Truckin' my way through law school.

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Breaker Breaker, this is Law Rig, anyone else out there?
10-4 Law Rig, this is Mack Daddy.  What's your 20?
Just finishing up this law school run.

Many people wonder why I am still in law school, given that I don't know that I want to practice law.  It is a question I am asked regularly enough that I thought I would let the world know exactly why I am still truckin' my way through law school.

First, I would like to say that when I entered my first year of law school I was a starry eyed 1L who thought law school was the most amazing thing in the world.  I honestly loved briefing cases, learning the 'black letter law' as they called it, and immersing myself in my studies.  I did very well in my first year of law school, as a result.  However, I did not make law review, which was one thing that upset me, and it was part of the reason I grew somewhat complacent during my first semester of being a 2L.  However, even at that time I had no aspirations of quitting law school.  And I knew I was in deep.



I continued to trudge my way through law school, and in the middle of that same semester, I started making this blog.  At first I thought it would be a fun way in which to express my distaste for certain parts of law school.  Some things had begun to annoy me greatly (as is the case with many things in life).  Further, I started to notice other similar blogs about law school.  Some were from kids with rosy glasses and others were from people like Nando, who I stumbled upon.  I read most of his blog entries about different law schools and began thinking about law school a bit differently.  Further, I noticed that my law grades had plummeted.  I began to ask myself some hard questions such as "do I want to do this?"  Further, I did not find my legal internships as enjoyable as I once imagined.  They were nothing like what I saw in the show "Perry Mason" (although I knew they would be different).  I was merely a slave boy working for free.  It was all rather depressing.  However, I figured I would continue through my second year, as I had a lease on an apartment and to quit law school would mean I would be evicted, and that I would not only have dropped out of school, but have an eviction on my record. 


In my second semester of the 2L year I did much better than I did in the first semester.  My grades were somewhat respectable.  That made me feel better, even if it was somewhat meaningless.  It at least showed me that it wasn't me as a person who was a dolt.  And although my grades will not land me a job, I realize that they can at least help my self-esteem, which is worth perhaps more than money.

Now I am about to enter my third year.  A "rising 3L".  I could quit now.  However, I would have to find a job immediately, as I am still paying a small fortune for rent here in New York.  Either that or I can finish the game.  One more year.  I will have the JD, the option to take the bar, the option to do something as far as legal work.  Further, my debt right now is very large.  One more year isn't going to be much of a change as far as it being 'manageable'.  As it stands now, I will have to do IBR (Income Based Repayment) whether or not it's $150k or $200k.  On top of that, I don't mind leaving the US after law school.  I have spent some time in Asia and Europe, as well as Central America, and I know that I could be happy in any of those places.  I have planned on retiring outside of the US for a very long time now.  If I had to leave sooner, I would not bemoan the fact.  Further, I have considered leaving to teach English outside of the US after law school.  Although it's not a glamorous job, it's something I would not mind doing.   In fact, the prospect excites me.

Having weighed all the options for myself, I think the best course of action is to finish.  If I was a 1L still I would have probably dropped out and at least did something else.  However, I am too far in for that now.  So, I shall finish the game, down the boss, and maybe get a little bit of loot, even if it's merely a piece of paper.

Coming to terms with it all...

The last year has been an emotional roller coaster for me.  My first semester of 2L ended with me receiving horrendous grades.  I battled my way through emotions of "why try", "can I even get an A any more?" "have other law students got better?"  I lamented, missing a good chunk of classes in the last semester, going above the allowed absences in a few of my courses.  Then, I decided to cram at the end, spending hours upon hours on outlines, thinking that maybe there was a chance of me doing decent.  Better than C's.  Maybe I could get average grades.  In the end, I was able to pull in a few decent grades, while at the same time thinking that I may never even practice law.

Further, I battled depression knowing that I would probably never get the coveted $100k+ job or the summer internship that supposedly pays $20k.  I laid in bed at night, staring at the ceiling, realizing that I was paying over $150,000 for the privilege of going to law school.  How long would it take me to pay this sum back?  I did great in my law and economics course, and with my understandings of economics, I should have known better. The truth is, I didn't listen to reason.  I just jumped in to law school because for years I told myself I wanted to do it.  After three years of applying to schools I should have bit the bullet and gave up, but instead, I told myself it was so important to get into law school.  I knew little to nothing about the state of the legal economy when I was accepted, but even if I did, it would have been too little too late.  I was devoted to my goal of getting into law school, no matter what the tier, no matter what the cost.  I would have went to Harvard or Cooley, as long as it was an ABA accredited law school.

