Finals, 5 Down 1 to Go

Finals. F*%k I never actually learned this $h*t.

But I did, for the most part. I know what is going on. Yes I review and study, and spend hours memorizing flash cards, but I know a lot of what is going on. I actually have some sort of a clue. Most of the time. I've finished each exam early, which is either a sign I know what is going on, or a sign I'm clueless, I'll find out in January.

Its crazy. So much stuff to study, so many things to learn. Torts is all that I have left. I have about NO motivation left to study. And it is closed book, Multiple Choice, Short Answer, and Essay. Egh. But it should be okay. Test isn't until Wednesday, I know most of the flash cards, it is just remembering all the steps to the Negligence claims.

Basic Legal Research- difficult, but went ok. I think I nailed it.

Legal Writing- Time crunch, crazy hard, never dreamt a test could put so much info into one exam. It was a good precursor to the big four exams.

Property- went well. Essay and multiple choice and short answer. Got done early, and did not exceed the word limit... I wonder about it, I felt good when it was done though.

Contracts- made me feel like I got punched in the stomach. Got done early, figured I couldn't think of anything else. I hope I made all the needed arguments. The test was intense. 3 Essay Questions.

Civil Pro- made we want to cry. 100 multiple choice questions. About 1/4 of the way through I wanted to be done. It was so difficult. I wanted to curl up in a little ball and just cry.

Torts- yet to be taken. Closed book. Intentional, Negligence, Defenses, Evidence (overview) should be horrible, hopefully doable.

Getting ready to move on Thurs/Fri/Sat. Hopefully. Money fell through and I've been forced to come up with $1200 in a short amount of time. Hopefully one of my family members/ family friends is able to help me out.

Wish me luck to make it through this week. I'm going to need it.

On another note, Rest In Peace to the victims in Connecticut. You will not be forgotten. Senseless horror. The law student in me cannot help but wonder who will be sued and for what. The families deserve some money, but I don't know where it will come from. I feel morbid wondering about it, but that is where my brain is at right now. Lots of love to all the families.

Studying= Student + Dying

I've been studying. A lot. I gave up trying to study in my loud as hell apartment. So I went home. Mom and my sister have been great helping me study, reading flash cards and letting me take over the kitchen table. (Literally take over).

Its going good. I feel like I should be doing more, learning something else but I don't know what. I'm focusing on Property and Contracts right now. Once Contracts is done my focus will shift to Civil Pro and Torts, or maybe once Property is done I'll do Contracts and Civ Pro... that is probably more likely.

Dolly dog and I have had an eventful day. We walked to the auto shop to get moms car (she got a flat so she took my car to work). Then I went to lunch with a sorority sister. I have since been studying. Outlining, tabbing, flash cards, memorizing.

I feel like I know it. But I've had that feeling before and been SO VERY wrong. Sigh.

I have to go back to DeKalb tomorrow for a Property review. Then I have my property test on Thursday at 1pm. I'll finish the test probably around 4:30 and then drive up to mom's to continue studying. It's just easier here. Less distraction, no screaming girls, no fire alarms. Its nice.

Mom is going to be home in 2 hours. I'd like to spend the evening with her not doing Property studying. Perhaps I can swing it. If I get back to the books.

I hope I know more than I feel like I know. Its like in my head I know what is going on. But there is a problem getting that info out in a timely manner. And I need to make my brain connect the dots faster- but I'm not sure how to do that. I'll just have to figure it out.

Thanks to the amazing Kappa Delta ladies who have been so supportive, especially Mo. And thanks to Mom and Katie for helping me, understanding, and well putting up with my madness. Hopefully this side of 5 years I'll be well off with an amazing job. :)

As Classes End

I had my last Torts class this morning. And I have my last Property class this afternoon. Tomorrow I have Contracts and Civil Procedure (which continue into next semester). My torts professor ended class in a unique way. She read us her Tort's professor's words of wisdom... They had to do with keeping your moral balance. Not neglecting those you love and not deviating from your beliefs. I know I am neglecting my mom, siblings, boyfriend, friends right now. Yesterday was my birthday. A friend surprised me with a little cake. :) (I did the family boyfriend stuff over Thanksgiving break). Anyway my friend and I proceeded to review Property while eating hamburger helper and cake. Then I sat down and worked for 5 (ish) hours to complete my Property outline. So much homework on a  day when I'm supposed to be with the ones I love. I talked to my mom for a while, but she said I was being very negative and so she had to go. I felt bad. But at the same time I don't know how to be positive right now. I'm going to be a Bitch for the next 3.5 weeks. Its sad, and shitty, and I'm not going to have a life, but I have exams. Then I think about what my Torts professor read to us... I'm not ok with neglecting those I love. They understand to some extent that I am really stressed... but nobody but a law student can fully understand how stressful exams are. I have always relied on those few "oh she always asks questions, pays attention, is prepared for class" points. Those don't exist in law school to  a large extent. My professors grade blind and most (if not all) do not even know what grade they gave you. The secretaries match up the exam numbers with the people. How sucky is that? I was a great student all semester but I won't get any fluff points? boo.

