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Cannot Read
I'm going to fail all my classes this semester. I seem to have developed an uncanny inability to read for any of my them. It's just not happening. I open books, I look at the pages, I close them again. Repeat. Nothing registers. It's like my brain is a bucket and it's full to the brim with caselaw and rules; I keep trying to pour more in but it just flows right back out and down the drain, so why bother trying to pour at all? Thus, this whole thing ends. The Imbroglio fails out of law school because he can no longer read. There's a poetry to that, don't you think? I have to run now and cringe though another class hoping my name does not pass the professor's lips. What good letters of recommendation? You mean, you have to convince professors you're hardworking and diligent and smart and capable in order to get good letters to get good jobs and clerkships? Damn! Why didn't someone tell me!? Oh yeah, they did. Ugh. The good news: Once I fail every class this semester at least I'll be spared the agony of a third and final year of this. But here's the worst part is: Law school doesn't really suck. A lot of this is very interesting material, but the bucket is just full. Or something. I don't know.Posted April 5, 2005 08:47 AM | 2L
I am one semester behind you, but I feel exactly the same way! I attribute it to attending 3 semesters in a row. I am *so* ready for summer. Neither of us will fail, of course.
Posted by: Denise at April 5, 2005 06:14 PM
i feel the same way
here is a haiku for you
oh gw law school
i hate thee so very much
makes me want to die
Posted by: GW student at April 5, 2005 07:18 PM
As far as clerkships go, don't bother getting rec letters from professors you just have class(es) with. Most (if not close to all) judges won't care. They want to see letters from people that are (intimately) familiar with your research and writing skills, not your ability to make an A on an exam (they know that from your trans), thrive in the Socratic method, or toady up in office hours.
So unless we're talking about seminar profs or one your RA for, don't worry and don't bother.
Posted by: Feeder Clerk at April 6, 2005 01:22 AM
I feel you. Seriously, 10 minutes ago I was just thinking about how long it's been since I'd read for a class this semester. In Mass Comm Law, I either know the law due to my interest in 1st amendment law or I've read it in other classes. In Civil Rights litigation and Corpse the profs don't call on you so you can read what you need to during class. In Pre-trial litigation it's what I've done at work for the last year. I feel so disconnected from law school right now. It's a place where I show up and sit for a few hours each week and that's it.
Posted by: Steve at April 6, 2005 02:57 AM
How is it that we agree on only three things: (a) "professionalism"; (b) an uncanny love of technology; and (c) that we're both going to fail through lack of reading.
If we both fail, maybe it keeps some ineffable balance in the universe...
Posted by: A. Rickey at April 6, 2005 02:10 PM
sounds like you're getting burnt out. what worked for me was just confining legal arguments to the classroom. stop watching law and order. stop writing about law on the blog. drink some wine and watch movies that aren't about criminals. go hiking.
it'll get better. :)
Posted by: monica at April 6, 2005 06:59 PM
Law school doesn't suck?? Could have fooled me.
Ha.. just kidding. I think that it could be made better, but I am not sticking around to try. This is it for me..
Posted by: musclehead at April 7, 2005 01:14 PM
Musclehead: Dude, what are you saying here? Are you getting out of law school altogether? And if so, why and what's next?
Posted by: ambimb at April 8, 2005 07:31 AM
Out of law school, yes. Have not been to a class since before spring break. Actually, I took the week before break off too, more or less.
Next up- another master's in education. Everyone needs at least two and I only have one hanging on the wall here in my sunroom/office.
I'll have details on my blog as soon as I get my acceptance letter.
Posted by: musclehead at April 11, 2005 08:16 PM
