Halfway through the first week of classes, I am feeling slightly overwhelmed. Law school is going to be a challenge—I knew that when I signed up. But I did not expect to feel exhausted after a mere seventy-six hours as a 1L. I’m reminded of how parents will sometimes throw infant children into the water to “teach” the infant to swim. Sure, it might be a viable method, but there’s a terrifying moment for the infant when he or she realizes that there’s no air to breathe under the water.

Don’t get me wrong—I love law school. Ever since I was a little boy I’ve wanted to be a lawyer. There is a great deal to be said for knowing the rules and how to apply them. However, sometimes (or should I say a great deal of the time) the law can seem removed from common sensibilities. I was a pre-law major in college, and if that wasn’t enough to dissuade me from pursuing a Juris Doctorate, then I must be pretty determined to do this thing we’re all doing. Maybe I’m a little crazy, but then again, I think everyone here must be a little neurotic.

I mean think about it: Who in their right mind spends a huge amount of money to frustrate and confuse oneself? Are we not all just a little masochistic? I hope this doesn’t sound too pessimistic; it really is not meant to be. This school is great. The professors are bright, engaging, and accessible; the students are a diverse and talented group; everyone has been doing their best to make the transition to law school life painless—I really can’t complain.

I suppose it’s the transition itself that has thrown me. College was easy—comparatively. I remember thinking—when I saw my schedule on the first day of Orientation—that I had a light course load, but when you spend several hours preparing for each class, that “light” course load starts feeling pretty heavy. Reading thirty pages of a casebook feels akin to reading one hundred-fifty of a college text. I know I’ll adjust, but I’d be willing to wager many of you are feeling the sensory overload I am right now. The really sick and twisted part of it all is I (and I’m sure many of you as well) actually enjoy it. I suppose that’s why we’re here . . . .

Well, enough rambling for now—I’ve got a lot of reading to do for tomorrow. . . .