Orientation Hump Day Report

Wednesday, August 19th, 2009

So far the first week of 1L orientation is going well, I guess. We have a week-long class in “Legal Processes” and our final exam will be tomorrow. Today is a long day, with morning and afternoon sessions of the class followed by my first weekly Stein Scholars program meeting. I’m rushing this morning to read and brief the last 3 cases, I only made it through 4 last night. This week is giving me the chance to figure out how long it takes me to finish various tasks related to studying and develop a feel for how many hours I can expect to study.

The downside of orientation week is that there really isn’t a whole lot of “orienting” being done… at least not yet and not in reference to those administrative sort of issues. I don’t know how universal my experience is, but so far I’ve got an inspirational speech from the dean, a confusing crash-course in study skills, a random tour led by a 2L in the middle of her last day of on-campus employment interviews, a for-credit class led by a professor who speaks almost entirely in metaphors (although I like him), a 2 hour class in client interview techniques, and a stack of fliers with information repeated from the website. I’m quickly learning that I cannot assume anyone is going to tell me anything I need to know – and although many people say “if you have questions, please ask them…” I’m not sure what questions I should be asking. Instead, we trade in gossip and tips: “hey, I figured out how to log on to the network” “I found where they post our syllabus” “I heard that our exam for this class is graded by students” “our Contracts professor gives embarrassing nicknames to anyone who talks during the first week of class”- I’m sure this is a recipe for confusion and frustration.

It too early to start measuring the strength of friendships and relationships, but we’re starting to feel each other out as a group. I can already see certain cliques starting to draw together, and getting a sense for the personalities and philosophies that guide the more outspoken participants in class dialogue.

Of course, I haven’t left the campus since I went jogging Monday morning, but I’ll find the balance sooner or later.

Anyway, for listening to my boring recap of the first two days, another less-burrito-looking photo of little Owen Ace:

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Filed under: law school by Jere Keys

10 Responses to “Orientation Hump Day Report”

  1. Polt, on August 19th, 2009 at 8:55 am Said:

    Less burrito-esque, but still cute as the dickens. :)

    Good luck on all this school stuff! It sounds frightening to me. :)

    HUGS…

  2. Enrico, on August 19th, 2009 at 10:04 am Said:

    Hurray! Cliques. I’m not in a ‘clique’ in college… I was in the ‘sexy future superstars’ clique with Josh, but he was stupid and graduated.
    In my experience, people are always annoyed by the ‘older’ person coming back to college. But that’s because they usually try to suck up to the professor since they’re closer to them in age. However, I’m the one who always likes the older students! Do you think you’re facing any prejudice to do your age?

    Enrico Reply:
    August 19th, 2009 at 11:45 am

    I swear, my friends must slip alcohol into my apple juice before I leave comments on any blog. lol. “due to* your age?”

    Jere Keys Reply:
    August 19th, 2009 at 8:36 pm

    How can I slip liquor in your drink and take advantage of you when you haven’t come to visit me yet?

    josh Reply:
    August 19th, 2009 at 10:41 pm

    X-Rated! Yay! I’ll bring the night vision camera and fluffer.

    Jere Keys Reply:
    August 19th, 2009 at 10:11 pm

    Not really on the prejudice piece. I’m not the oldest in my class. I’m a long way from the youngest, but in a class of 320ish, I’ve met at least 4-5 students who are a few years older than me, and another 10 or so who are roughly my same age.

  3. Tam, on August 19th, 2009 at 12:22 pm Said:

    Wow, what a crazy first week. I’m way too lazy for law school. Sounds like you’re figuring it all out though. Ace is still looking adorable and very wise in that picture.

  4. josh, on August 19th, 2009 at 10:41 pm Said:

    “class led by a professor who speaks almost entirely in metaphors”

    soundz like a Pepaw Professor that I would be majorly crushin’ on.

    E. Copterz: I hate how my status of alumni broke up our “SeXXXy Future SupaStar” clique. Tearz for Yearz!

  5. john, on August 19th, 2009 at 11:04 pm Said:

    Owen is even more adorable than he was just a day or two ago.

    School sounds intense. Trust me, there is life after law school. My nephew graduated last year and is doing well. He echoed what you are saying, intense first year and a great deal to assimilate in a brief period of time.

    You’ll do very well.

  6. Chris D., on August 21st, 2009 at 9:11 pm Said:

    Congratulations on your new nephew. My sister just produced my first nephew a few months ago. It will be different having a child around at family functions now.

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