Category: Law School

Categories
Law School

Dealing with Your Support System in Law School

My grandmother didn’t appreciate my answer when she asked what I would be giving up for Lent.

“My social life.”

I’m pretty sure she was thinking:

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The sunburn I got from her glare was almost enough to shrink a bit. Maybe before law school I would have. Maybe. 

By this point in the semester, you’d think I was comfortable with learning to ignore family and friends in order to make the grade. Constantly running away from family functions, friend hangouts, and bookstores is the worst bit of law school. Before law school, I hosted friends at our home nearly every weekend. The beau and I enjoyed galavanting around the city, trying new restaurants and exploring Dallas every chance we got.

A few weeks into my 1L however, those experiences faded away. I knew it would happen, my professors said it would happen, but I had no idea how angry my support system would get. Truthfully, I thought they would understand . 

It should come as no surprise that being ignored feels bad. Funnily enough, most law students (including myself) don’t realize that our reading for class makes you feel ignored. The fact is – for me, at least – I am doing everything I can to keep my own life in balance.

This week alone is jam-packed with assignments, work, presentations, and a butt-load of reading for class. Now, with the few minutes of free time I was enjoying, I will be working out in order to win my FIT BET. [It’s a competition…so, I plan to crush it!]

But some of my favorite people in the world feel ignored. What can I do?

Not a damn thing.

“This is your time to be selfish.” – UNTDCOL Professor said this to my class during Fundamentals week. It sounds harsh, I know, but those words are what I cling to when someone tries to guilt-trip me into going out for a drink or just lunch. 

When your friends and family ask you why you’re “ignoring them” please feel free to say this:

I wish I could be more lax sometimes, but the reality is that I am working toward earning a degree and I need to bust my butt to earn the grades to accomplish my dream of becoming an attorney.
It’s my job to excel in class and work (clerkship + internship this semester). This is my career. Which begs the question – do I sidetrack you in your career?
I don’t think so. But maybe I should drop by your house unexpectedly, or call and yell at you for forgetting to send you a birthday card,  or invite you to dinner and then text you ten minutes before the meal to say I can’t make it. 

[The advice I have for my wonderful family and friends is] – learn to deal with me not being around all the time. I miss you too. I miss being able to just jump in your car and head out on an adventure. I miss impromptu travel plans, late nights laughing and early work days. I miss movie nights and wine nights. I miss it all. I miss you. 

But right now it’s about me. Not you. I have goals and dreams and hopes for my career. Right now I need you to be strong, for me, because sometimes my want to push an assignment aside outweighs my want to actually complete it. Sometimes, I find myself wondering if law school is worth the struggle. And if you find me in a weak moment, I need your help to drag me back to my desk and tell me to get to work. 

I need your support, but if you feel like my attending law school is too much for you to handle – then maybe this is where our paths diverge. I plan on becoming an attorney and I wish you all the best. 

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Succeeding in law school is all about balancing your life. Do what makes you happy, but make sure not to let anyone mess with that happiness.

Categories
HealthyFit Law School

Such a Pretty Fat: 1L Version

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I’m channeling Jen Lancaster here. Because I’m such a fan…and I think she gets me.
Fo’ real.
Weighing in at 174ish and trying to be healthier is tough. The things I like to eat are actually pretty healthy, like broccoli and pasta and chicken…but then I add butter and make a white wine sauce and the entire meal is delicious now like 1000 calories per serving. Which, I’m told, is not entirely good for me either. Life can’t be perfect, right?

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Well, what if getting into shape didn’t have to be so damn hard? Or, at least, could be fun?
As a law student, you should just assume I’m competitive. You’d sure as hell be right, too! So you can only imagine how giddy I got when my Aunt bet money that she could lose more weight than I could in the next month. Challenge. Accepted. 

I decided to kick off Spring with a DIET BET! It’s a weight loss challenge where the winner gets some monies. Losers are hopefully not as fluffy as before.
This is going to be a great painful way to engage my muscles because, let me be clear, if studying made me ripped – I’d have rock hard abs by now. Alas, briefing cases only makes me smarter. Annnnd, since I haven’t gone to the gym more than 5 times this year, I’m basically a lumpy meat package.