This summer has given me a lot of time to think.  Actually, the whole year, in all its craziness, has allowed me to come to terms that I will probably not be pulling in $100k+ a year in law.  Further, I have come to the conclusion that I do not want that any longer.  The time spent surrounded by the walls of a firm, the low man on the totem pole, the over-worked and undersexed partner breathing down your back.  No thanks.  I don't want to end my day to just go home to a fancy house that I get little time to enjoy, in a car that I only sees the road between home and the firm.  Even $100k a year is too little when it's my youth that is on the line.  No thanks.

So what is it that I want?  I don't know, now.  Do I want to practice law?  I don't think so.  Will I take the bar?  Yes.  I will still complete the goal I went after.  I am too close to quit and I feel that in the end this was an expensive way for me to prove that I can attain my goal.  I am still young and I still have many options in life ahead of me.  Law, however, may not be in the cards for me.

Spring 2012 Grades

Well, I got my grades back, and I must say I have shown an improvement.  Perhaps there is hope for me yet.

I want to take the time to share my grades with my readers, in case they are curious.

Corporate Finance: C+
Law and Economics: A+
Copyright Law: A
EU Law: B+

Other than the Corporate Finance, the grades are not too bad.  In fact, I think that gives me around a 3.4 GPA.  The average at my institution is a B+, so the C+ was quite rotten, but after last semester, I don't feel too bad.  I didn't really try this semester, and it shows that I may still have a chance at getting some good grades.  However, that being said, I still feel law school grades are somewhat arbitrary and have done tests in the past in which I felt like I did amazing on, only to find out that I did quite bad.

Last semester my GPA was around a 2.6, and right now I believe I have a 2.9.  I hope to graduate with a 3.2, but I know that is going to be tough.  I have 2 more semesters, and to graduate with such a GPA will mean I will have to work hard.  Further, I still plan on leaving the US to teach English after law school, so I wonder what the point of this all is.

Some may call me crazy for giving up law before even trying.  Truth is, I think of it as crazy sometimes.  However, I feel that I am not cut out for the profession, nor do I want to sell my soul.  Yes, I should have researched this in advance more, and the scam bloggers who say that the current students deserve some of the blame are in many ways right.  As law students, we should research, and we must be held somewhat accountable.  Not accountable for deceptive business practices and the state of the law school educational machine, but for not being savvy enough to realize how messed up it is.

There are many blogs on here that do a great job of exposing that system, and I can't devote the kind of time or energy in uncovering the system as they do, so I will not try.  Instead, I am here to show the kind of fear that is pretty commonplace today.  Even though the kiddies on Top-Law-Schools act smug, the truth is, they are scared to death and, in reality, look quite pathetic.  

We are being made to be the bottom feeders in society and paying dearly for the privilege.  We should sometimes feel pathetic.  Especially those who have over 1000 posts on TLS.  

A+ in Law and Economics: and I don't care anymore.

This morning, for about half a second, I felt good that I got an A+ in my law and economics course, but then I realized: I do not care anymore.  This semester has gone by better than last, although I got a lackluster C+ in my Corporate Finance.  I was lucky to score a B+ in EU Law, which was kind of a fluke.  Hell, it all was.

LISTEN CHILDREN:  Law school grades are mostly random.  You can get a C+ in a class you put way more effort in than a class you got an A-.  I worked my butt off in my Corporate Finance and missed most of my law and economics course.  I am not smart.  An A+ does not mean you are smart.  Even if you end up getting an award, you are probably at least half lucky.

If you think you are lucky enough to 'score' your way through law school, you might want to take out maximum loans on law school and play the lottery, because you probably have a better chance of winning the lottery than doing so good in law school that you end up with an amazing job.  And if you don't believe me, why not take a look at a few of the other blogs that are featured to the right?

One more year of this madness (not going to bother doing internships this summer -- in fact, I had two phone interviews the other day for internships -- and I didn't bother even answering.  Just wasn't in the mood).  I figure that the odds of me practicing law (and actually liking it) are about as slim as me making love to a pack of blue wolves with wings in the Himalayas next Thursday.

IT.  WILL.  NOT.  EVER.  HAPPEN.

