In October of last year, I wrote a blog about passing the bar. In that blog, I emphasized how I would concentrate my electives on subjects that are actually tested on the Florida Bar Exam. I also expressed doubts about the bar prep courses such as BarBri and PMBR as a reliable means to pass the bar.
But as a professor here said to me, FSU College of Law does not want to be a law school that teaches you to pass the bar.
Strange as the above statement might sound, I am learning that law schools which only teach students to pass the state bar exam are typically held in lower esteem by those in the profession of law. Without mentioning specific names or schools, I had the opportunity to speak with a Justice on the Florida Supreme Court this week. The Justice criticized certain schools in Florida as not being of the caliber of law schools like FSU, where we learn about the philosophy behind laws rather than simply learning what the law is.
Still, however, I have to figure out a way to pass the bar exam. Now I'm also beginning to realize that the material covered in a specific law course on a bar exam subject may not be the same material on which I am tested on the bar. In Criminal Law, for example, the professor freely admitted that he did not know anything about Florida criminal law. The course was more about the theory behind criminal law.
For those students who just graduated from Florida State Law, many are still coming to class every day as part of the BarBri course to pass the Florida Bar. The bar exam is in July, and they are in this bar prep course most of the day. I see students in the BarBri class who are on Law Review, the Mock Trial Team, the Moot Court Team. Many of the students in that class are some of the smartest students in the school, and yet they still feel the need to take a bar prep course.
It makes the impression on me that I need to enroll in a bar prep course and do the same thing. Even faculty and administration have recommended the bar prep courses.
Coming into law school, I never would have thought that the learning needed to graduate is not necessarily the same learning you need to pass the bar. Perhaps I should become a sales representative for one of the bar prep companies next year. This would give me a discount on the tuition cost for the bar prep course. I wasn't sold on the bar prep courses myself back in August and September, but I think I am sold now.
Universal Health Care Now,
Nathan Marshburn
Saturday, May 30, 2009
The LSAT Revisited
I've written one blog on the LSAT. In it, I briefly described my preparation for that important test and gave my advice.
However, I am currently working as a mentor in the Summer for Undergraduates Program here at Florida State Law. 61 very bright undergraduate students considering law school are here from all over the country. I must say, after listening to how they are preparing for the LSAT and also listening to an LSAT panel made up of some colleagues here at law school, my first blog on the LSAT probably includes some bad advice.
Coming to law school was a quick decision for me, and I did not have time to prepare for the LSAT by taking a prep course such as Kaplan. I also didn't have much faith in how much it would have improved my score.
But according to the undergraduate students and the panel of students already in law school, those courses really help and can significantly raise your score.
So, I wish to amend my previous advice. If you can afford to do an LSAT prep course- be it through some institution like Kaplan or through a qualified private tutor, then I would recommend it... I wonder how much better I might have done on the LSAT if I had taken such a course. Fortunately, my score was good enough to put me here at Florida State Law and set me up with some great opportunities.
Universal Health Care Now,
Nathan Marshburn
However, I am currently working as a mentor in the Summer for Undergraduates Program here at Florida State Law. 61 very bright undergraduate students considering law school are here from all over the country. I must say, after listening to how they are preparing for the LSAT and also listening to an LSAT panel made up of some colleagues here at law school, my first blog on the LSAT probably includes some bad advice.
Coming to law school was a quick decision for me, and I did not have time to prepare for the LSAT by taking a prep course such as Kaplan. I also didn't have much faith in how much it would have improved my score.
But according to the undergraduate students and the panel of students already in law school, those courses really help and can significantly raise your score.
So, I wish to amend my previous advice. If you can afford to do an LSAT prep course- be it through some institution like Kaplan or through a qualified private tutor, then I would recommend it... I wonder how much better I might have done on the LSAT if I had taken such a course. Fortunately, my score was good enough to put me here at Florida State Law and set me up with some great opportunities.
