Long Day...

Just had my first Legal Research and Writing class.  It took forever today.  The class wasn't that bad.  However, we got an assigment that is due on Friday.

Other sections got different due-dates on this one, probably to avoid having all 130 1Ls clogging up the library all at once trying to access the same handful of volumes in the exercises.  Some didn't seem to have to get this done until late next week.

I ended up staying in the library until almost 8:00.  The assignment took me about 4 hours, total.  This will be, hands-down, my least favorite class.

I LOVE the way Law School classes are taught.  Generally, there's only a final exam, or maybe a mid-term (worth about 30%) and a final.  It's up to you to stay current with the material and show up to the exam ready.

I have strengths and weaknesses like anybody, but three of my academic strengths are:

Logical ability
Ability to write
Ability to do well on a test

I won't delve into the weaknesses just yet, but suffice to say the strengths should give me at least a fighting chance at a good grade.

Research and Writing is more like an undergrad class, though.  Lots of assignments.  To top it all off, I'm pretty sure a lot of them aren't graded.  Maybe sort of check-mark graded to see if you did them, but not much more beyond that.

The nice thing is that the big paper in this class is due in early/mid November.  So, this class actually wraps up early.  Instead of a 4 month course, this one is really more like 3. 

Well, it is what it is.  I need to try and pull down an A in this class just like all the others.

I was in the library so long, I wasn't able to help coach my son's football team.  That was a stretch to begin with.  They asked for dads to help coach, and I told them I'd help when I could, but couldn't always be there.  The way things are shaping up, I'll be lucky to be able to help once or twice a week.

Time management is going to be tough.  One of the reasons I dislike Research and Writing so much is that so much of the work needs to be done at the school, in the library.  If I have a mound of reading to do, that's not a biggie.  I can do it at home and still be here for my son. 

I do envy the 2Ls and 3Ls.  It looks like the school does what it can to let them take their classes all before noon so they can head off to their internships and part-time jobs.  If I get to that point, my life may get simpler.

Until then, one day at a time, one week at a time.  I need to double check my reading assignments for tomorrow.  I think I may have a chapter or two to read before I go to bed.