Meeting with a Professor

Wow, what an amazing person.

First of all, we addressed the motivation problem. Because I am indecisive, I do not always have a personal interest in finding the best arguments to defend my positions, as many of the professors seem to expect. But there is anther option--self-improvement. When I sit down to review a case or understand some doctrine, its not because I care about the case/parties/doctrine. Rather, its because I care about myself, and about making the most of a unique intellectual opportunity. Don't sell yourself short. Understanding the arguments and issues in a case or statute makes me a better lawyer. It means that I will be getting more out of a class, getting more for my money. And in turn, that will allow me to be more effective in the future at whatever I choose to do with my degree. Even if I never become a criminal lawyer, I still will become a more critical thinker if I engage with the rationale for a law instead of just obsessing over the best outline or proper statement of the black letter rule. And even if I am not going to be called on, that does not mean I can not be engaged in the lecture. I should be keeping a running commentary in the notes, tough not to the exclusion of paying attention to what is going on. This is an opportunity to develop thoughts and opinions. Remember how good it felt to realize that I don't support the Castle Doctrine?

Next, we talked about self-discovery and getting off the set path laid for you by society to pursue your own interests. There is room for success in any area of the law, and the courses you take will not necessarily box you in or out of a career. As long as you get a first job, there is room for movement within the field. The professor had a goal of not crying after her third day of her clerkship, and the memory and fear of failure led her to exceed the judge's expectations by the end of the year. Sharply pointed questioning, and the anticipation that every single argument you make will be rebutted leads to a thoroughness of preparation that requires a response to every concern.