The After Hour "Life" of a Law School Building

I don't usually stay late at the law school, after the last class has ended. But I was here one night this week to let students in our evening program know that Career Services was open and available to them as well. I set up a table near the entrance way, had some snacks to distribute (as with mice, one can always attract a grouping of law students with food!), activity calendars and the like and waited for the evening students to enter the building. I then tried to engage them in conversation about Career Services. 

After some in the building that evening, it suddenly hit me: (I did know this once, but my law school years are  but a distant memory) -- the after hours law school building has a distinct after-hours "life." . . . A "rhythm" ...a "hum," if you would:

• students leaving the library to move their cars closer to the building for security purposes then race back upstairs to study;
• students (those who don't have them already reserved) maneuvering for the best study carrels or library locations to settle in for the night;
• fights in the library?? . . One student was telling me how she simply had asked another student to "tone down" her talking so the rest could study. The recipient of the request then picked up a chair and tossed it against a wall! (... "anger management" needed? . . pre-exam stress?) 
• students moving outside of the building waiting around the circle for the coming "pizza man" delivery;
• students attending an evening program with an engaging speaker. . (others students lurking in the hallway waiting for the program to end and eying the trays of food that had been set up for those who were actually attending the program (see, my "mice" reference, above); 
• evening students coming quickly in from their day jobs looking beat and already exhausted (I so admire the diligence and dedication of night students who often have full time demanding jobs, are parents -- and still find the time to pursue a rigorous law school curriculum!) 
• law students friends hugging and catching up, and slumping into couches in the "fish bowl"  
• students taking a few minutes down in the near the snack bar (now closed) and scarfing down dinners of granola bars that will eventually live in the text books that they are currently reading and will NOT be found until the student has graduated and past the bar exam -- TWO YEARS LATER! . . . 

. . .. It just doesn't end with the end of classes for any given day while in law school --does it? Law school and life in the building goes on until the doors finally close (here it's at 2:00am -- Security will escort students to their cars [hopefully parked on the adjacent lot] should they wish). As I said, it was that way when I went to Georgetown years ago. Funny how you forget the little things of how you lived as a law student as time passes.

So, here's to all who are (as I write) getting ready for another evening in the creepy "dungeons" of the  law school. building!!

Here's a thought : . . .Perhaps such a preparatory routine makes it easier for young associates to work those late hours in the pristine corridors of Biglaw., or in the less than elegant floors of a legal clinic in preparation of assisting a single mother save her home. . . just sayin.

Gotta love the dedication of a nocturnal law school building law student! 

P.S. If you study at home. . I know that you have it tough as well!

The Lonliness of the Long Distance Law Student: Do "Study Groups" Work or Not? - Your Call

All right, so I changed it a little 

Prior to attended Georgetown Law, I had been a high school teacher for seven years. As a teacher, I had always tried to engage students in lively discussions and dialogues. I felt that an important vehicle for learning was the exchange of ideas in a lively forum atmosphere. 

It was with this background and thinking that I entered law school. As far as the "study group" concept, I had hoped to participate in a dynamic and innovative study group that would always be "ahead of the curve" in its thinking - perhaps all four of us would reconvene as members of the U.S. Supreme Court someday in the future! . . 

Alas, that was simply not to be. Our group truly "sucked" (not to worry, I will not use that word in a brief!). The group actually spent most of the time "chit-chatting" about current events. By the time we were ready to talk about our courses, it was time to move on to the next class, or whatever. We eventually disbanded like a sports franchise with no fan base. 

Afterwards, I studied, for the most part, by myself. I did fairly well (some students can indeed do it by themselves, but it is a small group indeed). However, I was nowhere near the top tier of my class. As a 3L, I was taking a year-long Criminal Justice Clinic and did not have the full load of classes that some of the others in my class had, but still had some fairly demanding classes on my schedule: Federal Systems (with a professor that made me feel like he was speaking a foreign language); and, Family Law taught by a demanding professor and eventual law school Dean (Judith Areen for you Georgetown types).

I felt that it was time to "buckle up" and do the study group "thing" again. This time around the students in the group were actual friends that I had made since my 1L year. Moreover, we were all fairly responsible, focused, and well organized. We wasted little time and went through the material with a vengeance. It was a very productive experience for me and -- with the group's help -- I was able to win a "prize" (a summer long internship with family law attorney, Arnie Becker from "L.A. Law")  for the highest grade

in my Family Law final.

A study group eventually worked for me. . but does it work for you? Maybe, maybe not.  Here's my take: 

Law school is way different from undergraduate studies. There is an analytical component that most students have yet to see in their academic careers. A student not only has to learn difficult principles, but then need to apply said principles to a specific set of facts -- real life, if you would. 

Whether it be a formal study group like the ones I've described here that meets on a regular (or irregular) basis, or just a tried and true study partner, a student needs to sit down and exchange the very ideas that are discussed in the classroom. For me anyway, there was no way I could possibly understand everything that a professor went over in class. I always needed to grab at least one person and ask, "What was the professor talking about there?"   