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My hope is that the $20,000+ pot (seriously, it’s a huge sum of money) will be part mine by the end of 28 days. I just have to lose 4% (or roughly 7 lbs) of my body weight in 28 days. Don’t you dare doubt me just yet. I can totally do this. It will be interesting to see how following an actual diet (consuming roughly 1300 calories per day), limiting my sugar and coffee intake, and working out will affect my performance in law school. This may be the worst funniest idea I have all year…

 

Categories
Freebies Law School

Starbucks Saturday!

Coffee plays quite a [venti] role in my life. My morning routine includes at least one cup every morning…depending on which class I have first, if I’m being real honest. I grew up in a household kick-started by a little cafecito, which means even a whiff of good java makes my day happier.

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This morning was a particularly great start. I crossed off several action items and snuck some good study time in before the beau and our two pups woke up. The three of them tend to sleep in which – with me in the house – doesn’t tend to happen often.
What can I say? I’m a bit of an early riser and I can be reaaaaally annoying. Or, so I’m told.

To kick-off a great day of studying and meal prep – I am giving away a $20 Starbucks gift card! WOO! 

Make sure you post your picture by 11:59pm CST on Sunday, March 19th! (Of this year [2017], in case you thought you’d try to out-lawyer me).

The Rules:
1. Using Twitter or Facebook, tag @cerebellumchef; AND
2. Post a picture of either your (Study Space) or (one of your latest meals)

I’ll select ONE winner at random and DM you the gift card!
Simple as that! 

 

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Sometimes my study is neat and orderly, other times it’s as if my hair is on fire. That’s just the life of a #1L student. <3 I’m sure you’re used to it by now.

Happy Studying!

Categories
Law School

March Checklist: What You Should be Doing to be Successful

You have less than 2 months of classes left. I only have 6 weeks of class left.
Did you hear me?

Less than 2 months. That’s it. This is Defcon 2, y’all. [Fast Pace]
You are either thrilled, or practically in a full-blown panic. Halfway through the semester, running low on brain space, trying to keep studying…but you’re also losing steam. Right?

No need to hide it. I am exhausted.
Let’s be real – there’s only so much coffee a girl can drink. Which got me thinking…aside from living on Starbucks and Hope, what’s my plan to get the the finish line?

I’m going to share it with you.

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This is not the time to mope about your midterm grades or – on the flip side – get too comfortable with them. You’ve still got 50% or more on the line with your upcoming finals. You’ve got to focus! You can still make the grade you want, but it’s going to take some effort.

  1. Make a STUDY SCHEDULE!
    • People, we’ve talked about this. In your second semester of law school – you should have some sort of schedule! Task lists, time frames…create your own way of getting stuff done, but DO IT!
  2. Search for [and apply to] Scholarships
    • Ok, if you’re just drowning in money and have no cares in the world – feel free to skip this one (or send some cash my way, I’ll put it to good use. 😀 ). But if you, like myself, need some assistance with tuition, then look for scholarships! Make sure you’ve got an updated resume and cover letter.
    • This is the fun part, where you get to make yourself look damn good. Brag about yourself, but not too much. It’s a fine line…and I’ll be sure to post some tips on this soon.
  3.  Apply to Externships/Summer Internships
    • Summer plans are important. Some students choose to take a break from the struggle of sleepless nights and the constant flurry of assignments, but not this girl! I will be working for either an attorney or a judge this summer.
    • If you haven’t already applied to JIOP or spoken to your local DA’s office, then take advantage of reaching out to other attorneys in your hometown (or somewhere else, if you can swing the living expenses).
    • Be prepared to take on an unpaid internship as well. Sometimes a great opportunity may call to you, but the funds just aren’t there. Keep an open mind. It may be the perfect learning experience.
  4. Complete your Readings & Case Briefs
    • Do not get lazy!
    • You still need to put in maximum effort to end up with the grade you want (or need, if you bombed a midterm).
    • Getting your assignments done is half the battle, but it’s also the “low-hanging fruit.” Make sure to get the cases read and briefed because you will have an easier time applying the law on your FINALS!
  5. Keep Your Goal in Sight
    • The semester is winding down, but you still have bundles of work to do. Law school is only 3 years (4 if you’re a trooper working through a full time job and evening classes – props to you!) The time goes by fast, so this trivial bit of stress will be a funny story to tell to the law students you mentor once you have a bar card.
    • You only have to do this for a little while. Chin up, love. You’ve got this!

