by ralayae

Dear My 1L Self: Be Kind to Yourself

By Ralaya Evans, 3L

Congratulations! You are nearing the finish line and starting your 3L year. Knowing what I know now, there are a few things I wish I could have told you back when you were a 1L.

First, just as choosing to start anything, making the choice to start law school is a big decision and can bring about numerous uncertainties and challenges. One thing you should know is that you were brave to start this journey. You are now a 3L, and can honestly say that the legal language and community are different from anything you have ever experienced. By now, you have talked with many attorneys and several have stated that if they were given the chance to go back and choose law school again, they are not sure they would do it. So, I want you to know that this was a courageous choice. You graduate in less than a year and can now see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Second, do not ever be afraid or hesitant to reach out to professors for guidance. They are all so willing to lend a hand and give you some encouraging words. Every single professor you have had has been a mentor in some sense and are so genuinely in your corner. As you venture into classes of your choice, you will meet one professor in particular: Anjali Deshmukh. She is wise, honest, supportive, and never too busy to listen. She is a mentor that you will admire and appreciate forever.

Third, try to remain positive. When it is time for your exams, approach them with a positive mindset and do not speak negative words to yourself. For example, do not tell yourself “I am not prepared,” or “I should have studied more.” This will only put you in a more anxious mindset for the exam and could set you up for failure. It is normal to be “stressed,” but do not let it overtake you. You are prepared…..and even if not….it is too late to worry about that once the exam starts.

Fourth, speaking of exams……your best preparation will be completing practice exams. This applies to all exams you will take during law school (including the MPRE). Practice exams will ease most anxiety you have around taking the exams. They will also help be able to have an idea of how many questions you are able to complete in the normal exam period (3-4 hours). This is the best way to get quicker at issue spotting and completing exams in the usual timeframe provided. I promise you will be happy that you did this – three/four hours go by quicker than you would think when you are taking an exam.

All in all, take this advice but also know that you did not do bad at all. You made it this far. You have a community behind you: your family, friends, classmates, and professors. You just have to remember to be kind to yourself, do not worry too much, and study in a smart way.

09.25.23

by ralayae

Busting Some Common Law School Myths

by Ralaya Evans, 3L

Not many incoming students know what to expect when they start law school, and only have common perceptions to cling on to. I believe that debunking a few myths can bring some clarity to 1Ls. So, what are some of the common myths about law school?

Law school is not a good place to look for long-life friends because it is so competitive. This is false for many individuals who choose this career path. There is a competitive aspect to law school, however, many students also want to build lasting relationships. Law school is where many individuals build a community and bond with others from similar or different walks of life. Further, law school can bring several different stressors and exhaustion that only other law students will understand. The fact that the individuals around you can relate to your experience, alone, often brings a sense of comfort and belonging. On a more positive note, law school is also where you begin to start networking and building relationships for post-graduation.

It is nearly impossible to maintain a social life during law school. In all honesty, law school is time-consuming. However, many students, professors, and lawyers would note maintaining a social life as one of the most important things to do during your law journey. With a little organization and preplanning, it can become easy to maintain a social life. An easy way to work social time in is to make a schedule carving out time blocks for studying/reading and free time(etc). You can spend the free time however you choose, but it is good to plan a stopping point for work. Use this time to step away from school work and do something that makes you happy.

Being a person who is good at debating, automatically means that you will excel in law school. Legal disputes and arguments are art and require many skills. Being good at making a logical point, does not translate to being a great lawyer. There are several other qualities that make someone a good attorney (good listener, great researcher, detail-oriented, etc). Further, law school is more than arguments, oral or written. There are different forms of law that require a lawyer to be good at different things.

The smartest students are those with the best grades. If you have made it to law school, it is basically understood that you are smart and competent. There will be students who appear smarter than everyone else. However, there is a difference between being smart and knowing what to look for/pay attention to. Being smart does not equate to having the patience to (1) study or learn how to take exams and (2) learning your best study techniques. Law school is also about self-awareness. What will help with success in law school is the combination of all these things.

