Tag: Law School Blogs

Reflecting on the First Half of My 3L Year

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This semester is my last semester ever of law school. In normal circumstances, I would say I can’t believe the time has gone by this fast. However, these past few years have not been normal at all. I truly feel like I have lived many lives since I started law school and, in a way, it’s true. However this is true for everyone. There is pre-pandemic life and whatever is going on now. It’s definitely added an additional layer of stress to an already stressful experience. I would like to have

This semester started off a rocky note for me. I did not really get the traditional winter break I have gotten in previous years just because WRBLSA had our convention and I had to work with my GLJ board to finalize volume 11.1. The point is, I was not really mentally ready for the semester to start.

Once the semester started, it just felt like things were always escalating. Between my classes, journal, clinic, home life, blog, podcast, and everything else I just felt like I was trying to catch up with myself. Mercury Retrograde started two weeks into the semester and I could definitely tell from my interactions in different spaces. There were so many misunderstandings I spent a good part of that time period praying for patience and meditating because I just did not have it in me to try to overexplain. Luckily, all things were cleared up after some communication, but it was still another thing that was stressing me out at that time.

Another thing that has happened this semester was applying to take the Bar Exam! Oh my goodness. The Bar asks soooo many questions and even though I was not completely unaware of how much it asks, it still caught me off guard and I ended up submitted it on the last possible day without getting a late fee. I was completely prepared for someone to come to my house and ask for a blood sample after I clicked submit. I feel like the Bar Exam people will now know me better than anyone else.

Now that I’ve written out many of the things that have happened so far, I know what I need to do to survive the remainder of the semester until MAY 14th aka MY GRADUATION as well as my legal career in general. Here are some things I need to do to make sure I make the next few months as easy as possible.

I need to spend more time fully planning out my months.

Don’t get me wrong, I use my planner. However, I noticed that in January and February I was writing things in on a weekly basis instead of filling out everything at the beginning of the month. This became problematic because certain things would catch me off-guard and then I would end up having multiple bigger things to do every day for multiple days instead of spreading things out. After I finish writing this blog, I’m going to fill in my March calendar completely because I already know there’s a lot going on this month and I only have a few dates filled in.

I need to write EVERY thing down, no matter how small it is.

I realized that I have been overestimated my ability to remember things that I think of in the moment and this semester it has led to me dropping the ball a few times. Luckily for me, these are all things that could have been remedied, however it’s still not a good look. I now have a little notepad and post-its right next to me on my desk and a note on my phone dedicated to random things I think of if I’m not at my desk. I know this Is so basic and obvious but sometimes those are the things we take for granted the most.

I need to spend MORE time by myself.

I realized this semester that the busier I am with other things, the MORE time I need to make for myself and my wellness. This might sound impossible because obviously if you are super busy, you don’t have that much time. However, one day I sat down and realized I hadn’t actually relaxed for more than 5 mins in a given week or two, I knew it was time for me to take a personal day. I ended up not going to class this past Monday and I don’t regret it at all. Obviously, there is a certain amount of privilege you have to have to be able to do this as a law student. However, if you can just take one day where you don’t go to class and don’t respond to e-mails, slack, band, etc. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT. I also have started meditating for 10 minutes a day every day to ground myself a bit more. I’ll write more about this at the end of the month.

These are just a few things I’m implementing for the rest of the semester. I encourage all law students who may be like me and forgot to do these things as often as they should to try it out. Plan things enough in advance, write things down, and make your me-time non-negotiable. I’m almost certain this will make your semester better. If not, at least it will make it somewhat more manageable.

What are some ways you make sure you have a handle on the semester or your life? Let me know in the comments! I’m always looking for suggestions.

How To Prepare for A Successful First Semester of Virtual Law School

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We are basically half-way through which means that those of us in school are getting ready to go back to school! If you’re reading this, you may even be getting ready to start your first semester of law school in general (online, at that!) First of all, congratulations! Getting into law school is no easy feat, and you’ve made it this far! However, things are about to get really real so make sure you sit down, get comfortable, and read this post with some tips to help you succeed in your fist semester of virtual law school.

Tips for Virtual Law School

Set Alarms/Reminders for Your Classes

When you’re in a law school building, it’s kind of impossible to forget to go to class because you either know people who are in your class or everyone else is going to class so you know you probably have a class too. With virtual law school in the comfort of your own home, it’s soooo easy to forget you have class. This probably sounds ridiculous, but this happened to many of my friends last semester! I personally set a few reminders (30 mins and 5 mins before) so I can give myself enough time to remember to eat before class, fill up my water bottle, use the bathroom, and everything else I need to do before class begins. I try to mimic what I would do before my in-person classes as closely as possible.

Create A Schedule For Your Non-Class Responsibilities

It’s easy to set aside time for the classes that you have to be present for. The harder part of your first semester of law school is making time for everything else and making sure you don’t neglect anything else. I was guilty of this my first two months of law school. I barely had a schedule that didn’t consist of reading for class, writing case briefs, and attending those classes. It literally took over my life. Don’t be like me. You want to put in enough effort but not let it consume you. The semesters where I did better grade wise were definitely the semesters when I made time for my hobbies, family, friends, me-time, and whatever. If it’s scheduled, it will be easier to adhere to.