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Much love,
Sarah <3

Categories
Daily Dose Law School

Fierce & Fabulous!

Our Law School awarded us Spring Break last week, after a series of midterms. We were in bad need of some time off. My brain needed the break. I was dreaming about studying and forgetting (in the dream) to bring my pencil [for an electronic exam], which resulted in major waterworks and a few mini-panic attacks…all while sleeping!

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Sure, it sounds far-fetched, but law school is a tough nut to crack and I made it just a tad bit more complicated because I couldn’t sit still. In a meeting of chance (see, these opportunities do come along), I was offered a Clerkship [paid position] with the Probate Court and I took the job! I have learned more than I can type in one post, and get to work directly with one of the Judges. I am working my Clerkship and attending classes, while juggling other extra-curricular activities. Worth it? YES! 
I am in a perpetual state of exhaustion, which a girl can get used to; but burning the candle at both ends takes a toll. Which is why you need to get good at the balancing game: Going out v. Staying In.

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Ok, I obviously cannot take full credit for this idea, but I will take credit for reminding you to take a damn break! Read for fun! [Gasp, I know. But, your neurons will thank you for the time away from taking in Tacking and Tolling statutes or even The Model Penal Code.  Trust me. This past week I only took one day off, despite being on Spring Break. I continued to work through the week, because I honestly love my job. However, the Judges knew I did not have class and refused (yes, they completely opposed) to see me on Friday, effectively forcing me to take the day off. Why? Well, because they were law students once and remember the daily grind. Do you understand? Taking time for yourself is NOT a luxury, it is a necessity. It’s a lesson I grapple with every day, but I am getting better at it.

This weekend I spent some time with a few of my best friends, and even managed to sneak in a BRUNCH at a new (to me) spot in the Harwood District of Dallas! My friend, Adriana, celebrated a birthday and I was able to munch on breakfast pizza and bloody mary’s. Which, I would like to experience more in my life. The combination was wondermous!

Soooooo goood! I will most definitely return to Saint Ann’s Restaurant. Everything was scrumptious. We tried the pizza, everything omelette, biscuits and gravy, and strawberry shortcake french toast! Their mimosas were (per Adriana and Amanda) delicious. We enjoyed multiple carafes of their morning alcoholic beverages. Don’t judge me, we were relaxing a tad before reading Civil Procedure for our Monday class! Honest. 

 

Adriana is fierce and fabulous. She always manages to find the best deals on clothes and accessories. Anyone who can walk into exams looking like a #boss should be celebrated. I am thrilled to call her my friend and am so happy that law school brought us together.

Remember that tribe I told you about? She’s a bona fide member. Love your peeps. They are your greatest asset (and those talks result in awesome deep-belly laughs, which is basically like doing crunches…so she’s a multi-tasking friendship).

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Happy birthday, love! I hope you enjoyed your break! <3

As for you, my wonderful reader, please take a few moments to recognize the wonderful people in your life. Thank your support system, make them feel cherished. Remember to get your nose out of the books and enjoy your life. Don’t stray too far from why you’re working so hard – otherwise, you may lose sight of your goal.

Be awesome, y’all!

Categories
Law School

Lawyering: A Starter Kit for Networking 1Ls

As a 1L, the question you get asked the most (besides, did you read for class?) is “What do you plan to practice?”