Law school is a learning curve for all. But, the perception of law school is often scarier than the reality.

09.12.23

by ralayae

Law School and Life Lessons

by Ralaya Evans, 3L

In starting my 3L year, I began asking myself how I would describe my growth, what I have learned and my law school journey thus far. I can honestly say that these past two years have taught me so much. I have matured in many ways that I believed myself to already be mature.

So, what have I learned so far?

Confidence. Law school taught me how to be more sure of myself. Even when I was not completely certain that I would be great in an interview, present in class, take an exam or more, I learned that second-guessing myself only encouraged a negative perspective. Building confidence in myself and knowing where I needed to improve were the keys to my success. There were times I would have to fake it. However, once I became aware of where I was lacking and what subjects were not my strong suit, I was able to plan a course of attack to get better at those things. Further, knowing where you may be falling short allows you not to be insecure in those things; you just view them as a chance for growth. It is best to own that you need the help and then do something about it.

Stress Management. Law school really taught me how to deal with stress, pressure, and difficult times. When I started law school, I had been out of school and in the workforce for about 3 years. I do believe that working before going to school prepared me for law school in numerous ways. However, law school taught me the most about stress and time management. I have continued to work throughout law school, as I have bills that need to be paid (of course). So, working, transitioning back into the mode of school, and going from having no responsibilities after work to having to complete assignments after was very stressful. However, I learned that even when I feel that I do not have any free time, I always do. I always have a few minutes to spare that I can take to myself and call my mom, grab dinner with my brother/friends, watch a show, etc. The goal is always to do something that I enjoy and will take my mind off of all of my responsibilities for a second. We are not all robots and “me” time is a must to prevent burnout.

Understanding, Patience, and Letting Go of the Need to Know. Law school can test your patience like no other. Everything seems to take forever. For example, we take exams and often have to wait several weeks until we know out grades. This was one of the hardest things about my 1L year: not knowing quick enough. So, I learned the art of waiting. Yes, I still want to know my grades immediately, but I also know I will not receive them quickly. That is just how law school works. Therefore, I take the exam and remind myself once I turn it in, nothing else is within my control. This ties back into the confidence aspect mentioned earlier. I know that I put the work in for the exams and that I did just fine. So, that helps me to wait comfortably and enjoy my Winter Break after fall semester or the beginning of summer after the spring semester.

To Have Realistic Expectations and to be Real With Myself. Before law school, I always made straight A’s. I have always cared so much about my grades and have always wanted to do exceptionally well at everything. However, school never required much effort on my part. In law school, everyone is smart. Law school takes the top students of many schools and brings them together. Although your school will tell you school is not a competition, many things are viewed as a competition. Everyone wants to CALI. Everyone wants to be in the top percent. Everyone wants to be a member of groups, and maybe even President. It is not hard being surrounded by this; it is just very different from what we are most used to. I am now in an environment where everyone cares. It is a good thing but can cause disappointment at times. I have learned that not doing AMAZING on something does not mean failure. I have also learned that having to spend a little extra time on something to learn it doesn’t mean anything negative. I appreciate this lesson because it helped me learned that the only way to really prepare for challenges and spare myself unnecessary disappointed is to always be realistic with my expectations.

Since it is only September of 3L year, I know that I will learn more. And I welcome all of the lessons that law school will teach me.

09.06.23

by ralayae

How I Prepared for My Summer Firm Job

by Ralaya Evans, 3L

As I started my 1L year, I remember the one aspect of law school that caused me the most anxiety was obtaining and working a summer job with a firm. I was unsure of myself and if I would be prepared to do the work. I thought that I had to be perfect. However, this ended up being one of my favorite parts of law school. It reinforced my desire to be an attorney and I learned so much each summer.

Obtaining a summer job is a process within itself. However, once you lock in a job, the preparation to be an asset starts. In preparation for the summer jobs, I found it important to research the firm and the type of work they do. The majority of firms have a website that details the type of law practiced there, the attorneys, and more. This was always my starting point.

