1L - Part Deux (or Fall Semester)

So, 1.5 weeks from now will find me back in the real beginning of my 1L year. I think of this summer as more of a primer really. A nice quick, intense intro to what the next year is going to be like. But Fall is slowly creeping up on me. Within the past 2 weeks my email has been inundated with book lists, orientation emails (some I get to ignore as a summer starter thank god) and various other offerings reminding me that my blissful weeks of reading a NOVEL and not a CASE, playing Warcraft until late, spending time with the hubster (his semester started tonight) and drooling on myself are coming to an abrupt end.

On one hand, I feel pretty good about the upcoming year because of this summer. I have a handle on what king of studying works for me, what to expect in class, and how much time I should be spending on the reading materials. Thank god for the one thing I have found handiest from my paralegal education, the fact that reading legalese and briefing is second nature to me. It helped tremendously. If you are a 1L reading this, brief the cases for the first few weeks of the semester, then move to book briefing. being able to pull out the important facts from each case is invaluable and saves a lot of time.

On the other hand, I am nervous yet again. This fall is going to be way more intensive then than the summer. More classes, more classmates, more assignments and more activities. That's what gives the most pause. I. Am. Not. A. Joiner. I loathe group activities (unless it is with my friends), hate school related social functions and work best when just left the hell alone. But I am trying to change that in law school, especially since I plan on being a solo. I need to be able to network and *deathly, strangling, choking noises* ask for help/advice (can you tell I HATE asking for help, lol). So, here I am, forcing myself out of the shell I live in, trying to become social.

The other hurdle to me getting involved is my hour commute to school and the fact that my hubster is also working and going to school full time. Between his job, my 1L year, his full time school schedule and everything else in life (hell just us having a life that involves each other and our friends) something has to give, and I fear it will be deep involvement in law school except for any law journals I might (and that's a big freaking might) get invited to and one student group I have planned to join for 2 years. Part of me is totally fine with that sacrifice (she is usually sitting in the back of my head, smoking cigarettes and threatening anyone who comes to close with a sharp pointy stick) but the other half hopes I am not missing out on something because of it.

I guess I will just have to play it by ear, say hi to a few people now and again, and put one foot in front of the other. I would love to know how involved the other Non-Trads got and how it effected them later if anyone would like to share.