Outlining time! Outlines are my favorite. They make me feel organized. I like making colorful graphs, and using SmartArt (thank you Microsoft word). I also hate it, because I realize it is time for me to get serious and I start stressing myself out. Maybe start isn't the proper word, since I am always stressed. Start stressing myself out about finals, maybe that is more correct.
Let's talk about stress. Stress and law school go hand in hand. We always make jokes that everyone in law school is type A. That we all have anxiety disorders and a need to please. It's a joke, but somewhat true. Not every law student is this way, there are some laid back ones out there, but for the most part, we are pretty high strung. While this can work to my advantage (making me study harder, work longer, do more) it can also be a hindrance. I have had my breakdowns of feeling like I can't do it. Another issue is I tend to take on other people's stress. Other people's issues make me anxious and worried. I need to take a step back and realize I can't fix people and I can't fight their battles. I will always be there for a friend, but I can't let myself get sucked in. Easier said than done.
So, I'm going to take all this stress (mine and other's) and use it for good. Use it to power through my outlines, use it to get my homework done, and try not to let it take over. Good luck fellow studiers!
P.S.-I forgot to mention, I am now the "special projects" editor for law review! It is actually the perfect fit for me and I am super excited to take it all on. I am also super excited to work beside my friend Paige who is Editor-in-Chief (EIC). She is a VERY hard worker and it has already partially consumed her life, so I am glad to be a part of it. ;)
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
"I'll make you popular"
Not really, I don't know how to be popular. I accepted a long time ago that I am not a popular person, but I like me, so that's okay. I would rather be loved by few for who I am than loved by many for who I am not.
So, this post is about how law school is like high school. This means, sometimes you will find yourself in a popularity contest. Sometimes, your hard work WON'T pay off. It sucks. For me, this came in the form of law review elections. I work pretty dang hard in school. I'm not the HARDEST worker, obviously since I still have a social life, but I am up there. I also genuinely want everyone to succeed.
You see, most law schools are pretty competitive. You hear stories of people ripping pages out of books, hiding outlines, and refusing to share notes. That hasn't been my experience, thank God! I share my outlines and notes. I study with anyone who wants to study with me and I will teach what I know. For law review, I want to make everything easier for the incoming candidates (you are a law review "candidate" until you finish writing your paper. If you don't write your paper or miss deadlines, you may not make it to full fledged member).
So, I wanted to be an editor who worked directly with the candidates, but you have to be "elected." Well, elections are NOT based on merit. As much as I think they should be, they aren't. They are based on popularity. I did not win my election.
So, I threw my self a pity-party. I cried. Yep, cried. All those feelings of being sooo unpopular in high school and always being compared to my prettier, friendlier older sister. I felt like hard work will never get you to the top and life will always be a popularity contest. One I will never win because, I am me. I have very loyal and amazing friends, but I am blunt and can put my foot in my mouth. I am willing to apologize when wrong, but sometimes that is not enough for people (and if you aren't willing to apologize when YOU are wrong too, I just don't want to bother).
The next day, I got over myself, put on my big girl pants and sought out what I can do to be involved in law review. You can always find a way if you work hard enough and want it bad enough. Sure, somethings will be a popularity contest, and you will never fully escape high school. That doesn't mean you need to wallow in it. Sure, let yourself feel bad, but then build a bridge, get over it, and find a way to make things happen!
So, this post is about how law school is like high school. This means, sometimes you will find yourself in a popularity contest. Sometimes, your hard work WON'T pay off. It sucks. For me, this came in the form of law review elections. I work pretty dang hard in school. I'm not the HARDEST worker, obviously since I still have a social life, but I am up there. I also genuinely want everyone to succeed.
You see, most law schools are pretty competitive. You hear stories of people ripping pages out of books, hiding outlines, and refusing to share notes. That hasn't been my experience, thank God! I share my outlines and notes. I study with anyone who wants to study with me and I will teach what I know. For law review, I want to make everything easier for the incoming candidates (you are a law review "candidate" until you finish writing your paper. If you don't write your paper or miss deadlines, you may not make it to full fledged member).
So, I wanted to be an editor who worked directly with the candidates, but you have to be "elected." Well, elections are NOT based on merit. As much as I think they should be, they aren't. They are based on popularity. I did not win my election.
So, I threw my self a pity-party. I cried. Yep, cried. All those feelings of being sooo unpopular in high school and always being compared to my prettier, friendlier older sister. I felt like hard work will never get you to the top and life will always be a popularity contest. One I will never win because, I am me. I have very loyal and amazing friends, but I am blunt and can put my foot in my mouth. I am willing to apologize when wrong, but sometimes that is not enough for people (and if you aren't willing to apologize when YOU are wrong too, I just don't want to bother).
The next day, I got over myself, put on my big girl pants and sought out what I can do to be involved in law review. You can always find a way if you work hard enough and want it bad enough. Sure, somethings will be a popularity contest, and you will never fully escape high school. That doesn't mean you need to wallow in it. Sure, let yourself feel bad, but then build a bridge, get over it, and find a way to make things happen!
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Acceptance
There are a lot of things I would never do in my life. Just because I personally would never do them, doesn't make them wrong. I guess I just don't understand why different gets the label of "bad" or "questionable" (*eye roll*).
I would never have a relationship with a woman. I am not attracted to women. Does this make it wrong? NO! In fact, my Uncles are my shining example of what marriage should be! They have been together for 27 years and are still in love and each other's best friend.
I would never be a stay at home mom. Heck,I am not even sure I ever want to BE A MOM! Does this make it wrong? OF COURSE NOT! I admire women who dedicate themselves to raising our future. Kids need intelligent parents to teach them and nurture them.
So why is it okay for one person to say what is or is not acceptable in another person's love life? As long as there is no abuse (emotional, physical, or sexual)-who are you to judge? No relationship or person is perfect and everyone is going to have struggles and hardships. But unless you are one of the people actually in the relationship, you have no idea what is really going on.
Until we learn to accept differences WITHOUT QUESTION, we will never have equality. Don't YOU want to live in a world where all men are not only created equal, but also treated equal?
I would never have a relationship with a woman. I am not attracted to women. Does this make it wrong? NO! In fact, my Uncles are my shining example of what marriage should be! They have been together for 27 years and are still in love and each other's best friend.
I would never be a stay at home mom. Heck,I am not even sure I ever want to BE A MOM! Does this make it wrong? OF COURSE NOT! I admire women who dedicate themselves to raising our future. Kids need intelligent parents to teach them and nurture them.
So why is it okay for one person to say what is or is not acceptable in another person's love life? As long as there is no abuse (emotional, physical, or sexual)-who are you to judge? No relationship or person is perfect and everyone is going to have struggles and hardships. But unless you are one of the people actually in the relationship, you have no idea what is really going on.
Until we learn to accept differences WITHOUT QUESTION, we will never have equality. Don't YOU want to live in a world where all men are not only created equal, but also treated equal?
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