Need Serious Help. Thinking about dropping out of law school.

I can't begin to tell you how depressed I feel at the sight of my law school text and anything law school related. I've said I wanted to be a lawyer since I was young and now I feel so much pressure to go through this HELL. I just want to get on w/ my life all ready and do something that enables me to create and develop new ideas. I feel like the law isn't giving me this. It's making me feel so down and low all the time. I'm a first year student and I'm absolutely going nuts. I'm not sure if it's the pressure of being a 1L...but I really, really dislike it. I feel forced to finish because everyone "expects" me to. I feel like my time could be spent doing something more productive career wise.

I need someone or anyone to tell me there opinions on what they think my best option to do is.

Thanks for listening.

Re: Need Serious Help. Thinking about dropping out of law school.

What is it exactly that you aren't liking about law school? Is it the reading or the professors? First year is awful because--most likely--you're not studying anything you're actually interested in or you don't know what you're interested in just yet. Maybe you could try sitting in on a few upper level classes that sound interesting just to get a sense of whether it will get better for you. You could also see about sitting in on a class at another law school.

As far as being creative, it's true that law can be dry sometimes but the way you get creative is with your arguments, developing new theories of law etc, etc. If you really hate law school though, try to think about what other career path you might like and talk to people in that field. Hope this helps!

Re: Need Serious Help. Thinking about dropping out of law school.

I work with Math PhD students and sometimes they go through something similar. For most, it's a bump in the road until they pass the orals, and maybe it will be the same for you. As JennieSunshine said, perhaps you can sit in on upper-division classes that are of interest to you, so you can see the more interesting things that lie ahead.

I also want to point out that every career has its tedious, non-creative aspect. Even artists sell their work and do book keeping. Try to think about what drew you to law in the first place.

I advise the math students I work with to take a break from their books for a couple of weeks every summer. Try the same, and try to not even think about school for the next week or two.

This must be a very difficult thing to go through. Good luck with your decision

Re: Need Serious Help. Thinking about dropping out of law school.

I have some friends in Law School. They say the first year is hell and it gets better after that.

Re: Need Serious Help. Thinking about dropping out of law school.

It might be a phase I wouldn't quit all together maybe a break is needed..... I envy the fact that you are a 1 year Law Student ..... I never followed through with anything. Maybe take a break and persue other options , sometimes we if we take a break it helps us realize if we miss something or not....

Re: Need Serious Help. Thinking about dropping out of law school.

is part of it because you're trying to plan a wedding as well which is a lot more fun than school. maybe it's just the stress of both that is making you really dislike school. can you move the wedding up or postpone it a little longer?

Re: Need Serious Help. Thinking about dropping out of law school.

get a tutor. It will help you immensely. Also during the first year of my phd program, a lot of people were really stressed. But as you progress the stress decreases because you become more accustomed to the people, work, and to what is expected of you.

Re: Need Serious Help. Thinking about dropping out of law school.

If you feel too pressured...you can always stop and go back later if you realize it's your heart's true passion. But if you feel so stressed out now as a 1L maybe it's a way of your body and mind saying "this is not what you should be doing now".

Good luck with your decision...I'm sure you'll end up doing what is best for you!

Re: Need Serious Help. Thinking about dropping out of law school.

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Posted by jenniesunshine

What is it exactly that you aren't liking about law school? Is it the reading or the professors? First year is awful because--most likely--you're not studying anything you're actually interested in or you don't know what you're interested in just yet. Maybe you could try sitting in on a few upper level classes that sound interesting just to get a sense of whether it will get better for you. You could also see about sitting in on a class at another law school.

As far as being creative, it's true that law can be dry sometimes but the way you get creative is with your arguments, developing new theories of law etc, etc. If you really hate law school though, try to think about what other career path you might like and talk to people in that field. Hope this helps!

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Re: Need Serious Help. Thinking about dropping out of law school.

I have a friend who went through something similar. She actually stopped and did a paralegal program instead. She was having breakouts and her weight fluctuated to the point the doctors were getting worried. So far she is alot happier..except when the loans are due. Honestly you may have to take a semester of and just re-evaluate things to see if its Law school or perhaps the pressures from trying to do too much at one time. It will not be an easy decision and only you will know whats right for you.

Re: Need Serious Help. Thinking about dropping out of law school.

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Posted by mattituckprincess

is part of it because you're trying to plan a wedding as well which is a lot more fun than school. maybe it's just the stress of both that is making you really dislike school. can you move the wedding up or postpone it a little longer?

