A Day in the Life of a Law Student

Welcome to a day in the life of a Law Student. I am going to outline my day, Tuesday, and break down what life really looks like when you are a Law Student. FYI, it is the furthest thing from glamorous....

My Must Have's for Fall Fashion

Ahhh Fall.... leaves, pumpkins, crisp air and my personal favorite time of year for fashion. I am perpetually cold so as soon as the season style dictates layers and warmer clothes, I am just happy as could be. In the past, my fall attire could be summed up as hoodies, flannels, and leggings... now that I am in Law School, I need to stay warm and comfy while coming off a bit more polished and classy. What made the cut in undergrad just won't cut it for the day in, day out of professional school. Here are my must have's for a polished, classy fall style without sacrificing comfort:

How to Decorate for Fall on a $50 Budget

My love for Fall knows no bounds.... With a brand spanking new house I was simply dying to decorate for Fall. The only issue is my lack of income thanks to Law School... I don't like to spend all my Hubby's money so I had to be very frugal. Decorating for Fall does not have to be expensive to look great. Here is how I decorated my three most used rooms on a $50 budget.

Fall Bucket List 2016

Happy First Official Day of Fall! Granted I have had my house decorated for Fall since Sept. 1st but now it is official!

Why You Should Visit Law Professor Office Hours

Week 4 of Law School is complete! I rounded it out with joining Public Interest Law Association, starting my outlines and visiting professor office hours for the first time. I was so nervous to go talk to my professor's one and one and after visiting office hours for the first time, I can't believe I did not do it sooner. If you are confused about something, curious about something or just want to make yourself more visible to the professor, office hours provide a great opportunity. Here is why you should visit professor's office hours in Law School. 

How to Balance Marriage and Law School

Week four of Law School is in progress.... I am exhausted, my back hurts from my giant bookbag and yesterday I made a pan of brownies just so I could have some batter. So that's how my life is going. Kidding aside, I am figuring out how to "do" law school and still have a life. Now that I am a bit more familiar with Law School and all it entails, I thought I would pass along my tips for balancing Law School with a significant other; in my case, my husband of 2 months.

Law School Study Habits

Now that I am a few weeks into Law School, my study habits have settled into a routine. It is working well for me. It has taken me a long time to develop good study habits; in High School, I could get by with A's without studying or working very hard. In Undergrad, I stepped up my study habits but still got by easily with minimal effort and a high GPA. Law School is a new ballgame; I really had to buckle down and hone my skills to be successful and keep up. I am sharing my habits in a hope that they may help someone else develop their study habits to be their most successful self.

Week 2 Recap: Law School is Getting Easier

I am happy to report that week 2 of Law School has ended and it is getting easier every day. Despite some crazy stuff that happened this week, classes are making more sense and my reading is getting faster which combines to a much lower stress level overall.

The Monday of Mondays

I might be here until midnight... thank goodness for hot tea in the most relatable mug I own.

#LawSchoolProbs

Well, Law School Monday 2/15 is complete... sort of. I still have probably 3 hours of work on my Legal Research and Writing assignment that is due tomorrow.... that was never explained to us and we have only had one class meeting. So that's really fun to try to figure out while flying completely blind.

A Recap of My First Week of Law School

Well.... I survived. The first week is finally over and I am completely exhausted. I think it is the mix of stress, nerves, hours of reading and just getting back into the swing of a school schedule. Overall, my first week was pretty darn good despite the Tornado warning and touchdowns in my area Wednesday night that sent my husband, pups and I to the basement for a little over an hour. That is certainly one of the more memorable parts of my first week. I only fumbled in class once, I mostly understood what was going on and I was able to complete all my readings and still find some time to take my dogs to the park, cook dinner and watch plenty of How I Met Your Mother. Thankfully I have no Friday classes so I can use that as a catch up day from this crazy week.

Law School Day 2 Recap

Day 2 is complete! In reality, this was the first meeting of my Tuesday/Thursday classes so it was basically another first day. However, I was feeling significantly more confident today. I again dressed classy casual in skinny jeans, an Express top and oxford shoes. I brought a sweater with me because there is one classroom that is freezing!