Next, after researching, I would look at courses that align with their work. For example, if you are working at a Corporate firm, or planning to work at a Corporate firm, it would be a good idea to take Corporations. This way you are aware of the language, you have a foundation for the work, and everything you see and work on that summer is not completely new/foreign to you. Choosing to take courses that coincide with your chosen summer job is much more advice for 2Ls, as law students get to start choosing electives in the second year of law school.

Further, externships helped me prepare for my summer jobs. This is so helpful to those who are not sure what they want to practice yet. If you are stuck between a couple of practices, choose one and focus your externship on that. This will help you get some real practice in, work in the field and give you a better idea of what works for you and what does not work for you. In all honesty, this is also helpful to those who are certain about what they want to practice. Choosing an externship that aligns with your desired practice will either reinforce your choice of practice or let you know that you are open to other practices.

One of the biggest aspects of my preparation process that helped me get over the anxiety of summering was talking to professors and my mentor. Professors/Mentors have already gone through this process before and know what to expect. They also offer wise words and advice. In the end, you learn that summering is not something to be too anxious about. The firms know that you are still learning, and they are guiding and helping you learn while you work for them. Mistakes are expected and there will always be a learning curve. This is a mutually beneficial relationship and both the firm and you are important pieces to the puzzle.

Lastly, to prepare for a summer job, it is important to take a break. Some summer jobs start the very next week after finals and some give you a couple weeks off. No matter the length of time between the end of finals and the first day of your summer job, take a mental break after finals and let yourself breathe for as long as possible.

Summering is such a surreal experience. It provides irreplaceable practice and builds your confidence. It is not the end all be all, and it is not required to be successful as an attorney. However, if you are interested in doing it, I would say go for it!

08.29.23

by ralayae

The Path to a Smooth 3L Year

by Ralaya Evans, 3L

Congratulations! You made it!!

One of the greatest moments of a law student’s life is starting their 3L year. This is the year we all look forward to – schoolwork slows down, applications for graduation are due, many are signing contracts for their post-graduation jobs, and more.

However, 3L is also one of the most vital years pertaining to dates and deadlines. One of the main goals of 3L is to ensure you stay on top of things. Below is a list of important dates and requirements to remember to set yourself up for success during the years and after graduation.

Sign up for and take the MPRE , if you have not already. Doing this as soon as possible allows 3Ls to have one less requirement to worry about.

Ensure you lock in bar prep. There are numerous companies one can choose from for the bar prep, such as Kaplan, Themis, and BarBri. The r/bar exam subreddit has some good discussions of test takers’ experiences with these companies. Do some research and choose the one that seems like the best fit for you.

Apply for the Bar in the state you plan to take practice in. The following information pertains to the July 2024 Bar Exam: The regular Bar Exam Application window for this exam opens on March 1, 2024 and closes on June 1, 2024 at 4:00 PM. Those that apply after June 1, 2024, but before June 15, 2024, are still able to submit. However, the application fee will include a non-refundable $500 late fee.

Complete the Fitness application. If you plan to take the July 2024 bar, you must complete the Fitness Application beforehand.. The regular Fitness Application filing window opens October 25, 2023 and closes on December 6, 2023 at 4:00 PM. You can file after this time, up until March 6, 2024. However, there will be a non-refundable $500 late fee.

Check your credits/connect with the Registrar’s office. Graduation will require that students have completed a certain amount of hours/credits. If you are unsure of where you stand, you can check with the Registrar’s office to ensure that you are on track before applying for graduation. It is best to do this in the Fall semester, just in case you need to register for additional classes in the Spring.

Network. Some will have received an offer for a post-graduation job, while others are keeping their options open. Continuing to network your 3L year, helps take some stress off of trying to find a job while studying for the bar or after taking the bar.

Enjoy yourself. Making it to 3L year is a major accomplishment. Making it to graduation is even more of a celebration. However, for those that plan to take the July 2024, your free time will be limited after graduation, as you prepare for the bar. So enjoy yourself this year, connect with classmates, friends, family, loved ones, etc. You deserve it!

All in all, 3L is exciting, but still requires a lot from students. Set yourself up for a smooth graduation and post-graduation studying!