Pre-Law Jitters, Anyone?

It seems to me that some of us are experiencing twinges of pre-law jitters.

Here it is, not quite July -- we have a few hours of June left, so don't rush me -- and some of us have only a month and a half before we start.

Law School.

*cue kettle drums and smoke machine*

We've been warned. The long hours, the huge reading loads, the exams that determine your fate; we've heard stories of all that. We know we won't have tons of free time to watch football or play with our kids or go out to dinner with our spice (spice: little-known plural of spouse) and won't have the money for dinner anyway.

Are we trying to cram in all the fun we can before class starts? Are we trying to prepare ahead of time? Are we building good habits or working on our alcohol tolerance?

I've jumped on a locomotive to a destination I've longed to see since forever. On the one hand I'm thrilled, excited, all smiles; on the other hand -- What Have I Started?

I feel that old sense of impending doom, the one I get when I realize I've just "bitten off more than I can chew," as my mother would say. It's a sense I've felt often because I never learn. I felt it when I first got pregnant, of course. During my wedding ceremony -- I almost ran out of the church. When I started undergrad while still working full time and running my own business.

I'm always convinced that this time I'm going to fail. Miserably and spectacularly.

You know when you're so scared that your knees shake and your stomach flutters? Like after you've almost been killed in a car accident? Or are about to be?

All I know is, the best things in my life have come from that feeling. I love my children and -- bonus! -- they seem to be turning out quite well. Umpteen years later and against all predictions TFL and I are still happily married. I had a blast in undergrad and the day I finished my last exam was one of the happiest in my whole life.

Part of me has the jitters for sure and they'll only get worse as my very late start date approaches, but hey. Jitters, they just mean fun's on the way.

I hope.

Comments

[CM]

That is a great way to look at it.

Law school has been an abstract notion for so long, it's a little scary that it's becoming reality. It was fun when the acceptances started coming in... but soon the work starts.

But you're right. It'll be good. It's an adventure.

[CM]

(By the way... when is your very late start date? Mine's September 1.)

[Citations]

Orientation starts September 20. Beat that with a stick.

[Girlchild]

I will not beat that with a stick... I may be tempted to stick out my tongue though. I think the longer the boys can wait, the better. Well, you too, I guess... :)Good luck to all three of you.

[transmogriflaw]

You'll do great. I think you've got the perspective to really get something out of it, and not to stress out too much.

I felt the same way as you did (scared, a little, but excited), and I LOVED law school. I'm looking forward to going back next fall.