I’m almost through my first year and I honestly have no idea which field I will choose. What I can tell you is how I started putting feelers out. It was both purposeful and accidental, all at once – and happened because I shook a few hands!

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Really! I met a charismatic 3L who introduced me to the Sports & Entertainment Law Association (which also houses the IP and Patent Law Interests). I joined and ran for an open Executive board position. The added responsibility of helping run and organize student events meant my calendar was filling up fast! This new addition also meant I met more of my peers, which allowed me to branch out from my original group of friends.

In meeting new and wonderful people, I met Aubrey. She’s a fierce and talented young professional who swept me up in a flurry of conversation centered around: feminism. We had the best talk about everything from prepping for finals to the patriarchal society in which we live (it’s law school folks, the conversations are deep and thought-provoking). The end result from our first few conversations led me to run for a position on the Executive Board for If-When-How and I have had the privilege of working with some amazing women.

We attended a luncheon recently to support Planned Parenthood. The men and women we met were inspirational! They offered advice on where we can lend a voice, how we (as 1Ls) can help the cause, and invited us to Lobby Day at the State Capitol! We will not all be able to attend, but the simple fact that some of my friends and colleagues set up a caravan plan immediately gives me so much hope for the kinds of attorneys they will be.

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To think, it all started with a handshake…is so simple. The key to moving yourself forward in this career, or any other, is to take the time to make your mark. Join a conversation. Say Hello. Do your best to jump in on conversations that make you think!

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The people you surround yourself with are your tribe. Love them. Hard. Be good to them.

Networking does not have to be a chore. All you need to do is introduce yourself to those colleagues around you. Believe me, doors will open for you.
A word of caution though – do not expect for opportunities to fall in your lap. Those possibilities do not come around often (though, they certainly do come up). Jump at the option to smile and meet a new face. Make a friend. Do what you can to make a positive impact in the world.

Categories
Daily Dose Law School

1L: Getting Through Winter Break

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“Law school attracts all kinds of crazy. Yourself included.” – One of my Best Friends

Honestly, she’s not wrong. Law Students are a special breed of student. We get kicked in the teeth every single day, and keep coming back. There is a level of mental anguish that we simply become comfortable operating at, existing moment by moment on the brilliant notion of adding two letters to the end of our name. We are engulfed by a three-year long tunnel, with high hopes of emerging as attorneys.

The sad fact is that we won’t all get to the finish line.
But there’s a sliver of success for you yet – if you’re willing to work.

Most law students appreciate the time off from class, away from the deadlines and ever-flowing series of emails with assignments and required readings. Many of your classmates will take the time off to feel normal again. Taking time to decompress is necessary, but do your best not to throw the entirety of your break away on Blue Bloods episodes or trying to eat your weight in holiday foods. Plant those feet back on solid ground and get to work after some hard-earned rest for surviving finals week.

You need to get out there and make the most of the time you have away from class because nothing feels worse than sitting across from a potential employer and not having any experience to speak of; crickets in an interview are no bueno.

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You should apply to a judicial internship. If you have the time [and can afford not to be paid for six to ten weeks] then you should go for it! My Abuelita  always says “A veces, hay que frijoliarlo.” Which basically translates to – “when times are tough, get by on what little you can – but don’t worry because  it won’t be forever.” I’m telling you this because most legal internships are unpaid. Count yourself among the lucky few if you land a great paid position for the summer. There are scholarships available – so make sure to look into those options as well!

Here are three stellar options for Summer Internships:
1. DAYL
2. JIOP
3. Equal Justice Works

You should also apply to SCHOLARSHIPS! Law school is, as you already know, a weight on both your shoulders and your wallet. Take the time to apply for different types of grants and scholarships in order to ease the cost of attendance. Worst case? You don’t reap the fruit of your labor. But, if you decided to forego the applications altogether – you’d still be left with a full tuition balance to cover. You’ve really got nothing to lose. So get started on those applications!

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Take A Deep Breath & Go Handle Your Business.

Keep up the hard work. I promise – it will pay off!

