The 1L Elective I Didn’t Choose—But Came To Appreciate

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not!"

When I submitted my First-Year Elective preferences, I ranked Adjudicative Criminal Procedure, Introduction to International Law, and Critical Race Theory as my top three choices. I was particularly interested in Adjudicative Criminal Procedure to better understand the criminal legal system as I pursued my interest in post-conviction litigation. However, my legal interests have since shifted toward the intersections of race, class, and disability. After midterm grades were released, I was automatically enrolled in Privacy Torts.

For any future lawyer who is already questioning their place in legal spaces, being assigned a course outside their preferences might feel like a setback. Initially, I struggled with the idea of telling others I was taking Privacy Torts instead of my first choice. But I quickly realized that my performance on two exams— one in a course I had prior exam experience in and another where I was sitting for an exam for the first time—does not define my potential as a law student or my future success as an attorney.

Receiving my spring schedule was a wake-up call: I needed to prioritize my mental health—not just to succeed in law school, but for my overall well-being.

The summer before law school, I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety, a condition I suspect I’ve had since childhood. Because I wasn’t experiencing frequent panic attacks or extreme symptoms during the semester, I convinced myself I was “okay.” I rationalized skipping my medication occasionally, telling myself those few seconds were better spent preparing for class. That mindset backfired the day before my Torts exam, when I had my first panic attack in years.

Since then, I’ve carved out time for myself, including therapy, beyond my law school obligations. As a result, I feel better both mentally and academically. I’ve also unexpectedly enjoyed my Privacy Torts class—learning about torts I might not have otherwise explored, like whether there’s legal recourse if someone takes and publishes your photo without consent.

I’ve found both the content and community in this course to be hugely beneficial in my final semester of 1L. If you want to reap this benefit before even starting law school, remember this: A “perfect” 1L year looks different for everyone, and your idea of it may evolve—but don’t be too hard on yourself. This profession will be tough enough on you as it is.

TOPICS: 1L