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Re: Need Serious Help. Thinking about dropping out of law school.

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Posted by myasmom

I have a friend who went through something similar. She actually stopped and did a paralegal program instead. She was having breakouts and her weight fluctuated to the point the doctors were getting worried. So far she is alot happier..except when the loans are due. Honestly you may have to take a semester of and just re-evaluate things to see if its Law school or perhaps the pressures from trying to do too much at one time. It will not be an easy decision and only you will know whats right for you.

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Re: Need Serious Help. Thinking about dropping out of law school.

I just want to thank-you all for helping me during this difficult time. I'm starting school tommorow and I'm going to give myself this one week and see how I feel. Depending on how things go will determine the final result. I need to get the strength to pursue what I love and not what others want be to do.

Re: Need Serious Help. Thinking about dropping out of law school.

My brother just finished his first year at Penn law. He made law review, got the internship he wanted, and is in the top 10 people in his class now, guaranteed a spot at one of the top three firms in NYC next summer.

He hates it. Cannot stand it. Hates the people and is counting down the days til he can retire. My mother tried to tell him it is never too late to stop--to do something you want. Put it into perspective--better to find out now it does not make you happy. I think my brother turned to law for money, which he will definitely make a lot of. But he is now certain that with that money will not come happiness, especially given the hours he will be working at the firms he is looking at.

Good luck.

Re: Need Serious Help. Thinking about dropping out of law school.

I would strongly consider what you are thinking about. I used to work at a law firm, and a majority of the lawyers hated practicing law, the long hours, the work, etc. but did it because it was expected of them, and some others because they didn't want to go into the real world right after college.

In fact, my ex-boyfriend is an attorney and he was MISERABLE. He hated the long hours, the work, everything about it. He went into a depression because his father is an attorney and he felt obligated to everyone else to stay in the field. He finally left and is still an attorney, but for a corporation which is slightly better. I would just say think about it because after law school, it is still going to be a lot of work.

Re: Need Serious Help. Thinking about dropping out of law school.

Another thing, I don't think you will find out what you are supposed to be doing either. I still don't know. To me, what is important is a job I don't hate, making decent money. I used to focus so much on my career that I was going nuts wanting to do so many different things. Once I met fiance, I felt so much more settled, realized, a job is just a job. The people at my job who don't rush home at the end of the day, are not happy with their life at home. But the most important thing is that you might have realized what you DON'T want to do, so you won't waste your time an energy.

Re: Need Serious Help. Thinking about dropping out of law school.

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Posted by nov04LIbride

My brother just finished his first year at Penn law. He made law review, got the internship he wanted, and is in the top 10 people in his class now, guaranteed a spot at one of the top three firms in NYC next summer.

He hates it. Cannot stand it. Hates the people and is counting down the days til he can retire. My mother tried to tell him it is never too late to stop--to do something you want. Put it into perspective--better to find out now it does not make you happy. I think my brother turned to law for money, which he will definitely make a lot of. But he is now certain that with that money will not come happiness, especially given the hours he will be working at the firms he is looking at.

Good luck.

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Re: Need Serious Help. Thinking about dropping out of law school.

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Posted by tp329

Another thing, I don't think you will find out what you are supposed to be doing either. I still don't know. To me, what is important is a job I don't hate, making decent money. I used to focus so much on my career that I was going nuts wanting to do so many different things. Once I met fiance, I felt so much more settled, realized, a job is just a job. The people at my job who don't rush home at the end of the day, are not happy with their life at home. But the most important thing is that you might have realized what you DON'T want to do, so you won't waste your time an energy.

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Re: Need Serious Help. Thinking about dropping out of law school.

Trust me, they will all get over it. It's not like you are going to be a bum instead, you are going to still do something meaningful with your life. Making the decision to stay in law school might change the rest of your life. If you plan on getting married, and having kids a few years after that...I don't think that job will permit that type of lifestyle. And the student loans...there is so much. I don't want to discourage lawyers, because we sure do need them, but it is a major career choice, unlike many others. I changed my major in college a gazillion times. Which is why at age 26, I am finally finishing this summer. When I used to work as a legal secretary at a law firm, there were nights I worked until 4 am! I never ever ever want to do that again! Not to say other careers are not demanding as well...but the field of law can be a very stressful and overwhelming one. Good luck making a decision! Whatever the decision is, you have to do it for yourself. You are the one who will be going to work every day, not your mom, not your dad...can't please everyone, might as well please yourself! I used to want someone to sit me down and say, "This is what you should do" because I was so indecisive. I fell into a position as a financial analyst, and it works for me, I dont mind going to work every day, and that is what is important to me.