Universal Health Care Now,
Nathan Marshburn
Friday, May 29, 2009
Officially a 2L
Now, I finally feel like a second year law school student. My last remaining grade posted today. Overall, I am pleased with my performance this semester. I tried new strategies toward taking the exams this time around. My performance this semester was better than in the fall, and I should move up a bit in the class rankings. I'm in no danger of failing out of law school and actually just narrowly missed making the Dean's List this semester. Law school is working out so far.
I am also fortunate in the two summer jobs that I have landed. For the first month, I am working as a mentor in the Summer for Undergraduates Program at FSU College of Law. 61 very bright undergrads from all across the country are here for four weeks to learn about law school and Florida State in particular. Being a mentor is easy. I get paid to talk positively about my experiences here- something that I would gladly do anyway. The undergraduate students are also very positive and ask many questions. Prominent attorneys, the Florida Supreme Court Justices, and the Mayor of Tallahassee are among those with whom the students have talked.
After the Summer for Undergraduates job ends in mid June, I begin working for Parks & Crump, a very successful personal injury firm here in Tallahassee. The partner who hired me, Mr. Crump, actually spoke at the Summer for Undergraduates Program a few days ago. He was highly entertaining and the students told me how much they appreciated his stories.
Though I have worked hard to put myself in a good position, I also realize how fortunate I am to have landed a summer job with such a successful and influential law firm, especially in this economic climate. Parks & Crump give a lot back to the community. I hope that I can catch on quickly and be productive for them both in their case activity and their community involvement.
Universal Health Care Now,
Nathan Marshburn
I am also fortunate in the two summer jobs that I have landed. For the first month, I am working as a mentor in the Summer for Undergraduates Program at FSU College of Law. 61 very bright undergrads from all across the country are here for four weeks to learn about law school and Florida State in particular. Being a mentor is easy. I get paid to talk positively about my experiences here- something that I would gladly do anyway. The undergraduate students are also very positive and ask many questions. Prominent attorneys, the Florida Supreme Court Justices, and the Mayor of Tallahassee are among those with whom the students have talked.
After the Summer for Undergraduates job ends in mid June, I begin working for Parks & Crump, a very successful personal injury firm here in Tallahassee. The partner who hired me, Mr. Crump, actually spoke at the Summer for Undergraduates Program a few days ago. He was highly entertaining and the students told me how much they appreciated his stories.
Though I have worked hard to put myself in a good position, I also realize how fortunate I am to have landed a summer job with such a successful and influential law firm, especially in this economic climate. Parks & Crump give a lot back to the community. I hope that I can catch on quickly and be productive for them both in their case activity and their community involvement.
Universal Health Care Now,
Nathan Marshburn
Monday, May 11, 2009
Option 1
In the spring of 2008, I was struggling with the decision to either go to law school or stay at Western Carolina University and finish my M.A. in History. I leaned toward entering law school, though it was still open as to what law school I would attend.
As I have said in previous blogs, last year at WCU was the happiest year of my life. I remember thinking that I had come to one of the more important forks for which path my life would take, and I remember thinking that it would be neat if I could clone myself and send the clones down the different paths I was considering. We'd meet up again at the age of 65 or 70 and compare notes.
Hopefully, that doesn't sound too arrogant. Arnold Schwarzenegger once said something similar about desiring to clone himself to see all the things he could accomplish. He certainly has had a fascinating life, reaching the pinnacle in the professions of body building, movie acting, and politics. But Joy Behar, one of the hosts of The View, criticized him, saying his idea of cloning himself was arrogant and narcissistic. I don't want to come off as arrogant or narcissistic.
Still it is fun to think about the options I was considering. I decided to go to law school and attend Florida State University. I have never regretted that decision, and I am pleased with the success I have seen thus far.
