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Cathlyn Melvin

About Cathlyn Melvin

Before beginning law school in Fall 2020, Cathlyn worked as an actor, educator, and writer in Chicago and around the US. Now freelancing her way through school, Cathlyn loves reading memoirs, editing essays, baking cheesecakes, and petting cats.

What Studying Shakespeare Taught Me About Reading The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure

March 10, 2021 By Cathlyn Melvin Leave a Comment

What Studying Shakespeare Taught Me About Reading The Federal Rules of Civil ProcedureIn the decade between my college graduation and my first semester of law school, I worked as an actor in Chicago, often performing “heightened language” adaptations of literary and dramatic classics.

There’s always a lot of work that takes place before actors ever get up on their feet in rehearsal, including collaborative “table work” (completed, unsurprisingly, with the team sitting around a table) as well as individual homework in the weeks leading up to that first “table read.”

With heightened language plays (most recognizably, Shakespeare), part of that homework feels strangely similar to . . . reading the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

I’m serious! Here’s how studying Shakespeare prepared me to read the FRCP. [Read more…] about What Studying Shakespeare Taught Me About Reading The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure

How to Prepare for Flu Season in Law School

November 16, 2020 By Cathlyn Melvin Leave a Comment

How to Prepare for Flu Season in Law SchoolAs far back as I can remember, I’ve been more susceptible to illness than the people around me. Every few weeks in high school, I’d drag myself out of bed and groggily stumble to my mom’s room to croak out a request to stay home that day. (Thankfully, she always obliged.)

In undergrad, I blamed my constant illness on my gross roommates, whose leftovers from the school cafeteria grew into their own personal biodomes in our refrigerator.

And, as a teacher, all bets were off. Germy (loveable) kids wanting hugs and high-fives and sneezing into open air meant that I was sick all. the. time. [Read more…] about How to Prepare for Flu Season in Law School

How to Be Heard and Understood Through Your Mask

November 4, 2020 By Cathlyn Melvin Leave a Comment

How to Be Heard and Understood Through Your MaskOur faces are hidden behind three layers of cotton. Our voices are muffled, and important non-verbal cues are missing. As we try to communicate complicated concepts in the classroom, those barriers to understanding can lead to confusion and frustration—for us and for our listeners.

With a little effort and practice, though, we can be heard and understood every time. Here’s how. [Read more…] about How to Be Heard and Understood Through Your Mask

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If you find law school tough, you are not alone! The Law School Toolbox team is here to help you through it. Check out our helpful free content, podcasts, courses and one-on-one tutoring. Thanks for stopping by and drop us a line if you have any questions. We also invite you to join our weekly mailing list, for advice right to your inbox.

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