So I know that I just posted about orientation and my first day of law school a few days ago, but those posts were delayed as I have been a bit busy adjusting to life in a new state, town, and school. But as of today, I have made it through two weeks of law school. In some ways, it feels like I have been here for only two hours - everything is so new and I am constantly reacting to all the new sights, sounds, and experiences. At the same time, it feels like I have been doing this for two months already. In a couple of my classes, we are already 100 pages deep into our case books, I have a study schedule figured out, and I am starting to feel settled in my new school. It has definitely been a whirlwind.

Help! I cannot control my emotions!

I am usually someone who is very emotionally stable. I tend to not react to things, and like to pride myself on remaining calm, cool, and collected at all times. That is, until I got to law school. The one thing that does tend to compromise my emotions is stress - and law school is extremely stressful. The first week of law school, I cried *every* *single* *day*. 

No joke. I cried during the main assembly at orientation (nobody saw, thank goodness), I cried driving home from orientation day two, I started crying in the library after my first class, when I got home after the second day, and I started uncontrollably sobbing in my car in the middle of the third day of classes. There were a few minor breakdowns between those episodes as well. These breakdowns were hard for me, because I hate being emotional and vulnerable. However, they were good for me as well. My body needed to release some stress. Sometimes, you just gotta cry.

My last breakdown was so intense, that my mom panicked and bought me a plane ticket to visit home in October to give me something to look forward to. This helped boost my emotions so much, knowing that in only six weeks I get to go see my friends and family. If you are having a hard time emotionally, I recommend giving yourself an anticipated award for mid-semester in order to help motivate you. Whether it be a trip, like mine, or the promise to buy something you really like, or even letting yourself go to Starbucks at the end of the week - it's okay to give yourself some motivation!

You Will Read A LOT

This may seem like "duh" thing to say. Everyone knows you read a lot in law school. But this will start from your very first class. I had to read sixty pages for torts on my first day. And not only is that a lot of pages, but law school reading takes so much longer. I texted one of my friends a few days ago that I only had 18 pages of reading left, so I would probably be done in about an hour and a half. She asked me why in the world it would take me so long to read only 18 pages... *sigh* that's what law school reading is like.

Break it down into 20 minute intervals, and take 5 minute breaks in-between. Or study for hours on end and then let yourself do nothing for an hour or two. Whatever works for you. But just know, it will be a lot, but this is your job now.

Suddenly, socializing seems too hard

After a long day at law school, there is always a group of your classmates getting ready to head to the bars. And then there are the rest of us, who want to go straight home, change into sweatpants, and watch Netflix. Socializing seems like it would be entirely too much work at this point. However, I moved over 1,000 miles away for law school, and I do not know anybody in my new town. So I have tried to force myself to socialize a little bit. I went to a happy hour event where I met with some of my classmates and 2Ls and 3Ls. I've taken breaks from studying to sit in the lounge and hang out with people instead of reading. My roommates and I have gone out to dinner. Although socializing seems hard, it is also very important to try and make friends and adjust to your new school, so do not forget to have a little fun.

You are one step closer to being Elle Woods!

Okay, so this one is a little bit more sentimental than the rest. But over these first two weeks of law school, I have gotten to a point where I have realized that I can do this and that I am one step closer to being the lawyer that I came here to be. Although I am still in the early stages, I am starting to get a handle on this whole law school thing. I'll be a pro in no time! 

Hope everyone else is having an excellent start of the semester and I can't wait to share more experiences with you!

- Bailey.

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  1. Hey,Hope it's going well. I'm glad I found this post because I'm starting Law School in around 2 weeks, and I am terrified!! :o Is it really hard? i'm quite nervous and don't really know what to expect. Thanks for writing this post :)

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    1. Well, it's law school - so expect it to be hard. But don't be nervous, everyone else is just starting out too! Just put in the work, pay attention, and try your best. You will do great! If you need anyone to talk to, do not hesitate to reach out! :) Good luck!

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  2. i just started law school 4 days ago. So far so good but people keep on scaring me with the law is a hard course. Thanks for the post :)

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