Recontacted the mentor, but I ask: Why?

At least one of my readers told me to get back in contact with my mentor.  So I did.  I figured there is no harm in at least writing her a letter.  Further, I was honest.  I have not talked to her since this has occurred, and to be honest, part of me wonders what the point is.  Before, I bother with that though, I shall let you read the letter:

TO THE MENTOR
Hello,

I am writing you as I have been bad with keeping in touch with you.  For that I am sorry.  I had a very rough semester, and to be honest, I was somewhat afraid to get back in touch with you due to not having much going for me.  Due to moving and financial aid issues my grades were quite bad.  I did not fail any classes, but I was quite upset to see that I did poorly in a couple of my classes.  Further, I was forced to leave my position in (city) due to trying to find a place to live and being asked to skip class, which I could not do.  I have felt like a failure, and honestly wonder if law school is worth it for me to continue.  I did quite well during my first year, mostly due to hard work.  I know that grades are very important to employers, and have been slowly looking for summer work.  I have also considered focusing on just getting a job instead of trying to be picky about finding something in my field.  Further, I have applied for a couple of clinics and other positions for the fall.  I keep hearing how awful the economy is now and how that even the top performers are not able to find work.  I guess the thing is, it's very disheartening at times.

Anyway, I wrote you as I wanted to update you on things and let you know that I am sorry for not keeping in touch better.

Talk to you soon,

THE REPLY

Dear Terrified Law Student, Let's get together real soon and schedule a call even sooner. Can I meet you or call you some time today? Believe me, I know that life can be tough. But I've found that it helps to talk. I'm here for you.

-Mentor

***


First, the more I study and the more I think about it, the more I realize I do not want to practice law.  I would rather work in a non-profit or, hell, even barely subsist than deal with that day in and day out.  Second, I am worn out from all this hassle.  Third, I am figuring that I'd rather teach English abroad in Asia (a place I have traveled to and enjoyed) or join the military (enlisted, not officer) than be a lawyer.  Fourth, I continue hearing from my family that "they are so proud of me."

I have not posted on this blog in a while.  I figured that I should focus on my studies.  I should read every page given to me.  I should attend every class.  I should outline myself.  I should focus on school.  Lucky for me I was not called on this semester, which was nice.  Instead, I was able to completely focus on my classes.  But in the end, I still think "what's the point?" 

A few months back I posted a letter my grandparents wrote to me about how I should not drop out.  I have not spoken to them since that letter and, honestly, am quite angry that they mentioned it.  Further, other members of my family have bombarded me with comments such as "you are going to do so great!"  "we are so proud of you!"  "Terran (a psychic who gave me a palm reading during my childhood) always said you would go far!" (More on this in another post, as I don't believe in psychics). 

The truth is, I am quite angry.  Next week (5 days actually), I am going back home for the first time in two years (since starting law school).  I am not ready for the bombardment of questions (the inquisition). 

Yes, I got back to the mentor, but we have not met again (nor have we talked on the phone).  Further, the more I think about it, the more I do not want to practice law, so what is the point of calling the mentor?  What is the point of meeting up with her?  I don't know. 

One year left.  It's going to be interesting.

Someone Has to be the Guinea Pig...

I am proud to say that I am the very first in my family not only to go to college, but also to go to law school.  That being said, my family has no clue what law school is like or what the legal profession is really like.  Recently I talked to a family member who said that I was probably going to be "set for life."  I did not know what to say to this, as I expect utter hell ahead of me to find a job - and I have little to no hope of success.  I have also considered joining the military, teaching English outside of the US, or leaving the US upon graduating for other work as other options.  I fully expect to have to settle for one of these options.  After all, who am I, a bottom of the class law student in a lower tier law school, with very little work experience and no connections, to expect something better?  I have also prepared myself for work at Starbucks or in Fast Food, as I at least have experience with that sort of thing, and while I hated it, one has to do what one has to do to survive.  I have resigned myself to the idea that I will never own my own home or partake in any such large purchase using credit.

Being the first in my family to go to college and law school, I have realized that I am the guinea pig.  When I started my undergraduate 'career' I took out much loan money.  I did not live at home, nor did I consider that a viable option at the time due to issues that were taking place at home during that time in my life.  As such, I incurred much extra debt to cover rent.  At the time I lived in Seattle, WA shortly after the wake of the 9/11 attacks.  The airline industry, which is huge in Seattle, was severely hurt due to the attacks.  Boeing and other large companies had laid off many workers, making the unemployment in Seattle and Washington state skyrocket.  Finding a job at that time was quite hard, so I did school instead of finding a job.  Sometimes I sit back, and think, to the sounds of NIN or Rancid blasting loudly on speakers behind me, what would have life been like if I had went to work instead of school?

