Debunking A Law School Myth

Before I started law school, I was flooded with horror stories about what I should expect on the day-to-day. What horrified me the most out of everything I heard wasn’t cold calling or the law school exam, but that my classes would be immensely, arguably unbelievably, competitive. I heard from countless people that my classmates would be waiting to watch me fail. I was told stories about students refusing to share their notes, for instance, with people who had missed class because they were sick just because they didn’t want to give their classmates any sort of perceived advantage.

It’s true, the curve is scary and you are competing with those around you. However, in the short time I’ve been a law student, I’ve learned that the environment isn’t as cutthroat as I was told it would be. In fact, my classmates are always looking out for one another. The curve doesn’t keep us from helping each other when we need it. As an evening student, I’ve also noticed that my classmates are very understanding. We’re all working at least part time jobs and some of my classmates have families to take care of on top of their work and school commitments and everyone in my class is sympathetic to that. We’re sympathetic if someone has fallen behind on an assignment, didn’t have time to review before class, or doesn’t understand a concept. I’ve seen my classmates come together time and time again to try to help others who might otherwise fall behind and not be able to catch up.

For me, this is the biggest and most important myth about law school that I’m happy to debunk. Law school isn’t the scary, competitive, lonely place that I was told it would be. Instead, my section is a welcoming, understanding, and supportive community.