Almost there...

Almost there... As the weather turns cold, and leaves change their colors, law students set up camp in the library, ready to pursue their studies for another year. A new crop of 1L students starts to settle in to the rhythm of law school, while the 3Ls begin to recognize that the end is near. This fall term has been a blur, with work, school, and personal life all rushing headlong toward December. My summer externship ended in early August, allowing me a few weeks of rest and relaxation before resuming classes. Kayaking and some belated spring cleaning helped to clear the way for the final approach to graduation. The return to school was a tough adjustment after taking almost a month off, but it was great to reconnect with all the good friends I have made in my time at Lewis and Clark. Early in the term, I finally had a chance to bring my band on campus, as we played for an ACLU event on campus. Although keeping up with non-school activities can be a challenge in law school, I highly recommend maintaining a creative outlet for yourself. People in the legal profession love to have something to talk about that isn’t related to law, and it never hurts to have something fun and interesting to digress on. The last term of law school is a good time to reflect on the experience, and to look ahead to life after law school. Although the pressure of classes remains, the job hunt has become a bigger piece of the picture. As important as classes and job hunting are, however, it is the relationships we build during our time in law school that have the biggest impact. Friendships and professional connections are likely to have a bigger impact on your life after law school than grades or externships. Make the effort to get to know your classmates, and your professors, and your time in law school is well spent.