Are any of you unhappy? Forum

[kalvano]

I see law school as a trade school in the sense that it's a means to an end (employment as a lawyer). Nothing more, nothing less.

I think law school sucks (it's boring and repetitive), but it doesn't make me unhappy. I can understand being unhappy about employment situations, but if law school makes you unhappy then I think you're doing it wrong. Then again I'm a cynic who doesn't understand why people try to find happiness in a job.

I find most of my unhappiness in law school stems from how little it has to do with the actual practice of law, and how poorly it prepares you to do that.

[bk1]

I find most of my unhappiness in law school stems from how little it has to do with the actual practice of law, and how poorly it prepares you to do that.

I knew and expected that going in and saw it is an immutable fact not worth bothering myself over, though my tune might change as a 3L once I've had a couple extra semesters of law school breaking me down.

[kalvano]

I find most of my unhappiness in law school stems from how little it has to do with the actual practice of law, and how poorly it prepares you to do that.

I knew and expected that going in and saw it is an immutable fact not worth bothering myself over, though my tune might change as a 3L once I've had a couple extra semesters of law school breaking me down.

Ah, that's it. I've already had my summer of real legal work, and that makes 3L all the more unbearable.

[FlanAl]

I see law school as a trade school in the sense that it's a means to an end (employment as a lawyer). Nothing more, nothing less.

I think law school sucks (it's boring and repetitive), but it doesn't make me unhappy. I can understand being unhappy about employment situations, but if law school makes you unhappy then I think you're doing it wrong. Then again I'm a cynic who doesn't understand why people try to find happiness in a job.

I find most of my unhappiness in law school stems from how little it has to do with the actual practice of law, and how poorly it prepares you to do that.

This combined with the high school aspect of it for me is why I don't see it like a trade school.

[rouser]

alcohol [abuse] and [attempt to get] undergrads.

standard

This shit is absolutely horrible and not as intellectual as people imagine it to be.

the neck pain is getting to me more than anything. not sure how you can say it isn't intellectual enough though. would like to hear.

[Blessedassurance]

the neck pain is getting to me more than anything. not sure how you can say it isn't intellectual enough though. would like to hear.

What do you find intellectually stimulating about it?

Also, God forbid you find yourself in a class with that obnoxious gunner who either goes on and on with hypotheticals that will never happen and has nothing to do with anything or decides to throw a tantrum because he disagrees with Easterbrook's reasoning. I think law school is pretty cool for like the first four weeks, then it gets tediously boring as hell.

That said, I'm pretty excited about actual practice.

[GATORTIM]

I f'ing hate law school more than anything I've done in my life. The classes, the (majority of) people and the reading are a total waste of time/money.

[northwood]

i hate gunners. with a passion. they make it even worse. unfortunatlly, im stuck with at least 1 in each of my classes- so this semester officially sucks donkey balls

[20130312]

I'm enjoying law school. Do I have some kind of mental illness?

[JCFindley]

I'm enjoying law school. Do I have some kind of mental illness?

Right there with ya though, after my introduction to the blue book I see a future contention happening......

[Scotusnerd]

Right there with ya though, after my introduction to the blue book I see a future contention happening......

Encyclopedia citing will make you hate the bluebook.

But yes, I'm still enjoying myself. It's much funner than teaching!

[20130312]

I'm enjoying law school. Do I have some kind of mental illness?

Right there with ya though, after my introduction to the blue book I see a future contention happening......

I think the bottom line with Bluebooking is don't get wrapped up in the details. Even my professors don't know all the rules. As long as the judge can find your case, who cares if you italicized a period?

[vanwinkle]

I find most of my unhappiness in law school stems from how little it has to do with the actual practice of law, and how poorly it prepares you to do that.

I knew and expected that going in and saw it is an immutable fact not worth bothering myself over, though my tune might change as a 3L once I've had a couple extra semesters of law school breaking me down.

Ah, that's it. I've already had my summer of real legal work, and that makes 3L all the more unbearable.

This was my experience during 3L. I just felt like law school was a bunch of BS and wanted it to be over (other than my clinic, which was truly challenging).

[$$$$$$]

Not unhappy, maybe just sad that I wasted so much money and time to get a shitty education that is completely worthless and hang out with some of the worst people I have ever met in my life.

[American_in_China]

I'm really enjoying law school. 9 to 5 is plenty of time for me to do all of my reading & 1st level note-taking, I've made a few good friends (people that I legitimately think highly of, not just "friends of necessity"), I use my time at home to work ahead sometimes, sometimes outline, but usually just watch football, play SCII, and kickback a few beers. I've got a girlfriend, but if I didn't, the girls in my class are actually pretty attractive, especially compared to the hell hole that was my undergrad.
Plus, I dig the material. Law school rewards those who thrive on uncertainty and making creative arguments (at least mine does). I took a look at some practice exams last week, and all of the issue spotters are basically in complete gray areas- the profs make it pretty clear that knowledge of "the rule" will not even get you to median (though it is necessary). What matters is how creative and logical your arguments are, and well you can use precedent to that end. Not claiming to be great at that or anything, but I do like it.
It does help my stress level that I have substantial contacts in a pretty strong secondary market (that I would love to go back to), so I don't have to worry as much about 1L summer work, and I only need to finish above median to essentially be guaranteed an associate position in that market. Definitely takes the edge off.

