Learning to Love Law

Have you ever thought that everyone in your law class is just so much more passionate than you? Do you ever see a classmate extending their arm so high they might actually touch the ceiling fan because they can practically recite the textbook in response to a lecturer’s question? Or, do you know that classmate who doesn’t answer the lecturer’s question with an inquisitive tone because they’re sure that they’re right?

Starting law school made me realise that I was just not as passionate as some of my peers.  I felt as though I snatched an opportunity from someone else who could’ve been more passionate about this field than myself, or that I was just not smart enough to understand the fun they saw in editing a contract. It’s hard to not compare yourself with others when it's innate. It’s human nature to notice how well others are doing and either feel discouraged or encouraged to do better. 

So, how can we transform this comparison into a drive to do better? Well, I am no expert, but I’ve developed a few methods throughout my brief time in law school. Oftentimes, I find it hard to take notes when the textbook becomes impossible to read, as it ranges from the most complicated words I’ve ever heard of, to paragraphs of text lacking full stops and commas. During aggravating moments like this, I find solace in adding clipart images to my notes. Simple, isn’t it? Trust me, it makes the note taking process that much more enjoyable and helps me understand cases so much better. I will add multiple images to explain a concept or a case so that it caters to my understanding. Maybe to someone else, it will look like a poorly made pic collage attempt, but to me it's something that just ‘makes sense’. It’s also a nice way of taking a break in between studying. Just spending a minute to find a cute sticker or png to add to your notes will help break up the study session a little and makes it slightly more enjoyable.  

Another thing I like to do when I take notes is use colour. Many studies have shown that our brains react well to colour. As someone who used to spend most of their middle school days making sure that her notes looked pinterest-worthy, this tip has served me well even in law school. Taking a few minutes to pretty up your notes with a bit of colour can make the experience all the more fulfilling. Sometimes, I’m even excited to do my notes with the thought of a cute layout concept. I even assign colours to the things that will always pop up in my notes; for example, for cases I use green, for legislation I use blue and for important information I use red. Wasn’t this paragraph already more interesting to read than the others? 

Finally, facts in cases and decisions made by judges tend to stay in my memory for longer if I read them as though it's gossip I heard from my aunties while talking after dinner. Once again, it makes the whole process that little bit easier to understand and a whole lot more enjoyable. 

Auntie 1: No way! I just overheard that Justice Kirby said he saw no need for an intermediate term category! 

Auntie 2: Yeah, didn’t you hear? I mean, he still had the same decision as the majority. They all think that the contract can be terminated but he’s just acting out and saying there shouldn’t be an intermediate term category at all. 

Auntie 1: He’s gutsy for even going against the Chief Justice!

Maybe it’s the gossiper in me, but dialogue like this is just so much easier to take in. 

All in all, let’s not feel bad for not being as passionate as the others, but try to make the most out of our experience in law school. Sometimes it’s the little things like this that get me through. Even for those who started off with great passion, sometimes things fizzle out. Law school is demanding and it's hard to balance it out amongst all our other commitments. So, if you’re a student who has lost that spark, only studying law because you couldn’t get into medicine, doing it because your parents urged you to or doing it just for the stability it could bring you in the future, it doesn’t matter! We’re all here now, so let’s enjoy our time even during the quieter and drier moments of law school. 

Written by Sharee Zhang