Fighting the "stealer" of motivation

Pursuing a professional degree requires an immense amount of dedication and determination. Unlike many other ventures, law school takes self-motivation and an extreme desire to study in order to be successful. With that said, I often found myself lacking in the motivation arena. Midway through the semester I was dragging my feet, becoming complacent, feeling down and overwhelmed. Knowing what I need to do and actually doing it created a hurdle that I needed help getting over. Why does this happen? It always happens around the same time, every year without any particular event to bring on this slump that I fall into. You always begin a semester super motivated, excited and determined but it never lasts. What can I do to preserve that initial fervor? As my 2L year progresses, I felt myself falling into the same hole; but recognizing that this was coming makes it easier to dig myself out. My solution:

-Find something to do that you can complete in a day.

- Make this accomplishment tangible, something you can look at, something you can be proud of.

-Make this venture something that you have been meaning to do but never got to do it.

I followed the above steps and found myself in a better place after. Now I am able to get my priorities in order, prepare myself for finals and regain the motivation I lost! I hope that my experience will help others overcome the lack of motivation that creeps up on unsuspecting law students. Stay focused and keep your eyes on the prize!

~Giovannii Ruffin '11

Reflections in my fourth year

Upon entering law school I was nervous about blending with the other students because of my age, having been out of the school setting for quite some time and being a night student. My reservations quickly disappeared due to the wonderful support between the students; everyone I had met shared the same sentiment that helping each other will also lead to personal achievement and success. That sentiment is still as strong today in my fourth year as it was in my first year.

As my law school career progressed, I received, and continue to receive, the benefit of interacting with so many of the faculty who have been very giving of their time to assist me with either questions I had about the material, working on my journal note or simply for advice concerning my career path. More recently, after having completed the appellate clinic, I feel lucky to have been able to be involved in a real life experience: arguing before the appellate court and even better--winning my case! Not only am I still a law student, but when I graduate next spring, I can say I already argued at one of our top courts and already have a win under my belt!

Currently I am working closely in an externship that is also extremely rewarding. I am involved in developing a training program for Guardian Ad Litems and Attorneys for Minor Children in Connecticut. This is especially exciting because I am hoping to work in the family law arena after graduation representing children. Finally, as a full time paralegal, part-time student, wife and mother, having the flexibility available to me so that I can be involved clinics, externships, student government and the Probate Law Journal has made my experience here that much more rewarding.

Lisa Dumond '10
Editor in Chief, Probate Law Journal

Mock Trial Final Bench

Last month I participated in the Mock Trial Society's Intramural Competition. Over the summer one of my friends and I decided to try out for the team, and when everyone got settled back for the new semester, the competition took off pretty quickly. We were all given a fact pattern and assigned to be prosecution or defense. Within one week, we had to build an entire case--witnesses, opening and closing arguments, getting ready for objections. It was pretty intense.

We spent every free moment outside of class and homework preparing our case. We spent hours going over each other's direct and cross examinations, opening statement and closing argument, and working on our expected objections. (I had just started taking Evidence, but luckily my teammate had taken it over the summer. Working on this made my evidence classes more interesting, though.) We prepared our arguments for motions, and we rehearsed. ALOT.

The night of our trial, we walked into the Trial Practice Room here in the law school (it's basically a small courtroom, complete with a jury box and everything!) not really knowing what to expect. I think I can speak for my teammate as well when I say we were both feeling quite nervous. Once we started, however, the nerves were forgotten and we were having a great time.

A hard part about law school is that sometimes I feel like I'm watching people being lawyers. In the classroom, I don't really feel like a lawyer (it's another story with externships and internships, but go with me.) But, once the competition trial started, I finally felt like a lawyer. I could see myself--hopefully in the near future--doing this for a living. I came to law school thinking I'd be anything BUT a trial attorney. After giving it a go, I am surprised to say that I now see a new light at the end of this tunnel. (OK, so, I don't see a light. I see a career goal that involves going to court and working on trials. Same thing.) I'm excited because I feel like I have a goal now, and it's something I can see myself dedicating my life too. Best of all, it's just fun.

Denise Graham '11

Loan options while continuing your education

If you borrowed federal education loans in the past, have a remaining balance, and are now returning to school, you may be eligible for an in-school deferment on your loan(s) so payments are not required. In order to be eligible for a federal loan deferment, you will need to be enrolled at least half-time (six credits) each semester. Quinnipiac University reports enrollment statuses to the National Student Clearinghouse. Many lenders participate with the National Student Clearinghouse and will receive advisement of your enrollment status; however, it is always advisable to confirm that your loans are in deferment status to avoid being considered late for any payment due.
If you are unsure of your lender/servicer, or about your loan status, you may log into the National Student Loan Data System below to view your loan history.