My First Day of Law School

Well, I survived my first day! It was in part not as bad as I expected and other parts worse than I imagined. Overall, not a bad first day; here is the scoop!

Law School Orientation Day 2

And that is a wrap on day 2 of law school orientation! Overall, it was another great day (day one recap here). I made friends, learned some tips and tricks and ate some great food. 

Law School Orientation Day 1 Recap

Well... I am officially a Law Student. Today was day one of Orientation and overall, it went pretty great.

5 Things to Do the Day Before Law School Orientation

Tomorrow I start Law School orientation. Tomorrow I take the first step in my legal career. Tomorrow, my life will change significantly.... but tomorrow is still 24 hours away so I am focusing on today.

Today I am binge watching How I Met Your Mother on Netflix, listening to the Woodstock playlist loud as could be while I clean my house, taking my dogs for a walk despite the overcast, windy weather, cooking a yummy dinner for my Hubby and soaking up the last few hours of not being a Law Student.

Last day that does not involve me going to law school. Enjoying my freedom by binge watching HIMYM and drinking several cups of coffee ☕️

— Brandy (@Legal_Duchess) August 16, 2016

I am also finishing some Property reading, ironing my orientation outfits, packing my tote and preparing for the exciting day tomorrow. I feel less nervous when I am totally prepared so that is why I am getting everything done today. Here is my list for feeling prepared to start Orientation.

1. Spa Day
To feel extra fierce for my first day as a Law Student, I am giving myself a manicure and pedicure to ensure that I have good first impression nails. I am also doing a face mask, a deep conditioner on my hair and whitening my teeth. I have always felt that looking your best can definitely help you feel your best. At orientation, you meet your peers and professors for the first time; you only have one chance to make a good first impression so any little things you can do to make yourself look and feel your best is worth it.

2. Pack a Tote
I am using my tote (similar) instead of my bookbag for orientation because I do not have much to carry and it goes much better with the required attire of business casual than a big heavy bookbag. I have packed my tote with the handouts, a notebook, pens and pencils, my computer, computer cord, wireless mouse, wallet, some beauty/toiletry necessities and a few granola bars just in case I get the munchies. Hopefully, I will have everything I need and then some.

3. Review the Reading
My school had a few cases to brief and a professional development handout as the required reading for the orientation workshops. I completed the work weeks ago so I just want to review the information in order to have it fresh in my memory and to be prepared to discuss it at orientation.

4. Lay Out Outfit
Having a fierce outfit, including jewelry, laid out, ironed and ready to simply put on in the morning makes me feel so much more prepared. I know I simply have to wake up, put it on and can leave the house feeling ready to rock.

5. Relax and Destress
For me, this is Yoga followed by hot tea but it could also be a workout, a coffee date or a bottle of wine. Whatever floats your boat and helps you to settle your nerves before the big day tomorrow.

Despite all the stress and nerves, I am mostly excited about starting my Law School journey tomorrow. I cannot wait to meet my new peers, explore my new school and get started on this journey to my legal career. It is sure to be a very exciting day! Check back tomorrow night for my Orientation recap!

Why I Chose Law

Law School starts really soon. I may be slightly freaking out. It's time to get real; I might seem super prepared from what I have depicted on my blog but in truth, I am struggling to get my first-day assignments completed, stressing about what to wear at Orientation and silently questioning what I was thinking by wanting to become a lawyer. A million questions are running through my mind: will I be good at Law School? Will I make the grades? Will I hate it? Can I ever be a good Lawyer? In the midst of my slight anxious breakdown, total frustration with my Contracts book and second-guessing, my husband reminded me of something I had lost sight of: my dreams.

15 Random Must-Haves for College Girls under $15

It's back to college time! Summer is very quickly coming to an end and it is bittersweet. I may be going to Law School but I feel that the must-haves are very similar to those needed for undergrad. Below I have compiled a list (with links) to 15 items I found impossible to live without in undergrad and I am sure will also be fantastic in Law School. Best part? Each item is less than $15!