Option 2 was to enroll at North Carolina Central University School of Law. If I had gone there, I would have focused on a career in public service and fighting for the underdog. I think that would have been a very satisfying choice as well. I would have stayed in North Carolina rather than Florida, most likely trying to land a spot in the public defender's office in Asheville or Jackson County (where WCU is located). I'd spend my weekends walking in the mountains, identifying the various plants and animals. The Appalachian Mountains are as botanically diverse as the Amazon Rain forest, and they change so much with each season. I'd never get tired of it.
Option 3 was to finish my M.A. in History and pursue a career in college administration. I think I would be a great recruitment officer for a college. I love traveling and talking with people, and I love the college environment. My game plan would be to work at different universities for a few years at a time, gradually moving west until I could land a spot at UNLV and live in Las Vegas for the remainder of my years. Vegas is my all time favorite city, and I love the desert. The chance to work at different universities across the country would make for an interesting life as well.
Option 4 was to finish my M.A. in History and then try to earn a Ph.D with the goal of becoming a college professor. This would have been a difficult path, I think. Ph.D programs in history are harder to gain entry to than law school. The jobs for professors are scarce, the time I would have spent in school would have been longer, and the pay is not that great. The option 4 clone might have bailed out of that lifestyle and hitched on to law school again.
Anyway, Tallahassee and FSU College of Law is where I am. Florida is probably where I'll set up and practice. I think it will be a happy life. If I had the choice to make all over again, I would choose this option. I am a lucky man.
Until Next Time,
Nathan Marshburn
As I have said in previous blogs, last year at WCU was the happiest year of my life. I remember thinking that I had come to one of the more important forks for which path my life would take, and I remember thinking that it would be neat if I could clone myself and send the clones down the different paths I was considering. We'd meet up again at the age of 65 or 70 and compare notes.
Hopefully, that doesn't sound too arrogant. Arnold Schwarzenegger once said something similar about desiring to clone himself to see all the things he could accomplish. He certainly has had a fascinating life, reaching the pinnacle in the professions of body building, movie acting, and politics. But Joy Behar, one of the hosts of The View, criticized him, saying his idea of cloning himself was arrogant and narcissistic. I don't want to come off as arrogant or narcissistic.
Still it is fun to think about the options I was considering. I decided to go to law school and attend Florida State University. I have never regretted that decision, and I am pleased with the success I have seen thus far.
Option 2 was to enroll at North Carolina Central University School of Law. If I had gone there, I would have focused on a career in public service and fighting for the underdog. I think that would have been a very satisfying choice as well. I would have stayed in North Carolina rather than Florida, most likely trying to land a spot in the public defender's office in Asheville or Jackson County (where WCU is located). I'd spend my weekends walking in the mountains, identifying the various plants and animals. The Appalachian Mountains are as botanically diverse as the Amazon Rain forest, and they change so much with each season. I'd never get tired of it.
Option 3 was to finish my M.A. in History and pursue a career in college administration. I think I would be a great recruitment officer for a college. I love traveling and talking with people, and I love the college environment. My game plan would be to work at different universities for a few years at a time, gradually moving west until I could land a spot at UNLV and live in Las Vegas for the remainder of my years. Vegas is my all time favorite city, and I love the desert. The chance to work at different universities across the country would make for an interesting life as well.
Option 4 was to finish my M.A. in History and then try to earn a Ph.D with the goal of becoming a college professor. This would have been a difficult path, I think. Ph.D programs in history are harder to gain entry to than law school. The jobs for professors are scarce, the time I would have spent in school would have been longer, and the pay is not that great. The option 4 clone might have bailed out of that lifestyle and hitched on to law school again.
Anyway, Tallahassee and FSU College of Law is where I am. Florida is probably where I'll set up and practice. I think it will be a happy life. If I had the choice to make all over again, I would choose this option. I am a lucky man.
Until Next Time,
Nathan Marshburn
Sunday, May 10, 2009
First in My Class
Did I mention that I finished first in my class this semester?...
Only it wasn't in class rank or GPA, but rather the 65 team NCAA basketball tournament bracket on espn.com. One of our professors set up our group. I got the championship game right- Michigan State versus the University of North Carolina, and I correctly picked North Carolina to win it all.