National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS):

• The U.S. Department of Education's central database for financial aid

• Contains financial aid history related to federal student loans and grants.

• Access requirements:

1. Social Security number
2. First two letters of your last name 
3. Date of birth 
4. PIN

• You were assigned a PIN if you completed the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) on the Web.
• If you have forgotten your PIN or never received one, visit the PIN Registration Site.

Why QU? Why Not?

When I began looking at Law Schools, Quinnipiac was just another name on my list. So, why did I choose to come here, and why am I so happy that I did?
Like so many students looking for schools, I started with a large list of possibilities. There were some long shots and some safeties, and then there was everything else. Quinnipiac was one little school I didn’t know much about, but the more I learned, the more I liked what I learned. When it came down to the final few, I asked myself, “Why Quinnipiac?” after some thinking, I realized I was asking the wrong question. I should have been asking, “Why not Quinnipiac?”
So, why not Quinnipiac? Sorry guys, but I still don’t have an answer to that question. This little school has everything. The faculty is just as qualified as the faculty at any other school I looked at. The main difference is that they are more accessible. The education is just as good as at any other school I looked at. The main difference is that because of the small class sizes, it was more individualized and interactive. The location is perfect. I won’t go too much into Hamden because there is already so much information on it out there, but let’s just say that there is something for everyone. The students are friendlier and more helpful than anywhere else you’ll find. I’ll guarantee that. However, for me the deciding factor was that Quinnipiac was working harder for me than anywhere else, and here’s why.
Quinnipiac is a school on the move. Every department here is actively working to put the school on the map. If you don’t believe me, just take look at Dean Wilkes’ travel schedule, at Dean Saxton’s weekly planner, or ask Joan Metzler how she still finds time to track me down when my blogs are late. The staff here really puts in 100%, and their efforts show in the results. This was so important to me because I didn’t find it anywhere else. This school wants you to succeed, and they will do whatever it takes to ensure that you do. Quinnipiac works hard for its students and alumni, and in turn, the students and alumni work hard for the school. Everyone knows that at the end of the day, you get out what you put in. It’s evidently clear the school is putting a lot in; it’s also evidently clear they’re getting a lot out. Once I realized this my decision was practically made for me.

Alex Romano '10

A variety of opportunities for law students

This past summer, I was the Legal Intern at the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council (SEACC). At SEACC, I helped to draft and submit several Tongass National Forest timber sale appeals. I also researched proposed federal legislation as it related to the Tongass (the same legislation SEACC testified about before Congress). Probably the best experience this summer, though, was being involved in a SCOTUS case (Coeur Alaska v. SEACC). Though it didn't come down in SEACC's favor, it was an amazing experience.

Kate Boucher, '10

What To Read Before Law School (Part 2)

Here is a continuation of  the blog "What to Read Before Law School (Part 1)":

One L (ISBN 0-446-67378-1)
Scott Turow; Grand Central Publishing

Don’t read this book unless you’re going to someplace known for its competitive atmosphere. And don’t read it unless you’re using a time machine to go to school in the 1970s. It certainly isn’t informative of the experience at QULaw. It’s a fine book, but not as an information resource for this school. Maybe this is not true for some other schools. I can’t really speak to that.

