Don't Go to Law School!...Part II

Welcome back! Now, let's pick up from where we left off...😏

4. Don't go to law school if you're not willing to change the way you think.

Law school is designed to change the way you receive and process information. It's intended to help you see issues and connect them with the law and see possible outcomes, both positive and negative, based on historical practices (basically case law and established precedence). It's also meant to help you be flexible in your problem solving. It's important to be flexible, and creative, with how the law works and have substantive support to back up your position. It's really not "black and white" even when it seems like it should be (Have you ever asked an attorney a question and they respond with "It depends"?). I can say that through my law classes I am learning how to interpret and apply various forms of regulation, issue spot, and present my thoughts concisely yet thoroughly and with clarity. It will challenge you in more ways than one, but I think it's worth it and is actually helpful beyond just practicing law.

5. Don't go to law school if you're not passionate about the area in which you want to practice.

As sated earlier, not all attorneys earn high six figures. Not all attorneys earn six figures at all. But if law interests you, and you have an area of practice that you're passionate about, the degree will reward itself. Sometimes it's not about the money. And sometimes, "money" can come in many ways, even if it's not actual dollars. You should want to pursue a career that aligns with your purpose, or desire to pour into society in a positive, meaningful way. Doing it for the dollars can be draining. You can be so consumed with putting in hours, trying to get those promotions, maybe pushing for partner if at a law firm, etc. And while those things may come with rewards, pursuing something purposeful has its own rewards. You're a lot less likely to walk away when you're pursuing something that touches your heart. I mean, if you're cool with it being just a job then by all means, do you. But I do believe that we are meant to enjoy life, including the job we choose to clock in for. With that said...still negotiate good pay lol (get those coins 😎)! But don't let money be the "end all be all" and have the final say.

6. Don't go to law school if you're not willing to put in the work.

Law school is not easy. It's not...People to this day tell me that the time will fly/is flying by. It's not. I feel every second of every minute of every hour in this program. Every bit of it. I feel the mental weight, the fatigue, the stress of trying to find the time to do all the things, and have fallen into unintentional self-neglect (specifically during exam time), and I feel the intensity of this work. My hair started falling out after my first semester due to the stress I was under. I was tired yall. I had class every evening Monday through Thursday. Would literally get up and go to work before the sun came up. Wouldn't get home until the sun had already gone down. Fridays were rest days (after work). Saturdays and Sundays were expected to be study/prep days. I failed in keeping up with my studies. I wasn't prepared for what I was getting into and didn't have a game plan for success (well...I thought I did, but it wasn't working 😬). People said that law school is not like grad school and they are not lying. The methods I used for my Master's did not work too well for me here. It was a lot on me. But I'm still here. It can be done...I just don't recommend doing it unless you know it's what you really want to do. I can say that I never doubted my "why" and am fully convinced that I'm supposed to be here doing this and this will all work out for my good. But it aint easy...So if you're not willing to sacrifice a bit of sleep for three to four years, don't do it. Don't play with your time and money in that way. Make sure you're completely sold on this and will fully commit to the process.

Okay last one...

7. Don't go to law school if you're afraid to fail.

I said it's not easy. In orientation the speakers mentioned how many students arrive having been at the top of their class in undergrad, then find themselves at the bottom of the class in law school. That was me...well, I wasn't at the top of the my class in undergrad, but I was on the dean's list and maintained a very good GPA throughout...and that was while fighting depression for most of it. But I was definitely at the bottom that first year of law school. Maybe not in last place, but definitely in the lower percent of my cohort. And yes, the professors do cold call you and you may not always have the right answer (hint: they don't always expect you to have the "right" answer, but they do expect you to try based on the assigned material). I had a friend tell me not to be so hard myself. That I already have a career and that I should try to enjoy the journey. I heard her, but I also never liked getting low grades. So it took my fourth semester to finally internalize what she said to me. Failure is part of growing. And what good is it if it doesn't challenge you by exposing your areas of incompetence? Growth is scary, but necessary. And in an unconventional way, learning through failure can be enjoyable, particularly when you're enjoying what you're learning and are making noticeable improvements. My grades were horrible that first semester. But there's been a steady upward trend since then and I have appreciated the lessons in the failures (fyi...ask professors for feedback. trust, it's very helpful!).

To sum this all up, don't go to law school without being prepared for the challenge and putting your best foot forward. Be willing to commit to the program and ready to grow through failures.

~ Ms. Royalty