Go To Virtual Office Hours (and schedule other appointments after that)

It’s already hard enough to stand out to your professors when classes are in person. Virtual law school makes it even harder! One benefit of virtual law school is that some professors have made themselves even more available to talk to students at different times since they are at home. Your first semester of law school is super challenging and I distinctly remember doing better in the classes that I made an effort to attend office hours. Professors can answer questions and help you understand things you are having trouble grasping. They should want you to succeed so make sure you help them help you. Even if it’s not for grades, it’s also good for future letters of recommendation. They might not even write you one if they don’t feel like they know you well enough to vouch for you, so make them know who you are!

Use Google Calendar

I love a good google calendar. While I also love a good paper planner, google calendar gives you flexibility to move things around in case something comes up. You can still keep the time blocks and whatever else you put in the description. This one is pretty straight-forward and it will help you keep a google schedule. If you are a visual person like me, seeing everything laid out helps you do everything you need to do.

Plan Out Your Me Time (preferably unplugged)

I already mentioned this earlier but it’s so important it needs repeating. Plan your me-time. Plan your me-time. PLAN YOUR ME-TIME! It is so easy to neglect your own personal needs during your first semester of law school. Don’t do it! You will inevitably burn out at some point and it will be hard to bounce back once that happens. Since law school will be entirely online, I recommend your me-time include doing something that’s not related to technology at all. Take a walk. Read a book not related to law school. Maybe even listen to music (this is kinda technology but as long as you’re not also on your phone it’s okay.) Meditate. Whatever you need to do, do it! It will help with your preservation in the long run.

This list is by no means all-inclusive but it does consist of things I personally find really important going into your first semester of virtual law school. Talk to other 2Ls and 3Ls at your school to gain their insight on your specific school. Good luck this semester and if your school is still giving out grades, may the curve be ever in your favor!

Are there any other law school topics you want to learn more about? Let me know in the comments below!

7 Must-Follow Law Blogs & Instagram Accounts

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Recently I’ve started adding wayyy more law school related content on my Instagram and my blog. I feel like it’s important for me to do this because using my platform to talk about my law school experience can potentially inspire others to apply to law school! Long before I started heavily focusing on adding more law school related content to my bog and Instagram, I read a few different law school blogs and followed many law school Instagram accounts. It’s important to follow quite a few accounts in law school or the legal field because we all offer our own unique perspective on the experiences that come with applying, attending, and graduating law school. Due to the fact that I know how important it is, I will dedicate this post to highlighting some of my favorite law school/legal field related account to follow.

@MusingsofMara

Obviously, I couldn’t start out an Instagram and blog list without mentioning myself! I may be biased but I like would recommend ALL law students to follow me on Instagram because I talk about my law school experience honestly while also encouraged all of my followers, legal field or not, to be mindful about living a well-balanced life. I also talk about my law school experience on my podcast every now and then too! Give me a follow today!

https://legallycomplicated.com/

This blog is written by one of my sorority sisters and was actually one of the first inspirations for me to add more law school content on my blog. She recently graduated law school and I really enjoyed her post about what she learned in law school. I also enjoy following her on twitter (click here). Make sure to check out her blog and her twitter.

@blackgirlsdolaw

This is one of my FAVORITE accounts to follow onInstagram! She constantly uploads helpful content for law Black women law students and has recently been holding virtual events in light of Covid-19. She also has a website with apparel, drinkware, and resources to help with your legal journey. I love how much community impact this page has had. Follow them and also checkout the hashtag #BlackGirlsDoLaw on IG to see what all these Beautiful & Brilliant Black women in the legal field are up to!

@msjdorg

I’ve recently followed this page and I have enjoyed their content so far! They are a non-profit dedicated to the success of women in law school and the legal profession. They also have a community that you can join for different resources directly to your inbox as well as on the website.

https://www.brazenandbrunette.com/

I enjoy this blog so much. She has been writing posts for a long time and has blogs for every stage of the law school experience from high schoolers who have future lawyer dreams to  law school graduates. She separates her content by year at the top of her blog! Her post on follow up e-mails after job applications has been very useful to me in recent times.

@dclawtina

Her feed aesthetic isn’t the only amazing thing about her Instagram account! She also posts non-law related books that she’s reading and shares about her life as a young attorney living in DC (one of the few places I would live if I ever moved from Vegas!) I don’t remember when I started following her but I’m so glad I did!

@leahslegallife

Following her Instagram reminds me of when I was going through my own LSAT journey. She doesn’t just focus on preparing for the LSAT, she also lets us get a glimpse into her life, which are my favorite law related accounts to follow. Recently she held a giveaway for LSAT materials and I thought that was such a great thing to do! Along with managing her studying and Instagram account, she also has a Youtube channelso be sure to check out both!

There soooo many law school blogs and Instagram accounts and I’m sure I’m going to remember others after I post this but that’s okay! I will definitely update this list later or or even make a whole different post with some of favorites later on. Be sure to follow and subscribe all of these accounts, especially yours truly! Hahaha.

Do you have any law related blogs or Instagram accounts you love to follow that I didn’t mention? Leave a comment and let me know so I can check their content out!