I moved out of state and transferred schools to finish my undergraduate degree.  After that I moved to the east coast for law school as I was not accepted to any of the west coast schools I applied at.  I am sure this is quite common, as I know of a lot of TTTT and TTT students on the east coast from places such as California, Washington, Oregon, etc.

As I have gone through college and know the reality of the college 'experience' and the 'real job market' that exists after college, I could help my own children with the whole college experience.  Problem, I do not plan on having children (never felt the want to) and I don't think I would have any with such debt even if I wanted some (which, again, I don't).  Therefore, even though I have served as the Guinea pig, I will not have any children of my own to tell about the results of this experiment.  Therefore, I am a wasted experiment in many ways.

Yesterday I was told a niece of mine is gearing up to go to college.  She lives on the west coast and I don't talk to her, except when visiting (once every couple years, maybe).  She is from a lower income family and her mother has done a couple years of college, but never finished.  Like me at one optimistic time, my niece probably imagines that college will lead to wealth.  Her boyfriend comes from a family that is, according to her mother, 'well off'.  Of course, the boyfriend's parents are boomers who succeeded partly due to college.  Surely these boomers paid little for their educations and are reaping the rewards.  If my niece goes to college, surely she will end up 'well off' just like them, right?

I imagine she will one day have children of her own, and one day can be the Guinea pig of her family, telling them about her college experience and the results of it.  Who knows, maybe my niece will find success.  Maybe she will win the college lottery.  I hope she does.  Since her mother has some college experience, I am sure she can benefit from learning about not taking out loans and living at home.  After all, I was informed that she does not want to talk out loans at the outset.  That's great.  I wish I knew not to back then.

I will graduate law school with around $200,000 in loans.  I do not share this tid bit often as it's somewhat disheartening to think about.  However, at the same time, I know my situation, and I know that even if I make $100,000 I will not be able to buy a house for a few years.  I know, however, that I will not make this kind of money out of law school.  People at my school who think they can make this much, and who are not in the top 1-2% of the class or who are not well connected are fools.  There is no nice way to put it.  It's the honest truth.

However, that being said, they too, in a way, are Guinea pigs.  They will eventually realize the absolute hell that is before them.  They will have the sleepless nights, the fear of the reoccurring nightmares of law school, and the unending lament of having went to law school in the first place.  Many will break.  Some will kill themselves (oh yes, they will).  Others may end up in prison, which, may not be a bad alternative, as there is no debt and job search in there to worry about (sore rears, that's another story).  Others will flee the country, feeling the shame of not being able to have paid back their debt.  Having left the US on a few occasions, the idea of leaving the country does not bother me.  However, what does bother me is not having a choice.  What bothers me is having WASTED years on getting a worthless education.  I have learned a lot through college, but I could have learned it all on my own without paying $200,000.

What a waste...

Should You Skip Law School Class?

Sometimes I find myself becoming depressed about law school and figuring "what's the point?"  The jobs are barely existent, the economy is in shambles, and law school testing falls short of actually gauging a person's skill in legal knowledge (more on this in a future post).  Last semester I found myself missing a lot of classes, and I noticed my grades took a dive because of it.  Thus I realized, even though law school can be hell at times, I should not skip class.

Back when I used to go to top-law-schools.com I read divided posts saying either, do not skip class, or don't worry about going to class.  You can pass if you don't go to any class and study the book.  While that is true, you can pass, I think going to class and at least listening to the professor's long winded rants count for something in terms of grades.  I am not saying that listening to the professor's talk is worthwhile for anything else, but, hearing what they lecture on will give you an edge on finding out what you should be focusing on when it comes to reading.

Let's face it, by 2L year nobody really wants to go to class.  Anything else sounds funner.  Well, almost anything else (scrubbing walls for experience in a legal internship is not as fun as listening to a professor's antiquated jokes).  Law school is in many ways like a prison, and as I have signed up for my sentence by choice, I should be willing to do my time, lest I drop out.  Paying money to not go to class doesn't hurt the schools at all.  Sure, if you don't get a job it might hurt them, that is, only if you would have gotten a job the other way around.  There are chances you won't get a legal job of any kind whether or not you skip class, but skipping class only hurts your grade, and makes you feel like more of a douche during the end.  And let me say, when it comes to law school and looking back on your experience, one of the most important things is minimizing that feeling like a douche. 