I really don't understand the complaints about it being like highschool. Maybe my school is just different. Maybe it's because I have a serious girlfriend and when I go out it's to play pool or watch football. I just think of law school as a job- work comes first, and as long as I have a few good friends, I could care less about socializing with everyone else.

[Lacepiece23]

I'm really enjoying law school. 9 to 5 is plenty of time for me to do all of my reading & 1st level note-taking, I've made a few good friends (people that I legitimately think highly of, not just "friends of necessity"), I use my time at home to work ahead sometimes, sometimes outline, but usually just watch football, play SCII, and kickback a few beers. I've got a girlfriend, but if I didn't, the girls in my class are actually pretty attractive, especially compared to the hell hole that was my undergrad.
Plus, I dig the material. Law school rewards those who thrive on uncertainty and making creative arguments (at least mine does). I took a look at some practice exams last week, and all of the issue spotters are basically in complete gray areas- the profs make it pretty clear that knowledge of "the rule" will not even get you to median (though it is necessary). What matters is how creative and logical your arguments are, and well you can use precedent to that end. Not claiming to be great at that or anything, but I do like it.
It does help my stress level that I have substantial contacts in a pretty strong secondary market (that I would love to go back to), so I don't have to worry as much about 1L summer work, and I only need to finish above median to essentially be guaranteed an associate position in that market. Definitely takes the edge off.

I really don't understand the complaints about it being like highschool. Maybe my school is just different. Maybe it's because I have a serious girlfriend and when I go out it's to play pool or watch football. I just think of law school as a job- work comes first, and as long as I have a few good friends, I could care less about socializing with everyone else.

You sound like my clone. Except I usually wake up at 6 and go to 3. Go to the gym and have my day completely wrapped up by 5 unless I feel like doing extra. Also a big SCII player, have a girlfriend, the girls in my undergrad looked like dog shit, and spend a lot of time kicking back brews and watching football. Feel the exact same about the material as well.

[nygrrrl]

Then again I'm a cynic who doesn't understand why people try to find happiness in a job.

Yeah, you and I go back and forth on this. I guess I've just been very lucky to find gainful employment doing things I love. Not the norm for sure, but nice when it works out that way.

[IAFG]

Then again I'm a cynic who doesn't understand why people try to find happiness in a job.

Yeah, you and I go back and forth on this. I guess I've just been very lucky to find gainful employment doing things I love. Not the norm for sure, but nice when it works out that way.

I dunno. I think some people are more capable of finding happiness in their work than others.

[Peg]

I kind of hate law school, despite occasionally enjoying it. If that makes sense. I hate law school despite having a job lined up. I think the people here are assholes, even though I've made a few genuine friends.

I hate the high school atmosphere, with gossip and the "cool kids" club and RIDICULOUS drama that tends to go on among my classmates. I hate the alcoholism and the sense of desperation behind it. I'm confused (and sometimes amused) by the way some people just blankly stare through you when you greet them or even just acknowledge them with a smile - and I'm not the only one who has experienced this either. And god help you if you didn't make friends with everyone during your 1L year, because they're not going to be receptive to you afterwards.

On the other hand, my work is interesting. I have the job I always dreamed of waiting for me, and I hope I won't be a bitter, disillusioned, resentful Biglaw alcoholic in a few years. I probably will be. I think the best solution is to live as cheaply as possible, pay down my loans aggressively, and save even more aggressively. Then after 5 years I can flee Biglaw and work for a human rights group or some other non-profit, and finally be happy.

Reading over this post, it sounds like going to law school was a great decision.

[bk1]

Then again I'm a cynic who doesn't understand why people try to find happiness in a job.

Yeah, you and I go back and forth on this. I guess I've just been very lucky to find gainful employment doing things I love. Not the norm for sure, but nice when it works out that way.

I dunno. I think some people are more capable of finding happiness in their work than others.

I agree with both of these things. As you point out nyg, you're probably not the norm. I think it's nice when it happens but it is to the average person's detriment if they think they can find happiness in a job and attempt to find their "true calling" because it will lead them to feeling unfulfilled.

[The Valkyrie]

I'm unhappy.

[20130312]

I'm unhappy.

I'm happy that you're unhappy.

[The Valkyrie]

[shock259]

Ups and downs. Some of the stuff I've learned in law school is genuinely interesting. Most of it isn't. I'm fortunate enough to have a 2L SA, so that's awesome. I still have no idea if I will actually be happy as a practicing attorney (whether in biglaw or elsewhere).

[The Valkyrie]

academically, i actually kind of loved law school. I had worked in law firms before attending so I kind of already knew a lot of the practical aspects of lawyering, and I liked talking about theory and the more conceptual stuff. plus i had this one professor who was fiiiiiiine