My how things have changed!

We’re two weeks into the new semester, which is synonymous with being half way through Space Mountain–lights out, hands in the air, being propelled up, down and around, all while screaming at the top of your lungs. But for the screaming, that’s a pretty good comparison. And, while there’s no screaming in law school (especially in or near the law library), I promise there is plenty of screaming at the appropriate time and places!

I do not feel like the same person who survived the fall semester. So much seems to have changed. The most striking change is the number of classmates who did not return for spring semester. Our class lost five. Some quit. Some moved on to other programs. And some could not return because of poor grades. Whatever their stories or reasons for not returning, we spent a semester together in some of the harshest educational conditions imaginable. I wish them well.

Another change this semester has been my "plan of action." This was my solemn promise to the good Lord that IF He would grant me the honor of returning, I would have a different (and better) game plan–and I do. For one thing, I now know how to attack the homework assignments. I also know how important it is to redeem those 15 and 20 minute breaks that you have during the day. (Tremendous feats can be accomplished in 15 minutes!) What can’t be accomplished during breaks is attacked immediately after class, and I am usually done with homework by 7:00 p.m. (if I don’t stop for dinner). Afterward, I hit the track or treadmill (for a two-mile walk) and then crash for the evening. (On average, I'm sleeping about six hours per night, which is wonderful!) That’s the typical schedule during the week. I have dedicated every Friday night to preparing for Monday’s classes (rather than waiting until Sunday night). I also have dedicated all of my Saturdays to "review time." I will spend at least twelve hours on Saturdays updating my notes and outlines, reviewing the past week’s materials, perhaps taking a few practice questions from Gilbert’s (a study aid), or flipping through some flash cards. Saturday night and Sunday are mostly for pleasure and relaxation, except I do spend an hour listening to some instructional podcasts on Sunday night (just to get me prepped for the new week).

My "plan of action" has also included a tremendous change in my daily schedule, e.g., no nap--unless absolutely necessary (like last week when I had a cold); in addition, very few phone calls! And ohmygoodness! has that been difficult! But, I have found that it really works best for me to reserve phone calls for the weekend. Otherwise, I start making calls and I can’t stop! And you know that those calls can go on for hours! Meanwhile, no one else is doing my homework! So, I’ve been very disciplined and discreet in calling (and even e-mailing), and I can tell such a big difference. It seems that I have so many more hours in the day–I guess because literally I do! Certainly this does not mean that I do not want to receive calls or e-mails. (Believe me, if I can’t talk, you’ll get voice mail.) The phone calls and e-mails were not the problem; I was the problem. I finally realized that it did no good to get on the phone and whine for an hour about how much homework I had to do. Sure, my friends were sympathetic, but when we ended our conversation, I still had just as much homework staring me in the face. The new plan is "do your homework and quit whining about it."

I think my level of confidence has changed as well. I feel better about the answers I provide in class. I feel better about my comprehension of the material. And, even if I don’t understand (which happens at least daily), I know that at least 75% of the class is right there with me. Exam grades were quite the confidence booster, and I am trying to ride that wave as long as possible.
Finally, my status has changed; I now have "rank." I know that I have to protect my rank in class. I also know that I can improve my rank. With this change in status I have realized that all of these other changes are absolutely necessary if I intend to improve. So, things have definitely changed. Or, perhaps, "things" are the same, but I have definitely changed, and change is good.