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I can’t explain the experience of every lawyer that has been through the law school but I’ll try to explain mine and tell you what makes the law school really draining and traumatic.
For law school students, I’ll proffer a few solutions here.
#Thread https://twitter.com/mrpossidez/status/1246190043976384514
For law school students, I’ll proffer a few solutions here.
#Thread https://twitter.com/mrpossidez/status/1246190043976384514
We all want good things. We desire the spot light even if it’s once in a life time; we’re not wired to consistently deal with the fear that we may not be intellectually adequate. So, when we leave the Uni, we want to right some wrongs or consolidate on what we already have.
An average law student likes to feel smart. This is where it starts. We come to the law school to prove ourselves; to reassure ourselves that we can aim and hit; to surprise people or at least confirm their beliefs in us.
We get in, we read and read so hard. Most of us.
We get in, we read and read so hard. Most of us.
The first mental hit is when you realize that understanding one topic is not the same as understanding a 100. The more you go into the program, you realize how bulky the work load is and you know you have to learn it all. You also know that one little mistake and then it’s over
If you want a first, with every new stuff you have to read, you imagine if you’re capable of holding onto the entire information so much that you’ll make no mistakes. Most times, very early, we realise that the workload requires us to break our initial reading limits so we try to
But it’s not easy to. You read and you forget it soonest. Before you get to week 10, you can’t seem to remember what week 4 is all about anymore. You keep wondering how everyone before you managed to retain the information. It’s simply hard.
To make it worse, it’s 5 whole courses
To make it worse, it’s 5 whole courses
And to make it further bad for you, there seem to be people to whom it comes easy. They’re everywhere, poking your insecurities and reminding you that you probably are not cut out for this, like them.
What shatters most is an attempt at a question on a topic you have once read
What shatters most is an attempt at a question on a topic you have once read
When you fail such a question, you wonder how you’ll go back to learn everything again, retain them and also retain what is yet to be read. This makes you anxious. But anxiety and wonder will not read the books waiting for you so you have to be strong and continue reading
You hold on to friends, find solace in the fact that you’re not the only one that finds it stressful. You talk to mentors and many tell you that you’ll be fine but it’s never enough.
With the more questions you fail or forget the authorities, you question yourself. You do.
With the more questions you fail or forget the authorities, you question yourself. You do.
You dedicate every damn time to all your books and there’s some relief at some point when you begin to get the hang of it, when you ace some MCQs and it makes sense to you that you’re improving. But all it takes to break your confidence again is to fail one other question.
It’s a lot of emotional back and forth. You avoid people who make you feel you haven’t read, you begin to revisit your goals and ask yourself “Is a 2.1 really too bad?” “I just want to pass the law school”.
This is far into the program when the workload and the fact that you
This is far into the program when the workload and the fact that you
cannot piece all the information together, begins to overwhelm.
Very close to the exams, people begin to cry. The friend you have been sharing solidarity with has scurried off to read alone; everyone has to be strong now; everyone fires on solo and many people now seem to get it
Very close to the exams, people begin to cry. The friend you have been sharing solidarity with has scurried off to read alone; everyone has to be strong now; everyone fires on solo and many people now seem to get it
You act like you know it all already but somehow you still wonder if people are not leaving you behind in this race.
This is when you face the past questions and fire out all the schemes. It gives you an idea what to face and then you’re a bit relieved. At this point, the next
This is when you face the past questions and fire out all the schemes. It gives you an idea what to face and then you’re a bit relieved. At this point, the next
worry is whether you can achieve your goal. You’re quite certain you can take on the exam, but the thought of making one mistake and losing out despite all the work you’ve put into it, breaks you down sometimes.
At this stage of seeming readiness, one wrong answer you give to a
At this stage of seeming readiness, one wrong answer you give to a
question can bring you to tears immediately. Everything rushes in your head.
The worst part of any intellectual rigour is being confused as to whether to give up or continue trying. It’s frustrating.
Exam starts and you finally face your fears but after every paper, you feel
The worst part of any intellectual rigour is being confused as to whether to give up or continue trying. It’s frustrating.
Exam starts and you finally face your fears but after every paper, you feel
inadequate somehow. You feel you could have written better and you fear that what you wrote may not be what is needed especially as you’ll hear many things. You feel empty when the exams end and at the same time you feel a strength that you regret not utilizing still.
Until you see your results, you’ll never be completely settled or sane. You think of those who believe in you and regard you and sometimes you want to cry in anticipation of what you fear might be your portion after counting a few errors here and there.
I had to do this thread to make you understand that there is no possible emotion you’d feel that we cannot relate to; we’ve been there. And there’s no emotion you’d feel that persons who got what you dream of, did not feel. I write to assure you that this is not new.
What you feel, that tension, is usual and you’ll overcome it.
I went through all these and came out well. I always told myself this: “PEOPLE WHO ARE FAR LESS INTELLIGENT THAN I AM HAVE ACED THIS, I WILL TOO”.
It became a song song. You should have yours too.
I went through all these and came out well. I always told myself this: “PEOPLE WHO ARE FAR LESS INTELLIGENT THAN I AM HAVE ACED THIS, I WILL TOO”.
It became a song song. You should have yours too.
And whenever you feel down, remember that all the persons you look up to, had their fair share.
You’re not dull, you’re not inadequate, you’re just scared and that is fine. When you get to your elements, never doubt yourself. When it gets hard, always trust your instincts
You’re not dull, you’re not inadequate, you’re just scared and that is fine. When you get to your elements, never doubt yourself. When it gets hard, always trust your instincts
If you have to cry, do so but never leave the law school with the feeling that if you had a second chance, you would have given your best. Give it now and give it once. No matter the outcome you’ll be proud to tell yourself that there’s nothing else another “you”could have done.
Start using your past questions early. Get very familiar with what you’re up against.
Read everything. Or try to. Never assume you have known anything fully. Listen to people, think things through and always forgive yourself when an attempt fails. You’ll be fine.
Read everything. Or try to. Never assume you have known anything fully. Listen to people, think things through and always forgive yourself when an attempt fails. You’ll be fine.
Don’t let this scare you. Everything will be over, soon enough.
