And Like a Phoenix The 3L Rises, What A Ride . . .

Hello there! Well . . . that didn’t go exactly according to plan. But then again, life just doesn’t work out that way.

Please, allow me to reintroduce myself, my name is Lupita! I am, just one of the next generation of lawyers here to shake things up. Or I am otherwise known as the Millennial Law Student. Let me tell you a little bit about myself. I am Mexican-American, a mother, a wife, a business owner, and community helper. I am working toward being the good I seek. For example, a brillant law student and I worked together to address a need. We helped bridge the gap in communication to make sure the lcoal hispanic community can have access tto COVID aid, of which they are entitled.

In honor of making it to the last year of law school, I have decided to share my 3L journey. This is such a transitional time for me. I want to share what I wish I knew when I was an aspiring law student during the application process, an eager 1L just trying to learn the ropes, and now thinking of what comes next. My survival tips and tricks. How to remember to follow your passion, and everything else I want to share about mananging the trenches as I fight through my final year as a law student.

Some would say I am a successful law student. This summer I am working as an intern at the local Public Defender’s Office. This year I will be serving in various positions. I am Student Justice on the Honor Council, Moot Court Board Member, Vice-President of the Hispanic Law Student Association, National Student Leader on the Hispanic National Bar Association’s Law Studend Division Board, and serve on the board of other studnet organizations including American Constitutional Society, Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and International Law Society.

Others might not. I failed a class in first semester Torts I during the first year, on the brink of exclusion, resulting after being hit by a perfect storm of life (including a global pandemic). I had to work even harder to prove to myself that I can do this. Even though I might of tripped running out of the gates, I can now report that not only am I triving at law school I am excelling.

The trenches are not for the weak, its a battlefield out there, survival is the game. It takes commitment, dedication, and hard work to be successful. But, its not all doom and gloom. The secret is that anyone can do it! Sometimes its the simple things that get us through the day like planning a self-care treat during the day, or setting sepcific times where you plan on updating your daily calendar and schedule managment. Just know that in my experience, its the passionate ones who are the most successful.

Follow me to take a ride into my world and my journey from aspiring attorney to licensed attorney. Lets shake things up, shall we. Join me by hitting subscribe above! Stay tuned for a Youtube video soon, click here to follow and subscribe!

Selfie taken Summer before beginning the Fall Semester, July 2021

Top Tools to Ensure a Successful Transition to Virtural Law School

1. Be hyper organized

Buy a Planner

In the virtual setting accountability no longer exists or is not easily acquried by simply “showing up,” therfore, you must create it. Break up assignments into chunks or phases, set due dates with a cushion time to ensure you have time in case life does not work out as planned. A rule of thumb is to plan out your week and revise your plans every few days. Keep your daily to do list down to your top three tasks that must be completed.

2. Create your personal sanctuary

Buy a yoga or workout mat

Working from home and adjusting to virtual schooling takes alot of work, but you can be sucessful. Working in some form of exercise is essential for optimal performance. Exercise plays into proper mental and physical health. Our bodies were not designed to be dormant and our minds need the chemicals produced while exercising. The brain is a muscle that also demands proper care.

3. Prepare to be on camera

Buy a webcam cover

Privacy is important, however technology is tricky. There are times where you might not want your classmates or collegues looking at you. I recommending purchasing thin webcam covers that can fit on both laptop and phone.

5. And if you have money to splurge…

Buy a pair of Apple AirPods Pro

Keeping in mind the fact that the Apple AirPod Pro will cost you a bit over $250.00. The benefits it provides makes the price well worth the investment. Full disclosure: Toward the end of 1L year, I won an Airpod Pro giveaway raffel! I was suprised to find that Apple did actually improve on the original airpod model in ways I did not think possible. Not only did Apple improve the button on the ear, they also added sophasiticated noise cancellation technology. I was shocked when I activated the feature because I could no longer hear the hum of the refridgerator. With so many distractions at home, my Airpod Pro headphones are indespinsable for sanity and focus by blocking out background noises, which was especially useful during exams.

Buy a second screen

I purchased a dual-screen monitor and I have never looked back. A second screen is essential to increasing efficiency in a virtual format, especially if you take typed notes. If you have money to invest, when used properly a second screen can help increase overall productivity. Now, I can watch my lecture and take typed notes with ease.