By your second year, most of your highlighters have dried up and you have no motivation to buy more.  The classes don't seem as important.  The big theory courses have already been taught to you, and the competition has simmered down some.  Many people are in a state of absolute depression because they are now fully aware of their job prospects.  They have their first year grades, which has set the tone of where they expect to place when it comes time to graduation.  Many say that these first year grades are the most important, and I will say that I agree.  It is very hard to reestablish your GPA when 1/3rd of your grades are set, and it's very hard to do that first OCI unless you invent a time machine.  And if you can do that, you may be like me and wish you could travel further back and do something else with your life.

This is not my first post about skipping class, and for some reason, that post is quite popular.  In fact, many people search "law school skipping class" or "skipping class 2L" on Google and reach my blog.  But, like I said, skipping class may hurt only you and not the law school.  Also, once you miss a few classes, it's too easy to not go back, or to be scared to go back.  I fell victim of being scared that the professor would say "you've missed way too many courses," or that when I reappeared my cohorts would think "where has this loser been?"  Perhaps that would have happened, but it looks a lot better than a C or worse on your transcript (depending on where your school grades). 

The Law School industry, in my view, is quite broken.  However, there is no reason to make your life there a bigger hell than it already is.  You might as well at least try to make it to class, lest you're sure of dropping out. 

Unless, of course, enough students would be willing to 'walk out' and show the system that they need to change.  In fact, a law school walkout is something worth talking about in a future post as well...

Law School Class Rank | Transferring Law Schools

I recently received the following e-mail:

PLEASE DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS EMAIL

Dear Upper Class Students,

                Class ranks are recalculated at the end of each fall and spring semester.  This cannot be done until all grades have been submitted by the faculty.  At present, three class rosters of grades have not yet been submitted by faculty to the Registrar.  This has been reported to the Associated Dean for Academic Affairs and  the faculty, according to faculty rules, are being fined $100 days per day per roster.  When the grades are submitted, I will re-calculate class ranks and send an email notifying you that you can find your new rank under Grade Point Average by Term in Web Advisor.  A class rank letter will also be mailed to you. 

 I could not help but grin at the thought of a law professor, who probably makes well over $120,000 a year being fined the massive sum of $100 per day!  Can you imagine?  Now, keep in mind that this letter was sent on January 14th.  As of today, February 3rd, there is still no class rank posted. 

What kind of motivation is needed then?  I do not think that the sum of $100 a day is going to do much, especially if he/she values being able to take the grading process very slowly and instead do whatever it is that law professors do.  It may be worth $100 a day to sit back and focus on other tasks, such as playing Virtual Boy, or whatever it may be.

Virtual Boy -- the greatest gaming system of all time!

In fact, this is not the first time something similar has happened to me.  During my 2nd semester, one of my professors was late in turning in exams.  Professors are often given a month's time to grade exams, and to be late on this, when people use their grades for jobs, transferring, and other professional tasks, seems irresponsible.  Professors get angry when their students do not know every little tidbit of the case, yet it's alright for them to be chronically late with exam grading?  We are not the ones being paid thousands upon thousands of dollars to teach a couple of classes using the same recycled notes from years past.  

Perhaps there are better ways to motivate a professor.  A wage reduction for chronic lateness in grading papers?  Being disbarred perhaps?  Maybe a caning like in Singapore?  Something along those lines would be more in line with the real motivation that is needed.  I say we take 'em all out back and flog 'em even if one is a second late!  That would make for a more interesting law school experience, and a better one for the students, I imagine.  A floggin' instead of playin' the ol' Virtual Boy.  It sounds like a plan!

The Importance of the Law School Class Rank

Why is the law school class rank so important?  Well, if you are lucky enough to do well it is said you have a better chance of getting a coveted "big law" job.  Further, if you are in a lower tier school, such as a third tier school, you can often transfer to a better school.  That being said, transferring law schools comes with its price.  You lose your scholarships.  You must weigh the costs and benefits of changing law schools.  Is it worth having the name of your school on your JD and looking for a job under that school's pedigree, or would you rather have a more refined name on your diploma?  For some, having a better school named on that piece of paper is very important.  Others care mostly about the debt they will carry.  Ultimately the choice is yours.