Categories
Daily Dose Law School

7 Tips: Prepping for Finals in Law School

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Law School finals are beastly. The preparation that goes into studying goes far beyond the scope any student experiences during undergraduate years.

Side note: I walked into senior year finals at Baylor in pajamas. [No, really – I did. You try studying for Anatomy & Physiology while working on a Medical Genetics Term Paper and a Biomedical Engineering Presentation.]

Law school is different. The stress levels are palpable. I’ve told you it was different, but this is where the pack starts to separate. Finals prep begins to show rifts in friendships as well as study groups, mostly because your friends are your study buddies. By this time in the semester, you should know who to study with, and who to walk away from. I don’t mean for this to sound rude, but some friends are too distracting to be around while you study. Take a step back and analyze how helpful certain friends are to have in your group sessions, who is better to maybe work one-on-one with; in other words, assess your study effort and align it with your educational needs.

At first, it feels like you’re being rude; rest assured, you are not. Preparing for finals is practically an art form, and here are 7 tips for acing those exams!

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  1. Create and fill out your course outline!
    • It simply is not enough to write up an outline. During those formative undergraduate years (and maybe for some of you lucky ones who learned to study in high school) you learn that an outline is a quick overview of topics; items to peruse and memorize. In law school, it is crucial to understand that a damn good outline is one that has not just the cases and posturing, but how the cases link to examples covered in class or questions asked (and answered) by the professor.
    • Start by making each topic a heading
      • Each Case, A Sub-heading
        • Each sub-heading should have key notes for law concepts
          • Then, include hypos from class
            • Especially highlight the sections that introduce new applications that build upon previous concepts
    • This is how you need to study. You must break down each concept into its component parts and then use those parts to build an analysis for any hypo
    • It is not enough to study the material – you need to work with it! Apply it. Change the facts in a scenario, and answer the updated question. Mess with everything so that you know your material, cold!
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  2. Reserve Study Rooms (a.k.a. – Find your STUDY Space!)
    • I prefer to study in the Gryffindor Common Room, but your preference may be completely different. I am happy to study virtually anywhere, so long as the ambient noise is conducive. You need to figure out if you prefer the chatter of a coffee shop to the hustle and bustle of group studying in a single library room. I recommend finding your own groove before letting people into the mix. Whether it’s a Starbucks (free wifi) or your bedroom and childhood desk, make it work for you. Study hard, my genius friend. 
  3. Schedule block study time-frames.
    • How many times have I mentioned that you need a calendar? Answer: Soooooo many times!
    • If you haven’t listened to me yet, then please hear me now – plan your life! The next three weeks of my life are dedicated to a myriad of activities and tasks, but they are planned! Do not study for 6 hours straight. That simply is not an effective means of retaining information.
    • Block off your study time in (at most) 2-hour chunks. Your brain will thank you for not over-loading it with the material that you (be honest) have slacked on reading these last two weeks.
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  4. Meal Prep
    • Yeah, I know this sounds weird. Who has time to cook? Well, I do. Most days, because it’s cheaper to feed myself versus eating out and ending up with a greasy pizza or a box of donut holes.
    • Take the time to prep several meals in advance. TRUST ME. You will likely be much more productive if you have sustenance for the hellacious study binges you are about to endure.
    • If you prefer, buy a pack of Uncrustables (my go-to fave for a lazy day sandwich) or a bunch of frozen meals. The point is, make sure you are eating. If your brain is weak, you will be too, and the studying you are putting in is wasted effort.
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  5. Designate study group hours on particular days.
    • I am adding in this suggestion because I believe that individual study time is critical to success in your legal education (or any other educational venture). The problem is that this is your 1L year and so many peers are terrified of alienating other students. Here is what I say to you – “Get over it.”
    • Yes, you need to make friends in law school. You need to make sure that someone’s got your back (and you have theirs) when you need to miss class. By all means, make friends. But do not hinder your own success by trying to bolster those around you. You will sink.
    • Study groups are great for sharing outlines or bouncing off hypos. If you enjoy studying with others, then this is a powerful tool to review material. A word of caution, however – do not use this as a social hour. Finals are upon us, and we have ZERO time for wild tangents or shenanigans (barring, of course, during break time!)
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  6. Schedule break times.
    • Speaking of break time…learning the law is a brain-buster. You’ve got to give that organ a rest. I have learned that doing so is easier said than done. Take my experience last week –
      • I was working on a case brief and ended up having to search for it on Quimbee. Then, after reading through the case and cross-referencing example cases…well, it was 3 hours later and I had no idea how I’d gotten there. I fell down a rabbit hole attempting to learn a concept that another friend managed to explain in less than 5 minutes. My point is…distraction comes easy. It is even easier to get pummelled with cases where you find yourself doing more research and then realizing it is dark outside. Was the sun up when I got to the library? How much time has passed?
    • So avoid the mess of forgetting to schedule a break. Your brain truly cannot process more than two hours’ worth of new information. There’s no need to stretch it too far in one day. Remember, it’s a marathon!
    • I prefer 1-minute dance parties, coffee runs, mini-shopping experiences (like picking up a bottle of Peach Moscato from World Market!), or reading a chapter of a favorite book.
      • The key here is to re-read. Otherwise, you will get sucked into the pages. It’s a dangerous game trying to pick up new and entertaining reading material before finals. But if you do, well hey – enjoy.
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  7. Rest up!
    • I will never, ever, recommend studying the day before an exam. You should certainly read through your outline and maybe quiz yourself on a few hypos. Aside from that – do something fun. Watch a movie. Go for a run. Learn to make paella. Whatever works for you to get your mind off of the exam.
    • Make sure that you rest enough and push the stress away. A clear mind is better than a stressed one. The anxiety of an exam can weigh you down, therefore it is imperative you lighten the mood.

