Changes To Come Soon!

November is a distressingly busy month for many first-year law students, myself included. My to-do-list is a mile long and those crazed exam jitters are finally looming freely. Nevertheless, just when I had determined that the list couldn't grow any longer, I added yet another thing - making drastic changes to my blog!

I thought for quite some time about the information I'm able to obtain and share. I also contemplated the various groups of people with which I could share that information, and I've come up with a wonderful conclusion. I'd like to help high school students find their path to higher education! I might be in law school now, but since I just graduated from college in May, I'm not too far removed from the undergraduate application process. Not to mention, I have a pamphlet that I wrote and distributed as a college freshman to those who were curious as to how I was offered over $500,000 in scholarships. So, I have a basic outline of certain materials and advice that I'd like to cover.

I'll still be one step closer to the real world, but my hope is to assist others in making substantial steps in their lives as well, especially students from underrepresented communities and those who are unable to retrieve such information easily. For now, I'll give you all a preview of some of the topics that I will cover:

• Slow and Steady Wins the Race - Small Scholarships and Their Importance 
• Using the Internet in Aiding Your Application Process
• Common Application 
• Fastweb 
• CollegeBoard 
• Questbridge
• Gates Millennium Scholars
• Demystifying Application Fee Waivers
• Paper Forms and Typewriters 
• Organization - Charts Are Charming and Storing is Scoring 
• To Be Or Not To Be - Narrowing Down Your College List
• Understanding the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) 

I think that's a pleasant preview of the topics that I will be discussing in the near future! Until then, I'm going to get back to my Property Law outline. If you have any suggestions as to other subjects that you'd like me to cover, feel free to leave a comment! 

Every Day Isn't Dandelions and Apple Trees

Today has been the most difficult day I've had as a law school student. I haven't had time to synthesize last week's materials. My readings for this week are most definitely piling up. (In other words, I have roughly six hours of reading to complete for Tuesday alone.) I'm also having quite a bit of trouble finding relevant sources for one of my most important early assignments. My work ethic is working against me. My motivation seems to have gone down the drain. Nothing has gone smoothly all day and, as always, time is not on my side. 

Am I angry? No. Am I frustrated? A little. Am I worried? Absolutely not! 

Chemists, who hold dear the teachings of Isaac Newton, agree that, "For every action there is an equal and opposition reaction." Grammy award winning singers Mary Mary remind us that, "We all need a little dirt to grow." When problems arise in our lives, no matter how great or small, it's important to stay encouraged and continue to do our best. Every day isn't dandelions and apple trees. Matter of fact, some days can be more like ferocious lions and bumble bees! Nevertheless, it's hard to appreciate the good things in your life if you never have a few hardships. It's during those times that it becomes important not to give up, but to take baby steps. You can still get where you want to go! Just keep walking! 

What's In A Subtitle?

Next City? Next Goal? Next Step?

Does such a subtitle have the potential to accurately describe the current road upon which I traverse? In simplest terms, yes, it does‼

To begin with, I am in a brand new city‼‼ Coming to Illinois has been a wonderful, yet occasionally difficult experience, e.g., my constant inability to make phone calls in my apartment. Luckily, I've already encountered some equally wonderful people here who have been able to help me with my transition. I haven't even been here a week, and I know that I'll be able to comfortably call this place home soon enough.

So about that next goal. I actually did have a goal in mind when I added those words to the subtitle of my blog. Generally speaking, my next goal is to obtain a Juris Doctor degree within the next three years. Sounds easy enough, right? Well, maybe not, but when considering other extremely arduous circumstances through which I preserved; this next goal seems much more feasible to say the least. 

Now how could I possibly explain that next step? I guess that next step can be best described as more of a series of small steps. Matter of fact, it may even correspond more closely to a dance, seeing as many of those steps will not continue along a linear path. They will be more like a dance or a performance. Just like in every performance, once the final steps have been made and the curtain has been pulled, life still goes on, but something has changed. That performance is over. Once it is over, a new focus with new steps and a new routine will emerge. You could say that now I'm taking my own steps, creating my own dance and getting ready to give my curtain call in only a few short years. Once the crowd stops applauding for me at my next commencement ceremony, I'll be One Step Closer... to the Real World.