Thanks for reading! Make sure to follow for more, and stay tuned for more tips and tricks for surviving virtual education.

Welcome to my blog, The Millennial Law Student!

I created this blog because I want to share my experience, information, and lessons while on my journey to making my dreams reality in this new era of life in America.

Hi, I am the Millennial Law Student, and welcome to my blog! I just completed my first year of law school, during a global pandemic, and now I am officially a 2L or second-year law student, and part of the Lawyers coming soon in the class of 2022.

I am part of the younger side of Millennials who are often less heard of—my experiences and perspective as a developing professional are especially important to share, now more than ever given these historic times we are living.

I represent part of the diverse perspective of the law student population. I am a 27-year-old wife, a mother of a ten-year-old girl, a business owner, a Mexican-American woman, and a law student building my second career all before the age of 30. (More on that later).

Even though I am just one voice, I am part of an entire generation of fighters coming to help fix our world, in our own individual way. I can honestly report that many law student are working to be part of the solution by working to the larger goal of creating a better world for my daughter, my family, humanity, and the generation coming behind us.

What a time to be a Law Student…Stay tuned for more, and dont forget to subscribe. Let’s ride this rollercoaster together!

Life After LSAT: Top Recommendations before Law School

Congratulations, you did it! You tamed the LSAT and received that acceptance letter, now what? At this point, most are wondering what comes next in order to prepare for law school. Most are either applying to law schools or are already accepted into one. Here, I will give you my top recommendations to prepare for the madness to come.

I got my first taste at law school life after being accepted into a program called TIP or the Tennessee Institute for Pre-Law . The program is an immersive, six-week law school boot camp for admission to law school based on performance. The experience was amazing, and a valuable sneak peek into law school life. If your law school offers any similar type of program, I strongly recommend applying for it.

The best way to prepare for law school is to do more of what you love. Make sure to wrap-up pending affairs and prepare to fall off the face of the earth for a while. Free up your schedule because to be successful in law school, you must be 100% invested.

1L of A Ride by Professor Andrew J. McClurg

I recommend the following books that helped me get a real idea of what’s to come. I read all the law school essentials: Law School Confidential, One L, Law School Admission Game. Sortly after getting notice of my acceptance into the TIP program I started reading 1L of a Ride. I can honestly tell you that none of the other books measured up to 1L of a Ride.

This book is an essential read for anyone preparing for law school. After experiencing the TIP program, I realized how accurate the book really is. Everything in this book provides helpful insight into what is to come, beginning at pre-law planning to note-taking, exam tips, and much more. Remember, BRIEF EVERY CASE!

Juris Types

In 1L of a Ride, Professor McClurg recommends taking a test called the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) test. This test measures personality preferences. Professor McClurg then recommends reading a book called Juris Types to learn more about learning the law through Self-Understanding. This book is my bible, I immediately realized the value of personalized study tips and advice based on personality preferences.

The book gives excellent insight into the self and points out habits that harm my study and provides tips and strategies to correct unhelpful behaviors. I read this book before my TIP experience, and I found myself referring to it every step of the way. This book is my secret weapon for surviving 1L and beyond. I strongly recommend this book to any and every law student; magic happens when you stop and reflect on learning about yourself.

The best way to brace yourself for the law school wave, is to prepare both physically and mentally. It is essential to invest time in examining study habits to figure out what practices are self-sabotaging and which ones help you succeed. I found myself returning to LSAT habits like being intentional with time, creating study blocks to stay focused, and meditation.

Prepare yourself physically now. Law school will force you to spend hours and hours reading, which means being in one position for several hours at a time. Now is the best time to start examining your daily habits. Are you drinking enough water? Are you getting regular exercise? Are you getting enough sleep? Spend time making plans to keep your mind and body healthy and balanced.

For example, on my journey of self-discovery, I started cultivating new habits that help me win the day. I started my law school days with a morning routine that includes drinking lots of water, walking a mile, and making sure to eat my brain food (two scrambled eggs with ham).

Being intentional about what you do with your time is an essential skill for success in any field. In Law self-care is a mandatory part of life and necessary in order to find the fuel for the demands of law school. Forming habits that serve your purpose is essential to ensure a smooth transition into the legal world.

Thanks for reading, as always feel free to comment any questions or requests for deeper dives into anything discussed here. Don’t forget to subscribe for more!