So when does the boring part begin?

[Author's Note: This is actually a post that I wrote for Life at Law, a blog hosted by the University of Oregon Admissions Office. I'm one of the student bloggers that they actually pay to blog from time to time. I usually use a lot of random links to photos in those postings, so you'll probably recognize that in this post.]

You’ve probably heard the old adage about law school:
“The first year they scare you to death, the second year they work you to death, and the third year they bore you to death.” Now, the purpose of this post isn’t to analyze the accuracy of the first and second year characterizations, but I’m really wondering when the “bore you to death” part is going to kick in. If nothing else, I feel like I’m working harder than ever.

Part of this is that I’m taking a pretty heavy load of classes. I would prefer to take a lighter load, but I’m quickly realizing that there are too many classes I want to take and not enough time to take all of them (this is a realization that would’ve been helpful when I registered for my second-year classes). There are a few classes that they highly recommend you take in preparation for the bar exam. In other words, you shouldn’t save them for your Barbri bar prep class. These include classes like Fed Tax, Trusts and Estates, Admin Law, Commercial Law, Criminal Investigation, etc…The problem is that these classes, while tremendously important, aren’t nearly as interesting to me. I would prefer to take those seminar classes that tend to be smaller in size and have a more discreet focus. Alas, there just isn’t enough time to take the interesting seminar classes and the necessary “bar classes.” This semester I’m taking Commercial Law, Fed Tax, Mergers & Acquisitions, and White Collar Crime. It could be argued that M & A is a seminar-type class, but it’s an area of business law I’m really interested in. White Collar Crime definitely isn’t a bar class, but it is taught by one of the attorneys I work for and it is one of the most popular classes at the school. After two weeks of class, I can see why my classmates have spoken so highly of it. I’m also trying to take a heavier load this fall so that I can take it easy this spring. I’m anticipating a lot of other distractions this spring – I have to sell my house, I’d like to help coach my son’s baseball team, and there is this small pop quiz called the bar exam that will be looming.

Another reason why I’m feeling harried is that I have had a lot of journal stuff going on. There are definitely pros and cons of journal membership, but overall it has been a really positive experience for me. The past few weeks I’ve had to organize our new-member orientation. Once that was over, I had to sign 978 letters and stuff them into envelopes. The letter invited formal journal members to a reception we’re hosting in a few weeks.

And there is that challenging process of looking for a job. I won’t describe all of the intricacies of writing cover letters, submitting resumes, etc…but suffice it to say that it takes a lot of time.

At this rate, I’ll be glad when I start to feel bored.