My Last Semester Resolutions – 3L Perspective

Have you ever gotten into the grind of everyday life? Then suddenly, you “wake-up” from your mesmerized state and realize that so much time has passed? This is kind of where I am right now. Don’t get me wrong, I have known all along where I was at in law school and know I am in my last semester. However, it has really hit me that I only have a few weeks left of being a law student. You get stuck in the grind of things: I need to make this deadline — I just need to study for this test — two more classes until the weekend. These are the thoughts that plague my mind and get me through each week. I am always looking to the next thing, the next assignment, the next meeting. So now, here we are, one last semester of law school. And shockingly (yeah right), I have so much to do before it’s over.

My Very Last Semester

Like I said, I cannot believe I have reached my last semester of law school. But just because it is my last semester, I do not want to fall into the trap of not caring or slacking off. I have fortunately secured post-graduation employment so that kind of takes the pressure off a little. However, like I said previously, my 3L year is BEYOND busier than second year and MORE stressful than my first year. So I need to stay focused and dedicated to my studies. How am I planning on doing this? Well, by making “last semester resolutions” to keep me on track! People make resolutions every year for the new year, so these will function the same way (but hopefully I actually stick to them!)

Staying on Top of Things

My life is busy. Really, really busy. My saving grace has always been that I am a very organized and driven person, which keeps me productive and on track. However, sometimes it can be difficult to get everything done because life happens and can put you behind. Thus, my first resolution is to stay on top of things. I want to be prepared for any obstacles that may arise and make this semester nice and smooth.

Don’t Get Burnt Out

My 3L year has been a bit crazy. I have taken on WAY too much and am constantly going from one thing to the next. I have a lot going on, so it is very easy to be overwhelmed and stressed out. So my second resolution is to not get burned out! It sounds easy enough, right? Just don’t get too stressed out! However, I know that it will be a challenging thing for me since I am already starting to feel the burn.

Don’t Fall Into a Slump

Going along with the whole “my life is busy” and “don’t get burnt out” thing, it can be easy to fall into a slump and stop caring. When you get so stressed out, you start to stop doing the everyday “errand” tasks which develops into stop doing homework or reading for class (or even going). My third resolution is to not fall into this slump and continue to care about my classes and homework.

Finish My Bar Application ASAP

I like to get things done as soon as possible. I hate procrastinating (unless I have to). The bar application is one of the most important things a person has to do in order to be admitted to the bar. This is where you provide all of your contact information, apply to sit for the bar exam, and complete a very long affidavit of your personal history. This gets submitted to your practicing state’s character and fitness department to evaluate your fitness to practice law. I have finished the first part of the application, but I still need to finish my third party documentation. My fourth resolution is to turn in these documents as soon as possible to get it off my plate!

Start My Bar Prep Early

My last resolution goes along with my bar application – it is to start my bar prep early! Although many students take off the time between graduation and the bar exam, I likely will have to work for some portion of this period. As a first generation student, I cannot afford to lose out on a paycheck for over 2 months. So I want to start my prep early to help my schedule become more flexible.

Finishing Strong

I know that life can be challenging for a law student, especially one in her last year of law school. But you want to stay motivated and finish strong. It is so easy to get burnt out at the end of law school. You have been studying for three long years in this intense program while trying to get a job and study for the bar exam! However, your journey does not end with law school. After graduation, studying for the bar exam gets more intense! Then you actually have to take and pass the bar exam. And don’t forget finishing your bar application, getting admitted into your state bar, and (of course) finding a job. This is why it is so important to pace yourself so that you can continue to push through after your last semester. You can help yourself prepare by setting reasonable goals for yourself to keep you focused! These are my goals, my “last semester” resolutions. I will push through this last semester and keep going in this crazy law marathon.