1. Water Bottle
College classes are long and dry, study sessions can go on forever and if you make it to the gym a good water bottle is a necessity. Staying hydrated is so important for your health and wellness. I personally have a few of the Camelbak Eddy bottles and I love them! You can add a monogram decal for a fun girly touch :)

2. Travel Coffee Mug
I could never have survived college without coffee. That being said, for morning classes, I usually did not get out of bed early enough to drink a cup or two before those 8am's. A travel coffee mug solves that problem easily. I love this autoseal mug because it will not spill and it keeps drinks hot for a long time. I not only took my morning coffee but also hot chocolate and hot tea for late night study dates or cool walks to class. Law School will be no different and I will probably have a travel coffee mug practically glued to my hand.

3. Wireless Mouse
I HATE the mousepad on laptops. It just drives me nuts. Therefore, my wireless mouse is seriously my BFF and I couldn't live without it.

4. Crossbody Purse
I usually carry a giant "mom" purse or I just throw my wallet in my bookbag. However, there are times that a small-ish crossbody bag is a lifesaver. Whether it is for going out with friends, a date, a trip or sightseeing event of any kind and just so many instances where it just comes in super handy.

5. Weekly Planner Pad
I literally live by these things. I make one out every Monday morning and it just keeps all the assignments, work, meetings, dates and everything else so nicely and concisely organized.

6. Portable Power Pack
Long days on campus = no more battery. Keeping a portable battery pack charged and ready will save your phone and occasionality your sanity.

7. Cork Board
I keep a small cork board above my desk for random papers and important things like business cards, etc. It is nice to have a small spot to collect all those random little papers that can easily get lost.

8. Nail Polish Drying Spray
Sooo I hate nasty looking nails and I also have no patience for waiting for my nails to dry. The answer to this predicament: nail polish drying spray! Paint your nails, spray, blow on them for a minute or two and off you go to class, the bar or a meeting with lovely nails and you didn't have to wait!

9. Lunch Box
I was a commuter all through college and I hated having to pay for lunch on campus; there's only so many ranch chicken wraps you can eat before you start to hate them. For any long days on campus, I packed a lunch that either didn't require refrigeration or I would stick it in the fridge in my academic advisor's office area (he was cool like that). I saved a ton of money and ate a lot healthier just by simply packing a lunch.

10. Wristlet Wallet
Earlier I mentioned my habit of throwing my wallet in my bookbag before leaving for class. I got a cute little wristlet that holds my cash, cards, keys and cell phone. It was simple and handy to just move it from purse to bookbag or just carry it alone.

11. Throw Blanket
For anyone else who is perpetually cold, having an extra (non-bedding) blanket is perfect. I would curl up in it while studying at my desk, watching movies, eating dinner, any of the above. I am always cold soooo I tend to have a lot of blankets.

12. Bath Robe
To reiterate the fact that I am always cold, I live in my bath robe. Not only does it keep me warm and toasty in the morning; it also is quite handy when living with 4 other girls or 3 boys (thankfully that was only one semester). Bath robe = necessary.

13. Book Stand
Do yourself a favor and buy a book stand. It will make your life SO much easier when studying and save your neck.

14. Laptop Sleeve
During college, you are constantly on the go and you usually take your laptop. Laptops are expensive so invest in a laptop sleeve and protect your expensive equipment that literally is your lifeblood in college.

15. Wall Calendar
So you may have noticed a theme of organization and keeping everything straight? Wall calendar is another lifesaver in that department. I use my planner and weekly planning pad for everyday stuff but for the long term, a wall calendar is the way to go. t also has things like my then fiance/ now husband's work schedule so I know what he is up to as well as the long term things like finals.

So there you go! 15 things every girls must have in college all coming in under $15 to fit within the college budget! Hope they help you as much as they help me!

Things to Watch Before Law School

I am a firm subscriber of both Netflix and Amazon Prime. I have had some spare time before Law School and I have been catching up on my lists of things I wanted to watch. Movies and TV shows relating to the Law and/or Law School are few and far between but below are some of my favorites found on Netflix and Amazon Prime as well as a few that need to be rented!

Movies

The Paper Chase (Netflix)
An oldie but a goodie, this is one of the best Law School representations in media. You see the Socratic method at it's fiercest, Law Students succeed and fail all at the esteemed Harvard Law School. It is certainly worth a watch!

