First Generation Success Story: You Can Be Successful too
By Shirlene Armstrong • December 28, 2018
I am currently in my final year of law school. I have been doing a lot of reflecting on where I came from, where I am going, and what my journey has in store for me next. You have listened to my first generation success story thus far as I have recounted the trials and tribulations that I have experienced throughout my legal journey (to this point). I am currently about to head into my last semester of law school. Soon I will graduate and begin preparation for the bar exam. Fortunately, I have a contingent offer of employment at…
First Generation Success Story: 3L Year - Where I am, where I am going.
By Shirlene Armstrong • November 26, 2018 •Writers in Residence, Law School, Other Law School Issues, Issues, Balancing Private and Professional Life
I am currently in my final year of law school, my 3L year. This year is my last year of law school… actually, my last year of school ever. Notoriously, this year is referred to as the “bored to death” year. I would really like to know who told 1L and 2L me that your last year of law school is best year ever because you’ll be bored more than anything. Because I am requesting my refund now! My 3L year is BEYOND busier than second year and MORE stressful than my first year! I signed up for…
First Generation Success Story: When Life Gets In The Way
By Shirlene Armstrong • October 27, 2018 •Writers in Residence, Issues, Balancing Private and Professional Life
I want to address a very important topic that doesn’t always seem to correlate with law school: life. Despite popular belief, life continues on even when you enter law school. Your personal life does not cease to exist outside of the law school. People grow, things change, and life-altering events still happen. However, as a law student, you are stuck inside the four walls of your school just trying to survive each week. It is very easy to put yourself in a ‘law school bubble’ in which you focus all your time and energy studying (believe me, it is…
First Generation Success Story: My First Legal Job and Opportunities
By Shirlene Armstrong • September 24, 2018 •Writers in Residence, Law School, Choosing a Career and Landing a Job
Getting into law school and making it through the school year is one side of the life of a law student. However, the legal journey does not end when the casebook closes and summer begins. Instead, you take on legal jobs, opportunities, and attend events to support your legal education. If you are like me, I have taken on way too much and am constantly bobbing in and out different meetings, jobs, and activities. In law school, your down time is dedicated to studying, living, and breathing the law. Typically, during the summer, law students…
First Generation Success Story: 2L Year- One of the Craziest Years of My Life
By Shirlene Armstrong • August 27, 2018 •Writers in Residence, Law School, Other Law School Issues
I had made it through my first year of this crazy thing called law school. Honestly, after the close of my 1L year, I was absolutely exhausted. Although I was looking forward to working full time during the summer at a law firm, I was also ready for a break. Summer came and left in what felt like a day. I worked hard, learned a lot, and gained so much valuable experience. Armed with new knowledge and confidence, I was ready for my 2L year. Little did I know how crazy my 2L year was going be. Busy does not…
First Generation Success Story: 1L Year
By Shirlene Armstrong • July 28, 2018 •Writers in Residence
I had made it through orientation and started law school. I was crazy nervous and excited for my 1L year. I knew that I would be faced with new challenges, new adventures, and I would get to learn about the thing I loved the most, the law. The first year of law school is lovingly referred to as the “scared to death” year of law school. And don’t get me wrong, I was shaking in my boots. Will I be successful? Will I understand what I am learning? What if I hate it? Can I survive? These are questions that…
First Generation Success Story: Orientation and Starting Law School
By Shirlene Armstrong • June 28, 2018 •Writers in Residence, Law School, Pre-Law
My anxiety was relieved and I was accepted into law school. I decided on Wayne State University, sent in my acceptance paperwork and anxiously began waiting for school to begin. To be honest, I was not exactly sure what to expect from orientation or what law school was going to be like. Law school was different than anything I had encountered before. I feel like Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, ready for law school but what if I get called on in class and I do not have the answers? Looking back on it, I know…
First Generation Success Story: The Costs of Law School
By Shirlene Armstrong • May 28, 2018 •Writers in Residence, Law School, Pre-Law
I had decided on which schools to apply to but actually had to go through the application and deciding on what school I should actually go to. I decided to apply to Michigan State University, Wayne State University, Washington University in St. Louis, and a few other schools. In order to apply for law school, there are several things you need to do. You have to take and pass the LSAT, fill out extensive applications, write personal statements, update your resume and other documents, and pay so many fees. As a first generation law student, no one really told me…
First Generation Success Story: Choosing Law Schools, Where Should I Apply?
By Shirlene Armstrong • April 28, 2018 •Writers in Residence, Law School, Pre-Law
I had finally received my LSAT score and was ready to begin the application process. However, I couldn’t just apply to all of the law schools in the country. Applying to law school actually takes a lot of time and money. Personally, I had limited funds (since I was paying for it myself and a fresh college graduate) and was working full time (so had very limited time). Thus, I knew that my next step was figuring out where to go to law school or where to apply to at least. Since I was going to be studying at a…