Transitioning from college to LAW
SCHOOL
I am what “they” call a “forever
student.” As an actor, you’re taught that “you can always learn” and to “keep
your eyes open so that you can learn.” In other words, I enjoy school and
thusly, enjoy being a student.
With that said, the transition from
college to LAW SCHOOL was daunting if not extreme.
I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
degree in Acting. I went to The University of the Arts, a conservatory-based
university in Philadelphia. Moreover, my core curriculum was based
in acting, voice, and movement techniques as well as practicum courses like
audition techniques and networking skills. Aside from the six required liberal
arts courses, the most “academically demanding” course I had was Theatre
History. That’s not to say I wasn’t challenged in other ways. Naturally acting
is an extremely competitive craft with grave challenges when it comes to making
it a career. Needless to say, my resume,
listing professional credits on London, U.K., New York City, and Philadelphia
stages, indicates that I worked hard and gained technique
while at UARTS. BUT HOW WAS MY UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION GOING TO AID ME IN LAW SCHOOL. Sure, I read a
lot and sure, I’ve been trained to be a fast and accurate memorizer, but I was
mostly reading plays and when you react to your scene partner, at least for a
talented and trained actor, the lines come naturally.
“HOW WAS I GOING TO MANAGE LAW SCHOOL?” Pray, I guess.
…here’s what happened.
1.
I signed up for CULS’s Academic
Success Program (ASP). The beneficial
program
teaches the skills needed to excel in law school. Moreover, during the school
year, the ASP offers guidance with outlines, tough concepts in classes, and helpful exam taking tips.
2. I worked hard to follow the instructions and study techniques of ASP
and my professors. CULS has an “open door policy,” so when I was struggling with
a particular concept of the class or had a question about the material, I
formed well-organized relevant questions and made an appointment with them. The
Faculty has been prevalent in my success thus far.
3. I did the work. In other words, I accurately managed my time. This
was something I found particularly different from college. I was lucky to be cast in at least
one of the school productions every semester, so it was necessary for me to
learn time management in order to manage my rehearsal schedule and my class
schedule. However, law school is a whole other “ball game” [My Legal Research
and Writing professor hates sports references, but I couldn’t come up with a
better analogy.] The hours that you “put in” do not end. That sounds really
scary and sometimes it is. When those moments happen, immediately call your
support system! More importantly, take a break when the work becomes “too
overwhelming.” It is okay and possible
to have “quality of life” while in law school.
Remind
yourself how much you want to be a lawyer. Remind yourself why you need to be a
lawyer. Remind yourself that in life “nothing worthwhile is easy.”
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