Being "called on" is a big thing in law school, especially during the first year. Professors will randomly call on students to speak about cases, and if you haven't read and prepared as they expect, it can be embarrassing.
So, as my prize for being first, the professor gave me a t-shirt in class that reads: "DON'T CALL ON ME!" It might have been more helpful to have this shirt in August rather than April, but it was a fun idea by the professor that helped distract us a little from the pressure.
Until Next Time,
Nathan Marshburn
Only it wasn't in class rank or GPA, but rather the 65 team NCAA basketball tournament bracket on espn.com. One of our professors set up our group. I got the championship game right- Michigan State versus the University of North Carolina, and I correctly picked North Carolina to win it all.
Being "called on" is a big thing in law school, especially during the first year. Professors will randomly call on students to speak about cases, and if you haven't read and prepared as they expect, it can be embarrassing.
So, as my prize for being first, the professor gave me a t-shirt in class that reads: "DON'T CALL ON ME!" It might have been more helpful to have this shirt in August rather than April, but it was a fun idea by the professor that helped distract us a little from the pressure.
Until Next Time,
Nathan Marshburn
Saturday, May 9, 2009
This Time Last Year
This time last year, I had just completed a year of graduate school at Western Carolina University. While this year- my first year of law school- was very enjoyable and important, I have to be honest. Last year at WCU still ranks as the happiest year of my life.
I went back and read some of the blogs I posted for the Graduate Student Association at WCU. I had somewhat forgotten what a good time I had, and what a vital learning experience that year was for me. In addition to the year at WCU being my happiest, I also learned more from my social experiences than at any other time in my life.
In contrast, I viewed this year at FSU College of Law more as like my first year in a trade school. WCU was a cocoon, a retreat from the real world tucked away in the Great Smoky Mountains. FSU College of Law, however, is preparing me to be successful in the real world, a world where I will be forced to play hardball. I need to be at FSU College of Law, but I view my time here in more of a business sense. My eyes are on the prize here.
It is not that way for everyone, though. My first year of law school also went by the fastest of any year of my life thus far. This is in part because I am older and have had some work and social experiences.
But one of my colleagues sat down beside me at Potbelly's on Thursday night- the night we had taken our last exam of year one. He was among the first FSU students I met back in August when I arrived. At my first law school social, he saw me standing alone and invited me to come sit with him and his friends at a table.
He said to me, "Think back to the person you were back in August, and all the changes you've gone through and compare it with the person you are now."
I nodded my head and agreed with him. He has changed. He came to law school straight after finishing his bachelor's degree. I'm not sure that he's ever held a real job in his life. I remember when I was his age. Time moved much slower for me, too, and I could more readily identify with the changes of which he spoke.
But really, I haven't changed too much this year. Like I said, I view law school as an opportunity to learn a great trade. That's what I was about when I applied, and that's what I'll probably be about when I (hopefully) graduate.
I asked him if he liked the changes he saw in himself. He shrugged. "Yes and no. This is a great opportunity. A lot of people would trade places with us." Still, he said, there was part of him that was urging to get out of law school. "But we've invested in this now," he said. "What are you going to do?"
Law school is not for everyone, and there will be those who graduate and have careers in law but are not really happy. I hope he does not turn out to be one of them. I don't think that will be the case with me. I am very grateful to be here. I've seen the grass on the other side of the fence- and it is not greener. I'll work hard and become proficient in some area of the law and then head happily into practice, thank you very much.
If I could stay a young student at Western Carolina University for the rest of my life, I probably would. That is not an option, though. So, FSU College of Law is the place for me to learn skill sets that will help me and my family survive and thrive in this world. I can also make a positive difference in other people's lives. I'll do my best.
Until Next Time,
Nathan Marshburn
I went back and read some of the blogs I posted for the Graduate Student Association at WCU. I had somewhat forgotten what a good time I had, and what a vital learning experience that year was for me. In addition to the year at WCU being my happiest, I also learned more from my social experiences than at any other time in my life.