The Legal Analyst (ISBN 978-0-226-23835-7)
Ward Farnsworth

Professor Long here recommended several texts in preparation for law school—in the words of Kingsfield, they point towards how to “think like a lawyer.” I read or at least played around with four of these. Far and away, the most useful of the bunch was this book.
Most of the classes and tests for 1Ls seem to be oriented on Black-Letter law—applying basic legal principles—and the Farnsworth text is pretty much not that. It is a bunch of theory. Nevertheless, it has given me another layer to consider as I approach issues in class. This text can't really help you with the meat of legal analysis most 1Ls here face, but it can help you put the cherry on top of that analysis. I can offer interesting perspectives in class. I am better able to make connections between classes. In more than a few cases, I have been able to anticipate what the judgment would be: even though there might seem to be a conflict with a previous case, I can identify distinguishing factors. On most "really hard" questions in class--ones where no one raises a hand--I can formulate a meaningful response, even though there may be a "better" answer. As someone who was anything but an economics major, I found this text to be absolutely worthwhile, helpful, and fun.
The usefulness of this text as a preparation will depend on the particular views of each given professor, but it will enable a new student to attack problems in class with meaningful thoughts. Don’t worship this text, but do consider it as a useful tool in analysis. Showing off is not almost always not a good idea, so don’t—but it’s cool to apply ideas from this text with discretion, especially when you look around and everyone is stuck on a problem. It's also nice for chewing the fat on a problem outside of class in an email, or perhaps at the end of class.
Another great thing about the Farnsworth text is it reads in discrete units. Even though chapters refer back to each other, each chapter is short and summative. Every one is a fun read. About halfway through the book turns from "good" to "wow." The language is approachable and the reader does not need a specific academic background to understand and follow along. This was a great book and I would recommend it to anyone identified in Farnsworth's self identified target audience.
I hope this was useful to you. Best wishes to you on your journey and choices as you go forward.

Mario Cerame
1L

My Quinnipiac Experience (from a part-time student)

I chose Quinnipiac initially due to its location and small atmosphere. Since I chose to continue working full-time in New Haven, I wanted to attend a law school close by, and one in which an evening program would not be a detriment. Indeed, while a part time student, I was still able to participate in the Mock Trial Competition in my second year, which has been the best experience I've had in Law School. Having the chance to participate in such an extracurricular activity, even as a part-time student, has greatly influenced the future direction in which I see my career as a lawyer progressing. I have also been incredibly impressed, over the course of the last two-plus years, with the Quinnipiac Faculty. I have been fortunate to forge excellent relationships with a number of professors, and have, without exception, found them willing to remain after class to answer questions or to discuss topics of interest. I would say the best thing about Quinnipiac is the sense of comraderie that its environment fosters. While one hears horror stories of the intense competition that happens at law schools, and it is true that as law students, we are highly competitive individuals, I have found that the faculty, students, and staff take great pride in fostering a sense that we are all a part of the same process, academically, intellectually, and legally.

James Creswell '10
President, Mock Trial Honor Society

Tips for Affording Law School

Law school should be your gateway to opportunity, not a financial burden. It may be the first time you will pay your own tuition and living expenses. You will have new responsibilities, yet probably won't have a large income. While there are a number of ways to pay for law school, you will want to do it in the most economical way possible. Here are a few tips to lowering the cost of education and post-graduation debt.

Cut expenses
Start trimming expenses and reducing debt now. Create a budget and stick to it. If rent and food bills are a concern, don't add to them with expensive cable packages and too many dinners out. Rent DVDs. Cook for yourself. Get an economy cell phone plan. One tall Starbucks coffee per weekday will cost you $910 per year.

Use your Knowledge to earn extra cash
Try tutoring. Your expertise in your chosen field, even with just your undergraduate degree, could be used to tutor high school and college students. Since tutoring doesn't take up too much time, it won't overtax you or detract from your own studies.

Research Grants and Scholarships
Will your chosen school give you a fellowship, grant or scholarship? Can you become a research assistant? These are forms of aid that don't have to be repaid, and an assistant's pay, while not high, is usually good enough to pay some of your living expenses for the year. Check free scholarship searches for additional assistance.

Employer Benefits
If you or a member of your family works at a company that reimburses employees for education expenses, you may be eligible. Check with the company's Human Resources Department.

Pay with a Monthly Payment Plan
Instead of making lump-sum payments to the school, monthly payment plans allow you to make smaller payments each month. Since they're not loans, there's no interest, and no debt to repay after graduation.

Educational Loans
If you need help paying for law school, you may choose to borrow an education loan. Federal loans generally carry a lower interest rate than private loans and currently offer a fixed interest rate, so it is wise to look at them first. Options include:

Federal Stafford Loans
Stafford Loans – This is often your first law school financing option. Designed for students needing assistance financing education costs, a subsidized or unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan can help you pay for law school.

The Federal PLUS Student Loan for Graduate and Professional Students (Graduate PLUS)
Graduate PLUS – This loan is designed for students who need additional financing to pay for law school beyond a Federal Stafford Loan. The Federal Grad PLUS Loan allows you to borrow up to the full cost of attendance, minus other financial aid received.

Private Loans
Many private lenders offer student loans. The interest rates and fees charged are generally higher than those for federal loans and are determined by the credit-worthiness of the borrower.

If you have any questions regarding financial aid, please feeel free to call Quinnipiac Law's Office of Financial Aid at 203-582-3405