Legally Blonde (Netflix)
My personal favorite. The pretty blonde follows her ex-boyfriend to Harvard and instead of getting him back, she gets a legal education and defies all expectations. Let's all aspire to reach the same level of fabulous perfection as Elle Woods.

A Few Good Men (Rent)
Tom Cruise as a military attorney is perfection. I love this movie for several reasons: seeing the main character find himself in the courtroom, the storyline and the themes of humanitarianism and truth will win are timeless.

Bridge of Spies (Rent)
A snapshot into a tough time in our history as well as a unique use of a legal education to save lives. Tom Hanks stars in this intriguing Cold War era movie and it is a great legal and historical watch.

Nuremberg (search on Youtube and full movie can be viewed)
Another historical movie featuring strong uses of the law this time for prosecution of Nazi's following World War II at the Nuremberg Trials. The Cheif Prosecutor, played by Alec Baldwin, lays out damning cases against people who committed the some worst atrocities in history.

TV Shows

How to Get Away with Murder (Netflix)
Though not very realistic, this is a thrilling and entertaining watch. It does feature some fun personalities in the Law Students.

Reckless (Netflix)
Though it is only one season, I love this show and I wish it would have continued. It contrasts a northern attorney and a southern prosecutor as they clash in and out of the courtroom of Charleston, S.C.

Making a Murderer (Netflix)
I am just getting started on this one but it is enthralling to hear the story of one man and his quest for justice under the law. I can't wait to finish it!

SUITS (Prime)
I also just started this show and it is a fun watch. I am excited to get more into it and see more of the legal action.

Still Want to Watch

- Scandal

- Good Wife

What are your favorite legal movies and TV shows?

My Checklist for the Final 2 Weeks Before Law School

13 days until Law School! In two weeks I will be entering the first classes of my professional career.... that is pretty hard to believe! The journey thus far has been one of many ups and downs but to be this close to finally starting Law School is very exciting. That being said, there is a ton of last minute stuff to get done!

Student ID
I have to get my new student ID but I am still waiting on my name change paperwork from getting married. I want to start the year with my new name but time is running out.... hopefully it all gets done in time!

Books
I finally have all of my books in hand! They were super expensive, are super heavy and are just a bit intimidating. I ordered all of my books new off Amazon except for one that I rented. Thankfully they were cheaper than I budgeted.

Parking Pass
Coming in at a whopping $150 was my one-semester parking pass.... my undergraduate college offered parking passes for free so this was an unpleasant surprise. The nice thing is that the passes do not have to be stuck on the car or hung on the rearview mirror. Somehow they just know.

School Supplies
Pens, highlighters, folders, notebooks and all of the above. I have always loved school supplies shopping and this was no different. I wrote an entire post on my school supplies for Law School so reference that for specifics.

LexisNexis
This morning I received the email to set up my LexisNexis account. Now I feel like a real Law Student but the red Camelbak from orientation will really seal the deal. I read all about the LexisNexis rewards system and through online videos, tutorials and quizzes I have already amassed 800 points!

Orientation Requirements
We had some assigned reading and worksheets for the Mock classes and events in Orientation. I got them done to the best of my ability and it feels good to have it off my shoulders.

First Class Reading
Only 2 of my 5 classes have posted the assigned reading for our first class meeting. I am slowly working away at it a little at a time. Hopefully, the others will get posted soon so I don't have to do it all right before classes start. The assignments haven't been too bad.... so far.

Enjoy the Last Days of Freedom
I only have 13 more days of no classes, homework and stress. I am trying to enjoy it as much as possible and spend time with my Hubby, my puppies, Netflix and getting my house in shape. Summer is coming to an end very soon... The Olympics are perfectly timed; I love watching them and it is a great way to wind down these last summer days.

So there you have it! I am just trying to make the last days before Law School as enjoyable and productive as possible. I know the stress is coming.....

How are you preparing for Law School these final weeks? 

Making Yourself a Productive Morning Person in 5 Easy Steps + FreePrintable!

Happy Monday friends!!

 Coming to you from my couch, snuggling with my golden pup and watching the Olympics in between (Go USA!!!). Call me crazy, but I actually love Mondays. It signals the start of a new week and a fresh start. I love starting my week off on the right foot and planning out a productive week. However, Monday mornings are the worst. After a weekend of sleeping in and relaxing with my hubby, Monday mornings just seem to hit like a freight train. I am not naturally a morning person; I prefer to be most productive at 11:00pm. Despite this, I have worked out a system that allows me to be a better morning person and to enjoy getting up before 9:00am as much as I can.

