What it takes to be a law student ...

I was blessed as a 1L to have not only other friends who were going through the same rigmarol, but more importantly 2Ls friends that made sure I didn't doubt myself too much and didn't drop out. This support system is what got me through 1L, and what keeps me going. My fellow 2Ls are a constant sounding board, my 3L friends have become mentors and continue to keep me sane. I, in return, try to do the same for the 1Ls that I know.

I have several friends that are currently 1Ls in various schools around the country ... ok, I mean the East Coast :) And a few of them have turned to me saying, did you ever think of dropping out? Heck yeah ... every time I was called on and didn't have the answer, even though I did the reading - dropping out crossed my mind. Everytime I turned in a memo draft only to have it returned looking like some thing had died on it - I considered dropping out. Walking out of finals, thinking I had surely failed - I almost didn't come back.

But I'm still here. Although I still wonder why.

What made me stay? I had to keep telling myself that I wasn't alone in my frustration - my friends were also going through the same thing. I wasn't the only one pulling my hair out trying to conform my writing to this alien jigsaw puzzle mold. I wasn't the only one that thought of dropping out.

And then I made myself think about why I came to law school. I constantly go back to a post I wrote, quoting my anonymous blogger friend -

"The heart is the keeper of truth.The mind is a temporary tool of analysis.The heart is knowledge.I realize that the stress of [lawschool] is rooted in limits of the mind.No single mind can hold masses of such information if it is not taken to heart.No mass of information can truly enter the heart unless it is willed by Allah. Allah wills for his believers that which is beneficial for them and with pure intention."

I am blessed to be back in the District - surrounded by people that inspired and supported my decision to apply to law school, whether they know it or not. I see them often, and I am reminded of why I'm doing it. When I was away, they reminded me of my intentions in different ways - but the reminder was always there. It all goes back to intentions, and indeed Allah wills for the believers that which is with pure intention. InshaAllah my intentions are pure.

Of course, these inspired thoughts didn't come to mind all the time - I was often at a loss for why I was in law school, more often questioned whether I would be able to achieve what I set out to do. And I think I subconsciously convinced myself that I would not have gotten this far, if I were not meant to go further. And to quit would ensure failure.

I do realize that my friends don't neccessarily share my intentions, and our differing intentions require different fuels to continue to burn - but I guess my point is, one needs to find for oneself what it is that brough them this far and what is going to get them to the end.

Law school is but a means to an end, and to make the most of the means will only enhance your final achievement.

It also helps if you have some nerd-ish qualities, and enjoy reading random law review articles in your spare time ;) jussstkidddin!