position in student government, apply to that clinic, reach out to that mentor. Just remember who you are and what you’re worth while you’re at it.
Why do we run away from 1L as quickly as we experienced it? I personally found that there was so much to learn from. In tribute to those upper years who helped me out when I was in your shoes, here’s what I learnt: seek perspective when you hit a roadblock, everyone grows on their own terms and at their own pace, and you never know what you’ll find so just keep at it. Also, think about why you came to law school (again). Lastly, have fun—no really, I mean it!
During my 1L summer, I made a post on LinkedIn about my experience in 1L. This wasn’t your typical post. It was both a note to myself and a guide for others to consider how you can make law school into an experience that works for you. I realized that law school was not going to change, so I had to change my approach to it. There’s a certain confidence that comes with this.
1L is still close to a blur, so please forgive me if my thoughts are rather disjunct. That said, the picture is getting clearer. I’m starting to see 1L in a different light—dare I say a positive light! But maybe this subject doesn’t deserve any more attention and we are better left in the fog…
Thanks for your attention. I really do wish you the best.
Congratulations on completing midterms, and best of luck to those still completing them!