On the exam prep end I was able to condense 175 typed pages of notes into a 27 page outline last night. As my property exam comes closer I will thin that outline and memorize key things to help me issue spot. I am working on my contracts outline today. 165 pages of notes. Think about under grad, or high school. Did you EVER take that many pages of notes in one semester? And I'm not talking furiously writing for the entire class period. This is just the important stuff from class, my own personal case briefs, and discussions on those cases. Its crazy intimidating. But now that I've done the property one I'm sure the other ones will be doable.

Well that is enough of a lunch break. Back to outlining for contracts. And preparing for my legal writing timed writing exam today at 2. Wish me Luck! I'll need it :)

Last Week

Today began the last week of classes. What follows is 3 weeks of final exams. The 1Ls have the good fortune to have 4 days between each exam. Thank God for that.

I don't know whether to be scared stiff or excited. So I'm feeling a mixture of both. I'm basically done with the reading for the rest of the week, and therefore the rest of the semester. Which is a happy feeling.

I have outlines started ish half done ish for all of my classes. Which is good. Actually not really good. More like depressing as hell. But whatevs.

I finished taking a semesters worth of online Barbri Civil Procedure courses. I now have a clue what a regular professor would test for. However, that does not apply to my Civ Pro professor... so I have no clue what to do with that class.

In addition I sent an email to my landlord here in hell explaining that if any raging parties occur during finals I will call the police. Which is a fast way to make studying easier. But it does make me feel even more like a hermit in my cave.

Now it is back to homework,


The end is in sight.

7 days of class

7 Days of Class. That is all that stands between me and 3 weeks of finals.

I spent several hours in the law library yesterday proof reading, adding sources, and proofing some more. I was then able to hand in Memo II!!! Which is pretty exciting. :) It constitutes over half of my grade. I'll be ecstatic if I get a B, content with a C. I've come to the conclusion that being average amongst law students means you are still pretty smart. So I'm ok with average. Although I prefer to be ahead of the curve.

This week constitutes 2 days of class and then a 5 day weekend. I'm so thankful for this Thanksgiving break. I'm going to crank out some Barbri Civil Pro classes and try to get some Property outlining, and Civil Pro flow charting done. Not exactly "a break" but it will be nice to be with my family and boyfriend. And my puppies!

Another note. As anyone who has gotten as far as high school is well aware, teachers try to cram in info over the last weeks of class. Well in law school they take this to a new level. My torts prof who at times can take 2-3 days on one assignment gave us 2 assignments for Monday, totaling 30 ish pages. All on damages.. So the cases aren't that "cool" or "fun" to read. It is statistics, and math, and present value.... and I decided not to be a business major for a reason...

I have now developed a bit of a stomach bug/head cold. It is so awesome... NOT.

So I'm going to read some more torts, write some briefs... and go to bed early.

Happy 7 days to go!

The Light at the End of the 1LTunnel

Sigh. School. Sigh. Homework. Sigh.

Thanksgiving is one week away.

Classes are done in 15 days, and technically only 8 of those are school days. I have a lot of homework to do between now and then. Most of it I do not want to do. Gagh.

But today I rediscovered the light at the end of the 1L tunnel. It's called summer study abroad in Algen, France. I am so excited. I simply cannot wait for May. There was an info meeting tonight after class. We take 2 three credit classes over the course of six weeks. They are taught by French Law Professors (in English). In addition to the classroom learning we go on fun and educational field trips. We will go to Paris, Bordeaux, and Spain. It is going to be so awesome.

I have one exam done. The next four will be completed over 3 weeks in December. December... so close and yet so far away.

Homework. I talked to my prof. about being grossed out by some of the medical malpractice cases. She said as you get better at it you learn what you can skim over so you don't get so grossed out. So that is an upside.

Sigh. Memo II..... long sigh will it ever be done? Yes it will. By Monday at 8:50am. Monday 4 days. Sigh.

But I need to remember the light at the end of the tunnel.

Hugs Would be Appreciated Today

Wake up. Tired. Monday. ya. not cool. Ah! Go outside, wait for the bus. So Frickin Cold outside. Not ok. Winter coat and hat in mid November... wtf. Ok so in writing it doesn't look that crazy but keep in mind I'm from WI... we wear warm clothes only when it is COLD... but then again I'm always cold so alas.

Class. Ok. Frustrating... but nothing new.

Other law students. Frustrating. A little two faced... which is annoying as hell. I'm both too quiet in social situations too hang out with others and make friends and not smart enough to hang out with certain members of my class... they have their own little elite group... they make fun of others who get confused, talk down to people and slowly edge you out when they realize you aren't as smart as they are. Which is a great way to make me feel. And the thing is I don't have time to make friends with people who aren't law students. It sucks. I'm hoping that I'm wrong... but I'm beginning to doubt this...

Homework. Hell. Nothing new there.

Sorry this post is so grrrr it is just how today has been. yup. grrrr