In contrast, I viewed this year at FSU College of Law more as like my first year in a trade school. WCU was a cocoon, a retreat from the real world tucked away in the Great Smoky Mountains. FSU College of Law, however, is preparing me to be successful in the real world, a world where I will be forced to play hardball. I need to be at FSU College of Law, but I view my time here in more of a business sense. My eyes are on the prize here.
It is not that way for everyone, though. My first year of law school also went by the fastest of any year of my life thus far. This is in part because I am older and have had some work and social experiences.
But one of my colleagues sat down beside me at Potbelly's on Thursday night- the night we had taken our last exam of year one. He was among the first FSU students I met back in August when I arrived. At my first law school social, he saw me standing alone and invited me to come sit with him and his friends at a table.
He said to me, "Think back to the person you were back in August, and all the changes you've gone through and compare it with the person you are now."
I nodded my head and agreed with him. He has changed. He came to law school straight after finishing his bachelor's degree. I'm not sure that he's ever held a real job in his life. I remember when I was his age. Time moved much slower for me, too, and I could more readily identify with the changes of which he spoke.
But really, I haven't changed too much this year. Like I said, I view law school as an opportunity to learn a great trade. That's what I was about when I applied, and that's what I'll probably be about when I (hopefully) graduate.
I asked him if he liked the changes he saw in himself. He shrugged. "Yes and no. This is a great opportunity. A lot of people would trade places with us." Still, he said, there was part of him that was urging to get out of law school. "But we've invested in this now," he said. "What are you going to do?"
Law school is not for everyone, and there will be those who graduate and have careers in law but are not really happy. I hope he does not turn out to be one of them. I don't think that will be the case with me. I am very grateful to be here. I've seen the grass on the other side of the fence- and it is not greener. I'll work hard and become proficient in some area of the law and then head happily into practice, thank you very much.
If I could stay a young student at Western Carolina University for the rest of my life, I probably would. That is not an option, though. So, FSU College of Law is the place for me to learn skill sets that will help me and my family survive and thrive in this world. I can also make a positive difference in other people's lives. I'll do my best.
Until Next Time,
Nathan Marshburn
Pinching Myself
About three weeks ago, the Mock Trial Team had its annual end of the year banquet. I dined on a gourmet meal while listening to a prominent trial attorney from Pensacola speak about what it takes to be successful in the courtroom. There were lots of beautiful women there, and everyone was dressed nicely.
I couldn't help but think that this time three years ago- 2006, I was slaving away for the Post Office in Washington, DC. I remember looking at my watch during the Mock Trial banquet and thinking, yep, about now the evening supervisor would be calling me to see how much more mail I had to deliver. I'd request backup, which may or may not come.
It was rare that I was off the street before 10 pm. More than once, I was on the street delivering mail past midnight. I weighed 155 pounds when I started the job. When I decided that a career with the Post Office was not the best choice, I weighed 135 pounds.
I could write a whole series of blogs about my experiences with the Post Office. The job was rough. Don't get me wrong- there were a lot of great people who helped me out in DC, but the starkness of how difficult my existence was in 2006 compared to where I am now is amazing.
It feels like a dream, sometimes. I mean, imagine waking up at 5 am on what was supposed to be your day off to a phone call from your boss telling you to come in and get a mail route ready to go as soon as possible, or in the alternative waking up in Florida without an alarm clock and getting ready to go to class and social events like this banquet.
It almost makes me nervous- like this is a dream. I'll wake up and find out that I still work for the Post Office and that I have a 12 hour day ahead of me of lifting crates of mail in freezing rain.
Life can be pretty bad, sometimes. But being a student at FSU College of Law is pretty good. There are lots of people who would trade places with me- while there are very few people with whom I would trade places. Honestly, I'm probably in the top 1% of the world's population in terms of general happiness with my life.