Re: Need Serious Help. Thinking about dropping out of law school.

I'm a lawyer and also hated law school. I went to an extemely competitive ivy league law school and the stress was often overwhelming.

But, I toughed it out, took the bar and now have been practicing law for 7 years at a large firm. While it is true that the first year is the hardest and it gets easier, the law field is a tough career choice. And although I am doing well, I can honestly say that I wouldn't necessarily have gone into it if I knew then what I know now.

Follow your heart. It it is not for you, it is not for you. And, that is only a decision that you can make.

Another point to make is that not every lawyer makes a lot of money as a lot of your relatives might think. There are a lot of lawyers out there. My cousin graduated from a strong LI law school and had trouble finding a job. Now, she doesn't make all that much either and is straddled with a lot of law school debt.

Good luck with your decision....and, do what you think is best!!

Re: Need Serious Help. Thinking about dropping out of law school.

What school do you go to? It sounds more like you hate the school and the other students and professors than law school itself. Maybe you can transfer?

I'm an attorney and I can tell you there is so much you can do with a law degree...the possibilities are endless. You don't have to work at a "top" firm with crazy hours. Most people do it just for the money or for the prestige it adds to their resume. If you don't care about that, there are so many different things you can do - many of them very different than what you seem to expect.

Feel free to ask if you have any questions.

Re: Need Serious Help. Thinking about dropping out of law school.

to you. i see everyone has already offered you wonderufl advice. i say follow your heart - maybe take a semester off or even a yr off to figure it out. don't do anything just ofr others, you have to be happy for yourself! good luck!!

Re: Need Serious Help. Thinking about dropping out of law school.

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Posted by tp329

Trust me, they will all get over it. It's not like you are going to be a bum instead, you are going to still do something meaningful with your life. Making the decision to stay in law school might change the rest of your life. If you plan on getting married, and having kids a few years after that...I don't think that job will permit that type of lifestyle. And the student loans...there is so much. I don't want to discourage lawyers, because we sure do need them, but it is a major career choice, unlike many others. I changed my major in college a gazillion times. Which is why at age 26, I am finally finishing this summer. When I used to work as a legal secretary at a law firm, there were nights I worked until 4 am! I never ever ever want to do that again! Not to say other careers are not demanding as well...but the field of law can be a very stressful and overwhelming one. Good luck making a decision! Whatever the decision is, you have to do it for yourself. You are the one who will be going to work every day, not your mom, not your dad...can't please everyone, might as well please yourself! I used to want someone to sit me down and say, "This is what you should do" because I was so indecisive. I fell into a position as a financial analyst, and it works for me, I dont mind going to work every day, and that is what is important to me.

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Re: Need Serious Help. Thinking about dropping out of law school.

I have been an attorney for 3 years now. I hated law school. Really hated it, almost quit my second year - that's when a lot of people quit.
I work at an insurance co. instead of at a firm. I worked in firms and couldn't stand it. WOrking in house is a little better because there are no billables and normal hours.

If I knew then what I know now, I would not have gone to law school. It's tough to say it but it's true. I have so much debt right now, and I don't like my job, but I feel like I have to continue doing it because I need to pay off my loans (for the next 20 years!!!)

Seriously, it's a lot of work and what others have said is true. All my friends who are attorneys regret going to law school and are miserable!!

Re: Need Serious Help. Thinking about dropping out of law school.

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Posted by Bride626

I'm a lawyer and also hated law school. I went to an extemely competitive ivy league law school and the stress was often overwhelming.

But, I toughed it out, took the bar and now have been practicing law for 7 years at a large firm. While it is true that the first year is the hardest and it gets easier, the law field is a tough career choice. And although I am doing well, I can honestly say that I wouldn't necessarily have gone into it if I knew then what I know now.

Follow your heart. It it is not for you, it is not for you. And, that is only a decision that you can make.

Another point to make is that not every lawyer makes a lot of money as a lot of your relatives might think. There are a lot of lawyers out there. My cousin graduated from a strong LI law school and had trouble finding a job. Now, she doesn't make all that much either and is straddled with a lot of law school debt.

Good luck with your decision....and, do what you think is best!!

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