There is one month left of classes, and then exams. I noticed that the mood of many of my colleagues became more intense this week. I started meeting with a study group this week as well.
So, the blogs are going to be skimpy for a while.
Even now, I need to get back to a brief that I'm writing for my Legal Writing and Research class. I want it to be good because in addition to this project being the majority of my grade for the class, I will use it during the Moot Court tryouts and as my "writing sample" for job interviews in the future.
Until Next Time,
Nathan Marshburn
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
A Goal Oriented Existence
Now that I've settled into law school and seem to be firing on all cylinders, I've noticed that my existence has become quite goal oriented and goal driven. Undoubtedly this is to due to the competitive nature of law school and the legal profession.
Prior to being accepted to law schools, I was obsessed with my LSAT score, GPA and what I should say in the "Personal Statement" section of my applications.
Once I enrolled at FSU College of Law, these factors faded to the back of my mind, and I focused on doing well during the first round of exams. Once I received these grades, I analyzed where I stood and what I could do to differentiate myself. The Mock Trial competition was the first opportunity of the second semester for me, and I was fortunate enough to make the Mock Trial Team. Now at the present, I'm thinking about three things- finding a summer job with a law firm, the Moot Court tryouts in April and then the second round of exams in May.
All of this is part of the general push to land a great job once I've graduated. But I realize that once I begin my legal career, the goal oriented existence will not stop. As I prepare to go door to door with the law firms here in Tallahassee over spring break inquiring about possible summer work, I've done my research. The attorneys frequently list their biographies on their websites, and the information includes awards and honors they have received while in practice.
Honestly, I skim over that part of the biography and don't try to figure out what the various awards mean. It's just too far down the road. When I was preparing to take the LSAT, I was not thinking about making the Mock Trial Team at FSU. Now that I'm in the thick of it here in law school, I'm not thinking about what professional honors I'd like to receive once I become a lawyer... But that is coming.
My professor last semester was right- my legal career began when I started law school in August. It's a process of seeing one goal, either reaching it or not, analyzing where you stand, and then seeing the next goal, either reaching it or not, analyzing where you stand, and then seeing the next goal...
I'm not complaining one bit. A goal oriented existence is fine with me, and when I hit something I've set my sights on it really brings happiness. I know what failure is too, but I wipe those times out of my mind and look to the next horizon. It seems to be a pretty good way to navigate this existence.
Until Next Time,
Nathan Marshburn
Prior to being accepted to law schools, I was obsessed with my LSAT score, GPA and what I should say in the "Personal Statement" section of my applications.
Once I enrolled at FSU College of Law, these factors faded to the back of my mind, and I focused on doing well during the first round of exams. Once I received these grades, I analyzed where I stood and what I could do to differentiate myself. The Mock Trial competition was the first opportunity of the second semester for me, and I was fortunate enough to make the Mock Trial Team. Now at the present, I'm thinking about three things- finding a summer job with a law firm, the Moot Court tryouts in April and then the second round of exams in May.
All of this is part of the general push to land a great job once I've graduated. But I realize that once I begin my legal career, the goal oriented existence will not stop. As I prepare to go door to door with the law firms here in Tallahassee over spring break inquiring about possible summer work, I've done my research. The attorneys frequently list their biographies on their websites, and the information includes awards and honors they have received while in practice.
Honestly, I skim over that part of the biography and don't try to figure out what the various awards mean. It's just too far down the road. When I was preparing to take the LSAT, I was not thinking about making the Mock Trial Team at FSU. Now that I'm in the thick of it here in law school, I'm not thinking about what professional honors I'd like to receive once I become a lawyer... But that is coming.
My professor last semester was right- my legal career began when I started law school in August. It's a process of seeing one goal, either reaching it or not, analyzing where you stand, and then seeing the next goal, either reaching it or not, analyzing where you stand, and then seeing the next goal...
I'm not complaining one bit. A goal oriented existence is fine with me, and when I hit something I've set my sights on it really brings happiness. I know what failure is too, but I wipe those times out of my mind and look to the next horizon. It seems to be a pretty good way to navigate this existence.
Until Next Time,
Nathan Marshburn
Monday, March 2, 2009
My School
I'm well into my second semester of law school, and I must say that there has yet to be a morning when I woke up and regretted that I am a student at FSU College of Law.
If the statistics I've been told are correct, there were approximately nine to twelve other applicants vying for the seat that I now hold. I earned this slot through hard work and focus, but I also realize that I am fortunate to be in this position... I was born with enough intelligence to make my hard work pay off; I haven't suffered a disability to impair my talents (such as being in a serious accident or contracting a disease); I was born in a country that provides people the opportunity to improve themselves, regardless of their race or socioeconomic status.
The debt I am accruing to study here is a concern, but on the whole I think the debt is a good trade given the opportunities I should have once I complete my degree. FSU is also more economical to attend than most law schools in the United States, and we have a great academic reputation in Florida and the rest of the country.
Recently, the school produced a video about the assets of Florida State University College of Law. The link is below. If you are considering attending law school, I encourage you to watch the video and see if FSU might be a good match for you.
http://www.law.fsu.edu/prospective_students/VideoViewbook/index.html
Until Next Time,
Nathan Marshburn
If the statistics I've been told are correct, there were approximately nine to twelve other applicants vying for the seat that I now hold. I earned this slot through hard work and focus, but I also realize that I am fortunate to be in this position... I was born with enough intelligence to make my hard work pay off; I haven't suffered a disability to impair my talents (such as being in a serious accident or contracting a disease); I was born in a country that provides people the opportunity to improve themselves, regardless of their race or socioeconomic status.
The debt I am accruing to study here is a concern, but on the whole I think the debt is a good trade given the opportunities I should have once I complete my degree. FSU is also more economical to attend than most law schools in the United States, and we have a great academic reputation in Florida and the rest of the country.
Recently, the school produced a video about the assets of Florida State University College of Law. The link is below. If you are considering attending law school, I encourage you to watch the video and see if FSU might be a good match for you.
http://www.law.fsu.edu/prospective_students/VideoViewbook/index.html
Until Next Time,
Nathan Marshburn
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