Happiness is a fragile thing in any person's life, though. I'll ride this wave for as long as I can.
Until Next Time,
Nathan Marshburn
I couldn't help but think that this time three years ago- 2006, I was slaving away for the Post Office in Washington, DC. I remember looking at my watch during the Mock Trial banquet and thinking, yep, about now the evening supervisor would be calling me to see how much more mail I had to deliver. I'd request backup, which may or may not come.
It was rare that I was off the street before 10 pm. More than once, I was on the street delivering mail past midnight. I weighed 155 pounds when I started the job. When I decided that a career with the Post Office was not the best choice, I weighed 135 pounds.
I could write a whole series of blogs about my experiences with the Post Office. The job was rough. Don't get me wrong- there were a lot of great people who helped me out in DC, but the starkness of how difficult my existence was in 2006 compared to where I am now is amazing.
It feels like a dream, sometimes. I mean, imagine waking up at 5 am on what was supposed to be your day off to a phone call from your boss telling you to come in and get a mail route ready to go as soon as possible, or in the alternative waking up in Florida without an alarm clock and getting ready to go to class and social events like this banquet.
It almost makes me nervous- like this is a dream. I'll wake up and find out that I still work for the Post Office and that I have a 12 hour day ahead of me of lifting crates of mail in freezing rain.
Life can be pretty bad, sometimes. But being a student at FSU College of Law is pretty good. There are lots of people who would trade places with me- while there are very few people with whom I would trade places. Honestly, I'm probably in the top 1% of the world's population in terms of general happiness with my life.
Happiness is a fragile thing in any person's life, though. I'll ride this wave for as long as I can.
Until Next Time,
Nathan Marshburn
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Done with the 2nd Round of Exams
All right,
I just finished my last exam of my 1st year of law school. It feels pretty good, but not quite the relief that I expected. I think when I know my grades, maybe then I'll actually feel like the first year is behind me.
A lot has happened since I last wrote. Most importantly, I landed a job this summer with Parks & Crump, one of the most successful personal injury firms in Florida. One of the partners told me that my clerkship will be "baptism by fire," but I am looking forward to seeing how a law office works and learning from some very successful trial attorneys.
That job will start in mid-June, but I was also hired as a mentor for the Summer for Undergraduates program at the law school. 60 very bright undergraduates from universities all across Florida, the country and the world will come to the law school in a couple of weeks to see if law school and perhaps FSU College of Law is the direction they wish to head in life. My job for one month will be to give them advice and help them with the program. I will show them around Tallahassee and FSU. The students will get to see the Florida Supreme Court in action, and we will meet various attorneys from the area.
There is a lot more information that I will post in the coming days. Right now, I intend to get something to eat, and then head over to Potbelly's (the club across from the law school) where many of my colleagues are already celebrating.
Until Next Time,
Nathan Marshburn
I just finished my last exam of my 1st year of law school. It feels pretty good, but not quite the relief that I expected. I think when I know my grades, maybe then I'll actually feel like the first year is behind me.
A lot has happened since I last wrote. Most importantly, I landed a job this summer with Parks & Crump, one of the most successful personal injury firms in Florida. One of the partners told me that my clerkship will be "baptism by fire," but I am looking forward to seeing how a law office works and learning from some very successful trial attorneys.
That job will start in mid-June, but I was also hired as a mentor for the Summer for Undergraduates program at the law school. 60 very bright undergraduates from universities all across Florida, the country and the world will come to the law school in a couple of weeks to see if law school and perhaps FSU College of Law is the direction they wish to head in life. My job for one month will be to give them advice and help them with the program. I will show them around Tallahassee and FSU. The students will get to see the Florida Supreme Court in action, and we will meet various attorneys from the area.
There is a lot more information that I will post in the coming days. Right now, I intend to get something to eat, and then head over to Potbelly's (the club across from the law school) where many of my colleagues are already celebrating.
Until Next Time,
Nathan Marshburn
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