Back to the Grind

By Yungmoon, 2E

The start of classes means the start of getting to see my old comrades again.  We became very close in the evening division due to our small (or shall I say... elite) class of 42 and also because we survived some very tiring nights of class together.  So, it was great to see everyone and share stories of how we spent our few months of freedom (or limited freedom for those who chose to take summer classes).

Starting 2E was a much more comfortable transition than starting 1E.  I knew how to find my classes and professors online, I knew how to find out which books I needed ahead of time, and I knew where to find assignments for the first day of class.  Beyond logistical issues, I found that I really knew what worked well for me in terms of managing my time and how to read cases.  I even found that I started taking notes in small chunks of outlines.  I hope this will make things easier when going back to outline later in the semester.  

All of that being said, the old law school adage says, "First year they scare you to death, second year they work you to death, and third year they bore you to death."  While I will have to adapt the saying since the evening program runs 3.5 - 4 years, I've found that there has definitely been more work this semester.  Especially because I have been able to continue on at The Center for Conflict Resolution ("CCR"), thanks to a very accommodating work schedule.

Here is what a typical week looks like for me:

M: 10-12pm Criminal Law, 1-5pm work, 6-9pm AppellateAdvocacy
T: 9-1 work, 2-5pm CCR, 6-7:15pm Civil Procedure
W: 10-12pm Criminal Law, 1-5pm work
Th: 9-1 work, 2-5pm CCR, 6-7:15pm Civil Procedure
F: 9-3pm work

It's a more fluid schedule than last year, and I am spending less actual hours in class.  But I also find that once meetings start to kick in for Evening Student Bar Association, I oftentimes find myself at a standstill at random points during the day, wondering where I am supposed to go next.  Luckily, one of my 2E or 1L classmates is usually there to point me in the right direction.