Hello May 2011 Graduates. I want to discuss a few things that you can do now, in March, to prepare for May and the beginning of bar preparation. A friend, who had entered law school several years before me, told me that, as a student, there is "always a fire to put out." He said it in a matter-of-fact kind of way, but I knew what he meant. His statement also implied that the law student must use time efficiently, because there are more projects to do than there is time in the day. So, how efficient can you be with your time now, so that you do not eat up precious bar preparation time, later?
The following suggestions may seem mundane to you. Some of the suggestions may not actually apply to you. However, try to reflect on the things you have to do in your own life, that will help to ease you into bar preparation.
1. Cars: get the oil changed, the brakes and rotors checked; replaced cracked or missing windows, or anything that you know your car will need over the next eight (8) weeks. Do not place yourself in a position where you are unnecessarily answering multiple choice questions, while waiting at a garage for your car. If you need tires and you have money for them, change the tires. If you need tires and you do not have money for new ones, determine which relative you will ask to help you solve this problem. If you need four (4) tires, ask four (4) different relatives for some assistance.
2. Health: get to the doctor; get a "check-up." If you have something going on, get it looked at; now. Do not place yourself in the untenantable position of, again, circling multiple choice questions while you wait for hours in a doctor's office for something you could have taken care of before graduation. Take care of it now.
3. Dentist: Ditto for the dentist. I know. Going to the dentist is like taking a car in for a tune-up. The intent was to spend $300.00, but somehow $1,200.00 is falling out of your pocket into the dentist's hands. It is still good to know what you have to do and when you have to do it as it relates to dental work. NO ONE wants a toothache and bar preparation at the same time. You want to know if you will need more than a cleanings. You would rather know in order to plan accordingly.
4. Moving: I'm awestruck at the number of people that decide to move in May and take three weeks to get the job done. Excuse me. You don't have three weeks to pack and unpack, and unpack some more - - and go to bar prep. Especially, not in May. If you must move, grab a box on your way home (until you have a sufficient number) and a couple of times a week, pack something. Or, throw away something. You will hit yourself on the head once you realize that you blew your bar examination because you were not packed, or did not have a plan (P-L-A-N) to move. Keep in mind the word, efficiency. What can you do now to make May much, much easier? Do you have to move right now? Can you study in place "a," take the bar examination in place "b," then return to place "a" and move to the place where you plan to work, live, or do business?
5. Accounts: bank accounts, gym memberships, netflix, peapod (grocery store delivery), etc. You need to know the penalties, if any, related to any changes, cancellations, and/or how to pay for something when service is interrupted.
6. Facebook/Social Networks: It may be wise to establish a social network for your profession as a lawyer. This is not a suggestion to advertise yourself (purporting to be a lawyer = unethical). This is about creating a page that reflects your new stage in life. Do it before you graduate - a good photo, with proper attorney-related clothing, will go a long way. You do not know who is looking for, or, at you (right now). Just something to think about.
7. Professors/Staff, etc. Please be certain that you write a note, or leave a business card for the people that have helped you through this process. I am not talking about family and friends (yet). Contact that first-year professor that made the connection for you, say on the "rule against perpetuities," or the professor that explained the difference between implead and interplead. Contact the security guard who let you stay in the library an extra 30 minutes, and give that person a thank you note. Contact the person in the cafeteria who let you eat free during the first week of school because your "loan money" had not come in yet. I want you to thank the environmental service person who handed you tissue when she found you crying your eyes out in the restroom. If you were ever sick, you owe that person two notes.
8. Administrative Staff: the paper pushers in law schools (anywhere, really) are often forgotten, except when someone wants something. Of course, someone wants something, all of the time. A thank you note will go a long way. It is just not that difficult to give someone a thank you note. The key is to buy the notes now, and write your thoughts out, and give it to the people that matter to you after finals.
9. Reading Glasses: you may need reading glasses this summer. You will be doing a lot of it. This is a "just in case," moment.
10. Law School Services: Whatever the law school offers you as a student, learn whether that service is available for you during the summer, while you are studying for the bar exam. If the law school has a gymnasium, and it is included in your school's fees, then you need to know whether the gym is available to you during the summer. Or, is your access to the gym cut off when you hear the words, "introducing the class of 2011." How does the library work for you? Full access? Yes/No? Does your school have a "former student, taking the bar exam in July," discount at the cafeteria?
Learn about these things so that you can ADJUST accordingly. This is the word that I want you to stick in your back pocket until the end of July 2011. Adjust. You will have to learn how to adjust, and how to do so quickly. Everything you do in preparation for the bar will depend on how you act, react, and adjust.
When I return, I will write to the first- and second- year students regarding mid-March and preparing for final exams. I will follow that post with a 3L, "What to bring to the party, post."
Thank you,
Prof. Smith
No comments:
Post a Comment