Thus, I urge all law students to define the "study group" concept in a way that best works for them, but have a regular and consistent way to exchange legal concepts with other students and/or professors.

Like what? 

• A formal study group meeting weekly, bi-weekly, or as needed (as defined by the group) that have set assignments and group presentations;
• "Tres Amigos (o dos) - just an informal group of students that meets for specific courses and reviews and studies in a more informal manner;
• "Buddy System" (remember those days in away-from-home camp?) - a good law school friend and/or trusted colleague who will look after you (and you him/her) when you get in "deep water" in a course and are having trouble swimming;
• the class assigned student tutor -- meet with him/her and let them know that you need some help;
• a trusted upperclassman who knows the ropes;
• and yes -- never forget the PROFESSOR  

   

  No not this guy -- Lord no! I mean your classroom professor

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Your professors are there to assist you - no matter how it seems. Take advantage of their off hours expertise -- either online, or in their offices. Memorize their student hours (or have them handy). One of the professors here told a group of students at the beginning of the year: "If you wait till the end of the semester to ask for help -- it's TOO LATE!"  

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After this round of exams that's up and coming, do some personal reflection: Ask yourself if your study group (or lack thereof) helped or hindered you during the semester. Make whatever adjustments you need to make for the upcoming Spring semester and get running -- but DON'T DO IT ALONE! 

. . P.S. What other study group configurations worked  for you this semester. What are the keys to good study habits (or if you are not a law student -- what would you suggest for students). Please let me know in a comment below. 

Good studying and much success!

The "Two Minute" Pre-Interview Drill

You are sitting in the waiting room. . waiting. . waiting to be called for your interview. They should be coming to get you in about ten minutes. You are trying to stay calm by taking deep breaths and thinking positive thoughts. You are reviewing in your mind the chief areas of practice in the firm. .

Hold on ---  Let’s go over some last minute tips here – real quickly now. Take another deep breath. . Here we go:

• Watch your body language – lean forward -- hands on your legs --  cues that you are interested and engaged;

• Look your interviewer in the eye;

• Have a “story line” for your path here to this interview (everyone loves a story!);

• Have some specific examples of your successes that highlight your strengths, ready to pull out and use;

• Don’t just sit there like a goalie “catching” questions, turn the interview into a conversation – like you're speaking to the interviewer over coffee (easier said than done, I know – but go for it!)

• Have three well-thought out questions ready (no need to wait until the end if you can fit them in appropriately during the interview).

• Do NOT leave the interview without knowing what’s next in the interview process. When can I expect to hear from you? Then follow-up. Don’t assume that you didn’t get the job. ASK.

O.K . . here comes the receptionist to escort you into the interview room. Good luck!  

PULL IT TOGETHER

In baseball (here I go again!), a minor league player who finally realizes his dream and is

called up to “The Show” may need time to adjust to the high level of play in the major leagues. He is a very good player, of course, or he wouldn’t have reached the major leagues in the first place. However, he is suddenly playing against the very best players in the game and may need to find his way in a totally new environment. This young player needs to get into the major league “routine”

·         learn from his mistakes;

·         work all the harder to succeed in a new quality playing field;

·         take more batting practice;

·         learn the styles of new pitchers/hitters.

 In time, the successful major leaguer will “pull it all together” and settle in for a successful career.

            In my view, it is no different for a first year law student in law school. Graduate school – law school – is certainly the dream – the major leagues. For most 1L’s, it is a far cry from university life. Like the newly minted major leaguer, he/she is “good” and they would never have reached law school if not worthy. However, adjustments need to be made: new study routines; decisions about study groups, or partners; learning and mastering the Socratic Method, being directly placed in the “spotlight” during class; decisions as to when (and whether to ) contact professors and student tutors for assistance; methodology as to course outlining . . . and on it goes.  Hopefully, the truly successful law student will settle into a routine and “pull it together.”

            The critical test for the new law student to note whether he/she is indeed pulling it together is the first round of final exams – which happen to be rolling down the road shortly. Thus, it’s time to “Man or Woman UP!”  Start now. Pull it together.

How?

·         Start this weekend – make sure your outlines are up to date. No class lectures missing

·         Go back and start your review of course outlines NOW.  . . . No time with everything you are doing?  . . .That’s not going to cut it. Find the time. (watching football on the weekend? Put it on the shelf – the NFL will be there after finals, it’s “all hands on deck time!”).

·         Do some internal analysis. . Are you mastering the material? What are you NOT getting? . . . Go to your professor, tutor and/or study partners and figure it out.  If you wait until after the exams have been graded, its way to late. . you missed the boat.

·         Get your hands on your professors’ past exams and start writing practice answers. . Don’t do it alone. This is where you need input from your study group or study partner. . Doing it “your way” alone?  . . Get writing and find someone to discuss it with. Law school should NOT be a “solo” experience!

This is the time to go! . .Right now! This weekend! 

Pull it together. .  Hit a home run in your final exams.