Finals Fast Approaching

Finals are fast approaching, assignments are due in just a few short days, and my stress level is going up faster than a rocket.  I have really tried to relax and have fun this semester, sometimes I feel like I have been able to do that, and days like this morning I feel like I am sinking in cases.  I have been keeping up with flashcards as the chapters and ideas are completed in class.  I am working on having fun with friends outside of class, I make plans ahead of time and really schedule in fun, but at least I am having fun.  Last  weekend I got in a shadowboxing class, that was great stress relief.  I miss shooting with my bow and arrow, but the weather has not really allowed it.  I am exercising (meaning walking mostly) more, in hopes that it will help with my stress level.  But, right now as I type this I just keep thinking you have a paper due in 3 days and finals start in a week you need to be proofing the paper instead of letting your thoughts ramble out and you need to start taking the practice tests, and continue studying the flashcards.  I am starting to like Quizlet to help me study flashcards at work and just typing the information has been helpful sometimes.  I have been told this will be handy in 4 years when I have to take the bar - but right now I am just concerned with staying above a C average and not being kicked out of law school.  I have no idea how I will do, but I need to go study to make sure I do the best I can.  Isn't that what we tell kids, just do the best you can, that is all we want out of you.  Why does that change when you become an adult?

Happy Easter

Easter weekend has been a mix between relaxing fun and starting to prepare for finals.  I have about 3 weeks of classes left, so I have started getting my flash cards ready and study material together.  It has been nice to be with friends and family during meals, but because of plans scheduled for the next several weekends I need to start preparing now. I have started to realize that while I squeeze in scheduled fun I am cramming in studying and school work everywhere I can.  My hope for a fun life, while attending law school is difficult.

Spring has sprung

Spring has sprung, with the spring semester in full bloom.  Mid-terms are over, I got my grades back - looks like I will be staying in law school for a little while longer.  I had to register for summer class, got into two of the classes I wanted, but missed out on one I really wanted.  I had to register for fall classes, but I don't really have a say in what I take so I don't know why they made me register.  I have decided I will not let Law School take all the fun out of my life.  I have started taking my one night off from classes and doing a variety of different activities so that I get exercise and relax.  I will be attempting to do a 5k this fall, and I am think if I start practicing now I will successful be able to jog/walk it.  I am determined that sitting in classes for 3+ hours 3 nights a week for the next four years will not be a bad thing for my body.  Anyone out there have ideas on how to help my keep my energy up? my weight down? all while stuck in classes.

6 word story for my day:
Woke up, job, school, now sleepy.

Still Unsure

I have survived my first semester, gotten my grades, started classes, had a change in professors, and now realize that it is a month until mid-terms.  I have spent several class session day dreaming, thinking of writing a book, and contemplating why I should stay in law school.  I have turned my day dreams into the rough sketch of an rough outline for a book, and have not figured out why I should stay in law school.  I am determined to stay until I figure it out.  Maybe when I can take electives instead of required 1L courses it will come to me.  I know that law school is not fun, I have not met a lawyer who has told me that law school was the time of their life, or it was the most fun they have ever had.  However, I need fun in my life.  I realize life is short and I follow my mantra: I work hard so that when I have the chance to play I can.  I am working hard in law school right now, but will not let it get in the way of my play time.  I am taking a night off from class to go to a concert, and I don't feel bad about it.  I am nervous about mid-terms and trying to study and understand the materials, however, I refuse to let my life become what it was last semester when I worked so hard I raised my blood pressure, was so stressed I literally broke out in a rash and had panic attacks, and hardly saw my friends or enjoyed myself.  I promise myself this semester will be different.
I will find a method that allows me to pass law school and still enjoy my life and my friends.  I truly know I don't need the A in classes I just need to pass and keep my GPA at a place where the law school will let me stay enrolled.
Until then, I am willing to take advice and guidance from any one who has been in my shoes and is willing to share words of wisdom or warn me of mistakes not to make

Finished my first semester

I have finished my first semester, it was actually on Monday 12/12/11 that I finished it, but my brain was too foggy to write about it.  I have paid for next semester and I have not a clue on how I did on my finals.  This first semester was exhausting, and after several panic attacks I feel like I am finally getting my head above water.  I know it will not get any easier in the coming months and years, but for right now I will pretend to be an ostrich and stick my head in the sand and not acknowledge the hard reality that lies ahead.  I am going to enjoy the few weeks I have off, before I have to start studying again and before classes start up again.

I am enjoying my classes, enjoying the people in my classes, and even enjoy how my professors interact with us in class and when we go to them for extra help.  I do not think this was a mistake, but I still am not sure what I want to do with a law degree.  I have worked hard these past few months and now I want to play and relax.  I am sure that once the semester starts up again and when I get my grades back my stress level will rise like never before.  My hope has changed to working hard to pass, and trying not to get put on anxiety medication in the process.  I did make it through finals without a panic attack (huge progress from mid-terms), but it could have also been due to my physical and mental exhaustion.

I have started looking at summer programs and mediation programs, and I think being a mediator instead of a litigator sounds appealing to me.  Now I need to start re-working my resume so that it can show how I would be qualified for that, I guess next semester I'll stop by Career Services to get advice from them.  I have no clue what I will do over the summer, maybe pro bono so that I have experience and maybe that will help me figure out what direction I want to go.

I have said to others I work hard so that when I get a chance to play I can, I have worked hard these last few months and now I think I will relax and play during the holidays.

November 6, 2011

Simple thing I am thankful for: parents who love me

Simple thing that made me smile: oatmeal

Best line of the day: Those two need to wipe each other out so the points race will include more people - my mom while watching the Texas NASCAR race

advice of others

I have been listening to advice from everyone and anyone who will share, some I have taken, some I have ignored, some I am on the fence about.  I am trying to remain peaceful, but realize that the stress is creeping into my life in almost every place and in every way.  I am really trying hard not to let it stress me out, but I feel like I am losing the battle. I don't know how this will be and how I will survive the next four years.  I know I used to be fun and enjoyable, I am slowly realizing that is slipping away little by little due to the stress and the amount of studying I have to do.  I am hoping I can find away of not letting it slip away even more.  I am getting emotionally drained too fast and too often lately.  Anyone out there have advice?  I am willing to listen.