Law School is a marathon, not a sprint. I can't even begin to fathom how many times I have said this to fellow students, parents, incoming 1Ls... Everyone comes out the door super intense, briefing every case assigned, looking up extra cases, reading up on procedural issues that aren't relevant to the course.
Then, at the beginning of October, we tend to see midterms. Everyone pulls it together to learn enough material to do well on their exams. Socializing gets put on hold for a little longer in order to save your grades.
But what about now? In my experience, this is the time when people start to drift off. Midterms are done. Finals are still far enough in the distance not to worry. That magic "Thanksgiving Break" deadline for outlining hasn't hit yet.
On top of that, football is heating up, baseball playoffs are going on, and hockey season begins. College teams are in full swing. People take advantage of the last of the warm weather. The social distractions begin to mount.
And even inside the law school, now tends to be when internships get busy to make up for lost time during midterms, and the next round of applications goes out for jobs and internships next semester. It is time to pick classes for next semester. Moot court tryouts are starting soon.
With all these non-academic distractions, what is a student to do? I guess get up early, go to the library, and keep your nose to the grindstone. I feel like these times are the ones that separate the good students from the great. It is easy to sit and study all day when everyone else at school is too. But perhaps what is more important is how you are able to manage your time when everyone around you is goofing off. Something can be said, in my opinion, for the steady success as opposed to the flashes of brilliance.
Here's to another few months of cases, highlighters, and coffee, my fellow stalwarts!
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