Next Monday I officially start law school. Orientation has been both interesting and a drag, all in all, to be expected. Today we had a very insightful session organized by the career development office (CDO,) which will no doubt play a large role in my next three years here. A highlight of today’s presentation was a panel discussion by four Tulane Law alumna from various fields. The two most interesting panelists were Andrew deKlerk, an admiralty law specialist of South African origin, and Jim Letten, the United States Attorney for Eastern Louisiana. deKlerk made clear that for admiralty law, New Orleans was the best place to practice and that the Tulane name had the highest international cachet. Letten, who was instrumental in convicting the former Governor of Louisiana on corruption charges, reminded us of our new status as professionals and the effort we’d have to make to get ahead. Letten’s advice largely hinged on the fact that unlike 30 or so years ago, competition for good legal positions is much more intense, and that merely getting by is no longer enough. His talk was inspiring and helped re-kindle some passions that I’d lost sight of in this hectic time of transition.

And hectic it has been. I don’t think I have done as much socializing and mingling in the past two years as I’ve done in these last few days. For those of you who know me (wait, who the hell else is reading this anyway,) “chit-chat” is not my forte. I tend to jump right to a critical analysis of the situation at hand, which can be a bit off-putting. That said, I have come across some very interesting people, many of whom have traveled extensively and some of whom have had other careers before winding up here. While I’m still a little exasperated by the cliques that are starting to form, I have come to realize that it is just human nature and I am no great exception to any of it. What I do take from this, though, is that it will be healthy for me to maintain interests outside of law school (a sentiment echoed by many of today’s speakers.) I’m not sure what that will be yet seeing that I don’t really know non-law school people and I’m so focused on getting my bearings at school.

What I can say I’m psyched about is the fact that I have received my student ID which means that I can now access the gym. Working out has always been a way for me to focus and calm myself, and I’m sure that I’ll be able to establish a routine shortly.

But the fact remains that I am way out of my comfort zone and feeling a bit vulnerable. A sincere thanks to those who have reminded me that I am my own harshest critic, and what may make me feel weird is often what others find attractive. Wish me continued luck, especially with the ***tload of reading that is soon to be upon me.