I would like to say that oftentimes the transfer doesn't really have a much better chance of getting a big law job.  For example, take a student who transferred from Golden Gate University in San Francisco to Seattle University in Seattle, WA.  Golden Gate University is a very low ranked school (fourth tier I believe).  Seattle University is a second tier school and is said to be regional in its reach.  If you are planning on practicing law in San Francisco or even California, you may want to stick with a school like Golden Gate University School of Law. 

Golden Gate University, entrenched in the fourth tier

However, if you are hellbent on practicing law in Seattle and you abhor the idea of having a fourth tier school being your alma matter, then you may want to transfer.  Again, you will probably (read 99% chance -- maybe more) lose your scholarships.  Further, if you did well at the lower ranked school, you may want to stay. 

You will want to weigh where you want to practice in your analysis.  In the above example, if you want to practice law in Seattle, you may want to make the transfer.  A Golden Gate University Graduate may not have a good chance of practicing law in Seattle.  Seattle is a very hard market to practice in I have been told, and students from schools in Washington such as Seattle University and Gonzaga University are having a hard time competing with students from University of Washington School of Law.

University of Washington School of Law

That being said, if you are going to Golden Gate University, you are competing against UC Hastings, University of San Francisco (now in the third tier), and Stanford.  Oh, did I forget UC Berkeley?  You're also competing with UCLA and some of Southern California's great schools.  Oh, and throw in Harvard and Yale, and even Columbia and the other big boys.  So, you are realizing that maybe this whole law school thing wasn't worth it.  I know I sometimes do.  So, do you want to transfer or do you want to cut your losses? 

In the end, I find that the whole law school thing is mind bogging and just plain upsetting.  Do you want to play a game in which you constantly trying to climb to the top.  If you are going to a low ranked school, you have to realize you are at the bottom of the pack, and to climb up from the fourth tier to the tip top and be lucky enough to get a job is not a small feat.  In fact, it's next to impossible.  And if you have the drive to do that, why did you not get into the top schools in the first place? 

Of course, I don't want to depress you, but it is something to think about.  If you are still a 1L and are thinking of transferring, ask yourself if there is anything you would rather do, and if that something is something you can do now, why not put the law school thing aside for a while?  It will always be there when you feel the need to come back.  However, the reality is, there may not be a want to come back once you find that you are truly passionate about something else.  Further, law school is not Perry Mason or Judge Joe Mathis.  In fact, Law School is a headache. 

Either way, think about it long and carefully.  And let me know what you think in the comments below.

New Semester... New Woes

So the new semester is in full force.  I feel like a dog in the humane society waiting to be put to sleep.  I keep telling myself: "soon I will be a rich lawyer like the person sitting next to me."  Then I start to laugh and the professor asks me what I am laughing about, and then I mumble something to myself. 

Seriously though, this semester is a lot like the last one.  Two weeks in and I know who the gunners are and am already annoyed by their antics.  Raising their hands to every question.  I guess I should probably like them, they do take the heat off me.  I have yet to be called on, which is great.  Also, these classes are pretty relaxed.  We are told in one class one class in advance if we will be called on or not.  I have one class left this week and know I won't be called on.  That's soothing at least. 

Then there is the summer internship hunt.  I am told that if we find something, we can maybe qualify for a stipend.  That would be great huh?  Just hoping it's not like the last one.  I want to actually do some law related work.  It's why I'm going in the first place, isn't it?

I was talking to someone the other day about school in general.  She was telling me that she believes that college one day was more challenging.  She could not say for sure, but based on what she has read, there was once a time where one spent great deals of time researching.  She says she feels like college is dumbed down.  I have to say I agree.  I see the stuff undergraduate students are doing now and I shake my head.  How did I not get straight A's on this stuff?  Stuff like a 2 page report on a movie, or memorizing a few terms for a big exam.  It only makes law school seem more brutal, but I think that's just the curve.  It's not that law school is that hard, it's more of a psychological endurance than anything.  Having to read 100 pages by itself is not challenging, but having to read it wondering if you will ever get a job in it or if you are wasting your time by reading it makes it seem a bit more of a chore.  Add that to the sounds of women moaning in the library and it starts to get weird.