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Preparation is key to success in pretty much anything.
In our fundamentals class, a 2L student shared this piece of wisdom:

Proper Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance.

No truer words have been spoken. You made it this far. You got into law school. Now, you need to fight for your right to stay. So focus that drive and ambition; give it everything you’ve got, because if you don’t – you’ll only be left with regret.

Happy Studying!

Categories
Daily Dose Law School

Staying Organized in Law School

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Law school is not for the faint of heart. There are hundreds of tasks to complete throughout a semester, from reading and briefing cases to writing memos; all the while you’re trying to keep yourself afloat.

As far as I know, no one in my class (including the few paralegals) feel this experience is easy. In fact, everyone struggles at some point. Everyone.

As I’m battling my way through this semester, and learning to deal with my own academic inadequacies, I felt this post was necessary. Many of my classmates have asked my opinion regarding the organization skills. As a former teacher, I can say – with confidence – that organization is critical to success.

 

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As a law student, organization plays an immense role in my daily routine. You should know, especially when considering attending law school, that you have to set a schedule and daily goals because learning to deal with law school [and all the expectations that come with the job] is akin to holding your breath under water while someone continually adds weights to your ankles. Trust me. 

In order to avoid that drowning sensation, here are 5 tips that will serve you well through your 1L experience and beyond.

