Why the First Semester of Law School Does Not Define You

If you have been reading for a while, you may know that I struggled with my first semester of law school. If you have not been reading for a while, here's the cliff notes version: I entered law school having always been a top student, one of the smartest in my classes, on a full-tuition scholarship and having just graduated Magna Cum Laude with dual Bachelors degrees. I was ready to crush law school just like everything else. Suddenly, everything I thought I knew about school and studying didn't work and I was surrounded by people just as smart and often smarter than me. That was a big adjustment. I questioned myself and my choice to attend law school daily. Eventually, I got into the swing of things and it got easier. Then, I took law school exams... wow. They were unlike any exam I had ever completed and I struggled. A lot. No matter how hard I studied, it didn't seem to be enough and the format of the 4-hour exams was just draining. I squeaked by but my grades were nowhere near where I wanted them to be and I was confused, heartbroken and completely frustrated. I contemplated dropping out. I thought of back up plans if I couldn't finish law school. I cried to my parents and husband.

Finally, my wonderful mother got tired of my whining and moping and gave me the kick in the butt I needed- She informed me that it was okay to be upset and disappointed with myself. But she also said I had never not excelled at something I put my mind to in my entire life and it was about darn time I got knocked on my rear. She told me to stop whining and make a decision- I could either buckle down, work harder than ever before and prove to myself and my school that I could excel in law school the second semester. The other choice was dropping out and figuring out something else to do with my life. I took the first option.

I am happy to report that my hard work paid off- I re-engineered my study tactics, worked my butt off and was able to pull my GPA up 2 entire points after the second semester. I got a higher grade in every single class and I even got my first A in law school which led to me dancing down the hallway of my internship. I am eligible for Moot Court and moved up in the ranking. I have a wonderful internship and I am learning something every day. Overall, I am heading into my 2L year much more confident and set in my plan to finish law school and succeed in the legal field.

So why did I tell this story?? Because one semester does not define you. You can fail and fall flat on your back... it's okay. You can cry it out. Just pick yourself up, make some changes, buckle down and choose to improve. Never ever let one bad class or one bad semester break your dreams. I failed. I had the worst GPA of my life. I got my first C's. I took that failure and let it fuel me to never get those grades again and succeed. If I can do that, so can you!

Never give up after one tough break. You are smart enough, you are good enough and they would not have let you into law school if you couldn't do it. Re-engineer, redouble your efforts and attack it with a vengeance-fueled by all your frustrations. Work so hard you will never have grades that low again. Make success the only option. Whining and complaining will not change your grades- only hard work will do that. Do not give up after one bad semester.

The caveat to that is that it is okay to change directions. If after the first year you truly realize that law is not for you, then find something else. That is not giving up- that is making a way for yourself that is right for you. The law may not be for everyone and it is not what it seems from the outside looking in. There is no shame in choosing to go for a different career. You must do what's best for you.

I wish everyone finishing their first year the best of luck as grades come back- I hope the curve falls in your favor. For those gearing up for their first year of law school, prepare for a lot of hard work, exhaustion and the possibility of failure... but remember, you can always improve and that first semester does not define you. As my internship supervisor wisely told me, there are a million great lawyers out there making a difference and some never even got an A in law school. Grades do not define you. Keep your head above water- you can do it!!

Friday Five 5/26/17

Wow I have been slacking on this... life has just been busy. Finishing school, starting my internship, adjusting to working 9-5 every day... But I am ready to make blogging a priority again! Without further adieu, five things I am thinking about this Friday!

1. Poshmark
Why did I just now discover this?!? Designer clothes cheap? Yes please!! I have ordered a variety of items and I have been tickled to death with everything. I also have been doing a bit of closet cleaning and selling on there to get rid of things I just don't wear. It's awesome! Use this code to sign up after downloading the app - UQNBO

2. Harry Styles on the Late Late Show
I may have skipped out on the One Direction craze but I am 110% on board with the Harry Styles craze of late. I am obsessed with his new album, I can't wait to see him in Dunkirk and he is absolutely hilarious with James Corden... they should co-host all the time. I watched all of the segments today and died laughing.

3. V8 Energy Drinks
An attorney in our office got me hooked on these this week. They are a perfect little burst of energy for mid-afternoon. They are little fruit drinks with natural B12 energy. I have to have one in my lunch every day now!

4. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Yay for new episodes! I adore this show- it is so cute and so fun. I got hooked on the first season last summer and I have anxiously been awaiting the next season. If you are looking for a quick, fun binge watch- this is it!

5. Mrs. Meyers Cleaning Supplies
I just got a shipment of these (detailed post coming soon) and I am obsessed. The basil scent especially is amazing. I went on a major house cleaning spree after they arrived and It was so nice to clean without worrying about harsh chemicals yet still getting a good clean.


Happy Friday everyone! Enjoy the long weekend but do not forget the reason. Thank you to all service men and women, currently serving, retired or selflessly lost in service, who make this country safe and free. Memorial Day is a lot more than just a reason to have off work- do not forget that.

What to Wear in Law School

As I continue to reflect back upon 1L year, I am trying to remember any of the things I was concerned about prior to starting law school. Now that I have a year under my belt, I am going to try my best to blog about those concerns I had and hopefully clear it up for future law students!

Up first, what do you wear in law school? I, being the type A person that I am, was super concerned about whether or not people got dressed up every day or if it was just like undergraduate college full of oversized t-shirts and leggings. All my stress was for naught; I ended up being dressed perfectly acceptable for law school and my wardrobe was sufficient. Still, I am going to share the general wardrobe to help ease anyone who worries like I did.

An Easy Diet for a Young Professional

I will preface by saying I am dieting merely out of a personal effort to be a little more healthy and to eat less junk food in the wake of final exams where I ate like crap. It is not a lose weight diet but merely a more regimented way to stay on a healthy eating plan. Bikini season is just around the corner so this healthy diet will be paired with some exercise and hopefully, all that winter flab and finals week pizza will be gone. 

I have always been a healthy person blessed with a high metabolism. I have always been very active, growing up on a farm with endless work to do and riding horses daily my entire life. My family ate pretty healthily and I have never been one with a huge appetite so I have always been thin and trim and had zero concerns about my body. After starting law school and moving to a new city with only a small yard to work in and no horses to ride, suddenly all of my physical activity was cut out of my life and I spent all my time hunched over books or sitting in classrooms. Though I still ate healthily, took the stairs and did Yoga when time allowed, I could definitely tell a negative difference in my body and my overall fitness.

Now that school has ended for the year and the weather has gotten better, I have made a vow to get my fitness back under control. Besides the gym membership I will be purchasing in the next few days, I know a healthy diet is the best basis for a healthy body. I have done some research and devised an eating plan that will be simple enough to stick to as I start my internship and could work for most busy young professionals looking to trim up a bit and feel better about what they are putting in their body without breaking the bank or giving up enjoying food.

Breakfast

I will start my days with a whole bunch of coffee (non-negotiable) and one of a few varieties of filling, yummy and healthy breakfasts. I also take a variety of vitamins every morning including: Biotin, Magnesium, Vitamin D, Calcium, B12 and Vitamin E.

• Oatmeal with Fruit 
• Whole Wheat Toast with Peanut Butter
• A Fruit Smoothie
• Egg Sandwich (1 egg, 1 slice of cheese on an English muffin)

Lunch

I will be packing lunches to take to my internship so they need to be portable and easy enough to eat at the office. My lunches will include carrots and ranch, low-fat vanilla yogurt, whole wheat crackers and a variety of entrees. (oh and a cookie because I have the worlds biggest sweet tooth)

• Leftovers from previous dinners
• Baby Spinach Salad
• Turkey Sandwich on Whole Wheat Bread

Dinner

My husband is on a Gluten Free diet per doctor's orders so most of our dinners are Gluten Free. Because of this, they are all homemade and relatively healthy. I have a variety of go-to recipes and I am always looking for more. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Lasanaga
• Shredded Chicken Sandwiches
• Chicken and Rice Casserole
• Mongolian Beef Stirfry
• Shepherds Pie
• Grilled Chicken with a Vegetable side

Dessert

Did I mention my sweet tooth? It's rather persistent so I will need some sort of dessert in my life that still operates within the general realm of "not too unhealthy". 

• Cookies made with applesauce in place of butter
• Chocolate covered blueberries
• Dove Dark Chocolate Squares
• Chocolate Pudding

Snacks

I am a bit of a grazer so I always have to have some snacks available. This is usually how I end up eating junk so I am trying to be proactive and have some healthy snacks available. My goal is to limit to 2-3 snack breaks per day but we will see how that goes....

