An Open Letter to UW 1Ls
Not that any 1Ls read this blog, but I really found myself feeling for them today. And in case any of them should happen across it,1 I think it's important that 1Ls know that the increasingly-pressing feeling of dread and despair they feel is not altogether without a basis in fact. However, it's even more important that they realize there is, in fact a light at the end of the tunnel (and that it's not just some jerk with a flashlight trying to fool them into thinking the end of the tunnel is in sight).
January Winter Quarter is Hell
I've always been a fan of numbered lists, so let's employ one, shall we?
And as if that weren't bad enough, there's probably a lot more (heaven knows 1L year has been known to destroy even the strongest of relationships). The point is, Winter Quarter is awful. 1L year is terrible. And when these two both coincide, well, shit.
And Why Exactly am I not Supposed to Despair?
For starters, some of these things will go away. Some of your classes will expire (though I'm sure you'll be oh-so-sad to see Contracts go!); the sun will return sometime around March; you'll find a summer job (everyone does - just keep working at it and relax).
Some of these things just aren't true. As "together" and "with it" (and "hip") as your classmates might seem, almost all of them share that soul-crushing feeling of inadequacy. Talk to them about it. Once you truly understand that, and learn that you're as capable and intelligent as anyone else around here, life feels oh-so-much better.
And finally, some of these things just stop bothering you. Honestly, the biggest difference between the 3L and the 1L? The 3L has learned that so many things just don't matter. Take, for example, grades. Given that you were bright and motivated enough to get into UW Law, you're going to graduate and find gainful employment. Those things will come to pass regardless of whether you get an A or a B-. Oh, I know, the HORRORS of getting a B-. To think that your professor subjectively determined that some other people performed better than you for three hours on the day you took your final exam... how ABSOLUTELY BONE-CHILLING. Should you strive to do your best? Of course. But keep things in perspective - your grades tell you nothing about your self-worth or how great an attorney you're going to be. In fact, if those issues ever came up in federal court, you could make a damn good argument to exclude them under FRE 401, almost certainly under FRE 403.2
Oh, and those completely unreasonable BLS assignments? Well, you're right, they're completely unreasonable, but they also happen to be some of the most important experiences you'll have during your first year, so there you go.
Here are a few tips, from experience:
Find time to talk to classmates - share your frustrations, discuss concepts from class that are confusing, whatever. You just need to remember you're not alone.
Talk you your peer mentor (one assigned to you, a 2L or 3L you've gotten to know, or any random 2L or 3L you see)! By and large we're a friendly bunch. We've been there (of course, when we were there we didn't have six freaking classes, but still) and can help with substantive issues or any other issues.
Don't be afraid to take advantage of the Counseling Center. Dean Sanchez is constantly plugging it,3 and there's a good reason - many of us that came before benefited from making use of those resources. The logic is strange, I know (I'm stressed because I'm overwhelmed and you're telling me to take ANOTHER hour out of my make to go to the Counseling Center?!?), but it helps.
If something's confusing you, drop by your professor's office hours! Having trouble with legal research? Ask a reference librarian!
1 Much like we, the 1Ls of yesteryear, happened upon the blog which delighted in berating us - my goal, of course, is quite the opposite.
2 Why yes, I am in the middle of my nightly Evidence reading - how'd you guess?
3 I recommend making a drinking game of it - take a shot every time she mentions the Counseling Center, SAD, or alcohol abuse. Oh the irony!
January Winter Quarter is Hell
I've always been a fan of numbered lists, so let's employ one, shall we?
- You've just received your first grades and, though you can rationalize the grades (the abilities of your classmates most likely outstrip your previous experiences), that somehow isn't terribly consoling.
- The faculty and administration, in their infinite wisdom, decided you should being taking SIX CLASSES AT THE SAME TIME.
- For many of you, BLS has suddenly become about one bajillion times more demanding, and your instructor, despite item #2, above, seems to believe that is your only class.
- You only vaguely remember what the sun is.
- You only vaguely remember having "free time" which you spent with "friends"
- More and more of your classmates are using the term "summer job" and this both mystifies and terrifies you.
- Everyone else in your class is a genius and seems to completely understand the material, while you're using every supplement on Earth and STILL have no idea just what in the hell "consideration" means.
And as if that weren't bad enough, there's probably a lot more (heaven knows 1L year has been known to destroy even the strongest of relationships). The point is, Winter Quarter is awful. 1L year is terrible. And when these two both coincide, well, shit.
And Why Exactly am I not Supposed to Despair?
For starters, some of these things will go away. Some of your classes will expire (though I'm sure you'll be oh-so-sad to see Contracts go!); the sun will return sometime around March; you'll find a summer job (everyone does - just keep working at it and relax).
Some of these things just aren't true. As "together" and "with it" (and "hip") as your classmates might seem, almost all of them share that soul-crushing feeling of inadequacy. Talk to them about it. Once you truly understand that, and learn that you're as capable and intelligent as anyone else around here, life feels oh-so-much better.
And finally, some of these things just stop bothering you. Honestly, the biggest difference between the 3L and the 1L? The 3L has learned that so many things just don't matter. Take, for example, grades. Given that you were bright and motivated enough to get into UW Law, you're going to graduate and find gainful employment. Those things will come to pass regardless of whether you get an A or a B-. Oh, I know, the HORRORS of getting a B-. To think that your professor subjectively determined that some other people performed better than you for three hours on the day you took your final exam... how ABSOLUTELY BONE-CHILLING. Should you strive to do your best? Of course. But keep things in perspective - your grades tell you nothing about your self-worth or how great an attorney you're going to be. In fact, if those issues ever came up in federal court, you could make a damn good argument to exclude them under FRE 401, almost certainly under FRE 403.2
Oh, and those completely unreasonable BLS assignments? Well, you're right, they're completely unreasonable, but they also happen to be some of the most important experiences you'll have during your first year, so there you go.
Here are a few tips, from experience:
1 Much like we, the 1Ls of yesteryear, happened upon the blog which delighted in berating us - my goal, of course, is quite the opposite.
2 Why yes, I am in the middle of my nightly Evidence reading - how'd you guess?
3 I recommend making a drinking game of it - take a shot every time she mentions the Counseling Center, SAD, or alcohol abuse. Oh the irony!