the end of the beginning

Having realized today that fall term begins in just five short weeks, my next realization is that my life as a 1L is something of a distant memory.  I must say, I am very thankful for that!  As much as I tried to keep a positive (or, not overtly negative) tone in this blog, I experienced frustration and angst along with my 1L classmates.  First year is hard, often sleepless, and rarely fun.

In addition to the chunks of my outlines still floating through my mind, when I look back on my 1L year, I realize how often I was impressed (stunned) by my professors.  While the accepted pedagogy in law schools is very dissimilar from many (any?) other academic field, the professors are a credit to their craft.  Each with  a distinct style and approach, their love of their work is obvious in the guided discussion, leading questions inserted seamlessly in the flow of the classroom conversation, and 'nesting doll' structure of each class.

Let's face it, 1Ls all act (and look =/) like awkward turtles.  Yet, professors manage to coordinate discussion that leads to specific learning points.  In the process, 'wrong' answers are generally carefully redirected, even slow analysis is applauded, and every class period is beneficial.

I imagine that professors set out specific opening and closing statements for each class period or topic, then outline their path with some commentary and questions.  This is a guess.  It is possible that profs use some other method.  But, there is no way everything the prof is going to say is memorized (in part because it is in response to our crazy ideas).  Yet, they always have an intentional direction.  The profs' questions move discussion forward, allowing us to process and progress along the way.

I did not quite grasp the 'stacking' or 'nesting' concepts structure until the very last week of my first semester.  At that moment, I careened down a hallway and blurted to a classmate "I finally got it ... The concepts feed into each other!  My outlines are useless!"  What a great (and awful) day that was!  My outlines (and grades) generally markedly improved second term.  But, I have to say, kudos to the professors who organize courses such that the material makes sense, linking with and supporting itself along the way.

I suppose this post is written as a tribute to my 1L professors.  For the tough love, relentless questioning, endless reading, grade-less writing ... for your dedication to your craft.

Thank you!