So you got in! What now?

[Ribbons]

It is the midst of 1L exams but alas I cannot focus so I am on here instead to give you a summary of what your first year will look like. This information may not remain accurate (or be accurate to begin with cuz studying has my brain fried) so others are welcome to correct me as needed! 

September!

September is full of good vibes. You will spend your first 2 weeks in a block course called foundations. Take it as seriously as you'd like. I split the work amongst a group of friends and we each took notes on each of the readings to create little summaries. I found it worth while to do the work in this class (even though its pass/fail and the exam is easy) because it meant I had a solid introduction to the concepts of the other classes. Essentially everything you learn in foundations will be taught again in your other courses so don't be worried if it doesn't make perfect sense. You then start classes in mid-late September and each will be about 50 minutes per class twice a week (this increases in second semester).  You will be split into 3 cohorts of 60 students each and then for your friday class (legal research and writing) you will be in a class of 90 (so 2 LRW cohorts) and you will have a writing fellow (TA) with a small group of students of about 10 people. You will also have at least 1 recruiting event during this time likely within the first 2 weeks; I HIGHLY recommend going to this. I got a job as a result of attending this event and cannot recommend it more. You will have lots of social opportunities too and don't be afraid to take advantage of these and meet your classmates. The second semester is always super stressful so just enjoy the ease and excitement of September as best you can. Also reach out to upper years, we are happy to answer your questions.

October!  Honestly all that stands out from October is the halloween event. You'll get into the flow of classes this month and have a few more social events. You will also start the research section of LRW where for three Fridays in a row a librarian will show you how to use different legal research platforms (its as boring as it sounds lol). Don't take your first few LRW assignments too seriously. They don't count for much and you will probably only understand what you were supposed to do 1-2 weeks after its due. You will also learn the most from your writing fellows (essentially TAs).

November! The fear of exams will strike at some point during this month but otherwise its pretty much like the others. You're almost done your first semester and don't forget to enjoy it, its very likely. the second semester goes to shit with more readings, stress, and an overall level of tiredness that somehow persists far pass Christmas. 

December! Your last few weeks of classes will feel tough, the impending doom of midterms will loom over your head and you will feel the stress. All your classes are full year and some will be cumulative. Just remember all your midterms are fail safe and on a curve. Don't set the bar at perfection and mentally prepare for a tough time. BUT don't despair. Dumber people have done it and you will make it through. The hardest part about midterms (for me) was how long it took to get grades. Our last grade came out in February. Do not expect to have your grades back before Christmas unless you have Bottos for Criminal then prepare to have your grade back within like 48 hours and have a box of tissues ready lol Also if you have Bottos he may decide to double up all your lectures and make you suffer through hell. 

NOTE: you do not get a reading week first semester. 

January! The new year begins and you expect to come with it a sense of refreshment after Christmas break. This will likely not be the case. Your class times will go up significantly, as will your readings, and you will really start to feel like you are in law school. You will start every day at 8 or 9am depending on the cohort you are in. Our January was fucked by COVID so it being online only made this worse. You will have law show during this time too! Go to it!!! You will also hear rumours of this thing called "recruit." Its a time where 1Ls can apply for 1L summer positions and interviews happen during your February reading week. 

February! February will be similar to January, lots of reading, lots of class and maybe some social events! Don't forget to reach out to your friends, manage your mental health well, stay hopeful, do your best do stay on top of your readings. Somewhere in this time. your memo will be due. Do the work to understanding the cases and your argument as this will save you a lot of time when you do your moot. If you get behind, cut your losses and start where you are at in the semester. If you are perpetually behind this will be worse than missing a few days. 

March! The impending doom of finals will start looming over your shoulders much like November except this time you may be significantly more burn out and have much more apathy towards finals than you were expecting. Stay hopeful, try n stay on top of your shit as best as possible, don't forget about your friends. Your first moot will also be this month! For some of you this will be awesome, others will hate this. Think of it like public speaking except you are bombarded with questions. Have fun with it but also try your best to know your shit. Never take LRW super seriously but I really liked mooting so I did put the time and effort here to redeem my crap grades on the mini assignments and that paid off. Carbolic ball will also happen at this time! If ya like dressing up and paying a bit to much for a fancy dinner go have some fun cuz shit starts to get real after Carbolic. 

April! LOL APriL AH that is right now. You will finish classes in a haze and suddenly you'll be applauding at your last class. If your lucky you might get muffins. The Dean's Cup will happen around this time (those who did the best in your first year moot will get put forward and the top 2 teams selected to compete, good times but not worth credits/grades so don't stress if this isn't your interest!!). I am right in the midst of this month so its hard to say anything good. It's hard. Stressful. You might have a couple mental breakdowns. Remember to eat, sleep, and do your best (sometimes your best is just getting through the day). Some people may thrive during this time and others will not. I have found this period of time really friggin tough, you won't be alone if you do too. 

As a final note, law school can feel a heck of a lot like high school. Remember to be kind to other people because that culture only exists because people let it. People may not always remember you, but they will remember how you made them feel. 

Best of luck and feel free to put your questions below, I will get to them eventually 🙂 

[pinsandneedles]

@Ribbons Always dropping the tight advice! Thank you for this, and for talking us off the ledge earlier in the cycle!

Keep being awesome! Can't wait to follow in your large footsteps. Let's grab a beer at Sugarbowl after your exams are over. 🙂

[Ribbons]

16 hours ago, pinsandneedles said:

@Ribbons Always dropping the tight advice! Thank you for this, and for talking us off the ledge earlier in the cycle!

Keep being awesome! Can't wait to follow in your large footsteps. Let's grab a beer at Sugarbowl after your exams are over. 🙂

Thank you 🙂 I just remember how blind I felt going into first year so I am trynna provide what I wish i had! DEFINITELY down for some sugarbowl

[pinsandneedles]

14 minutes ago, Ribbons said:

Thank you 🙂 I just remember how blind I felt going into first year so I am trynna provide what I wish i had! DEFINITELY down for some sugarbowl

Kk. Will DM you in a couple weeks. And congrats on the 1L summer position! I aspire to that!