Puppy snuggles make any morning better

SO how do I do it without being a total grump? Here is my 5 steps to making yourself a productive morning person!

1. Don't Press Snooze
I tend to be the queen of setting 500 alarms to ensure I get up in the morning. However, that also makes it really easy to turn one off and convince myself that the 10 extra minutes of sleep before the next one goes off will truly make the day great. I have started to force myself out of bed at the first alarm. Granted, my 3-month-old puppy has helped this habit because she is wide awake the minute any alarm goes off and does a pretty darn good job of getting me out of bed.

2. Make the Bed
Once you force your half-dead body from the warm sheets, make your bed. This not only starts the day out with a clean and productive beginning but it also discourages you from climbing back in and waiting on another alarm to go off. I try to get my bed made asap so that I cannot go back to sleep.

3. Establish a Breakfast Routine
Breakfast is something I always look forward to. It is my favorite meal of the day. Therefore, if I keep good breakfast food in the house, I am more tempted to get downstairs and make myself waffles instead of getting back in bed. My routine has come to include a hearty breakfast and the first cup of strong coffee while I watch one 30 minute episode of something on Netflix while still in my PJ's. I give myself this 30 minutes of vegging out, relaxing and fueling myself for the day. Some people prefer to hit the ground running in the morning; I need a little time to get alive before I can start to conquer the day. As long as you find something that works for you, a good breakfast routine will help your mornings immensely.

4. Dress to Impress
Even if you are planning on staying in all day and studying or doing dirty yard work, get yourself dressed right from the get go. If I let myself stay in my PJ's past breakfast, it sets a lazy tone for my whole morning and therefore my whole day. I try to get dressed and ready immediately after breakfast. Once I have a fresh outfit on, my hair wrangled into a semblance of acceptability and at least some BB cream and mascara on, I feel ready to conquer the day and get to work. It signals the beginning of my "work" day to be dressed and ready for whatever that day might bring. This could be anywhere from a business suit for Law School to old painting clothes to repaint my deck. No matter what I am wearing, getting dressed to conquer that day is the signal I need to know it is time to get the day rolling!

5. Plan My Day
I love to write down everything. To-do lists, calendars, planners, meal planning; you name it and I probably have it written out somewhere around my house. Starting my morning off is no different. In order to start a productive and organized day, I have discovered that having a "daily planner" sheet is the best way to do this. I prefer to sit down at the table with cup of coffee #2 and this cute little daily planner and take 10 minutes to map out my day. I put down what I have to get done, what I want to get done, what my big goal of the day is and any other random thoughts that get running through my mind. Getting everything out on paper helps to clear my mind and create some order for the day and prioritizes what I have to do. Originally, I just jotted this all down on a small legal pad but eventually I made this cute little sheet to add some pretty functionality to my morning.

***My Daily Planner sheet available as a free downloadable PDF printable for all of my lovely readers! I hope it helps to get your day started on the right foot just like it does for mine!

+ My free bonus tip is specifically for Mondays: I love to fill out a weekly planner on Monday mornings laying out my goals for the week, meals, blogging, to-do list and shopping list. I find it so helpful to have a plan for the week before it gets started; it keeps me on track.

So there you go! This is the short and sweet way I went from being the worst morning person ever to actually getting out of bed and enjoying the way my mornings progress. My schedule is currently set for summer break so it looks something like this:

     6:45am- Alarm goes off

     6:45-7am- Take puppies outside and feed them breakfast while I make the bed

     7:00-7:30am- Breakfast, coffee and an episode of How I Met Your Mother 

     7:30-8am- Get dressed, do hair and makeup

     8:00-8:15am- Second cup of coffee and mapping my day through my handy Daily Planner

     8:15am- Hit the ground running and get my day started!

We are not all born morning people but hopefully this will help you learn to take advantage of mornings just as I have. Getting the day started early and started right is truly the best way to have a nice and productive day!

Wishing productive mondays to all!