• Crackers and Laughing Cow Cheese
• Carrots 
• Celery
• Apples and Peanut butter
• Fruit Smoothies
• Yogurt 
• Granola bars 
• Trail Mix (nuts, cheerios, m&m's and raisins)

Well, friends, we will see how this diet fairs... fingers crossed my willpower is strong!

Preparing for Your First Legal Internship

First year of law school down... what next? For most of us, we move onto our first legal internships to fill the summer between 1L and 2L year. Personally. I will be working in my local criminal prosecutor's office and receiving class credit for externship experience. Preparing for my first foray into the professional legal world has me a little stressed out and apprehensive. Regardless, I have spent my week off between the end of finals and the start of my internship preparing myself in every way I can.

1. A Legal Wardrobe
One thing I have had tucked in the back of my mind for years is my future as a lawyer = professional wardrobe every. dang. day. Partially fun to dress up every day, partially daunting to dress like that day in day out and never being able to rock a pair of leggings at work. Over the years, I have been collecting professional clothing when I find it on sale or something I just have to have (working at TJ Maxx all through college helped with that). As my first legal internship has been growing closer, I have been spending a little time and moolah on my "lawyer wardrobe". J. Crew Factory has some amazing sales! I have gotten some amazing deals including a $12 lace pencil skirt! The sales rack at Kohls has also been rather good to me. I tend to be a constant shopper.... no matter where I am, I browse and see what I can happen across; if it is a good deal, I get it. This has led to me taking over the closet in our office with just my professional clothing... sorry hubby! I highly suggest spending some time and money before you start a legal internship on amassing a wardrobe large enough and varied enough to last you a whole summer in a law office. You don't want to be known as the girl who wears the same pants every other day or spend the first few weekends shopping frantically and getting stuck with clothes you don't love.

Once you have the wardrobe, spend a little time creating outfits and make sure you aren't missing the right color belt or a certain color undershirt. I like to plan out my outfits a few days in advance so I will do this Sunday night for the upcoming week. It makes me less stressed to have it done.

2. Invest in a Work Tote
Ladies, a work tote is a must-have. First, you need to carry all of your stuff to and from an internship. The old Vera Bradley tote from 9th grade is great for school and trips but do you really want to waltz into a professional legal internship carrying it? I am not huge on name brands so I do not have a Kate Spade or Michael Kors tote for work; I found a cute leather option on sale at Kohls that is high quality, exactly the size and style I wanted and did not break the bank. In my opinion, it's a win-win. Also, I spend a little time this week packing my work tote. Inside I have my wallet, my little cosmetics emergency kit, my planner, a small notebook for jotting down assignment notes, a small bag of my favorite pens because I am a pen snob, chapstick, hand lotion, a phone charger and a bobble refillable filtering water bottle because who knows what the courthouse water will taste like. For boys.... I guess this is a briefcase... Sorry I am of no use in what a male lawyer should carry.

3. Research Your Internship
You have likely already done this when interviewing, etc. but it never hurts to brush up on things! Figure out where you are going to park, the route you will take to work, how early you need to arrive, etc. I emailed my internship supervisor early this week to work out last minute details. I drove down to check out the parking situation yesterday; I can pay for the parking garage on Monday. Check out the Linked In accounts of the lawyers you will be working under. See if there are any prominent cases happening and read up what you can. The more research and prep I have done helps me to feel less stressed on the day of.


4. Treat Yo'Self
As I typed that, I internally said it in the voice of Tom Haverford from Parks and Recreation.... but I digress. You just finished finals and a whole year of law school. Give yourself a little break and do what makes you happy. For me, that was spending large amounts of time on my couch watching Netflix, working my way through a few new novels, doing a few face and hair masks, some shopping and cleaning my house top to bottom, cleaning out our closets, cooking, baking a million cookies and getting it back to an organized state. I am also planning on getting a manicure this weekend so I can walk in Monday morning feeling fresh, rested, happy and with bangin nails. I had things to do this week but I also spent it just recharging and refreshing after a few weeks of intense stress so I can move onto the next challenge.


As hard as it is for me to believe that my first year of law school is over, I am enjoying my week off and I am so excited for my internship to begin! There will be many more updates throughout the summer so stop back to hear how it's going.