So a good friend of mine who goes to a more prestigious law school than me, wrote about the finals process as a 3L and basically gave the perspective that the 2Ls should be thankful to the 3Ls in their respective classes because they are all taking “dives” for us, thus filling out the bottom of the curve just in time for us 2Ls to pad our grades to make a last ditch run for jobs in the spring or even next fall if we have to.
At first, this gave me hope. I thought, “yeah, that sort of makes sense.” Except then I realized that I have been acting like a 3L since I basically finished 1L, with a brief stop in 2L land during summer school. I enjoyed 13 weeks of relative bliss, followed by a much shorter agony period that will wrap itself up with Evidence this Friday. Sure, I wrote for the school paper, did a couple of tournaments, participated (unsuccessfully) in OCI, made some more friends, yet the most important thing was to get pristine grades. Especially after making a gradual progression each period prior to this from the first semester. This time I am afraid I let my extracurriculars get the better of me. In pivotal classes like criminal law, corporations, and evidence, no less. “I see you did quite well in international law, however your grade in corporations was, frankly, subpar.”
Thus, I feel as though I too am taking yet another dive for my classmates. I get the material. I feel as though I could conduct myself at a cocktail party among corporate cliental. I’m pretty sure I could do well at mock trial with the evidence stuff. I imagine I’d ask for a lawyer immediately if I ever was arrested. I could compose an extradition treaty. However, with one shining exception, I do believe I should be writing letters to my classmates (realizing that most of my classes are still only with fellow 2Ls) saying: “Merry Christmas, you’re welcome,” while making a New Years resolution list that says: outline from week one and never have fun again (I didn’t really go out that much-I still have loan proceeds in my bank account and might not have to camp-out at home the whole break.
Yes, I realize it’s law school. I cling to that time last year when I was convinced beyond a doubt that I had failed Criminal Law only to pull it out miraculously with a respectable grade. However, this was supposed to be the time to kick it into overdrive. Even respectable grades fall a bit short in the eyes of employers. I am, after all, nearly halfway done with school and will need a job.
Okay. Back to the Hemingway persona. Grace under pressure. Nothing is conclusive until February or perhaps March when grades come out. No one get alarmed. I’m not hysterical or anything-I don’t care actually because it’s all virtually over at this point, out of my hands. Just pointing out the facts. I was intrigued by the idea of people taking “dives” for other people. However, show me someone who does not feel they are taking a “dive” for the rest of the class and I’ll show you a fake law student.
-jd
Just in case, anyone who feels like perhaps skipping the last 40% of their grade in Evidence, I would be most appreciative. I took the hit for everyone on the last midterm where grades were through the roof for most people!
