New Semester Resolution

So with the new semester starting today, I started reviewing some resolutions in my mind. Even though I felt like I did good my first semester, I am definitely willing to try a change. Also, I really am down for the whole self improvement sort of deal (ok, I am like a self help addict half the time).

I divided my resolutions into different categories. Each resolution highlights what I want to improve the most.

Academic Resolutions
1. Read smarter. Last semester I got really good at reading. And by good, I mean I am able to read ridiculously fast. I always used to read fast though, so It was only a matter of time before I got good at reading the boring crap. Now I want to be able to question what I am reading as I read it, and make connections that I may have over looked by only reading.
2. Be more confident. Not a gunner (although if you ever raise your hand, ever, or even just nod your head, you risk being branded a gunner, so take the term as you will), but I want to be certain of myself when I speak and when I prep for exams.
3. Review my notes and semi outline after class. I actually did that today. It was a fun fusion of book, lecture, and my thoughts on the issue. I think it should help prepare for finals.
Enter into a writing competition. I am not sure if this is in the right section. It does sound cool though.

Professional Development
1. Have interactions with lawyers in the field I want to go in. So I was assigned a mentor. I wrote to him and I am waiting to hear back. Ummm… It doesn’t hurt to have more interactions though.
2. Get a summer internship. For the awesome experience. Paid would be preferable. (A broke law student has got to eat!)
3. Be up on my current events in the field I want to go into. Sadly, I've been sort of in the dark about those, and about most other things. Unless it happened in the library, there is a good chance that I am unaware about it. But, I did know about the bird that flew in here in November.

Personal (along the law school variety)
1. Be nice to everyone. Pretty straight forward there. This also includes the "don’t talk shit behind people's backs" clause. They always find out. Also, bad karma.
2. Bring my own lunch and make it tasty. I brought peanut butter sandwiches almost every day last semester. At the end I rebelled. In order to save my cash, I will cook extra at dinner and pack it in a tupperware to eat for lunch.
3. Don't dress like a damn slob. Harking back to my post about keeping law school classy, I plan on dressing like I want to be a damn lawyer, or at least like I am worth the five minutes talking to.

A Corporette Gem

Here is an awesome posting about what to wear for summer internships for the ladies. I couldn't have put it better myself.

http://corporette.com/2009/04/06/building-your-wardrobe-for-the-summer-internship/

There are two additions though:
1. If you have anything remotely associated with hips, DON'T buy a pencil skirt. Go for an A-line skirt. Far, far more flattering.
2. Loehman's is a great place for discount designer (read- high quality) suits for a low low price. I just grabbed a Tahari interview suit there yesterday.

The L's First Interview

Let me first clarify, when I say first interview, I mean my first clerkship interview. My jump into the legal interview world have begun!

The Application Process
I applied to this group via my school’s job listing website. It was something that really spoke to my background. I also researched the place online. Nothing screams unprofessional more than an interviewee that shows up nothing nothing about the place.

Dressing the Part
I spent the better part of my morning figuring out what to wear. My problem is that I really don’t own anything that I would call “interview appropriate,” nor was I able to go out this weekend and get something. I paired a black skirt with a pink blouse and a black jacket that really didn’t match. Thank God I was sitting at a table, therefore no one saw that mega failure.
After Christmas I am heading straight to Filine’s, with these tips in hand.

The Interview
Well, I feel like it went well. The trick is to think about what the interviewer may ask. If you are interviewing at an environmental group, you should figure out what your stance on the issues are. Like right now, what do you think of Copenhagen? Ok, good. The next step, make sure your views are in line with the people you are interviewing with (especially in DC, where no one is nonpartisan).

Almost time for finals

So first I'll address the "Make Law School Classy" Campaign:
I will call it a success. I started by posting to my Facebook feed and telling everyone what I was doing. It got a fair amount of attention from my friends and I even got a follower. The campaign lasted a week, then Thanksgiving week struck and finals preparation got fully underway. Apparently I am able to dress decently until stress hits.

Are finals stressful though? They are and they aren't. I have 3 exams this semester- contracts, torts, and econ. How do I feel? I don't know. Maybe that is a good thing because I am not wasting my energy on stress, instead I'll be ready for exams. Maybe it is a bad thing because I am not realizing what I do and don't know. That is the problem, I just don't know, and I won't know until exams come back in January.

I have been preparing though. I've done CALI lessons (an online law school quiz site) for torts. I've been going through my contracts book and doing the "Problems" tucked away in the notes sections of my contracts book. I've been doing econ questions at the end of each chapter and the questions on my professor's blog (yes, my econ teacher has a class blog. It took me a while to get used to, but I dig it now.) Also, I am feeding the superstitious side of me by getting my karma fix and counting all the goods and bads that've been happening lately. Really, what it all comes down to is karma, right?

The Quest to Make Law School a Classier Place

Law school should be a classy sort of place (no pun intended). It is a place where we are all on our quest to become the keepers of law and order in society, which is no easy task. It is a task that I believe is due from respect and reverence.

It is not a place that deserves gross, nasty, sweatpants (or even those over-priced cute ones you convinced yourself that it is OK to wear them in public.)

This sweat pants epidemic that is taking over law school needs to be squashed, so I started the classy campaign. I am not talking about wearing suits everyday, in fact, I am wearing jeans as we speak. I am talking about the notion of putting a little thought into my wardrobe and letting everyone that seems me know that I care enough about law school to get out of bed five minutes earlier to actually button my shirt. While you shouldn't judge others based on what they are wearing, I bet others (law professors who write recommendations) will be judging you based on your clothes. Let them remember you as the person who dresses like they care.

Will you be classy with me?

Initiation and Shoes

Last night was the Phi Alpha Delta initiation at the Supreme Court. When I say the "Supreme Court" I mean the building that houses the highest court in the United States of America. Just being there was really really freaking cool. All the chapters from the DC metro where there, but I really didn't get a chance to meet anyone outside our chapter, except for the guy who I guess I'll call for MC for the evening. Here is how it all went down.

We boarded the metro on our way there. Walked up to the front of the building, where all the chapters gathered in front for a chapter picture. After that we headed around the side of the building to the entrance (note about all gov. buildings, you'll never go in the front door.) After a security scan, we lined up in alpha-order (and amorphously globbed about like a bunch of school children) and were lead up to the main hall. It was a grandiose hall. High ceilings, intricate designs, and to our left, THE courtroom. A lot of speeches, some clapping later, a little oath action and BOOM- initiated. All and all, pretty damn cool. I say this a lot to my friends and family (and strangers); going to law school in DC is one of the coolest experiences ever.

Then we all went to the happy hour. (BTW, I do NOT recommend Capital City Brewery for any event. Their catering blows.)

Out of all the pomp and circumstance from the evening I learned something really important- wear really comfortable shoes for this kind of stuff. I was on my feet for three hours straight. Let me rephrase- I was on my 3 inch, half size too large, heels for 3 hours. Buy good shoes! I think I would not have any issue if it were not for the fact that they were too large, but now half my right foot is wrapped up and I am walking with a limp. Next time I will most certainly pony up the cash (that I don't have) to get proper fitting shoes.