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  1. Use a Calendar! 
    • My calendar preference is Google, but your options are certainly not limited. As a backup to my digital calendar, I also have a softcover Moleskin Calendar, which I love because it breaks my day up by hours. I carry it with me and cross off my daily tasks, but also have the Google Calendar to send me reminders about due dates and important assignments that need attention.
  2. Schedule Time OFF. 
    • I have one evening off every week. You need to schedule time off where you do absolutely nothing related to law school. You will thank me for this tip. Make time for your significant other, your sibling, your bestie, your mom, or even yourself. I reserve my evening off at the end of my week because trying to have a day off in the middle of lectures is simply not realistic.
    • I also make time for my family by setting up a weekly brunch. Law school keeps me busy! Which means I don’t have nearly as much time to spend time with my mom. I can easily send her a repeating calendar invite and message her when I might not be able to make it. It’s important to let your support system know that you care – don’t forget this!tumblr_o1glvhdx1b1uoxrxpo1_500
  3. Plan your meals.
    • We’re in law school. Tuition and related expenses can be costly, so you’ll need to get smart when it comes to managing your finances.
    • I found that buying coffee every morning, and eating out for lunch, is not ideal. Since I have such a passion for whipping up tasty treats, I’ve made it a point to pack my lunch most days. This means I get to relieve stress by coming home and making something delicious, while also relieving strain on my budget. Sure I have to make the meal, but it is worth the effort!
  4. Outline Weekly.
    • Set aside time in your schedule either at the end of class or on Friday to hammer out your outlines. Feel free to use a canned outline as your backbone, and then add your own notes and information. Start this sooner, rather than later, or you’ll feel even more of a crunch while prepping for exams.
    • Make sure to use COLORS! Studies show that size differences and font changes within notes help you remember the information better. Use every tool in your toolbox to learn and retain the material, friend!m-scott7
  5. See Your Professors Twice a Month. 
    • At Least! You need to make sure that your professors know who you are. Nothing feels worse than raising your hand, and not getting noticed or called on. I know that may seem dumb, but as a former teacher, I can tell you that some professors have a problem “seeing” you if they don’t know you. Make sure you sit and meet with them, not just to clear up your misunderstandings about content, but so they know you have a grasp of the material and will not likely lead their lecture off course.anyone

You’ve got all the tools you need to be an amazing student, but you’ll be standing in your own way if you don’t put in the effort. Work Hard – Be Awesome. 

Categories
Daily Dose Law School

Study Break @ The Crafty Irishman

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Law school is stressful. Sure, there are those who shrug off the reading assignments and make it look easy – but I’m pretty sure they go home, throw off the facade and the panic attack ensues. Maybe it doesn’t, and you’re doing so great in school…but that’s not the case for me

Every now and then, the reading gets too dense and I need to take a break. Being at school in downtown Dallas makes it pretty simple to walk away for a yummy lunch, where we don’t utter a word about classes or assignments. 

We’re serious about it too. My friend Matt actually made us put our phones in the middle of the table for a lunch recently and said, “You grab it, you buy for the group.” Annnnnd…since we’re all basically broke graduate students, we left our phones alone until the end of lunch. I highly recommend you do this from time to time and get to know your peers. Most of them are pretty amazing. :]

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Right before midterms, a small group of us went over to The Crafty Irishman. It’s such a great place to snag a quick bite and (from what I hear, because I don’t drink them…) the beer selection is wonderful! This little gem opened a couple of weeks into law school this semester, and it has quickly turned into a class fave.

The fish and chips are good, but they’re deceiving. The batter looks crispy – that’s not the case. Which, is soooo disappointing. Sure, it’s flavorful, and the fish is (usually) well cooked, but this girl needs some crunch! Fish and chips should not be soggy. Sadly, this second trip was underwhelming. However, I will be back and hope that this dish has improved. I’m looking for some flaky-melt-in-your-mouth goodness, that was sorely lacking here.

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Whit and Patricia ordered the Shepherd’s Pie. It must have been scrumptious because I wasn’t able to snap a picture of either dish before it was gone. Thankfully, Shel is a bit more patient (and possibly not quite as ravenous as the rest of us). She enjoyed the Scotch Eggs and said they “sound disgusting but are totally delish.” For those that don’t know, these are egg-stuffed sausage rounds that are then deep fried and drizzled with a mustard creme sauce. Though I haven’t tasted them yet, I can tell you – she didn’t leave a morsel on the plate. I’d say that’s high praise.

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I for one am glad the Irishman is up and running. The owner is very approachable and always nice to the customers (except when you want to mix Irish Beers with “American Piss”) and the service is superb. I look forward to trying a few more dishes here, and maybe even sample some drinks. Lately, we’ve enjoyed lunch here; which is right before one of our classes. It’s not the easiest thing to recite case briefs and try to digest vodka. Take that as a tip, friends. Don’t drink and then go to class!

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